discovering it. But
the crowning point of my stepmother's madness came yesterday. We had
the proper business interview on my coming of age; and she and uncle
Bumpkin handed me over six hundred a year, and six thousand ready
money. Then she made me an offer. She would give me ten thousand a
year to enable me to keep up the glory of the Beauleighs, and marry the
millions to increase it, if I would give up searching for the boy, and
consent to his being brought up in his respectable position. I didn't
talk about swindling him out of his rights; for I've come to the
conclusion that it's no good talking of Justice to a woman. They don't
understand what you're driving at--those of the banking classes anyhow.
I told her she could stick to Beauleigh Court, since it would only be a
white elephant to me with my six hundred a year, and go on ruling the
County. But I was going to clear out, and I couldn't help saying that
I hoped her path and mine would never cross again."

"It was deuced little to say," said Lord Crosland.

"Oh, what was the good? She couldn't have understood. She's mad, mad
as a hatter about the glory of the Beauleighs. But it did one good
thing; it made her cast me off for good and all. She'd toiled for the
family: and this was her reward. I might go to the Workhouse my own
way. Now you see, she won't interfere to stop my finding the boy. And
I'm going to find him if I have to spend ten years on it, and every
penny I have. And when I have found him, I'm going to look after him
myself, and keep him with me. I don't suppose I shall find it much in
my line. I'm not fond of children; and I'm not an affectionate person.
That sort of thing is rather dried up in me. But it was little enough
I could do for my wife while she was alive, and now I should like to do
the only thing I can."

"I see," said Lord Crosland.

"Well, you can understand that, though I've agreed to share these rooms
with you for the next few days, I can't make it a permanent
arrangement. I may have to be off anywhere at a moment's notice. On
the other hand, by offering a thumping big reward, as I can do at last,
I shall probably find him at once; and you wouldn't care for rooms with
a small child about."

"Oh, I don't know. I rather like kids," said Lord Crosland. "They're
amusing little beggars often enough."

"Ah, but this one is so small; only two and a half," said Sir Tancred.
"And now I'll write the advertisement."