“What have you done,” cried Lord Elmwood, “that you are in this terror? What have you done, man?”
“Nothing, my Lord,” replied he, “but I am afraid I am going to offend you.”
“Well, no matter;” (he answered carelessly) “only go on, and let me know your business.”
The man’s distress increased—and he cried in a voice of grief and affright—“Your child, my Lord!”——
Rushbrook and Sandford started; and looking at Lord Elmwood, saw him turn white as death. In a tremulous voice he instantly cried,
“What of her?” and rose from his seat.
Encouraged by the question, and the agitation of him who asked it, the poor man gave way to his feelings, and answered with every sign of sorrow,
“I saw her, my Lord, taken away by force—two ruffians seized and carried her away, while she screamed in vain to me for help, and tore her hair in distraction.”
“Man, what do you mean?” cried the Earl.
“Lord Margrave,” replied the stranger, “we have no doubt, has formed this plot—he has for some time past beset the house where she lived; and when his visits were refused, he threatened this. Besides, one of his servants attended the carriage; I saw, and knew him.”