, on the death of his father, assume the
title or take possession of the estate, but resided continually on the
Continent; nor did he by word or deed reveal to his beautiful wife or
child his real position in the Peerage of Great Britain. His son at an
early age was sent to England, and was educated principally at Rugby,
but he also graduated at Cambridge; he afterwards entered the English
army, and during his stay in India married the daughter of a Judge of
one of the native courts, and like his father and grandfather before
him, had but one son, his wife having died during her passage to
England. The bereaved officer served, subsequently, with great
distinction, through the Peninsular Campaign, became Colonel of his
regiment, and at the close of the war was placed on half pay, and at the
age of fifty-six, died at Exeter, in Devonshire; this only son, Arthur
Carlton, likewise entered the army and became a Captain of Light
Dragoons, and is now beyond the possibility of a doubt, the rightful and
lawful heir to the late Earl of Castlemere." Here Mr. Capias bowed most
deferentially, gathered his papers together, said that he trusted in a
few days to have the honour of another interview with his lordship, and
then vanished from the room.

"The fairy Godmother, in the garb of a limb of the law, by all that's
wonderful," burst forth Draycott, who was the first to speak after the
visitor had departed.

"The next lady presented to her Majesty, by her Grace the Duchess of
Opals, was the lovely and accomplished Edith, Countess of Castlemere, on
her marriage with the noble Earl of that name." "By jove! it sounds
well," exclaimed Arthur, starting out of a reverie into which he had
fallen, and springing to his feet. "Draycott" continued he, "am I awake?
Can it be all true what the little man in black has been telling us?"
and Carlton paced excitedly up and down the apartment.

"Not a doubt of it, my lord," resumed Draycott "these musty old lawyers
never commit themselves by letting out so much as this one has done,
unless they are quite sure that everything is all safe, cut and dried
and ready for use, as the saying is, and I think your lordship cannot
refuse to join me in drinking the health of the future Countess of
Castlemere;" and, suiting the action to the word, filled out two bumpers
of sherry, which he and Carlton, nothing loath, quaffed off.

"And now for the stroll. I must call at the Bartons and mention this
piece of n