, 1885-01-02
CHAPTER XVII.
SKIES.

AAEAR Ma
Although England was now to me and to
my wife a land very different from the ono
we quilted some eight months ago. we were
anxious to get back TO Seville, il only to set
at rost my mothers fears. She, poor woman,
as a letter showed, was much exercised as
to what manner of business could have
made us leave her in so unceromonious a
way. Tho moment the glad truth had be-
como known to me, l had autographed, say
ing that all was we'll with us, and that we
should join her. Two things only detained
us.
The first was that we wanted the con-
vict's confession. Although Philippa said
little on the subject, | knew that until it ar
rived she would not DO quite happy. There
was with her a haunting dread that the
man, in the hopa OF mitigating his sentence,
had pleaded guilty To a crime of which he
vas innocent. Even tho accuratc account
which | gave her Of the interview with the
solicitor did not quite satisfy her. 81 we
waited impatiently for the full explanation,
which might or might not come.
The second thing which kept us in London
was this. | determined that before | left
| would have this fact that when | married
Phiiippa | married Lady Ferrand fully nc
knuwledged. | found my wny 10 the p+n-
tlemou who were winding up the dead
mans affairs, and stated my case to their
incrod ulous ears At first they treated me
as an impostor.
But not for long. Indeed, my task was half
done. They had already, without my as
surance from Mrs. Wilson, forfeited out the
datc and particulars Of the death of the first
Lady Ferrand. They had but to assure
themselves that the marriage certificate
which l laid before Thorn was no forgery,
and surrender at discretion.
IL was n poor estate, the Administrations
told me. Sir Mervyn had died interstate.
lie had during his lifetime made away with
nearly all he could ALLEVIATE. Still, there
was some personal property, of which my
wife could claim a share, and n certain
amount of real property. on which she wa 5
entitled to dowor. But IL was n very poor
estate,
cut them very short | told them that.
let the deceased's wealth be great or little,
not one penny piece of IL should soil my wife's
fingers. II Sir Mervyn Ferrand's heir was
In want OF the money, IL should. provided he
was a different stamp OF mar from his i'm
mediate predecessor. be given to him n froe
gift II not, some hospital should be befs-
fted by it, All | wanted was that it should
he clearly understood That Sir Mervyn Fer
rand left n widow.
The administrators, one Of whom was, by
the by. the heir, evidently looked upon me
as a most eccentric parsonage. Perhaps 1t
was for this reason, or-ns ] do not wish to
cast unmerited blame-perhaps il was boz
cause the estate wound up to nothing-well,
any way, oven to this day we have received
no communication much lass remittance.
from the administrators: nor, to tell the
truth, have | troublcd them again. Phil.
ippa's marriage admitted, | washed my hands
OF all the Ferrand brood.
The confession did not arrive; but | per.
sun1ed Philippe 10 leave England. Mr.
Crisp could send whatever he had to send to
Seville just as well as 70 London. So once
more, and this time in all but perfect hap
piness, We took the long journey which was
by now quite familiar TO us.
The joy, the wild joy. with which Phil
ippa throw herself into my mothers arms
checked all the upbraidings and reproach
which we apparently merited. Our return
was like the return OF Il prodigal son and
daughter. Laughter, tears and happinessl
Although l told my mother nothing as TO
the object OF our mysterious journey al
though she asked me nothing; although no
word evldencing her knowledge OF what had
passed has ever crossed her lips, l know
that all has been revealed to her; that Phil
ippa has sobbed out tho whole strange taie
on her breast. know 1t by this. that since
the day OF our return my mothers desp
love for my wife has shown itself even ten
derer, sweeter and deeper. Yes, I was
eyes the next day showed me that Philippe
had given her the history, us l have given it
here from beginning to ond.
No, not quite the end. Sit by me once
more, as | asked you at the beginning OF my
story to sit by me; but this time. not by the
side of a smoldering fire, but out in the fair,
gay patio OF our Andalusian home. Philippa
and ] are side by side. The post has Just
come in and brought me a bulky packet, on
which, in a clerkly hand, is written my
name and addresS | tear the wrapper open
with eagerness | know what it contains;
Philippa knows / wish to read 1t first alone,
but the appealing look in her cYps turns me