He was now left in the apartment only with young Willmington, Mrs. Willmington, who lay insensible on the floor, where she had fallen at the appearance of Appadocca, and her two infant daughters, who stared on in a state of absolute stupefaction.
“Now, sir,” said Appadocca to young Willmington, standing by the table, and leaning on the sword which he had borrowed, “allow me to speak to you. I am your father’s son.”
“You are not,” indignantly remarked young Willmington.
“It is an honor,” said Appadocca with a smile, while he bowed to the young man, “which I have never prized, I believe your stock is stamped with a peculiar mark: behold it!” and Appadocca opened his little finger as widely apart as possible from the other, and pointed to something between the two fingers.
Young Willmington looked, stared, and started back in astonishment, but spoke not a word.
“He,” continued Appadocca, after this disclosure, “treated me with harshness, injustice, and cruelty, and wronged, in addition, one whose place I now supply, and in whose name I seek vengeance. I owe him nothing except punishment. I am, therefore, your father’s sworn persecutor, and retributioner. You, he has always treated with kindness and affection; the bonds of natural obligation have been drawn the tighter on you by good deeds. You are, therefore, by the principles of justice, his natural defender. Now he is named in a vow that I have made, and I cannot let you rescue him. I have the power to prevent you from making any attempt to that effect, and I shall do it. But there is yet a satisfaction which I can give you, and I shall do so. With my life, the persecution which is now carried on against your father will cease; for I shall leave none behind me to take up my cause. I am willing, therefore, to throw life and death on a hazard, and to afford you as fair a chance as possible of purchasing your father’s deliverance by your valour and bravery. My sword, which I offer you, is of the finest metal, you may rely upon its fidelity. I challenge you to mortal combat.”
Appadocca put himself in an attitude of defence, bent his left arm over his back, raised his head proudly, and held his sword straight before him.
Young Willmington was undecided: he seemed to be under the power of a thousand different and conflicting feelings. There was no possibility of denying the well-known family mark with which Appadocca was stamped; he saw, consequently, before him his brother, by the laws which nature had made, whatever he might be by those which man had framed, and was forced to recognize in that brother the prosecutor, enemy, and almost murderer of his father. He was divided between two duties, the duty which he owed to a father, and that which he owed to a brother.