Lady Dudleigh disregarded the wildness of his tone, or perhaps she chose to take advantage of it, thinking that in his excitement he might disclose his thoughts the more unguardedly.
“You can do nothing,” she said.
“Can't I, though?” retorted Sir Lionel.
“You wait. First, there's Dalton.”
“What can you do with him?”
“Arrest him,” said Sir Lionel. “What is he? An outlaw! An escaped convict! He lives under an assumed name. He must go back to Botany Bay—that is, if he isn't hanged. And then there's that pale-faced devil of a daughter with her terrible eyes.” He paused.
“What can you do to her?”
“Her! Arrest her too,” cried Sir Lionel. “She murdered my boy—my son—my Leon. She must be hanged. You shall not save her by this trick. No! she must be hanged, like her cursed father.”
A shudder passed through Lady Dudleigh.
Sir Lionel did not notice it. He was too much taken up with his own vengeful thoughts.