be read as evidence in any court in England, that can take
cognizance of the matter."

Sir Reginald took the papers, and began to read them, one by one, and
with deep attention. The evidence of the identity of the grandfather was
full, and of the clearest nature. He had been recognised as an old
schoolfellow, by one of the governors of the colony, and it was at this
gentleman's suggestion that he had taken so much pains to perpetuate the
evidence of his identity. Both the marriages, one with Jane Beverly, and
the other with Rebecca Randolph, were fully substantiated, as were the
two births. The personal identity of the young man, and this too as the
only son of Wycherly, the _eldest_ son of Gregory, was well certified
to, and in a way that could leave no doubt as to the person meant. In a
word, the proofs were such as a careful and experienced lawyer would
have prepared, in a case that admitted of no doubt, and which was liable
to be contested in a court of law. Sir Reginald was quite half an hour
in looking over the papers; and during this time, every eye in the room
was on him, watching the expression of his countenance with the utmost
solicitude. At length, he finished his task, when he again turned to
Wycherly.

"These papers have been prepared with great method, and an acute
knowledge of what might be required," he said. "Why have they been so
long suppressed, and why did you permit Sir Wycherly to die in ignorance
of your near affinity to him, and of your claims?"

"Of my claims I was ignorant myself, believing not only Mr. Thomas
Wychecombe, but his two brothers, to stand before me. This was the
opinion of my grandfather, even when he caused these proofs to be
perpetuated. They were given to me, that I might claim affinity to the
family on my arrival in England; and it was the injunction of my
grandfather that they should be worn on my person, until the moment
arrived when I could use them."

"This explains your not preferring the claim--why not prefer the
relationship?"

"What for, sir? I found America and Americans looked down on, in
England--colonists spoken of as a race of inferior beings--of diminished
stature, feebler intellects, and a waning spirit, as compared to those
from whom they had so recently sprung; and I was too proud to confess an
affinity where I saw it was not desired. When wounded, and expecting to
die, I was landed here, at my own request, with an intention to state
the facts; but, fal