One figure alone remained motionless, spellbound.  Amid the general excitement, Mrs. LaGrange sat as though turned to stone, her hands clasped so tightly that the jewels cut deeply into the delicate flesh, every vestige of color fled from her face, her lips ashen, her eyes fixed upon the witness, yet seemingly seeing nothing.  Gradually, as she became conscious of her surroundings and of the curious glances cast in her direction, she partially recovered herself, though her eyes never left the face of the witness.

“Mr. Mainwaring,” continued the attorney, when order had been restored, “when and how did you first learn that you were the son of Harold Scott Mainwaring?”

“My first knowledge regarding my own father I received at the age of fifteen from my foster-parents, who told me of the manner in which I had been given to them and of the death of my father a few years later; but the full particulars I did not learn until my twenty-first birthday, when I received a letter written by my father soon after my birth, and intrusted to the keeping of my foster-parents until I should have attained my majority.  In that letter he gave me the story of his life, of his marriage and consequent disinheritance, and of the yet greater sorrow which followed shortly, which led him to voluntarily exile himself from his beloved England, and which finally led to his sacrifice of the love and companionship of his only child.”

As Harold Mainwaring paused, Mr. Sutherland remarked, “I, myself, have seen the letter to which the witness refers, but I consider it of too personal a nature and too private in character to submit for examination.  I will say, however, that both my honored colleague, Mr. Barton, and myself have compared it with other letters and documents known to have been written by Harold Scott Mainwaring, the elder son of Ralph Maxwell Mainwaring, and have found the writing in all cases identically the same.  There is yet one more question which may have a bearing later upon this case, which I will ask the witness.  Mr. Mainwaring, have you, during this time, received any clue regarding the identity of your mother, or is that still unknown to you?”

With great deliberation, the witness replied, “Until within the past three or four days, I have known absolutely nothing regarding even the name of the woman whom my father made his wife, or whether she were still in existence.  I have recently learned, however, that she is living, and,” he added, more slowly, “I know that she is present in this court-room.”

It was afterwards recalled that, as the witness resumed his seat, a curious sound, something between a gasp and a sob was heard, but amid the tremendous sensation produced by his last statement it passed unnoticed.

With very little delay, Mr. Sutherland announced the name of the last witness,-

“Frederick Mainwaring Scott!”