It was the last month of the year 1860.  The commission of inquiry was already at work; having begun its investigations on December 6.  On the 10th, the term for which the late Lord Montbarry had hired the Venetian palace, expired.  News by telegram reached the insurance offices that Lady Montbarry had been advised by her lawyers to leave for London with as little delay as possible.  Baron Rivar, it was believed, would accompany her to England, but would not remain in that country, unless his services were absolutely required by her ladyship.  The Baron, ‘well known as an enthusiastic student of chemistry,’ had heard of certain recent discoveries in connection with that science in the United States, and was anxious to investigate them personally.

These items of news, collected by Mr. Troy, were duly communicated to Mrs. Ferrari, whose anxiety about her husband made her a frequent, a too frequent, visitor at the lawyer’s office.  She attempted to relate what she had heard to her good friend and protectress.  Agnes steadily refused to listen, and positively forbade any further conversation relating to Lord Montbarry’s wife, now that Lord Montbarry was no more.  ‘You have Mr. Troy to advise you,’ she said; ’and you are welcome to what little money I can spare, if money is wanted.  All I ask in return is that you will not distress me.  I am trying to separate myself from remembrances—­’her voice faltered; she paused to control herself—­’from remembrances,’ she resumed, ’which are sadder than ever since I have heard of Lord Montbarry’s death.  Help me by your silence to recover my spirits, if I can.  Let me hear nothing more, until I can rejoice with you that your husband is found.’

Time advanced to the 13th of the month; and more information of the interesting sort reached Mr. Troy.  The labours of the insurance commission had come to an end—­the report had been received from Venice on that day.

CHAPTER VIII

On the 14th the Directors and their legal advisers met for the reading of the report, with closed doors.  These were the terms in which the Commissioners related the results of their inquiry:  ’Private and confidential.

’We have the honour to inform our Directors that we arrived in Venice on December 6, 1860.  On the same day we proceeded to the palace inhabited by Lord Montbarry at the time of his last illness and death.

’We were received with all possible courtesy by Lady Montbarry’s brother, Baron Rivar.  “My sister was her husband’s only attendant throughout his illness,” the Baron informed us.  “She is overwhelmed by grief and fatigue—­or she would have been here to receive you personally.  What are your wishes, gentlemen? and what can I do for you in her ladyship’s place?”

’In accordance with our instructions, we answered that the death and burial of Lord Montbarry abroad made it desirable to obtain more complete information relating to his illness, and to the circumstances which had attended it, than could be conveyed in writing.  We explained that the law provided for the lapse of a certain interval of time before the payment of the sum assured, and we expressed our wish to conduct the inquiry with the most respectful consideration for her ladyship’s feelings, and for the convenience of any other members of the family inhabiting the house.