, he is also my grandson."

"Corbet," said his lordship, "you had better explain yourself. This, Sir
Thomas, is a matter very disagreeable to me, and which I should not wish
even to hear; but as it is possible that the interests of my dear friend
here. Lady Gourlay, may be involved in it, I think it my duty not to
go."

"Her ladyship's interests are involved in it, my lord," replied Corbet;
"and you are right to stay, if it was only for her sake. Now, my lady,"
he added, addressing her, "I see how you are sufferin', but I ask it as
a favor that you will keep yourself quiet, and let me go on."

"Proceed, then," said Lord Cullamore; "and do you, Lady Gourlay,
restrain your emotion, if you can."

"Thomas Gourlay--I spake now to the father, my lord," said Corbet.

"Sir Thomas Gourlay, sir!" said the baronet, haughtily and indignantly,
"Sir Thomas Gourlay!"

"Thomas Gourlay," persisted Corbet, "it is now nineteen years, or
thereabouts, since you engaged me, myself--I am the man--to take away
the son of your brother, and you know the ordhers you gave me. I did so:
I got a mask, and took him away with me on the pretence of bringin' him
to see a puppet-show. Well, he disappeared, and your mind, I suppose,
was aisy. I tould you all was right, and every year from that to this
you have paid me a pension of fifty pounds."

"The man is mad, my lord," said Sir Thomas; "and, under all
circumstances, he makes himself out a villain."

"I can perceive no evidence of madness, so far," replied his lordship;
"proceed."

"None but a villain would have served your purposes; but if I was
a villain, it wasn't to bear out your wishes, but to satisfy my own
revenge."

"But what cause for revenge could you have had against him?" asked, his
lordship.

"What cause?" exclaimed the old man, whilst his countenance grew dark
as night, "what cause against the villain that seduced my daughter--that
brought disgrace and shame upon my family--that broke through the ties
of nature, which are always held sacred in our country, for she was his
own foster-sister, my lord, suckled at the same breasts, nursed in the
same arms, and fed and clothed and nourished by the same hand;--yes, my
lord, that brought shame and disgrace and madness, my lord--ay, madness
upon my child, that he deceived and corrupted, under a solemn oath of
marriage. Do you begin to undherstand me now, my lord?"

His lordship made no reply, but kept his eyes intently fixed upon h