“Kindred!” exclaimed Captain de Lacey:  “Of what affinity is our guest?”

“A brother!” answered the lady, dropping her head on her bosom, as though she had proclaimed a degree of consanguinity which gave pain no less than pleasure.

The stranger, too much overcome himself to speak, made a joyful gesture of assent, but never averted a gaze that seemed destined to maintain its direction so long as life should lend it intelligence.

“A brother!” repeated her son, in unfeigned astonishment.  “I knew you had a brother:  but I had thought him dead a boy.”

“’Twas so I long believed, myself; though frightful glimpses of the contrary have often beset me; but now the truth is too plain, in that fading visage and those fallen features, to be misunderstood.  Poverty and misfortune divided us.  I suppose we thought each other dead.”

Another feeble gesture proclaimed the assent of the wounded man.

“There is no further mystery.  Henry, the stranger is thy uncle—­my brother—­once my pupil!”

“I could wish to see him under happier circumstances,” returned the officer, with a seaman’s frankness; “but, as a kinsman, he is welcome.  Poverty, at least, shall no longer divide you.”

“Look, Henry—­Gertrude!” added the mother, veiling her own eyes as she spoke, “that face is no stranger to you.  See ye not the sad ruins of one ye both fear and love?”

Wonder kept her children mute, though both looked until sight became confused, so long and intense was their examination.  Then a hollow sound, which came from the chest of the stranger, caused them both to start; and, as his low, but distinct enunciation rose on their ears, doubt and perplexity vanished.

“Wilder,” he said, with an effort in which his utmost strength appeared exerted, “I have come to ask the last office at your hands.”

“Captain Heidegger!” exclaimed the officer.

“The Red Rover!” murmured the younger Mrs. de Lacey, involuntarily recoiling a pace from the litter in alarm.

“The Red Rover!” repeated her son, pressing nigher with ungovernable curiosity.

“Laid by the heels at last!” bluntly observed Fid stumping up towards the groupe, without relinquishing the tongs, which he had kept in constant use, as an apology for remaining in the presence.

“I had long hid my repentance, and my shame, together,” continued the dying man, when the momentary surprise had a little abated; “but this war drew me from my concealment.  Our country needed us both, and both has she had!  You have served as one who never offended might serve; but a cause so holy was not to be tarnished by a name like mine.  May the little I have done for good be remembered when the world speaks of the evil of my hands!  Sister—­mother—­pardon!”

“May that God, who forms his creatures with such fearful natures, look mercifully on all our weaknesses!” exclaimed the weeping Mrs de Lacey, bowing to her knees, and lifting her hands and eyes to heaven “O brother, brother! you have been trained in the holy mystery of your redemption, and need not now be told on what Rock to place your hopes of pardon!”