"Allow it, sir? Well, perhaps not. There, it is growing late. I will
not inflict my presence upon you longer; and you may rely upon it,
ladies, that everything shall be done so as to cause you as little
anxiety as possible."
"I am glad to hear you say that," cried Mr Hampton. "When can I meet
this man, sir?"
"Really, I cannot say. At present I am under the impression that he has
gone to Paris, and he may not be back for some days."
"Then why should I not turn the tables on him, and take possession
here?"
"It cannot be done, sir," said the old man firmly.
"But suppose I insist."
"If you are the true George Harrington, sir, you will act as a gentleman
should, and take proper steps to make good your claim."
"Ah! now you disarm me. There: I will go now. Miss Bellwood, Mrs
Hampton, whatever happens in the future you may believe in me.
Good-night."
He shooks hands again.
"Mr Hampton, I shall come in the morning and have a long talk with
you."
"You are staying in town?"
"I shall stay in town at Jay's Hotel, Surrey Street."
"Then you will be close to my chambers in Lincoln's Inn. I will be
there, and expect you at twelve."
"And when shall I see Doctor Lawrence?"
"At twelve to-morrow, at my place."
"Good-night, then; you, too, will shake hands."
"As soon as you prove yourself to be George Harrington."
"Quite right, sir. Good-night. You will show me the way out, granny."
"And with a sorrowful heart, my dear," said the old woman. "To think of
my having to turn you away from your own old home."
"Only for a while, old lady," said the young man; and passing his arm
round her he left the room.
No one moved till the gate had been heard to clang, when, without word
or look, Gertrude turned and hurried up to her chamber, to fling herself
upon her knees, sobbing violently.
"And I have promised to be his wife," she moaned. "What shall I do?
What shall I do?"
"Well, Phineas," said Mrs Hampton, after she had stood looking
frowningly at her husband for some time as he sat tapping the table,
"what have you to say to all this?"
"Eh? Nothing."
"But you see that was the real man."
"No, I don't. He must prove it."
"But this other one."
"Is to us Mr George Harrington."
"But when he comes back from Paris what will he say?"
"I'm beginning to think, Rachel, that he has gone."
"Well, we know he has gone."
"But I mean for good."
"He couldn't. It's not in him. Gone for bad, you mean."
"I mean gone, never to come back."
"Good gracious, Phineas! Do you think he knows?"
"It is impossible to say; but he has had ten thousand pounds in hard
cash."
"The wretch!"
"And I suppose I shall have to be answerable for the amount to the
rightful heir."
"Why, Phineas, it would half ruin you if you had to pay."
"Yes," said the old man dolefully.
"But you think this is the right man?"
"Yes, Rachel; and I'm afraid I have got myself in a dreadful mess."