rm.

The astonished countenance of the valet restored the master to his
senses. "Bring me my coffee--I am nervous this morning."

But Rainscourt had not long to endure suspense. He had barely finished
his toilet, when he was informed that the vicar, McElvina, and some
other gentlemen, were below, and wished to speak to him. Rainscourt,
anxious to know the worst, descended to the library, where he found the
parties before mentioned, accompanied by Debriseau and a legal
gentleman. We shall not enter into details. To the dismay of
Rainscourt, the identity of our hero was established beyond all doubt,
and he felt convinced that eventually he should be forced to surrender
up the property. His indignation was chiefly levelled at McElvina, whom
he considered as the occasion of the whole, not only from having rescued
our hero from the wreck, but because it was by his assertions,
corroborated by Debriseau, that the chain of evidence was clearly
substantiated. McElvina, who, from long acquaintance, had a feeling
towards Rainscourt which his conduct did not deserve, waited only for
his acknowledgment of our hero's claim to communicate the circumstance
of the attachment between the young people, which would have barred all
further proceedings, and have settled it in an amicable arrangement.

"Well, gentlemen," observed Rainscourt, "if you can satisfactorily prove
in a court of justice all you have now stated, I shall of course bow to
its decision; but you must excuse me if, out of regard to my daughter, I
resist, until the assertions can be substantiated on oath. You cannot
expect otherwise."

"We do not expect otherwise, Mr Rainscourt," replied McElvina,--"but we
think it will not be necessary that it should go into court."

"Mr McElvina," interrupted Rainscourt, angrily,--"I wish no
observations from you. After your intimacy with the family,
particularly with my daughter, who, by your means, will probably forfeit
all her prospects, I consider your conduct base and treacherous. You'll
excuse my ringing the bell for the servant to show you the door."

McElvina turned pale with rage. "Then, sir, you shall have no
suggestions from me. Come, gentlemen, we will retire," continued
McElvina, now determined that Rainscourt should be left in ignorance for
the present; and the parties quitted the room, little contemplating that
such direful consequences would ensue from this trifling altercation.

CHAPTER FIFTY NINE.