"Yes—my lord," replied Rainford: "the same father was the author of our being—although our mothers were different."
"Is this true?—is it really true?" demanded the Earl hastily.
"As true as there is an Almighty God who now beholds the great peer and the prisoned highwayman face to face!" replied Rainford solemnly; and divesting himself of his coat, he bared his right arm and exhibited a particular mark.
"I cannot doubt it—I cannot disbelieve you!" exclaimed the nobleman, tears starting from his eyes.
And then the great peer and the prisoned highwayman were folded in each other's arms.
"But, my God!" exclaimed Arthur, when the excitement of this fraternal recognition had somewhat passed away; "in what a condition do I find you, my poor brother!"
"Grieve not for me, Arthur," said Rainford: "my fate will soon be decided now; and whatever it may be, I shall be prepared to meet it as becomes a brave man."
"Talk not thus, Thomas!" cried the nobleman, pressing his hand warmly. "I have money to buy off your prosecutors—interest to use in your behalf——"
"If I say to you, 'Yes, use both,' Arthur," replied the highwayman, "it is only because there is one who loves me well, and for whose sake I could wish to live."
"I understand you—you allude to Miss Esther de Medina," said the Earl. "But there is another for whose sake you must hope to live and enjoy freedom again: and that is the brother who now stands before you, and who, for our father's sake, will never—never desert you!"