“Faith, sir! by the authority conferred upon me by the ritual, which exhorts that any man who can show any cause why these two persons may not be united in matrimony, forthwith declare it. So adjured, I speak--happening to know two causes why these two persons may not be lawfully joined together. The fair bride has been for two years past my promised wife, and the gallant bridegroom’s betrothal ring still encircles the finger of Margaret Helmstedt!” “And who are you, sir, that ventures to take these words upon your lips?” now asked Ralph Houston, deeply shaken by the mention of his Margaret’s name. “I am,” replied the young man, speaking slowly and distinctly, “William Daw, Earl of Falconridge, the half-brother of Margaret Helmstedt by the side of our mother, Marguerite De Lancie, who, previous to becoming the wife of Mr. Philip Helmstedt, had been the wife and the widow of Lord William Daw. Should my statement require confirmation,” continued the young man, “it can be furnished by documents in my possession, and which I am prepared to submit to any person concerned.” Bowing to the astounded party, he retraced his steps. The silence of amazement bound all the hearers; nor was the spell broken until the young lady who leaned upon the arm of Lord Falconridge drew aside her veil, revealing the pale and lovely countenance of Margaret Helmstedt, and crossed over to the side of Major Helmstedt, saying: “Father, the labor of my life is accomplished; my mother’s name is clear forever!” and overpowered by excess of emotion, she sank fainting at the feet of her astonished parent. “Margaret! my Margaret!” exclaimed Ralph Houston, forgetting everything else, and springing forward. Tenderly lifted in the arms of Ralph, Margaret was conveyed to the parsonage, and laid on the bed in the best chamber. Here efforts to restore her to consciousness were vainly pursued for a long time. When at last a change came, returning life was scarcely less alarming than apparent death had been. For weeks she wandered in a most distressing delirium. It was about this time that Major Helmstedt and Lord Falconridge had a long business conversation. The major, being perfectly assured in regard to his identity and his claims, delivered up into his lordship’s hands such portion of his mother’s estate as he would have legally inherited. After the transfer was made, Lord Falconridge executed an instrument, conveying the whole disputed property to his sister, Margaret Helmstedt, “and her heirs forever.” Not until Margaret was fully restored to health was the whole secret history of her mother’s most unhappy life revealed. The facts, obtained at intervals, were, in brief, these: Marguerite De Lancie, tempted by inordinate social ambition, had consented to a private marriage with Lord William Daw.