nclair would have been sure to have known all about it,
and have turned out to be the father or the uncle of his friend--he was
of the age to be either; but as this is not a sensation novel, he could
not throw any light on the dark subject, and could only give his
sympathy, and offer to take any amount of trouble on Francis's behalf.
His only advice was that he should advertise in the States' leading
papers, if he really wanted to know, for some one who emigrated in May
18-, in one of the three ships which had sailed about that time, who
had lost a child in convulsions that might not have been her own;
requiring some particulars about the age and the house at which the
death was believed to have taken place.

"It is a thousand to one against your getting an answer," said Mr.
Sinclair. "But what makes you so anxious to prove this? It can do no
good."

"Only this, that if Jane Melville can be proved not to be my cousin, I
can marry her and keep Cross Hall and my seat in Parliament. If it
cannot be proved, then I must give up everything, and go to Melbourne
and ask if she will have me without a penny."

"Oh, is that it?" said Sinclair. "I am the more bound to do all I can
to help you. We cannot spare you from the House, nor from the country.
But, after all, Hogarth, one woman is as good as another, and your
career should not be lightly sacrificed."

"One woman as good as another!" exclaimed Francis.

"Not exactly so; but there are many women as good as Miss Melville. I
grant that she is a fine woman, and one of excellent principles and
understanding; but not just the sort of person one could go into
heroics about. I do not say that as a companion and friend her place
could be filled up to you by such women as Miss Crichton or any of the
Jardine girls, or even by Eliza Rennie. But Mary Forrester--what do you
think of Mary Forrester? You should not let such a girl leave the
country. She is handsomer, younger, and every bit as good as Miss
Melville."

"She is a very fine girl, no doubt, but do not speak of her in the same
breath with Jane Melville. I owe so much to Jane: if it had not been
for her, I would never have been so valuable even to you."

"Well, then, let us see what is to be done to suit your wishes. Shall I
go with you to MacFarlane's?"

"I will be very glad indeed of your company," said Francis.

Mr. MacFarlane was very much surprised at the strange business which
had brought Hogarth from his parliamen