“I cannot at the present moment say, my lady.  I have other matters, of which your ladyship is aware, to look after.  My own rights must be vindicated; and I dare say you will not regret to hear that everything is in a proper train.  We want only one link of the chain.  An important document is wanting; but I think it will soon be in our hands.  Who knows,” he added, smiling, “but your ladyship and I may ere long be able to congratulate each other upon our mutual success?  And now, madam, permit me to take my leave.  I am not without hope on your account; but of this you may rest assured, that my most strenuous exertions shall be devoted to the object nearest your heart.”

“Alas,” she replied, as she stood up, “it is neither title nor wealth that I covet.  Give me my child—­restore me my child—­and I shall be happy.  That is the simple ambition of his mother’s heart.  I wish Sir Thomas to understand that I shall allow him to enjoy both title and estates during his life, if, knowing where my child is, he will restore him to my heart.  I will bind, myself by the most solemn forms and engagements to this.  Perhaps that might satisfy him.”

They then shook hands and separated, the stranger involuntarily influenced by the confident predictions of Ginty Cooper, although he was really afraid to say so; whilst Lady Gourlay felt her heart at one time elevated by the dawn of hope that had arisen, and again depressed by the darkness which hung over the fate of her son.

His next visit was to his attorney, Birney, who had been a day or two in town, and whom he found in his office in Gloucester street.

“Well, Mr. Birney,” he inquired, “what advance are you making?”

“Why,” replied Birney, “the state of our case is this:  if Mrs. Norton could be traced we might manage without the documents you have lost;—­by the way, have you any notion where the scoundrel might be whom you suspect of having taken them?”

“What!  M’Bride?  I was told, as I mentioned before, that he and the Frenchwoman went to America, leaving his unfortunate wife behind him.  I could easily forgive the rascal for the money he took; but the misfortune was, that the documents and the money were both in the same pocket-book.  He knew their value, however, for unfortunately he was fully in my confidence.  The fellow was insane about the girl, and I think it was love more than dishonesty that tempted him to the act.  I have little doubt that he would return me the papers if he knew where to send them.”

“Have you any notion where the wife is?”

“None in the world, unless that she is somewhere in this country, having set out for it a fortnight before I left Paris.”