as he had recovered
himself. 'There is some mistake--it can't be!'

'There is no mistake,' Mrs. Ferrari rejoined, in her most positive
manner. 'Two gentlemen from the insurance offices called on me this
morning, to see the letter. They were completely puzzled--especially
when they heard of the bank-note inside. But they know who sent the
letter. His lordship's doctor in Venice posted it at his lordship's
request. Go to the gentlemen yourself, sir, if you don't believe me.
They were polite enough to ask if I could account for Lord Montbarry's
writing to me and sending me the money. I gave them my opinion
directly--I said it was like his lordship's kindness.'

'Like his lordship's kindness?' Mr. Troy repeated, in blank amazement.

'Yes, sir! Lord Montbarry knew me, like all the other members of his
family, when I was at school on the estate in Ireland. If he could
have done it, he would have protected my poor dear husband. But he was
helpless himself in the hands of my lady and the Baron--and the only
kind thing he could do was to provide for me in my widowhood, like the
true nobleman he was!'

'A very pretty explanation!' said Mr. Troy. 'What did your visitors
from the insurance offices think of it?'

'They asked if I had any proof of my husband's death.'

'And what did you say?'

'I said, "I give you better than proof, gentlemen; I give you my
positive opinion."'

'That satisfied them, of course?'

'They didn't say so in words, sir. They looked at each other--and
wished me good-morning.'

'Well, Mrs. Ferrari, unless you have some more extraordinary news for
me, I think I shall wish you good-morning too. I can take a note of
your information (very startling information, I own); and, in the
absence of proof, I can do no more.'

'I can provide you with proof, sir--if that is all you want,' said Mrs.
Ferrari, with great dignity. 'I only wish to know, first, whether the
law justifies me in doing it. You may have seen in the fashionable
intelligence of the newspapers, that Lady Montbarry has arrived in
London, at Newbury's Hotel. I propose to go and see her.'

'The deuce you do! May I ask for what purpose?'

Mrs. Ferrari answered in a mysterious whisper. 'For the purpose of
catching her in a trap! I shan't send in my name--I shall announce
myself as a person on business, and the first words I say to her will
be these: "I come, my lady, to acknowledge the receipt of the money
sent to Ferrari's widow." Ah! you