t by
doing so I am assisting Jane Melville, which was forbidden as clearly
as the marriage."

"It is a very strong point. If I were the legal adviser of any one of
these benevolent associations, I certainly would recommend them to
contest it; at the same time, with the proof which you speak of, I
would enjoy fighting it out with them. In a court of law the decision
would be against you, under the most favourable circumstances; but if
we took it to the Equity Courts I think your chance would be better,
for there is a growing feeling there that it is not right for people to
bequeath property clogged with vexatious restrictions. Yet, at the same
time, all who think well of these five charitable institutions--and
they are the very best-managed of the kind in Scotland--Mr. Hogarth
showed judgment in his selection--will think taking the property from a
man who had, according to his own showing, no right to it, for the sake
of the poor and afflicted, really a good work. Public feeling will be
against you where you are not personally known."

"God knows it is not for myself that I wish to keep Cross Hall, nor yet
for Jane herself," said Francis. "But my life lies out before me so
clearly that at no period have I had more to give up than now."

"If you had the evidence you wish for (which I see very little chance
of your getting), and married Miss Melville, then, of course, the
societies would come upon you. You have got possession, you might keep
them at bay for years, and in the meantime you might have interest
enough with your political friends to get something good in the way of
a government appointment. We hear you well spoken of in the House as a
man likely to distinguish himself."

"Not in the way of getting government appointments," said
Francis--"quite in a contrary direction. But without the evidence,
then, what would you advise?"

"To let the matter rest. Indeed, I think it is useless to disquiet
yourself about discovering your real parents. These long-lost relations
never amalgamate well. I have seen several instances of it, and they
were very disappointing."

"Then," said Francis, "I suppose the only thing for me to do is to make
out a deed of gift to each of these societies in the order in which Mr.
Hogarth left the property to them. The personal estate I have certainly
trenched upon a little, but all to the benefit of the heritable estate.
Cross Hall is in better condition now than when I succeeded to it. I