New-York tribune., 1896-11-15
VII.

gym YOU take that chair Mr. Hartley? And
will you kindly excuse nv rnishing this Iettet
II ia OF inheritance. In a few minutes snali
be at your service. You will find the evening
papers on that table beside YOU"
As he glanced over the papers suspicion.
soon amounting 10 certainty. arose IN Cecii
mind that the Lord Chancellors letter was not
receiving the undivided attention its impor-
tancc demanded More than once In the course
OF the next few minutes he felt the eyes or
his DISTINGUISHED host fixed upon his face with
a look Of keenest scrutiny. Fortunately for him
his conscience was void OF offence. and he could
afford TO bear the scrutiny without ilincning
Presently. however the important letter was
signed folded and dispatched. Then the great
man rose from his writing-table settled NM
self comfortably In an Armenian. ana began
the conversation with an Interrogation.
You We're abroad for some little time last
summer. think Mr.: Hartley
In much surprise Cecil assented
"Ah? Just Travelling in Northern Italy,
| believe
Your Lordship has been correctly informed"
And am | also correct In stating that you
there became intimately acquainted with some
ladies who were previously unknown to you?
These ladies. My Lord were good enough
certainly to permit me their acquaintance. But
IL would he presumption on my part 10 lay
claim to intimacy"
His Lordship cleared his throat Significantly :.
"A dangerous practice. that MIR. Hartley
mean the practice OF making casual acquaint-
anceships with unknown travelling companions
especially ladies': as In this case you may
chance to find TO your cost
CeCiiS pulses were beating IaSt anu luIiouSH'
but outwardy ne remained calm.
IF Your Lordship would kindly EXPLAIN
"Certalnly will do so. Mr.. Hartley. You are
surprised-and naturally scat my knowledse
OF your movements; but the matter VIII soon
be clear to you-clearer, perhaps. than VIII be
altogether pleasant / regret to tell you tnat
your act has brought you within the jurisdic-
ton OF the court over which have the nonor
to preside.
His Lordship had now assumed his judicial
voice and frown-both OF them awful IN tneir
solemnity.
You sir being man Of law, are OF course
aware that the attempt TO persuade female
minor who has been committed to the wardshp
OF that court into contracting matrimonial
alliance without the knowledge and permission
of the court. constitutes grave legal orence
and one to which severe penalties are attached!
Here was something tangible at last. ana
Cecil knew where he stood
Certainly | know it. My Lord. But you will
permit me to say that II have committed such
an offence II was done unwittingly.
Then you do not intend to deny that during
the month Of June last you endeavored to ex-
tract promise Of marriage from my ward. Miss
Grace Thornton?'
II have no wish to deny 1t. I only state that
I had not the smallest grounds for supposng
that young lady to be a ward Of your court My
Lord"
And you were also in Ignorance. I suppose.
Mr. Hartley that that ward Is one OF the rich
est heiresses In England?'
The tone was markedly cold and significant
On the point OF honor Cecil was sensitive to a
fault and he Iad to pause for moment ere
replying. to regain command Of his temper
When he spoke there was a quiet dignity In his
bearing which we'll became him.
II have only my own unsupported word to
offer In answer to that question. My Lord but
my word has never yet been doubted. When
asked Miss Thornton to become my wife knew
nothing either Of her family or Of her circum-
stances It was the knowledge Of her personal
worth which alone induced me to try and win
her."
The Lord Chancellor's eyes had not left the
visitors face for a moment.
And. Of course. had you known that you were
addressing the only child and sole heiress OF Sir
Abel Thornton-whose extraordinary success as
a financier must he we'll known to you-you
would not have presumed to urge your suit
upon that young lady?"
Cecil answered quickly and firmly.
Pardon me, My Lord. cannot assent to that
proposition Heiress or no heiress Miss Thorn
ton is the one woman In the world desire Tor