“My mother lives?” exclaimed Ray, springing to his feet.
“Yes.”
“Great Heaven! Where?”
“In England, most probably.”
“My mother lives? Can it be possible? Who is she? What is her name?” demanded Ray, like one beside himself.
“Lady Maude Villiers, Countess De Courcy!” exclaimed the outlaw, while his dark, fierce eyes blazed.
Ray stood for an instant paralyzed; then an expression of anger and utter incredulity flushed his face and flashed from his eyes.
“My mother the Countess De Courcy!” he said, scornfully. “Do you take me for a fool, Captain Reginald?”
“Young man, before high Heaven I swear I speak the truth!” said the outlaw, solemnly. “Did not Ketura tell you the manner in which your father’s marriage was brought about?”
“That he inveigled my mother into it by some unlawful means? Yes; she told me that. But, good heavens! the idea of it being Lady Maude Percy! Oh, it is absurd, ridiculous, incredible, impossible!” exclaimed Ray, vehemently.