itive. I
argued as long as I could with her, but in vain. At last she
consented to stop proceedings until I heard from you, saying, `If I
can have any proof under my nephew's own hand that Percival is his
son, I will be content; but without that I sign the new will.'

"Such is the state of affairs, that you have little chance if such a
document cannot be produced, I feel certain; at all events, I have
gained delay which we lawyers always aim at. I only wish the old lady
would take a sudden departure, and leave the question as unsettled as
it is. Had Lord de Versely not been so suddenly called away, this
would never have happened; as it is, we must make the best fight we
can. At present the colonel has it all his own way. Pray write
immediately, and explain as much as you can of this strange affair and
let me know what steps you think it advisable to be taken.--Yours very
truly,

"F. WARDEN."

CHAPTER FORTY SIX.

The receipt of this letter was extremely mortifying to me. I could not
help feeling that if I lost the fine property which had been intended
for me, I lost it chiefly by the deceit practised relative to my
mother's supposed death, and that if I did lose the estate in
consequence, it was a proper punishment. At the same time, I felt not a
little indignant at the conduct of Colonel Delmar. I now understood why
it was that he was talking with Mr Warden's clerk when I passed by
them; and I also felt certain that he must have taken advantage of my
situation at Portsmouth, and have opened my desk and stolen the letters
from my mother. For this I resolved to call him to account, under any
circumstances (that is, whether he or I became the heir to the old
lady), as soon as I could fall in with him. Although I was far from
despising the property which I was now likely to lose, yet I was more
actuated in my wish to regain it by my enmity towards him, and I
immediately resolved upon what I would do.

As I was still unfit to travel, and, moreover, was resolved not to leave
Hamburg without Minnie as my wife, I sent for Cross, and telling him in
few words, what had taken place, asked him if he would immediately start
for England, which he gladly consented to do. "The old lady requires,
it seems, proof from Lord de Versely's own hand that I am his son;
fortunately, that is in my power to give; so do you take this, and as
soon as you arrive in England make all haste to Mr Ward