ing. Don't you be scared--he's all safe; and
the day you appear in court against Sir Noel, that day he shall be
restored to you. Now don't you go and get excited; think it over, and
let me know your decision when I come back.'

"He left the room before I could answer, and I never saw Vyking again.
The next day, reading the morning paper, I saw the arrest of a pair of
housebreakers, and the name of the chief was George Vyking, late valet
to Sir Noel Thetford. I tried to get to see him in prison, but failed.
His trial came on, his sentence was transportation for ten years; and
Vyking left England, carrying my secret with him.

"I had something left to live for now--the thought of my child. But
where was I to find him, where to look? I, who had not a penny in the
wide world. If I had had the means, I would have come to Devonshire to
seek out the man who had so basely wronged me; but as I was, I could as
soon have gone to the antipodes. Oh! it was a bitter, bitter time, that
long, hard struggle with starvation--a time it chills my blood even now
to look back upon.

"I was still in London, battling with grim poverty, when, six months
later, I read in the _Times_ the awfully sudden death of Sir Noel
Thetford, Baronet.

"My lady, I am not speaking of the effect of that blow--I dare not to
you, as deeply wronged as myself. You were with him in his dying
moments, and surely he told you the truth then; surely he acknowledged
the great wrong he had done you?"

Mrs. Weymore paused, and Lady Thetford turned her face, her ghastly,
white face, for the first time, to answer.

"He did--he told me all; I know your story to be true."

"Thank God! Oh, thank God! And he acknowledged his first marriage?"

"Yes; the wrong he did you was venial to that which he did me--I, who
never was his wife, never for one poor moment had a right to his name."

Mrs. Weymore sunk down on her knees by the couch and passionately kissed
the lady's hand.

"My lady! my lady! And you will forgive me for coming here? I did not
know, when I answered Mr. Knight's advertisement, where I was coming;
and when I did I could not resist the temptation of looking on his son.
Oh, my lady! you will forgive me, and bear witness to the truth of my
story."

"I will; I always meant to before I died. And that young man--that Guy
Legard--you know he is your son?"

"I knew it from the first. My lady, you will let me tell him at once,
will you not? And Sir Rupert? Oh,