to see her!"

PART TWO, CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE.

ANOTHER INVESTIGATION RELATIVE TO A CHILD, WHICH, IN THE SAME WAY AS THE
FORMER ONE, ENDS BY THE LADY GOING OFF IN A FIT.

The next day the newspapers contained a paragraph, in which Sir Henry de
Clare was stated to have committed suicide. No reason could be assigned
for this rash act, was the winding up of the intelligence. I also
received another letter from Kathleen McShane, confirming the previous
accounts: her mother had been sent for to assist in laying out the body.
There was now no further doubt, and as soon as I could venture out, I
hastened to the proper office, where I read the will of the late Sir
William. It was very short, merely disposing of his personal property
to his wife, and a few legacies; for, as I discovered, only a small
portion of the estates were entailed with the title, and the remainder
was not only to the heirs male, but the eldest female, should there be
no male heir, with the proviso, that should she marry, the husband was
to take upon himself the name of De Clare. Here, then, was the mystery
explained, and why Melchior had stolen away his brother's child.
Satisfied with my discovery, I determined to leave for England
immediately, find out the Dowager Lady de Clare, and put the whole case
into the hands of Mr Masterton. Fortunately, Timothy had money with
him sufficient to pay all expenses, and take us to London, or I should
have been obliged to wait for remittances, as mine was all expended
before I arrived at Dublin. We arrived safe, and I immediately
proceeded to my house, where I found Harcourt, who had been in great
anxiety about me. The next morning I went to my old legal friend, to
whom I communicated all that had happened.

"Well done, Newland," replied he, after I had finished. "I'll bet ten
to one that you find out your father. Your life already would not make
a bad novel. If you continue your hairbreadth adventures in this way,
it will be quite interesting."

Although satisfied in my own mind that I had discovered Fleta's
parentage, and anxious to impart the joyful intelligence, I resolved not
to see her until everything should be satisfactorily arranged. The
residence of the Dowager Lady de Clare was soon discovered by Mr
Masterton: it was at Richmond, and thither he and I proceeded. We were
ushered into the drawing-room, and, to my delight, upon her entrance, I
perceived that it was the same beautiful person i