s the sort
of man to do it. Besides, why should she have gone to law without a
vestige of proof, unless she was convinced of her rights? Imposture
never proceeds without some evidence. Innocence, like a fool as it is,
fancies it has only to speak to be believed. But there is no cause for
alarm."

"No cause!--And yet you think there was a marriage."

"It is quite clear," continued Lilburne, without heeding this
interruption; "that the man, whatever his evidence, has not got
sufficient proofs. If he had, he would go to the young men rather than
you: it is evident that they would promise infinitely larger rewards
than he could expect from yourself. Men are always more generous with
what they expect than with what they have. All rogues know this. 'Tis
the way Jews and usurers thrive upon heirs rather than possessors; 'tis
the philosophy of post-obits. I dare say the man has found out the real
witness of the marriage, but ascertained, also, that the testimony
of that witness would not suffice to dispossess you. He might be
discredited--rich men have a way sometimes of discrediting
poor witnesses. Mind, he says nothing of the lost copy of the
register--whatever may be the value of that document, which I am
not lawyer enough to say--of any letters of your brother avowing the
marriage. Consider, the register itself is destroyed--the clergyman
dead. Pooh! make yourself easy."

"True," said Mr. Beaufort, much comforted; "what a memory you have!"

"Naturally. Your wife is my sister--I hate poor relations--and I was
therefore much interested in your accession and your lawsuit. No--you
may feel--at rest on this matter, so far as a successful lawsuit is
concerned. The next question is, Will you have a lawsuit at all? and
is it worth while buying this fellow? That I can't say unless I see him
myself."

"I wish to Heaven you would!"

"Very willingly: 'tis a sort of thing I like--I'm fond of dealing with
rogues--it amuses me. This day week? I'll be at your house--your proxy;
I shall do better than Black well. And since you say you are wanted at
the Lakes, go down, and leave all to me."

"A thousand thanks. I can't say how grateful I am. You certainly are the
kindest and cleverest person in the world."

"You can't think worse of the world's cleverness and kindness than I
do," was Lilburne's rather ambiguous answer to the compliment. "But why
does my sister want to see you?"

"Oh, I forgot!--here is her letter. I was going to