On the second of January, the Christmas party broke up, and the guests left the sombre shades of Hyde Hall, to seek more cheerful scenes. On the evening of the same date, Lord Montressor, accompanied by Sir Parke Morelle, took the up train to London, where they arrived the next morning at daybreak, and proceeded immediately by appointment, to the house of Lord Dazzleright, on Berkley Square. It was time they had come. The Arches Court was sitting, and the question of the L’Orient marriage was before it. Sir Parke Morelle used all his powerful connection and social influence, and Lord Dazzleright devoted his great regal abilities to bring about the desired decision. And after a session of ten days—shall we also say, after a deliberate, careful, and impartial investigation?—that decision was rendered. That decision established the validity of the marriage. Lord Dazzleright laughed aloud when he heard it. Sir Parke Morelle received the news with the composure of a man who was prepared to expect nothing else. But Lord Montressor turned pale, he was thinking how perilously uncertain are the dearest interests in life, when their permanency may be shown to depend upon the merest legal quibbles! he was remembering how nearly, in his blind devotion, he had fatally compromised Estelle; he was thanking Heaven that her pure instinct had been a safer guide than all his power of intellect. The three gentlemen consulted upon the question of what should be their next step. All agreed that it was better they should wait no longer to hear from the agent who had been dispatched to America in quest of Estelle; but that Lord Montressor should get all the information he could possibly obtain from Barbara Brande; after which his lordship should accompany Sir Parke Morelle on a voyage to the United States in search of the missing one. This plan having been determined upon, Sir Parke hurried down into Devonshire, to have his wardrobe packed up, his purse replenished, and to bid adieu to his lady; meanwhile leaving Lord Montressor in London to wait for Barbara Brande, whose vessel had crossed the Channel, but was daily expected back. Almost every day Lord Montressor went down to St. Catherine’s Docks to inquire for the Petrel. At length his perseverance was rewarded. One day he went down to the dock, accompanied by Lord Dazzleright, and was so fortunate as to spy the Petrel, anchored some distance down the river. Hailing a waterman, he hired his boat to take himself and friend to that vessel. They entered the boat, and in a very few minutes were rowed out and brought up alongside the little craft.