for some moments was unable to collect his ideas sufficiently to make any reply.
"This is a most improper assertion on your part," he said at length. "Highly improper, and I beg that you will not repeat it."
"Be assured that I don't venture to do so without having first taken the precaution to ascertain it's the truth, as far as one possibly can. It came to my knowledge recently that Sir Charles, being pressed by one of his creditors, had shown him some time ago a marriage certificate obtained at a place called Doddington,^and had stated that it would secure him the peerage of Bideford. Unwilling to trouble your lordship on the subject until I had instituted further inquiries, I waited till one of my clerks had proceeded to Devonshire, and examined the registers at Doddington church. He returned last night bringing me the intelligence that the marriage which we have always disputed really took place."
"It is quite impossible," said the earl, decisively.
"Will you do me the favour to read this certificate," said Mr. Poole, holding out a paper.
"No, I really must decline to do anything of the kind."
The door opened, and Lady Beatrice Thorpe entered. She was in her nineteeth year, extremely delicate in appearance, and without the slightest claim to be considered beautiful. By the advice of her physician, who feared that she had a tendency to consumption, she had spent the previous winter at Nice, and had returned in somewhat improved health, to the great delight of her father. "As I saw Mr. Towers go out just now, I thought you were alone, papa," she said, pausing near the door. "Have you forgotten that I am waiting for you?" "This gentleman — Mr. Poole — has detained me. He has just made a most extraordinary statement, and — and I am not at all pleased that he should have ventured to do so." " I am afraid, my lord, that you don't quite realise the consequences of a proof such as this I hold in my hand being in possession of Sir Charles Pennington's legal adviser," said Mr. Poole, coldly. " Consequences ! I have no — hum — belief that anything more can result from it than a trifling annoyance." " It is rather unfortunate that you refuse to examine this paper which I have brought to you, because I should like to receive your instructions about it. However, I may briefly tell you that there is no doubt that the fact lo which it relates will cause you the loss of your earldom and estates. If you regard such a result as merely a trifling annoyance I have only to apologise for troubling you, and to take my leave." " How can you be so obstinate, papa, when you hear Mr. Poole's opinion?" said Lady Beatrice, hurriedly. " I had no idea that there was anything serious to apprehend," replied the earl, passing his hand across his forehead with a bewildered look. " Yet I clearly indicated that such was the case at the outset. Sir Charles -Pennington only required the proof of a certain marriage having taken place. He has obtained that proof, therefore he is certain of a decision in his favour," said Mr. Poole, quietly. " But — but something can be done to avert this calamity," rejoined the earl in an altered voice. "It is unjust, it is — yes, monstrous to suppose that I can be deprived of my rights by a scrap of paper." "Allow me to point out to you that Sir Charles may with equal propriety complain that he has been prevented from establishing /lis claims because he was unable to produce the paper to which you allude," rejoined the attorney, mildly. " Let me look at it," said the earl abruptly, holding out his hand for the certificate. He read it slowly, and handed it back in silence. " Is there any possibihty of its not being genuine?" asked Lady Beatrice, anxiously. "My clerk has seen the entry to which it refers, in the church register," answered Mr. Poole. "He also learnt that a gentleman visited Doddington a month or two ago, and obtained a certificate of the same marriage from the parish clerk." " Have you any advice to offer me?" asked the earl, looking helplessly at Mr. Poole. " There are only two courses that you can adopt. One is to have the question tried in the usual manner, and the other is to endeavour to effect a compromise. It might be possible to make an arrangement whereby Sir Charles would permit you to retain the title until your death. But of course you would have to surrender to him almost the whole of the estates at once."
"No, no. I am determined to do nothing of the kind. You must place the matter in the hands of the most eminent counsel that you can obtain. Spare no expense. Go to the Attorney- General—— "
"He is retained for the other side. Believing that you would decide upon contesting the
