all, almost regarded the Dean as his enemy.
At last he burst out in his own defence. "Of course you will
understand, Mr. Battle, that our only object is to have the thing
proved, so that hereafter there may be no trouble."

"Just so, my Lord."

"We do not want to oppose my brother, or to injure his child."

"We want to get at the truth," said the Dean.

"Just so."

"Where there is concealment there must be suspicion," urged the Dean.

"No doubt."

"But everything must be done quite openly," said Lord George. "I would
not have a step taken without the knowledge of Mr. Stokes. If Mr.
Stokes would do it himself on my brother's behalf it would be so much
the better."

"That is hardly probable," said the Dean.

"Not at all probable," said Mr. Battle.

"I couldn't be a party to an adverse suit," said Lord George.

"There is no ground for any suit at all," said the lawyer. "We cannot
bring an action against the Marquis because he chooses to call the lady
he lives with a Marchioness, or because he calls an infant Lord
Popenjoy. Your brother's conduct may be ill-judged. From what you tell
me, I think it is. But it is not criminal."

"Then nothing need be done," said Lord George.

"A great deal may be done. Enquiry may be made now which might
hereafter be impossible." Then he begged that he might have a week to
consider the matter, and requested that the two gentlemen would call
upon him again.

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE BARONESS BANMANN AGAIN.

A day or two after the meeting at Mr. Battle's office there came to
Lord George a letter from that gentleman suggesting that, as the Dean
had undertaken to come up to London again, and as he, Mr. Battle, might
not be ready with his advice at the end of a week, that day fortnight
might be fixed. To Lord George this delay was agreeable rather than
otherwise, as he was not specially anxious for the return of his
father-in-law, nor was he longing for action in this question as to his
brother's heir. But the Dean, when the lawyer's letter reached him, was
certain that Mr. Battle did not mean to lose the time simply in
thinking over the matter. Some preliminary enquiry would now be made,
even though no positive instructions had been given. He did not at all
regret this, but was sure that Lord George would be very angry if he
knew it. He wrote back to say that he would be in Munster Court on the
evening before the day appointed.

It was now May, and London was bright wi