by Heaven, I will cut you down!"

"'Tis impossible," ejaculated the attorney. "For your own sake, Sir
Ranulph--for my sake--I entreat--implore of you--not to attempt to pass
this way. Try the other door."

Ranulph said no more. He passed his sword through the body of the
miserable attorney, who, with a deep groan, fell. The only obstacle to
his passage being thus removed, he at once leaped into the room.

The brothers were now confronted, together, but little of brotherly love
mingled with the glances which they threw upon each other. Ranulph's
gentle, but withal enthusiastic temperament, had kindled, under his
present excitement, like flax at the sudden approach of flame. He was
wild with frenzy. Luke was calmer, but his fury was deadly and
inextinguishable. The meeting was terrible on both sides.

With one arm Luke enfolded Eleanor, with the other he uplifted the
dagger. Its point was towards her bosom. Scowling grim defiance at
Ranulph, he exclaimed, in a determined tone, "Advance a footstep, and my
dagger descends into her heart."

Ranulph hesitated, uncertain how to act; foaming with rage, yet
trembling with apprehension.

"Ranulph," gasped Eleanor, "life without you were valueless.
Advance--avenge me!"

Ranulph still hesitated. He could not, by any act of his own, compromise
Eleanor's safety.

Luke saw his advantage, and was not slow to profit by it. "You seal her
destruction if you stir," said he.

"Villain," returned Ranulph, between his ground teeth, and with
difficulty commanding sufficient coolness to speak with deliberation,
"you perceive your power. Injure her, and nothing earthly shall protect
you. Free her, and take your life and liberty; nay, reward if you will.
You cannot otherwise escape me."

"Escape you!" laughed Luke, disdainfully. "Stand aside, and let me pass.
Beware," added he, sternly, "how you oppose me. I would not have a
brother's blood upon my soul."

"Nor I," cried Ranulph; "but you pass not." And he placed himself full
in Luke's path.

Luke, however, steadily moved forward, holding Eleanor between himself
and Ranulph, so as to shield his own person; but, fancying he saw an
opportunity of dealing a blow without injury to his mistress, the latter
was about to hazard the thrust, when his arms were seized behind, and he
was rendered powerless.

"Lost, lost," groaned he; "she is lost to me forever!"

"I fear that's but too true," said Turpin, for it was the highwayman
whose