Opening the letter, she cast her eye rapidly over its contents, and then looking up, exclaimed in accents of delirious joy, “Saved! saved! Father Oldcorne, this man is married already.”
Catesby, who had watched her proceedings in silent astonishment, and was now advancing towards her, recoiled as if a thunderbolt had fallen at his feet.
“Can this be true?” cried the priest, in astonishment.
“Let your own eyes convince you,” rejoined Viviana, handing him the letter.
“I am satisfied,” returned Oldcorne, after he had glanced at it. “We have both been spared the commission of a great crime. Mr. Catesby, it appears from this letter that you have a wife living in Spain.”
“It is useless to deny it,” replied Catesby. “But, as you were ignorant of the matter, the offence (if any) would have lain wholly at my door; nor should I have repented of it, if it had enabled me to achieve the object I have in view.”
“Thank Heaven it has gone no further!” exclaimed Oldcorne. “Daughter, I humbly entreat your forgiveness.”
“How came that packet in your possession?” demanded Catesby fiercely of Viviana.
“It was given me by Guy Fawkes,” she replied.
“Guy Fawkes!” exclaimed Catesby. “Has he betrayed his friend?”