"'Matilda Stanley!' exclaimed Captain Sherbourne in a tone of agitation, 'was that the name of your mother?'
"'It was, your honour,' replied William, 'and there were few such mothers.'
"'And your father!—your father!' repeated the Captain, with increased agitation; 'what knew you of him?'
"'Alas! nothing!' exclaimed the prisoner bitterly, and the tears gushed down his cheeks; 'but, oh, recal not to my memory in a moment like this—recal not my mother's—No! no! my sainted mother!'
"'O conscience! conscience!' exclaimed the Captain, starting to his feet, and gasping in eagerness as he spoke. 'One question more—and your mother's father was a dissenting clergyman in the village of—name!—name the place! on that depends your life, and my happiness or misery.'
"'In the village of —— in Westmoreland,' replied William; 'but he survived not his daughter's broken heart. You knew them, then? Oh, did you know my father?'
"'My son! my son! come to a father's heart,' exclaimed the Captain, springing forward and falling on his neck; 'I am your father! Shade of my wronged Matilda! look on this!'
"'My father!' exclaimed William, 'have I found him! and in such an hour! But, if you loved my mother, wherefore'—
"'Upbraid me not, my son,' interrupted the Captain, 'mingle not gall with my cup of joy. Your mother was my wife—my first, my only one. Circumstances forced me to exact a promise from her, that our marriage should be concealed until I dared to acknowledge it, and long captivity severed me from her; until, on my return, I could obtain no trace of either of you. How I have mourned for her, all who now stand beside me have been the daily witnesses. My son! my son!'
"'My father! O my father!' exclaimed William; 'but at this moment you are also my judge.'