n in its present condition, without interfering in
politics. I replied that his resolution was a wise one, and undertook
whenever he desired to have the money forwarded to him, to send it
immediately. I of course did my best to try and discover where he was
and whom he had married. Once or twice I was very near succeeding. I
traced him to two or three places, but at length I entirely lost all
clue to him. I suspect he was aware I was endeavouring to discover him,
and thus, as he had already had much practice in playing the game of
hide-and-seek, he was able completely to evade me."

"That is a strange story you have told me," said the Earl; "I had
forgotten many of the circumstances to which you allude. Alas! as long
as my own boy lived it was a matter of no consequence. I felt very sure
that my own patent was secure, and that he would inherit my title and
estates; but now it seems that through this curious arrangement of my
father, matters have altered; but surely should an heir appear, he could
not deprive my daughter of Kilfinnan Castle, and the estates which
belong to it."

"In the unlikely event of a claimant establishing his right to the
earldom, he would also inherit the Kilfinnan estates," answered the
lawyer; "but you will remember there are the estates in Derry, which
were formerly separated from the Kilfinnan property, and according to
the arrangements made by the late Earl, they become the heritage of the
females should there be no son to succeed. Thus Lady Nora will at all
events retain the Derry estates, even though it may turn out that your
long-missing cousin has left a son to inherit the title and Kilfinnan
property."

The Earl sighed deeply.

"It matters very little to myself. My dear Nora has no ambition, and as
her tastes are simple, she will be perfectly content with the Derry
estates, where she will, I feel sure, devote herself to the care of the
surrounding peasantry, and will avoid those extravagances which would
injure her property, as alas! I have done."

The lawyer sat for some time longer with his friend, but the Earl at
length, observing that he felt very faint, desired that his doctor, who
was in the house, might be sent for. The man of medicine soon appeared,
and feeling the Earl's pulse instantly administered restoratives. In a
short time the Earl rallied, and desired that Lady Nora and his niece
might be sent for. They came and sat with him for nearly an hour, when
he