res:--

"_Grilston, 12th Jan. 18--._
"MY DEAR SIR,

"I have only just received, and at once forward to you, copies of
the three opinions given by the Attorney-General, Mr. Mansfield,
and Mr. Crystal. I lament to find that they are all of a
discouraging character. They were given by their respective writers
without any of them having had any opportunity of conferring
together--all the three cases having been laid before them at the
same time: yet you will observe that each of them has hit upon
precisely the same point, viz. that the descendants of Geoffrey
Dreddlington had no right to succeed to the inheritance till there
was a failure of the heirs of Stephen Dreddlington. If, therefore,
our discreditable opponents should have unhappily contrived to
ferret out some person satisfying that designation, (I cannot
conjecture how they can ever have got upon the scent,) I really
fear (it is no use disguising matters) we must prepare for a very
serious struggle. I have been quietly pushing my inquiries in all
directions, with a view to obtaining a clew to the case intended to
be set up against us, and which you will find very shrewdly guessed
at by the Attorney-General. _Nor am I the only party_, I find, in
the field, who has been making pointed inquiries in your
neighborhood; but of this more when we meet to-morrow.

"I remain,
"Yours most respectfully,
"J. PARKINSON.
"CHARLES AUBREY, ESQ., M. P. &c. &c. &c."

Having read this letter, Mr. Aubrey sank back in his chair, and remained
motionless for more than a quarter of an hour. At length he roused
himself, and read over the opinions; the effect of which--as far as he
could comprehend their technicalities--he found had been but too
correctly given by Mr. Parkinson. Some suggestions and inquiries put by
the acute and experienced Mr. Crystal, suddenly revived recollections of
one or two incidents even of his boyish days, long forgotten, but which,
as he reflected upon them, began to reappear to his mind's eye with
sickening distinctness. Wave after wave of apprehension and agony passed
over him, chilling and benumbing his heart within him; so that, when his
little son came some time afterwards