The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1886-02-27 00:00:00

[ALL RIQHTS RESERVED.]
HIDDEN PROOFS.

CHAPTER VII.
lam too well avenged but 'twas my right
Mercy is for the mercifuL If thou
Haat been of such, 'twill be accorded now.—l3vaoN.
Two days after her interview with the lawyer, Lady
Glanville was seated in her boudoir, engaged in making
out a list of her fashionable friends. She purposed
giving a ball on a magnificent scale, to close her
season in London.
"It is strange," she mentally soliloquised, " what
repugnance I always feel at visiting Ravenside. What
harm have I done Maurice? Have I not rather
benefited him? For what wealth or fame is so sweet
as that which a man earns by his own industry? I
have injured Alfred—poor, unhappy boy !--more than
him." And a shade of deep anguish crossed the
mother's brow. "He says, in his note, he has gone
off on a boating excursion. Alas I he is most likely
lost amid the haunts of dissipation he frequents; but
I will take him with me to Ravenside—he shall win
tielen Templemore yet." And persuading herself that
ll must turn out well, she resumed her occupation.
"A gentleman, my lady," said a footman.
"His name?"
"Mr. Rawthorne."
Lady Marion turned pale, but rose from her seat and
Proceeded to the breakfast-parlour, where Mr. Raw-
thorne awaited her.
"To what am I indebted for this pleasure, sir ?" she
said, somewhat haughtily, as the lawyer rose at her
entrance.
"To a friendly wish to spare Lady Glanville un-
necessary exposure and suffering," was the reply. "I
have come to communicate to your ladyship the fact
that, by a strange accident, your step-son, Maurice
Glanville, has at length been put in possession of docu-
ments which prove indisputably his right to the name
and property of his deceased father; but as he wishes
to spare Alfred and yourself all unnecessary trouble
and expense, I am authorised to treat with your lady-
ship in a friendly manner if possible."
During this speech Lady Glanville sat motionless,
keeping down, by a strong effort, her agitation and
alarm. At length she said—
"And where, may I ask, have these redoubtable
_
Proofs been found?"
"Strangely enough," was the reply, "Maurice has
had them at his side for the last nine years. They
were found behind his mother's portrait, an accident
having caused the discovery. To prevent all disputes,
he and I have been in Wales, at the village, where his
father's marriage was celebrated, and have obtained
certificates of the fact, and also of his baptism.
Though the matter must, perforce, be settled in a court
of law, we hope your ladyship will allow the suit to
be a friendly one."
"Indeed!" replied Lady Marion. "You would
have me, then, resign my son's rights on this portrait
evidence, brought forward nine years after his father's
death. I suppose Mr. Archer is so proud of his
triumph in Mrs. Templemore's affair, he longs to
figure as plaintiff himself. It will not do, Mr. Raw-
thorne. I shall make no compromise, but will defend
the right of my son to the barony of Ravenside to the
last."
The lady rose from her seat as she concluded, to
intimate that the interview was at an end; but Mr.
Rawthorne detained her.
"Once more," he said, "Lady Marion, listen to me.
The communication I am about to make may change
your resolution. It is a secret, and known hitherto to
myself alone; its future concealment or disclosure
rests with you. When I proceeded to the continent
after the death of your husband, for the purpose of
ascertaining, if possible, the truth concerning Maurice,
I sojourned for a few days at the small village on the
confines of France, where the baron and Lady Ellen
had resided for some months. I made the most
rainute'enquiries of the cure concerning them, and I
Obtained a piece of information which surprised me
not a little. Miss Archer had been educated in the
Roman Catholic faith, and it was from a seminary
connected with that profession Glanville stole his
bride.
"In a boating excursion on the lake near their resi-
dence, Lady Glanville was accidentally immersed in
the water, and the shock brought on a fever, which
reduced her to the brink of the grave. During her
Illness the monks from a neighbouring monastery visited
her daily, and taking advantage of her weakness, so
Wrought upon her with spritual terrors that she began
to view her accident as a punishment upon her for
marrying a heretic. Finally she agreed to renounce
her husband and child, and, entering into a convent
at some distance, endeavour to expiate her supposed
crime, by devoting the remainder of her life to many
and painful austerities. Having so far succeeded,
they wrote to acquaint Glanville with her illness,
assuring him that her death was hourly expected;
and then, giving her a sleeping potion, they managed
to deceive the simple cottagers around with the
semblance of death, conveyed her privately to the con-
vent, and when the distracted husband arrived, he
Was shown her grave. How far they were influenced
by the knowledge that Lady Glanville was possessed
of two valuable diamonds in the shape of a large
brooch and cross, which were supposed to have been
lost in the lake, I know not; suffice it, that the lady
kteltained in the convent upwards of two years before
"er death actually took place; and during that time
my friend married your ladyship, and thus became,
unconsciously, a bigamist."
smothered groan burst from the lips of Lady
Marion as Mr. Rawthorne concluded.
"Answer me !" she cried: '6 is this horrid story
true ?"
"You can ascertain that it is by dispatching a
messenger to the Continent."
She pressed her hand to her forehead for a few
minutes, and then said, more collectedly—
" Mr. Rawthorne, you must be aware that this tale
has shocked me considerably. Promise me that the
Whole of the business shall be kept secret for a week:
St the end of that time you -shall have my final
answer.
"Agreed, madam," was the reply; and, bowing '
Profoundly, the lawyer left the lady to her own
Meditations. They were somewhat bitter.
"Not the wife of Glanville r she exclaimed; "my
Child illegitimate—myself in the position in which I
, so unscrupulously placed another! This is indeed
retribution!
The door opening recalled her to the outer world.
"Mr. Pulsford, to wait on your ladyship."
" Engaged ! I will send for him when he is wanted.
At least," thought Lady Marion, "I shall get rid of
that man; and he will have to render an account
Where he least expects it."
After Mr. Rawthorne's communication all thoughts
Of opposing the claim of Maurice seemed to have
Vanished from the mind of Lady Glanville. To de-
scend from the position she had occupied in society,
and spend the remainder of her life in retirement, was
her determination ; but she reflected with dismay upon
the large sums she had squandered since the death of
her husband. Naturally indolent and fond of show,
Lady Glanville had indulged her tastes without re-
striction ; and whilst Mr. PuLsford kept a balance at
her banker's sufficient to supply her wants, she
allowed him to manage her affairs in his own way. It
:Was only when the declaration of Alfred startled
ner that she determined to investigate the wily
lawyer's accounts, and now, should Maurice, in anger
at her extravagance and folly, proceed to prove the
illegality of her marriage, and the consequent
illegitimacy of Alfred, what would become of them?
Tier husband's will! Ay, where was it? And the
haughty woman of the world, awakened for the first
time to the full consciousness of her sin and misery,
fled to her chamber, and, denying herself to all visitors,
spent the remainder of the day in tears of remorse.
"Well, Maurice, my boy, I have seen your step-
mother, and I think she will listen to reason," said
. Rawthorne, as he entered the rooms of the young
counsellor. "She has asked a week to consider. But
Whatdhave we here ?" he added, as he lifted a finely-
tinted note paper from the desk. " Umph ! a ball;
So Mrs. Templemore is going to celebrate her victory.
101 l go, of course, Maurice?'
"I think so, sir."
"Certainly. Ah, you rogue! I prophesy you will
carry off the heiress in spite of Beverley's coronet;
but you boast a name and lineage as ancient as his,
alad the property adjoins your own."
"flush, my friend! you forget that the property is
riot yet mine; and if I am to win Helen Templemore,
it roust be as Maurice Glanville, not as Baron of Raven-
. side—that secret must be kept for a few days at
least!,
"Romance, my good fellow—romance. It is a
dangerous thing for lawyers to indulge in; but yotk
Call afford a little now, and it suits the season of
youth. Success attend your suit." The kindly old
°au), pressed his young friend's hand and departed.