"Insolent!" exclaimed Lady Rookwood, with a glance of indignation; "force his way! I promise you he shall not display an equal anxiety to repeat the visit. Tell Mr. Coates I will see him." "Mr. Coates! Mercy on us, my lady, it's not he. He'd never have intruded upon you unasked. No such thing. He knows his place too well. No, no; it's not Mr. Coates----" "If not he, who is it?" "Luke Bradley; your ladyship knows whom I mean." "He here--now?----" "Yes, my lady; and looking so fierce and strange, I was quite frightened to see him. He looked so like his--his----" "His father, you would say. Speak out." "No, my lady, his grandfather--old Sir Reginald. He's the very image of him. But had not your ladyship better ring the alarm-bell? and when he comes in, I'll run and fetch the servants--he's dangerous, I'm sure." "I have no fears of him. He _will_ see me, you say----" "Ay, _will_!" exclaimed Luke, as he threw open the door, and shut it forcibly after him, striding towards Lady Rookwood, "nor abide longer delay." It was an instant or two ere Lady Rookwood, thus taken by surprise, could command speech. She fixed her eyes with a look of keen and angry inquiry upon the bold intruder, who, nothing daunted, confronted her glances with a gaze as stern and steadfast as her own. "Who are you, and what seek you?" exclaimed Lady Rookwood, after a brief pause, and, in spite of herself, her voice sounded tremulously. "What would you have, that you venture to appear before me at this season and in this fashion?" "I might have chosen a fitter opportunity," returned Luke, "were it needed. My business will not brook delay--you must be pleased to overlook this intrusion on your privacy, at a season of sorrow like the present. As to the fashion of my visit, you must be content to excuse it. I cannot help myself. I may amend hereafter. Who I am, you are able, I doubt not, to divine. What I seek, you shall hear, when this old woman has left the room, unless you would have a witness to a declaration that concerns you as nearly as myself." An indefinite feeling of apprehension had, from the first instant of Luke's entrance crossed Lady Rookwood's mind. She, however, answered, with some calmness: "What you can have to say is of small moment to me--nor does it signify who may hear it. It shall not, however, be said that Lady Rookwood feared to be alone, even though she endangered her life." "I am no assassin," replied Luke, "nor have sought the destruction of my deadliest foe--though 'twere but retributive justice to have done so." Lady Rookwood started. "Nay, you need not fear me," replied Luke; "my revenge will be otherwise accomplished." "Go," said Lady Rookwood to Agnes; "yet--stay without, in the antechamber." "My lady," said Agnes, scarcely able to articulate, "shall I----"