“The facts connected with my second marriage have been so clearly established that defence is hopeless.  The registry of our marriage, and of my first wife’s death, have been laid before me, and Mrs. Mainwaring, herself, was ready to substantiate and prove them by her personal testimony.  My own counsel, able and eminent men as they are, have dissuaded me from bringing the matter to a trial, and thus making public the disgrace which must attach to my children.  You now understand, Sir Edward, the full extent of your generosity in proposing for my daughter’s hand, and you also understand the nature of my private communication yesterday with your uncle.”

“But, my lord, how did your brother become aware of the circumstances you have just mentioned?”

“Through Mrs. Mainwaring, who thought it unjust that a profligate should inherit so much property, with so bad a title to it, whilst there were virtuous and honorable men to claim it justly; such are the words of a note on the subject which I have received from her this very morning.  Thus it is that vice often punishes itself.  Now, Sir Edward, I am ready to hear you.”

“My lord,” replied Sir Edward, “the case is so peculiar, so completely out of the common course, that, morally speaking, I cannot look upon your children as illegitimate.  I have besides great doubts whether the prejudice of the world, or its pride, which visits upon the head of the innocent child the error, or crime if you will, of the guilty parent, ought to be admitted as a principle of action in life.”

“Yes,” replied the earl; “but on the other hand, to forbid it altogether might tend to relax some of the best principles in man and woman.  Vice must frequently be followed up for punishment even to its consequences as well as its immediate acts, otherwise virtue were little better than a name.  For this, however, there is a remedy—­an act of parliament must be procured to legitimatize my children.  I shall take care of that, although I may not live to see it,” *

     * This was done, and the circumstance is still remembered by
     many persons in the north of Ireland.

“Be that as it may, my lord, I cannot but think that in the eye of religion and morality your children are certainly legitimate; all that is against them being a point of law.  For my part, I earnestly beg to renew my proposal for the hand of Lady Emily.”

“Then, Sir Edward, you do not feel yourself deterred by anything I have stated?”

“My lord, I love Lady Emily for her own sake—­and for her own sake only.”

“Then,” replied her father, “bring her here.  I feel very weak—­I am getting heavy.  Yesterday’s disclosures gave me a shock which I fear will—­but I trust I am prepared—­go—­remember, however, that my darling child knows nothing of what I have mentioned to you—­Dunroe does.  I had not courage to tell her that she has been placed by her father’s pride, by his ambition, and by his want of moral restraint, out of the pale of life.  Go, and fetch her here.”