Mallet was still endeavouring to force his way from Sir Henry, when Mr. Talton and the Captain, surprised at the scuffle, hastened to the spot, followed by Frederick, Edward, and several of the servants, who had likewise been alarmed. The cause was soon explained, and Mallet effectually secured; he was then searched, and the will, with the packet written by the deceased Sir Henry, produced.
"Lady Corbet, I find," said Mr. Talton, "is resolved to tear her image from my heart! By heavens! this last action exceeds all I could ever have supposed a woman, and a mother, could have been guilty of!—For you, Mallet, your life shall answer for this outrage!"
This last sentence, pronounced with uncommon energy, reached the ear of Louise, who rushed into the passage.—"He is—he is my father," she cried in a voice of anguish. "Oh, for my sake, have mercy!" She threw herself at the feet of Mr. Talton, who, with Sir Henry and Harland, endeavoured to raise her from the floor, as the former said—"He has attempted the life of your brother, Mrs. Harland. But retire to your chamber, this scene is not fit for you."
Harland would have borne her away; but, with the wildest screams, she broke from him, and threw her arms round the neck of Mallet, who appeared as much confounded at her claim, as at the discovery of his preceding action.
"I am your Louise," sobbed his agitated daughter; "her whom you left at the gates of St. Ursule.—Will you not speak to me, and say you are my father?"
"The name of father," answered Mallet sullenly, "affords no pleasure to me, but has given a stab to my heart, I never thought to have experienced. Neither, I think, can it be gratifying to your ears, if you recollect the treatment you have received at my hands. If you wish, however, to show yourself my daughter, remind Sir Henry it is not in my power or your mother's now to injure him. I am at his mercy; but I do not expect to find it."
Louise turned a tearful eye to Sir Henry.—"My brother!" plaintively escaped her lips, and falling on his bosom, she wept in silence.
"Compose yourself, my dear girl:" said Sir Henry: "the tears of Louise can never plead in vain!—Go, Sir," he continued, addressing Mallet, as he unfastened the cord which confined him.—"For Louise's sake, you are free: and that this evening's transactions may teach you a useful lesson, take with you the forgiveness of the man you would have deprived—even of life!"
"I will not oppose your generous sentence, Sir Henry," said Mr. Talton; "but if you, Mallet, be found in this part of the country to-morrow—the next morning, notwithstanding Sir Henry's clemency, you shall certainly be the inmate of a prison."
Louise wrung her hands, and again burst into tears; whilst Mallet's brow assumed a deeper gloom: but, as he passed her, he said—"This is, most probably, then, Louise, our last interview. As the merit of my release rests with you, may a better blessing than mine be your reward!" He descended the stairs, followed by Mr. Talton and the servants; whilst Louise, satisfied by his liberation and benediction, yielded to Harland's entreaties, that she would retire to her own apartment.