ller statement?"

He asks this hesitatingly, and Mr. Rand fancies that he sees a point to
be gained. He does not see that O'Meara is struggling to conceal the
smile of satisfaction that _will_ creep into his face.

"_I_ consider it necessary, sir. It is high time that we knew why we
have been honored by this _incognito_--nobleman."

The witness turns an unruffled countenance towards the judge.

"If the Court will permit me to tell my brother's story in my own way,
(it will take some time,) I shall be glad to enlighten this legal
gentleman."

The Court gives its gracious permission; Attorney Rand resumes his seat;
O'Meara fairly grins his delight; Constance leans forward, breathlessly;
the prisoner casts one look about him, and then rests his head upon his
hand; there is breathless silence in the court, as the Honorable George
Heathercliffe begins:

"I have said that the prisoner at the Bar, is my elder brother; three
years ago he was not _Sir_ Clifford Heathercliffe, not my eldest
brother.

"The name of Sir Herbert Heathercliffe is, no doubt, unknown to all here
present--except Mr. Bathurst, if that gentleman is here--but England has
rung with that name, and the Heathercliffe pride has been lowered to the
dust, because of it.

"Sir Herbert was the pet and favorite of our father, and possessed over
him a strong magnetic influence. He was less than two years older than
Clifford, and the two closely resembled each other.

"From their academic days, Herbert was an idler, a spendthrift, a squire
of dames, _par excellence_. Clifford was devoted to study, and not
enamored of society.

"It is not my purpose to follow step by step the downward career of my
brother Herbert, only such of his misdeeds as affected Clifford need be
brought forward here.

"I have said that Herbert was a spendthrift. He was perpetually
borrowing of Clifford, and always in debt.

"When Clifford, who had a monomania for the medical profession,
announced his intention to go to Germany and pursue his studies there,
the first trouble came.

"Herbert, who for his own selfish ends, wished to keep Clifford and his
purse nearer Cliffe Towers, incited my father to oppose the scheme. This
was easy. Lord Heathercliffe did not believe in the dignity of labor,
and the two voted this new departure a family disgrace. They said so
much, and in such offensive language, that Clifford, in open defiance of
his father's commands, turned his back upon us all