“A confession, if you will, that my own aunt was the nurse that carried me away--of which there are proofs.” “Has any one seen those proofs?” “My father has seen them, lady Ann.” “You mean sir Wilton?” “I do. He accepted them.” “Has he left any document to that effect?” “Not that I know of.” “Who presented those proofs, as you call them?” “I told sir Wilton where they had been hidden, and together we found them.” “Where?” “In the room that was the nursery.” “Which you occupied for months while working at your trade in the house, and for weeks again before sir Wilton dismissed you!” “Yes,” answered Richard, who saw very well what she was driving at, but would not seem to understand before she had fully disclosed her intent. “And where you had opportunity to place what you chose at your leisure!--Excuse me; I am only laying before you what counsel would lay before the court.” “You wish me to understand, I suppose, that you regard me as an impostor, and believe I put the things, for support of my aunt's evidence, where my father and I found them!” “I do not say so. I merely endeavour to make you see how the court would regard the affair--how much appearances would be against you. At the same time, I confess I have all along had grave doubts of the story. You, of course, may have been deceived as well as your father--I mean the late baronet, my husband; but in any case, I will not admit you to be what you call yourself, until you are declared such by the law of the land. I will, however, make a proposal to you--and no ungenerous one:--Pledge yourself to make no defence, if, for form's sake, legal proceedings should be judged desirable, and in lieu of the possible baronetcy--for I admit the bare possibility of the case, if tried, being given against us--I will pay you five thousand pounds. It would cost us less to try the case, no doubt, but the thing would at best be disagreeable.--Understand I do not speak without advice!” “Plainly you do not!” assented Richard. “But,” he continued, “let me place one thing before your ladyship: To do as you ask me, would be to indorse your charge against my father, that he acknowledged me, that is, he lied, to give you annoyance! That is enough. But I have the same objection in respect of my uncle and aunt, of whom you propose to make liars and conspirators!” He turned to the door. “You will consider it?” said her ladyship in her stateliest yet softest tone. “I will. I shall continue to consider it the worst insult you could have offered my father, your late husband. Thank God, he was my mother's husband first!” “What am I to understand by that?” “Whatever your ladyship chooses, except that I will not hold any farther communication with you on the matter.” “Then you mean to dispute the title?” “I decline to say what I mean or do not mean to do.” Lady Ann rose to ring the bell. Miss Malliver met Richard in the doorway. He turned. “I am going to bid Theodora good-bye,” he said.