ving begun its investigations on December 6. On the
10th, the term for which the late Lord Montbarry had hired the Venetian
palace, expired. News by telegram reached the insurance offices that
Lady Montbarry had been advised by her lawyers to leave for London with
as little delay as possible. Baron Rivar, it was believed, would
accompany her to England, but would not remain in that country, unless
his services were absolutely required by her ladyship. The Baron,
'well known as an enthusiastic student of chemistry,' had heard of
certain recent discoveries in connection with that science in the
United States, and was anxious to investigate them personally.

These items of news, collected by Mr. Troy, were duly communicated to
Mrs. Ferrari, whose anxiety about her husband made her a frequent, a
too frequent, visitor at the lawyer's office. She attempted to relate
what she had heard to her good friend and protectress. Agnes steadily
refused to listen, and positively forbade any further conversation
relating to Lord Montbarry's wife, now that Lord Montbarry was no more.
'You have Mr. Troy to advise you,' she said; 'and you are welcome to
what little money I can spare, if money is wanted. All I ask in return
is that you will not distress me. I am trying to separate myself from
remembrances--' her voice faltered; she paused to control
herself--'from remembrances,' she resumed, 'which are sadder than ever
since I have heard of Lord Montbarry's death. Help me by your silence
to recover my spirits, if I can. Let me hear nothing more, until I can
rejoice with you that your husband is found.'

Time advanced to the 13th of the month; and more information of the
interesting sort reached Mr. Troy. The labours of the insurance
commission had come to an end--the report had been received from Venice
on that day.

CHAPTER VIII

On the 14th the Directors and their legal advisers met for the reading
of the report, with closed doors. These were the terms in which the
Commissioners related the results of their inquiry: 'Private and
confidential.

'We have the honour to inform our Directors that we arrived in Venice
on December 6, 1860. On the same day we proceeded to the palace
inhabited by Lord Montbarry at the time of his last illness and death.

'We were received with all possible courtesy by Lady Montbarry's
brother, Baron Rivar. "My sister was her husband's only attendant
throughout his illness," the Baron informed us. "