Page:The Family Legend.pdf/160

HELEN, (starting up from the body in an agony of alarm.)

O horrible! ye will not murder him?

Murder a harmless infant!

LOCHTARISH

My aged mother, lady, loves her son

As thou dost thine; and she has sworn to do it.

HELEN.

Has sworn to do it! Oh! her ruthless nature

Too well I know.(To Lorne eagerly.)
Loose them, and let them go.

LORNE.

Let fiends like these escape?

ARGYLL, (to Helen).

He does but threaten

To move our fears: they dare not slay the child.

HELEN.

They dare! they will!—O if thou art my father!

If Nature's hand e'er twined me to thy heart
As this poor child to mine, have pity on me!
Loose them and let them go!—Nay, do it quickly.
O what is vengeance? Spare my infant's life.