When she saw by their happy looks that all was right, she wept and laughed by turns at her niece’s recovered joy, until they approached to ask her blessing.
She greeted the young man with a warmth which convinced him at once that he had nothing to fear for his future from her.
He had conversed with her only a few moments when these words fell upon his startled ear:
“Robert, my son!”
He turned and was clasped in a warm, fervent embrace, while the one word, “Father!” burst from his glad lips.
CHAPTER XXXI.
BAFFLED.
We must go back to the moment when Ralph saw his uncle leave the room, fell the guard, and speed away through the mazy passages.
He followed as well as he was able, for he was wholly unacquainted with the situation of the different cells and the way which led to them. Every few moments Ralph paused to listen, to catch the sound of the squire’s footsteps, and then hurried on.
At last there was a moment of utter silence, then he heard the sharp clang of a heavy bolt as it was drawn from its socket, then the noise of an opening door, after which an almost satanic laugh echoed through those low vaults as Squire Moulton at last reached his victim.
Ralph crept cautiously nearer. He did not wish to be seen by his uncle, and resolved not to interfere in any way, unless he should attempt violence.