will at once
depart. I will find other means of communicating with you--less direct,
and therefore less desirable. Make your election. But we _must_ be
alone--undisturbed. Summon your household--let them lay hands upon me,
and I will proclaim aloud what you would gladly hide, even from
yourself."

"Leave us, Agnes," said Lady Rookwood. "I have no fear of this man. I
can deal with him myself, should I see occasion."

"Agnes," said Luke, in a stern, deep whisper, arresting the ancient
handmaiden as she passed him, "stir not from the door till I come forth.
Have you forgotten your former mistress!--my mother? Have you forgotten
Barbara Lovel, and _that night_?"

"In Heaven's name, hush!" replied Agnes, with a shudder.

"Let that be fresh in your memory. Move not a footstep, whatever you may
hear," added he, in the same tone as before.

"I will not--I will not." And Agnes departed.

Luke felt some wavering in his resolution when he found himself alone
with the lady, whose calm, collected, yet haughty demeanor, as she
resumed her seat, prepared for his communication, could not fail to
inspire him with a certain degree of awe. Not unconscious of her
advantage, nor slow to profit by it, Lady Rookwood remained perfectly
silent, with her eyes steadily fixed upon his face, while his
embarrassment momentarily increased. Summoning, at length, courage
sufficient to address her, and ashamed of his want of nerve, he thus
broke forth:

"When I entered this room, you asked my name and object. As to the
first, I answer to the same designation as your ladyship. I have long
borne my mother's name. I now claim my father's. My object is, the
restitution of my rights."

"Soh!--it is as I suspected," thought Lady Rookwood, involuntarily
casting her large eyes down. "Do I hear you rightly?" exclaimed she,
aloud; "your name is----"

"Sir Luke Rookwood. As my father's elder born; by right of _his_ right
to that title."

If a glance could have slain him, Luke had fallen lifeless at the lady's
feet. With a smile of ineffable disdain, she replied, "I know not why I
hesitate to resent this indignity, even for an instant. But I would see
how far your audacity will carry you. The name you bear is Bradley?"

"In ignorance I have done so," replied Luke. "I am the son of her whose
maiden name was Bradley. She was----"

"'Tis false--I will not hear it--she was _not_," cried Lady Rookwood,
her vehemence getting the master of her prudence.