human
Why did my--this gipsy, Ketura, leave England?
gpt
I do not know--she never told me,
human
Old Earl De Courcy died shortly after I, her son, left England--perhaps she was instrumental in his death and was obliged to fly.
gpt
Of that I know nothing, said Ray, impatiently.
human
What has all this to do with the revelations you are to make?
gpt
Not much, perhaps; but I wish my question answered. You say she resides in Old Barrens cottage?
human
Yes.
gpt
You live there too, with her, of course?
human
Yes.
gpt
If she is, as you say, a helpless paralytic, how has she contrived to support and educate you--for I perceive you are educated?
human
It was not she who did it. I am indebted for my education to the kindness of an old gentleman who resides near us,
gpt
Who attends to her now, in her helplessness?
human
Erminie and her servant.
gpt
Erminie who? Oh, I remember; Miss Lawless spoke of some Erminie Germaine, who was to have been brought here instead of her. Who is this Erminie?
human
I cannot tell. My grandmother brought us from England together--she was a mere infant, then.
gpt
Perhaps she is your sister?
human
No; her very looks forbid such a supposition. That there is no gipsy blood in her veins, I am confident.
gpt
And gipsy Ketura brought her from England? Strange--strange! Who can she be? said the outlaw, musingly.
human
She has often spoken to you of the De Courcy family, no doubt!
gpt
Yes, often.
human
Did she tell you Lord Ernest Villiers married Lady Maude Percy?
gpt
She did.
human
Do you know if they had any children?
gpt
I do not know.
human
She never told you?
gpt
Never, said Ray, wondering where this
human
Catechism of Perseverance
gpt
Strange, strange--very strange! said the outlaw, pacing up and down, with brows knit in deep thought.
human
And so you are determined to avenge the wrongs of your father, young man?
gpt
Yes, Heaven helping me, I will!
human
Heaven? said the outlaw, with his old sneer.
gpt
It is the first time I ever heard Heaven aided revenge; Satan helping you, you mean. And how is this revenge to be accomplished?
human
Time will tell, said Ray, impatiently.
gpt
It cannot concern you in anyway, Captain Reginald; and on this subject you need ask me no more questions, for I will not answer them.
human
As you please, said he, with a strange smile.
gpt
You have inherited the fiery, passionate spirit of your race, I see. Your father is, you say, drowned?
human
Yes--yes! To what end are all these questions?
gpt
Patience, Mr. Germaine; I will come to that presently. Did your grandmother ever speak to you of your mother?
human
Very little, said Ray, in a softer tone.
gpt
She told me she never saw her, but that she was a lady of rank. That, however, I am inclined to doubt.
human
And why?
gpt
Because my father was a gipsy. No lady of rank, knowing it, would have anything to do with one of his class. Proud England's proud daughters would not mate with despised gipsies.
human
Love levels all distinctions, young sir, he said, haughtily.
gpt
If she loved him would not that be sufficient to break through all the cobweb barriers of rank? Have not all social ties been proven, thousands of times, to be more flimsy than paper walls before the irresistible whirlwind of human love and passion?
human
Your mother was a lady of rank--is a lady of rank, for she still lives!
gpt
My mother lives?
human
Yes.
gpt
Great Heaven! Where?
human
In England, most probably.
gpt
My mother lives? Can it be possible? Who is she? What is her name?
human
Lady Maude Villiers, Countess De Courcy!