Anne, having been made aware of the deformity of Gwynplaine, and not wishing to wrong her sister, on whom had been bestowed the estates of Clancharlie, graciously decided that the Duchess Josiana should be espoused by the new lord—­that is to say, by Gwynplaine.

The reinstatement of Lord Fermain Clancharlie was, moreover, a very simple affair, the heir being legitimate, and in the direct line.

In cases of doubtful descent, and of peerages in abeyance claimed by collaterals, the House of Lords must be consulted.  This (to go no further back) was done in 1782, in the case of the barony of Sydney, claimed by Elizabeth Perry; in 1798, in that of the barony of Beaumont, claimed by Thomas Stapleton; in 1803, in that of the barony of Stapleton; in 1803, in that of the barony of Chandos, claimed by the Reverend Tymewell Brydges; in 1813, in that of the earldom of Banbury, claimed by General Knollys, etc., etc.  But the present was no similar case.  Here there was no pretence for litigation; the legitimacy was undoubted, the right clear and certain.  There was no point to submit to the House, and the Queen, assisted by the Lord Chancellor, had power to recognize and admit the new peer.

Barkilphedro managed everything.

The affair, thanks to him, was kept so close, the secret was so hermetically sealed, that neither Josiana nor Lord David caught sight of the fearful abyss which was being dug under them.  It was easy to deceive Josiana, entrenched as she was behind a rampart of pride.  She was self-isolated.  As to Lord David, they sent him to sea, off the coast of Flanders.  He was going to lose his peerage, and had no suspicion of it.  One circumstance is noteworthy.

It happened that at six leagues from the anchorage of the naval station commanded by Lord David, a captain called Halyburton broke through the French fleet.  The Earl of Pembroke, President of the Council, proposed that this Captain Halyburton should be made vice-admiral.  Anne struck out Halyburton’s name, and put Lord David Dirry-Moir’s in its place, that he might, when no longer a peer, have the satisfaction of being a vice-admiral.

Anne was well pleased.  A hideous husband for her sister, and a fine step for Lord David.  Mischief and kindness combined.

Her Majesty was going to enjoy a comedy.  Besides, she argued to herself that she was repairing an abuse of power committed by her august father.  She was reinstating a member of the peerage.  She was acting like a great queen; she was protecting innocence according to the will of God that Providence in its holy and impenetrable ways, etc., etc.  It is very sweet to do a just action which is disagreeable to those whom we do not like.