The Sunday tatler and Jersey City express. (Jersey City, N.J.) 1883-1886, 1886-08-08
BIGAAY OR NOT?
A LONDON LAWYERS TALE OF REMARK
ABLE CASE.

enjoyed high reputation Tor Keen prac'
lice and shrewd business management.
This kind of professional fame is usually
far more profitable than the drum and
trumpet variety of the same article, and
ultimately anchored us both very CON-
fortably in the three per cents; and this
too, am. bold to say, not without our
having effected some good in our genera
tion. This boast of mine the following
passage in the life or distinguished
client, whom our character for practi cal
sagacity and professional shrewdness
brought us, will, think, be admitted IN
some degree to substantiate.
Our connection was mercantile, rather
than al aristoeratic one, ard my surprise
Was, therefore, considerable when, on
looking through the office blinds to sscer-
tain what vehicle it was that had driven
SO rapidly up 10 the door, observed
handsomely appointed carriage with
coronet emhlazoned on the panels, out of
which a tall footman was handing lady
attired in deep but elegant mourning, and
closely yelled. l Instantly withdrew to
my private room, and desired that the
lady should be Immediately admitted
Greatly was my surprise increased when
the graceful and still youthful visitor
Withdrew her vel and disclosed the fea-
lures of the Countess of Seyton, upon
whose mud, luminous beauty. as rendered
by the engraving from Sir Thomas Law
lence's picture. | had so frequently gazed
with admiration. That rare and touching
beauty was clouded now; and IN intense
expression of anxiety, fear--almost terror
CLEANED from out the troubled depths
of her fine dark eyes.
ssThe Countess of Seytonl" half vol
unfairly exclaimed, as with my very best
bow khanded her ladyship chair.
Eyes; and you are a partner of this
celebrated firm, are you not?"
l bowed again still more profoundly to
this compliment, and modestly admitted
that was the Sharp of the firm her lady
ship was pleased 10 entitle celebrated.
Then, Mr.. Sharp, have to consult
yoa professionally upon matter of the
utmost-the most vital importance 10 me
and mine. Her lsdyship then, with some
confusion of manner, as if she did not
know whether what she was doing was in
accordance with strict etiquette or not,
placed a Bank of England note, by way
of retainer, before me. put it back.
explaining what The usage really was, and
the Countess replaced it in her purse.
I'VE shall be proud TO render your
]adyship any assistance in our power" |
said; nut understood the Messrs jack
son enjoyed the confidence of the house
of Seytonf"
Precisely. They are, so to speak, tue
hereditary solicitors of the family more
than of any individual member of it; and
therefore, though highly respectable per-
sons, unfit TO advise me in this particular
matter. Besides" she added with increas-
ing lremor and hesitation, ito deal with,
and if possible foil the individual by
whom am prosecuted, requires an agent
of keener sagacity than either of those
gentlemen can boast of; sharper, more
resolute men; more-y GU understand what
/ meant"
Perfectly, madam; and allow me to
suggest that it is probable our interview
may be some what prolonged one-your
ladyship's carriage, which may attract
attention, should be at once dismissed.
The Office of The family solicitor is, you
are aware, not far off; and as we could
not explain 10 them the reason which
induces your ladyship to honor us with
your confidence, it will be as well to avoid
any chance of inquiry"
Lady Seyton acquisced in my sugges-
ton; the carriage was ordered home, and
Mr.. Flint entering just at the time, we
both listened with earnestness and anxiety
to her communication. 1t is needless to
repeat verbatim the somewhat prolix,
exclamative narration of the Countess;
the essential facts we're follows:
The Countess Of SeytOn, previous TO
her first marriage, was Miss Clara Hayley,
second daughter of the Reverend John
Hayley, the rector of a parish in Devon
shire. She married, when only nineteen
years of age, Captain Gosford. Her hus
band waslen years older than herself, and.
as she discovered after marriage. was
cursed with morose and churlish temper
and disposition. Previous to her acquaint-
ance with Gosford she had been intimate
with, almost betrothed to, Mr.. Arthur
Kingston. a young gentleman connected !
with the peerage, and at that time heir
apparent TO the great expectancles and |
actual poverty Of bis father, Sir Arthur |
Kingston The naughty baronet, the |
instant he was made aware of the nature |
Of his sons intimacy with the rector's |
daughter, packed the young man of to |
The continent on his travels. me hev-
srend John Hayley and his beautiful I
Clara were as proud as the baronet, and
extremely indignant that il should Be
thought either of Them wished toentrap |
Or delude Arthur Kingston into an I'M
equal or ineligible marriage. This feeling
II pride and resentment aided the success
if Mr.. Gosford's suit, and Clara Hay ley,
ike many other rash, high-toned young
aides. doomed herself to misery, in order
o show the world, and Mr.. Arthur Kings
on and his proud father especially, tina!
he had spirit. The union was mosI
nhappy one. One child only, which died
D its infancy, was born TO them; and after |
eng united somewhat more than two
ears. separation, vehemently insisted
n by the wife's father, took place, and
he unhappily welded daughter returned
) her parents roof Mr.. Gosford-he