after, he married the daughter of a French officer of high rank, by whom he also had an only son, but never returned to England, nor did he, on the death of his father, assume the title or take possession of the estate, but resided continually on the Continent; nor did he by word or deed reveal to his beautiful wife or child his real position in the Peerage of Great Britain.  His son at an early age was sent to England, and was educated principally at Rugby, but he also graduated at Cambridge; he afterwards entered the English army, and during his stay in India married the daughter of a Judge of one of the native courts, and like his father and grandfather before him, had but one son, his wife having died during her passage to England.  The bereaved officer served, subsequently, with great distinction, through the Peninsular Campaign, became Colonel of his regiment, and at the close of the war was placed on half pay, and at the age of fifty-six, died at Exeter, in Devonshire; this only son, Arthur Carlton, likewise entered the army and became a Captain of Light Dragoons, and is now beyond the possibility of a doubt, the rightful and lawful heir to the late Earl of Castlemere.”  Here Mr. Capias bowed most deferentially, gathered his papers together, said that he trusted in a few days to have the honour of another interview with his lordship, and then vanished from the room.

“The fairy Godmother, in the garb of a limb of the law, by all that’s wonderful,” burst forth Draycott, who was the first to speak after the visitor had departed.

“The next lady presented to her Majesty, by her Grace the Duchess of Opals, was the lovely and accomplished Edith, Countess of Castlemere, on her marriage with the noble Earl of that name.”  “By jove! it sounds well,” exclaimed Arthur, starting out of a reverie into which he had fallen, and springing to his feet.  “Draycott” continued he, “am I awake?  Can it be all true what the little man in black has been telling us?” and Carlton paced excitedly up and down the apartment.

“Not a doubt of it, my lord,” resumed Draycott “these musty old lawyers never commit themselves by letting out so much as this one has done, unless they are quite sure that everything is all safe, cut and dried and ready for use, as the saying is, and I think your lordship cannot refuse to join me in drinking the health of the future Countess of Castlemere;” and, suiting the action to the word, filled out two bumpers of sherry, which he and Carlton, nothing loath, quaffed off.

“And now for the stroll.  I must call at the Bartons and mention this piece of news to Edith; but, my dear fellow, not a word of it at the clubs.  Of course, they will hear of it from the newspapers before the world is many hours older.”