s existence.
Gregorio they call him. He was plainly used to absolute government,
and viewed the coming down amongst us as an assertion of liberty much
against his will. We could see that he was awfully jealous of my
father and me, and would do anything to keep us out; but providentially
he can't write English decently, though he can speak any language you
please. Well, the man and I came into collision about a scamp of a
groom who was doing intolerable mischief in the village, and whom they
put it on me to get discharged. On that occasion Mr. Gregorio grew
insolent, and intimated to me that I need not make so sure of the
succession. He knew that which might make the Chanoine and me change
our note. Well, my father is always for avoiding rows; he said it was
an unmeaning threat, it was of no use to complain of Gregorio, and we
must digest his insolence. But just after, Uncle Alwyn sent me to hunt
up a paper that was missing, and in searching a writing-case I came
upon an unmistakable marriage certificate between Alwyn Piercefield
Egremont and Alice Headworth, and then the dim recollections I told you
of began to return.'

'What did you do?'

'I thought I had better consult my father, expecting to hear that she
was dead, and that no further notice need be taken of the matter. But
he was greatly disturbed to hear of the certificate, and would hardly
believe me. He said that some friend of my grandmother had written her
word of goings on at Freshwater between his brother and the young
governess, and that they went off at once to put a stop to it, but
found us left with the German maid, who declared that Miss Headworth
had gone off with Mr. Egremont in the yacht. No more was heard of my
uncle for six weeks, and when he came back there was a great row with
the old General, but he absolutely denied being married. I am afraid
that was all the old sinner wished, and they went off together in the
yacht to the West Indies, where it was burnt; but they, as you know,
never came to England again, going straight off to the Mediterranean,
having their headquarters at Sorrento, and cruising about till the
General's death ten years ago.'

'Yes, I once met them at Florence, and thought them two weary pitiable
men. One looked at the General as a curious relic of the old buck of
the Regency days, and compassionated his nephew for having had his life
spoilt by dangling after the old man. It was a warning indeed, and I
am glad