ine
should e'er take place. I might go hence, or might stay, as I thought
fitting; but you and your daughter, whom she characterized as intruders,
should not remain another hour within her house. To this wild raving I
answered, with as much composure as I could command, that she entirely
mistook her own position, and that, so far from the odium of intrusion
resting with you, if applicable to any one, the term must necessarily
affix itself on those who, through ignorance, had for years unjustly
deprived the rightful owners of this place of their inheritance. Upon
this her wrath was boundless. She disowned me as her son; disclaimed all
maternal regard, and heaped upon my head a frightful malediction, at the
recollection of which I still tremble. I will spare you further details
of this dreadful scene. To me it is most distressing; for, however
firmly resolved I may be to pursue a line of conduct which every sound
principle within me dictates as the correct one, yet I cannot be
insensible to the awful responsibility I shall incur in bringing down a
mother's curse upon my head, nor to the jeopardy in which her own
excessive violence may place her."

Mrs. Mowbray listened to Ranulph's explanation in haughty displeasure;
Eleanor with throbbing, tearful interest; Dr. Small, with mixed feelings
of anger and astonishment.

"Lady Rookwood's conduct," said the doctor, "is--you must forgive me, my
dear Sir Ranulph, for using strong expressions--outrageous beyond all
precedent, and only excusable on the ground of insanity, to which I wish
it were possible we could attribute it. There is, however, too much
method in her madness to allow us to indulge any such notion; she is
shrewd, dangerous, and designing; and, since she has resolved to oppose
this match, she will leave no means untried to do so. I scarcely know
how to advise you under the circumstances--that is, if my advice were
asked."

"Which I scarcely think it likely to be, sir," said Mrs. Mowbray,
coldly. "After what has occurred, _I_ shall think it my duty to break
off this alliance, which I have never considered to be so desirable that
its rupture will occasion me an instant's uneasiness."

"A plague on all these Rookwoods!" muttered Small. "One would think all
the pride of the Prince of Darkness were centered in their bosoms. But,
madam," continued the benevolent doctor, "have you no consideration for
the feelings of your daughter, or for those of one who is no distant