me, which would have stopped me from sending
them. He communicated the fact, however, to Colonel Sherbrooke, and the
result has been their preservation."
The unfortunate man was about to speak again; but Lord Sunbury waved his
hand mildly, saying, "Indeed, my good sir, it would be better to utter
no more of such words as we have already heard from you. Should you be
inclined to contest rights and claims which do not admit of a doubt, it
must be in another place and not here. You will remember, however, that
were you even to succeed in shaking the legitimacy of my young friend,
the Earl of Byerdale here present, which cannot by any possibility be
done, you would but convey the title and estates to his uncle, Colonel
Sherbrooke, to whose consummate prudence, in favour of his nephew, it is
now owing that these estates, having been suffered to rest for so many
years in your hands, no forfeiture has taken place, which must have been
the case if he had claimed them for his nephew before this period.
Whatever be the result, you lose them altogether. But I am happy that it
is in my power," he added, advancing towards him whom we have hitherto
called Lord Sherbrooke, "to say that this reverse will not sink your
family in point of fortune so much as might, be imagined. That, sir, is
spared to you, by your son's marriage with this young lady."
Caroline started up eagerly from the table, gazing with wild and joyful
eyes in the face of Lord Sunbury, and exclaiming, "Have you, have you
accomplished it?"
"Yes, my dear young lady, I have," replied Lord Sunbury.
"The King, in consideration of the old friendship which subsisted
between your father and himself, in youthful days, before political
strifes divided them, has granted that the estate yet unappropriated
shall be restored to you, on two conditions, one of which is already
fulfilled--your marriage with an English Protestant gentleman, and the
other, which doubtless you will fulfil, residence in this country, and
obedience to the laws. He told me to inform you that he was not a man to
strip the orphan. You will thus have competence, happy, liberal
competence."
Her husband pressed Caroline to his bosom for a moment. But he then
walked round the table, approached his father, and kissed his hand,
saying, in a low voice, "My lord, let a repentant son be at least happy
in sharing all with his father."
For once in his life his father was overcome, and bending down his head
upon son's neck, he wept.
Lord Sunbury gaz