Mr. Edward Bouverie had several sons, and on the marriage of the eldest Delapre Abbey and the estates attached to it were, in conformity to common usage in England, settled upon the children of this marriage, and, failing issue, on the general’s younger brothers and their sons in succession.  The general’s marriage proved childless, his next brother also left no issue, and at length no son remained but a certain somewhat ne’er-do-weel, Frank.

Frank was an officer in the army.  Whilst quartered in the north of Ireland he had fallen in love with a girl beneath him in station, and, greatly to the disgust of his family, married her.  His father, who was deeply imbued with aristocratic prejudices, ceased to hold intercourse with him, and except that occasional communications passed between him and his mother, his relations with his family ceased.  At length he died, and as it became evident that his brothers would never have children, Frank’s son was obviously the heir.  Under these circumstances the family offered terms to the mother if she would give up her son altogether and consent to his being bred a Protestant.  These overtures she declined.  The advice of leading lawyers was then sought, but they declared that the settlement of the property could not by any possibility be set aside.  Meanwhile the case suddenly assumed a new aspect.

About twelve years ago a lady of prodigious energy and perseverance made her appearance in the law courts of London, who was bent on proving the legitimacy of her grandfather.  By “much wearying” she prevailed upon Lord Brougham to introduce a bill which became known as the “Legitimacy Declaration Act.”  By the provisions of this measure a person who believes himself heir to a property may cite all persons interested to come in at once and show cause why he should not be adjudged rightful heir and representative of a given person and estate.

Frank Bouverie’s son resolved, therefore, to take the bull by the horns, and save all future trouble by obtaining a decree of court.  The family very unwisely resolved to oppose his claim.  It seemed that stories prejudicial to the character of the claimant’s mother had been in circulation, and the Bouveries grounded their opposition on the allegation that the claimant [5] was not in truth a Bouverie at all.

On the other hand, ample testimony was adduced to show that Frank Bouverie, notwithstanding his wife’s irregularity of conduct, had always regarded the boy as his son and heir; and one witness told how the father had held the little fellow up to look at the picture of his ancestral home, and said, “All that will one day be yours.”  So the Bouveries’ case broke down entirely, and the ex-private soldier, ex-policeman, stepped into the fine old mansion of Delapre with sixty thousand dollars a year.  It is satisfactory to be able to add that he has always borne an excellent character, and seems likely to duly take his place as a country gentleman.  Of course nothing but the bare fabric and land came to him:  the personalty was all left to his aunt, the general’s widow, an old lady near ninety, who yet survives; and it was by her direction that the famous Linley picture once more changed hands.