. Mountjoy is the
eldest son, you know."

"I know nothing of the kind."

"Oh dear, no! there is no question at all as to the date of my marriage
with your mother. We were married in quite a straightforward way at
Rummelsburg. When I wanted to save the property from those harpies, I
was surprised to find how easily I managed it. Grey was a little soft
there: an excellent man, but too credulous for a lawyer."

"I do not believe a word of it."

"You'll find it all go as naturally as possible when I have ceased to
stay and be troublesome. But one thing I must say in your favor."

"What do you mean?"

"I never could have managed it all unless you had consented to that
payment of the creditors. Indeed, I must say, that was chiefly your own
doing. When you first suggested it, I saw what a fine thing you were
contriving for your brother. I should think, after that, of leaving it
all so that you need not find out the truth when I am dead. I do think
I had so managed it that you would have had the property. Mountjoy, who
has some foolish feeling about his mother, and who is obstinate as a
pig, would have fought it out; but I had so contrived that you would
have had it. I had sealed up every document referring to the Rummelsburg
marriage, and had addressed them all to you. I couldn't have made it
safer, could I?"

"I don't know what you mean."

"You would have been enabled to destroy every scrap of the evidence
which will be wanted to prove your brother's legitimacy. Had I burned
the papers I could not have put them more beyond poor Mountjoy's reach.
Now they are quite safe in Mr. Grey's office; his clerk took them away
with him. I would not leave them here with Mountjoy because,--well,--you
might come, and he might be murdered!" Now Mr. Scarborough had had his
revenge.

"You think you have done your duty," said Augustus.

"I do not care two straws about doing my duty, young man." Here Mr.
Scarborough raised himself in part, and spoke in that strong voice which
was supposed to be so deleterious to him. "Or rather, in seeking my
duty, I look beyond the conventionalities of the world. I think that you
have behaved damnably, and that I have punished you. Because of
Mountjoy's weakness, because he had been knocked off his legs, I
endeavored to put you upon yours. You at once turned upon me, when you
thought the deed was done, and bade me go--and bury myself. You were a
little too quick in your desire to become the owner o