ng--nay, anxious--to recognise him."

"Indeed! How truly generous of you!" There was no telling whether the
speech was genuine, or another sneer.

"He cannot bear the title, but I can make him my heir. He may succeed
to the position in due course--I hardly care how soon."

"Are you mocking me, Lord Essendine?"

"I am in sober earnest. I will do what I say, but only on one
condition."

"And that is?"

"That you give up the child, absolutely, and forever."

"What! part with the only thing left me to love and cherish--"

"One moment, madam," interposed the lawyers "before your emotion
overpowers you. We happen to be able to judge of the extent of your
affection for your only son."

"How so?"

"We know you care so little for him that for month, you never see the
child. It was left in England when you went to the Crimea--"

"With my husband. Besides, I could not have made a nursery of Lord
Lydstone's yacht."

"And since you settled in London you have sent it to a nurse in the
country."

"It was better for the child."

"No doubt you know best. However, this discussion is unnecessary. Will
you comply with his lordship's conditions, and part with the child?"

"Never!"

"Remember, the offer will not be renewed."

"And what, pray, would become of me? You deprive me of
everything--present joy in my offspring, his affection in coming
years. I shall be alone, friendless--a beggar, perhaps."

"As to that, you must trust to his lordship's generosity."

"Little as you deserve it," added Lord Essendine, meaningfully.

She turned on him at once.

"Of what do you accuse me?"

"Of much that I forbear to repeat now. But I will spare you--I will
leave you to your own conscience and--"

"What else, pray?"

"The law. It may seize you yet, madam, and it has a tight grip."

"I shall not remain here to be so grossly insulted. If you have
anything more to say to me, my lord, you must write."

"And you refuse to give up the child?"

"You had better put your proposals on paper, Lord Essendine. I may
consider them in my child's interests, although the separation would
be almost too bitter to bear. I may add, however, that I will consent
to nothing that does not include some settlement on myself--"

"As to that," said the lawyer, "his lordship declines to bind
himself--is it not so, my lord?"

"Quite; I will make no promises. But she will not find me ungenerous
if she will accept my terms."

And so the intervie