“Fairfax Belgrave.”

Bernard dismissed his carriage, ordered to take him to his lodging, and spoke to the man who had accosted him, saying that he was at his service.  They walked a distance and soon were at the railroad station.  They boarded the train and in due time arrived in Washington, D.C., Bernard asking no questions, knowing that a woman as habitually careful as his mother did not send that message without due care and grave purpose.

In Washington they took a carriage and were driven to one of the most fashionable portions of the city, and stopped before a mansion of splendid appearance.  Bernard’s escort led the way into the house, having a key to which all of the doors responded.  Bernard was left in the parlor and told to remain until some one called for him.  The tall man with long flowing beard went to his room and removed his disguise.

In a few minutes a negro servant, sent by this man, appeared and led Bernard to a room in the rear of the house on the second floor.  It was a large room having two windows, one facing the east and the other the north.

As he stepped into the room he saw sitting directly facing him a white man, tall and of a commanding appearance.  His hair, and for that matter his whole noble looking head and handsome face bore a striking resemblance to Bernard’s own.  The latter perceived the likeness and halted in astonishment.  The man arose and handed Bernard a note.  Bernard opened it and found it exactly resembling the one handed him just prior to his journey to Washington.

The man eyed Bernard from head to foot with a look that betrayed the keenest interest.  Opening one of the drawers of his desk he drew forth a paper.  It was a marriage certificate, certifying to a marriage between Fairfax Belgrave and ------.

“I am your mother’s lawful husband, and you are my legitimate child.”

Bernard knew not what to say, think, or feel.  His mother had so carefully avoided any mention of her family affairs that he regarded them as among things sacred, and he never allowed even his thoughts to wander in that direction.

“I am Senator ------ from the state of ------, chairman of ------
committee.”

The information contained in that sentence made Bernard rise from his seat with a bound.  The man’s name was a household word throughout the nation, and his reputation was international.

“Be seated, Bernard, I have much to say to you.  I have a long story to tell.  I have been married twice.  My first wife’s brother was Governor of ------ and lived and died a bachelor.  He was, however, the father of a child, whose mother was a servant connected with his father’s household.  The child was given to my wife to rear, and she accepted the charge.  The child bloomed into a perfect beauty, possessed a charming voice, could perform with extraordinary skill on the piano, and seemed to have inherited the mind of her father, whose praises have been sung in all the land.