"It is the most unfortunate thing in the world, my lord. I had rather the fellow had run me through the body."
"But it is not serious, surely, captain," said Lord Walton. "Let me see."
"Serious, my lord! it is ruin!" replied Barecolt. "It is right across my nose. I am marked for life, so that I shall never be able to conceal myself or pass for Captain Jersval any more."
Lord Walton laughed, replying--
"You will do so better than ever, captain; for you are so well known without the mark that no one will know you with it."
"That is true, too," replied Captain Barecolt; and the next moment Lord Walton, advancing through the vestibule, pushed open the door, which his sister had left ajar, and entered Lady Margaret's sitting-room.
He was not alone, however; for by the hand he led poor Arrah Neil, somewhat pale, and with her hair dishevelled, but perhaps only looking the more exquisitely beautiful, as the large chesnut curls fell wildly round her fair brow, and over her soft rounded cheek.
With a cry of joy and surprise, Annie Walton sprang forward and took the poor girl in her arms, exclaiming--
"Ah, dear Arrah! this is a glad sight indeed!"
But the effect of this sudden apparition upon Lady Margaret Langley was even greater than upon her niece. She gazed upon Arrah Neil with a look expressive of more than wonder; and then hurrying forward, she took her by the hand, fixing her eyes upon her countenance, and asked in a tremulous voice--