"My father?" murmured the girl.
"He's alive. Don't be afraid."
Together they went to release him. The old lord was at the end of his forces. It was all that he could do to kiss his daughter and press Simon's hand. Isabel too was on the verge of swooning; shaken with a nervous tremor, she fell into Simon's arms, faltering:
"Oh, Simon, you were just in time. I should have killed myself! . . . Oh, what degradation! . . . How shall I ever forget?"
Great as was her distress, she had nevertheless the strength to check Antonio's hand when he raised it to stab Rolleston:
"No, please don't. . . . Simon, you agree, don't you. We haven't the right. . . ."
Antonio protested:
"You're wrong, Miss. A monster like that has to be got rid of."
"Please! . . ."
"As you will. But I shall get him again. We have an account to settle, he and I. M. Dubosc, lend me a hand to tie him up!"