Desmond’s hand slackened on his collar. ‘Speak!’ he cried. ‘Tell me, or I’ll strangle you! Is it the truth ye’ve told me? Is Lord Kilpatrick my father?’ ‘Yes,’ cried Richard, ‘and you know it!’ Desmond released him, and fell back with a moan. Cur and coward as he knew the man to be, his words carried conviction. As by a lightning-flash, he read the meaning of a thousand details of his past life, which, thus illuminated, went to prove the truth. ‘My mother!’ he said. ‘My mother! No, no! Don’t say it--don’t say it! Don’t say it, for the love of God! I can’t bear it!’ He broke into a terrible sob. ‘Ye’re just the champion fool o’ my experience,’ said Peebles, as he passed Richard on his way to the door, to the frame of which Lord Kilpatrick was clinging, looking on the scene with haggard eyes. ‘You cad!’ said Dulcie, flinging the word at Richard like a missile. ‘Peebles! Desmond! What’s all this?’ cried his lordship. ‘The secret’s out, my lord,’ said Peebles. ‘The poor lad knows he’s your son.’ Kilpatrick looked with a ghastly face towards Desmond, who glared back at him like one turned to stone. ‘Uncle,’ cried Dulcie, ‘speak to him. Tell him it is not true.’ ‘It _is_ true,’ said Kilpatrick hoarsely. Desmond, my boy, my son, speak to me!’ ‘_You!’_ said Desmond. ‘You--you are my father?’ Lord Kilpatrick tottered into the room and fell into a chair. ‘And my _mother_,’ said Desmond--‘my mother? What of _her?_’ ‘She died, long years ago,’ said his lordship. ‘Who was she? Speak!’ cried Desmond--‘speak! I must know!’ ‘She was named Moya Macartney,’ said Kilpatrick. ‘She was--she----’ ‘She was not your _wife?_’ said the boy. ‘Then I am--I am what he called me!’ ‘Convention!’ cried Kilpatrick--‘mere convention! I acknowledge you as my son. Who will dare to point at you? Take witness, all of you!’ he cried, rising from his seat, ‘Desmond Macartney is my son. Those who will receive him and treat him as such are welcome here. Those who will not, let them go their ways.’ ‘Uncle!’ cried Dulcie, ‘God bless you! Desmond----’ ‘Hush, Lady Dulcie!’ cried Desmond. ‘Don’t speak to me now, or my heart will break. I was too happy to-day,’ he said brokenly; ‘I might have known that trouble was to come.’ Kilpatrick made a movement towards him. ‘Keep back!’ said Desmond. ‘Don’t come near me! I’m _her_ son, not yours. I’ll never eat your bread, or call you father.’ So saying, he pushed his way past Peebles, who sought in vain to restrain him, and with one wild glance at the assembled group, rushed from the room and ran like a death-struck deer from Kilpatrick Castle. CHAPTER V.--LADY DULCIE OFFERS CONSOLATION. On Desmond’s departure, Dulcie left the room, and ran swiftly to her own chamber. Her hurried ring at the bell was answered by her maid, Rosie. ‘Mr. Desmond has left the Castle,’ said Lady Dulcie. ‘He has had a misunderstanding with his lordship. Follow him, and tell him not to leave the village till he sees me. Quick!’