The Two Admirals

by James Fenimore Cooper

  CHAPTER XV.

  "Come ye, who still the cumbrous load of life Push hard up hill; but at the farthest steep You trust to gain, and put on end to strife, Down thunders back the stone with mighty sweep, And hurls your labours to the valley deep;--"

  THOMSON.

  The sudden, and, in some measure, unlooked-for event, related in theclose of the last chapter, produced a great change in the condition ofthings at Wychecombe Hall. The first step was to make sure that thebaronet was actually dead; a fact that Sir Gervaise Oakes, inparticular, was very unwilling to believe, in the actual state of hisfeelings. Men often fainted, and apoplexy required _three_ blows tokill; the sick man might still revive, and at least be able to executehis so clearly expressed intentions.

  "Ye'll never have act of any sort, testamentary or matrimonial, legal orillegal, in this life, from the late Sir Wycherly Wychecombe ofWychecombe Hall, Devonshire," coolly observed Magrath, as he collectedthe different medicines and instruments he had himself brought forth forthe occasion. "He's far beyond the jurisdiction of My Lord HighChancellor of the college of Physicians and Surgeons; and therefore,ye'll be acting prudently to consider him as deceased; or, in the lightin which the human body is placed by the cessation of all the animalfunctions."

  This decided the matter, and the necessary orders were given; all butthe proper attendants quitting the chamber of death. It would be farfrom true to say that no one lamented Sir Wycherly Wychecombe. Both Mrs.Dutton and Mildred grieved for his sudden end, and wept sincerely forhis loss; though totally without a thought of its consequences tothemselves. The daughter did not even once think how near she had beento the possession of L6000, and how unfortunately the cup of comparativeaffluence had been dashed from her lips; though truth compels us to avowthat the mother did once recall this circumstance, with a feeling akinto regret. A similar recollection had its influence on themanifestations of sorrow that flowed from others. The domestics, inparticular, were too much astounded to indulge in any very abstractedgrief, and Sir Gervaise and Atwood were both extremely vexed. In short,the feelings, usual to such occasions were but little indulged in,though there was a strict observance of decorum.

  Sir Reginald Wychecombe noted these circumstances attentively, and hetook his measures accordingly. Seizing a favourable moment to consultwith the two admirals, his decision was soon made; and, within an hourafter his kinsman's death, all the guests and most of the upper servantswere assembled in the room, which it was the usage of the house to callthe library; though the books were few, and seldom read. Previously,there had been a consultation between Sir Reginald and the two admirals,to which Atwood had been admitted, _ex officio_. As every thing,therefore, had been arranged in advance, there was no time lostunnecessarily, when the company was collected; the Hertfordshire baronetcoming to the point at once, and that in the clearest manner.

  "Gentlemen, and you, good people, domestics of the late Sir WycherlyWychecombe," he commenced; "you are all acquainted with the unfortunatestate of this household. By the recent death of its master, it is leftwithout a head; and the deceased departing this life a bachelor, thereis no child to assume his place, as the natural and legal successor. Inone sense, I might be deemed the next of kin; though, by a _dictum_ ofthe common law I have no claim to the succession. Nevertheless, you allknow it was the intention of our late friend to constitute me hisexecutor, and I conceive it proper that search should now be made for awill, which, by being duly executed, must dispose of all in this house,and let us know who is entitled to command at this solemn and importantmoment. It strikes me, Sir Gervaise Oakes, that the circumstances are sopeculiar as to call for prompt proceedings."

  "I fully agree with you, Sir Reginald," returned the vice-admiral; "butbefore we proceed any further, I would suggest the propriety of havingas many of those present as possible, who have an interest in theresult. Mr. Thomas Wychecombe, the reputed nephew of the deceased, I donot see among us."

  On examination, this was found to be true, and the man of TomWychecombe, who had been ordered by his master to be present as a spy,was immediately sent to the latter, with a request that he would attend.After a delay of two or three minutes, the fellow returned with theanswer.

  "Sir Thomas Wychecombe's compliments, gentlemen," he said, "and hedesires to know the object of your request. He is in his room, indulgingin natural grief for his recent loss; and he prefers to be left alonewith his sorrows, just at this moment, if it be agreeable to you."

  This was taking high ground in the commencement; and, as the man had hiscue, and delivered his message with great distinctness and steadiness,the effect on the dependants of the household was very evident. SirReginald's face flushed, while Sir Gervaise bit his lip; Bluewaterplayed with the hilt of his sword, very indifferent to all that waspassing; while Atwood and the surgeons shrugged their shoulders andsmiled. The first of these persons well knew that Tom had no shadow of aclaim to the title he had been in so much haste to assume, however, andhe hoped that the feebleness of his rights in all particulars, wasrepresented by the mixed feebleness and impudence connected with thismessage. Determined not to be bullied from his present purpose,therefore, he turned to the servant and sent him back with a secondmessage, that did not fail of its object. The man was directed to informhis master, that Sir Reginald Wychecombe was in possession of factsthat, in his opinion, justified the course he was taking, and if "Mr.Thomas Wychecombe" did not choose to appear, in order to look after hisown interests, he should proceed without him. This brought Tom into theroom, his face pale with uncertainty, rather than with grief, and hismind agitated with such apprehensions as are apt to beset even the mostwicked, when they take their first important step in evil. He bowed,however, to the company with an air that he intended to represent themanner of a well-bred man acknowledging his duties to respected guests.

  "If I appear remiss in any of the duties of a host, gentlemen," he said,"you will overlook it, I trust, in consideration of my present feelings.Sir Wycherly was my father's elder brother, and was very dear, as he wasvery _near_ to me. By this melancholy death, Sir Reginald, I am suddenlyand unexpectedly elevated to be the head of our ancient and honourablefamily; but I know my own personal unworthiness to occupy thatdistinguished place, and feel how much better it would be filled byyourself. Although the law has placed a wide and impassable barrierbetween all of your branch of the family and ourselves, I shall ever beready to acknowledge the affinity, and to confess that it does us quiteas much honour as it bestows."

  Sir Reginald, by a great effort, commanded himself so far as to returnthe bow, and apparently to receive the condescending admissions of thespeech, with a proper degree of respect.

  "Sir, I thank you," he answered, with formal courtesy; "no affinity thatcan be properly and legally established, will ever be disavowed by me.Under present circumstances, however, summoned as I have been to theside of his death-bed, by the late Sir Wycherly, himself, and named byhim, as one might say, with his dying breath, as his executor, I feel ita duty to inquire into the rights of all parties, and, if possible, toascertain who is the successor, and consequently who has the best claimto command here."

  "You surely do not attach any validity, Sir Reginald, to the pretendedwill that was so singularly drawn up in my dear uncle's presence, anhour before he died! Had that most extraordinary instrument been dulysigned and sealed, I cannot think that the Doctor's Commons wouldsustain it; but _unsigned_ and _unsealed_, it is no better than so muchwaste paper."

  "As respects the real estate, sir, though so great a loser by the delayof five minutes, I am willing to admit that you are right. With regardto the personals, a question in equity--one of clearly-expressedintention--might possibly arise; though even of that I am by no meanscertain."

  "No, sir; no--" cried Tom, a glow of triumph colouring his cheek, inspite of every effort to appear calm; "no English court would everdisturb the natural succession to the personals! I am the last man towish to disturb some of these legac
ies--particularly that to Mr.Rotherham, and those to the poor, faithful domestics,"--Tom saw theprudence of conciliating allies, at such a critical moment, and hisdeclaration had an instant and strong effect, as was evident by thecountenances of many of the listeners;--"and I may say, that to MissMildred Dutton; all of which will be duly paid, precisely as if mybeloved uncle had been in his right mind, and had actually made thebequests; for this mixture of reason and justice, with wild andextraordinary conceits, is by no means uncommon among men of great age,and in their last moments. However, Sir Reginald, I beg you willproceed, and act as in your judgment the extraordinary circumstances ofwhat may be called a very peculiar case, require."

  "I conceive it to be our duty, sir, to search for a will. If SirWycherly has actually died intestate, it will be time enough to inquireinto the question of the succession at common law. I have here the keysof his private secretary; and Mr. Furlong, the land-steward, who hasjust arrived, and whom you see in the room, tells me Sir Wycherly wasaccustomed to keep all his valuable papers in this piece of furniture. Ishall now proceed to open it."

  "Do so, Sir Reginald; no one can have a stronger desire than myself toascertain my beloved uncle's pleasure. Those to whom he _seemed_ to wishto give, even, shall not be losers for the want of his name."

  Tom was greatly raised in the opinions of half in the room, by thisartful declaration, which was effectually securing just so many friends,in the event of any occurrence that might render such support necessary.In the mean time, Sir Reginald, assisted by the steward, opened thesecretary, and found the deposite of papers. The leases were all inorder; the title-deeds were properly arranged; the books and accountsappeared to be exactly kept: ordinary bills and receipts were filed withmethod; two or three bags of guineas proved that ready cash was notwanting; and, in short, every thing showed that the deceased had lefthis affairs in perfect order, and in a very intelligible condition.Paper after paper, however, was opened, and nothing like a will, roughdraft or copied, was to be found. Disappointment was strongly painted onthe faces of all the gentlemen present; for, they had ignorantly imbibedthe opinion, that the production of a will would, in some unknownmanner, defeat the hopes of the _soi-disant_ Sir Thomas Wychecombe. Norwas Tom, himself, altogether without concern; for, since the recentchange in his uncle's feelings towards himself, he had a secretapprehension that some paper might be found, to defeat all his hopes.Triumph, however, gradually assumed the place of fear, in the expressionof his countenance; and when Mr. Furlong, a perfectly honest man,declared that, from the late baronet's habits, as well as from theresult of this search, he did not believe that any such instrumentexisted, his feelings overflowed in language.

  "Not so fast, Master Furlong--not so fast," he cried; "here is somethingthat possibly even your legal acumen may be willing to term a will. Youperceive, gentlemen, I have it in my possession on good authority, as itis addressed to me by name, and that, too, in Sir Wycherly's ownhand-writing; the envelope is sealed with his private seal. You willpronounce this to be my dear uncle's hand. Furlong,"--showing thesuperscription of the letter--"and this to be his seal?"

  "Both are genuine, gentlemen," returned the steward, with a sigh. "Thusfar, Mr. Thomas is in the right."

  "_Mr._ Thomas, sirrah!--and why not _Sir_ Thomas? Are baronets addressedas other men, in England? But, no matter! There is a time for allthings. Sir Gervaise Oakes, as you are perfectly indifferent in thisaffair, I ask of you the favour to break the seal, and to inquire intothe contents of the paper?"

  The vice-admiral was not slow in complying; for, by this time, he beganto feel an intense interest in the result. The reader will readilyunderstand that Tom had handed to Sir Gervaise the will drawn up by hisfather, and which, after inserting his reputed nephew's name, SirWycherly had duly executed, and delivered to the person most interested.The envelope, address, and outer seal, Tom had obtained the very day thewill was signed, after assuring himself of the contents of the latter,by six or eight careful perusals. The vice-admiral read the instrumentfrom beginning to end, before he put it into the hands of Sir Reginaldto examine. The latter fully expected to meet with a clumsy forgery; butthe instant his eyes fell on the phraseology, he perceived that the willhad been drawn by one expert in the law. A second look satisfied himthat the hand was that of Mr. Baron Wychecombe. It has already beensaid, that in this instrument, Sir Wycherly bequeathed all he had onearth, to "his nephew, Thomas Wychecombe, son, &c., &c.," making hisheir, also, his executor.

  "This will appears to me to have been drawn up by a very skilful lawyer;the late Baron Wychecombe," observed the baronet.

  "It was, Sir Reginald," answered Tom, endeavouring to appearunconcerned. "He did it to oblige my respected uncle, leaving blanks forthe name of the devisee, not liking to make a will so very decidedly infavour of his own son. The writing in the blanks is by Sir Wycherlyhimself, leaving no doubts of _his_ intentions."

  "I do not see but you may claim to be the heir of Wychecombe, sir, aswell as of the personals; though your claims to the baronetcy shallcertainly be contested and defeated."

  "And why defeated?" demanded Wycherly, stepping forward for the firsttime, and speaking with a curiosity he found it difficult to control."Is not Mr. Thomas--_Sir_ Thomas, I ought rather to say,--the eldest sonof the late Sir Wycherly's next brother; and, as a matter of course,heir to the title, as well as to the estate?"

  "Not he, as I can answer from a careful examination of proofs. Mr. BaronWychecombe was never married, and thus _could have_ no heir at law."

  "Is this possible!--How have we all been deceived then, in America!"

  "Why do you say this, young gentleman? Can _you_ have any legal claimshere?"

  "I am Wycherly, the _only_ son of Wycherly, who was the eldest son ofGregory, the younger brother of the late baronet; and if what you say betrue, the next in succession to the baronetcy, at least."

  "This is--" Tom's words stuck in his throat; for the quiet, stern eye ofthe young sailor met his look and warned him to be prudent.--"This is a_mistake_," he resumed. "My uncle Gregory was lost at sea, and died abachelor. He can have left no lawful issue."

  "I must say, young gentleman," added Sir Reginald, gravely, "that suchhas always been the history of his fate. I have had too near an interestin this family, to neglect its annals."

  "I know, sir, that such has been the opinion here for more than half acentury; but it was founded in error. The facts are simply these. Mygrandfather, a warm-hearted but impetuous young man, struck an olderlieutenant, when ashore and on duty, in one of the West India Islands.The penalty was death; but, neither the party injured nor the commanderof the vessel, wished to push matters to extremity, and the offender wasadvised to absent himself from the ship, at the moment of sailing. Theinjured party was induced to take this course, as in a previous quarrel,my grandfather had received his fire, without returning it; franklyadmitting his fault. The ship did sail without Mr. Gregory Wychecombe,and was lost, every soul on board perishing. My grandfather passed intoVirginia, where he remained a twelvemonth, suppressing his story, lestits narration might lead to military punishment. Love next sealed hisfuture fate. He married a woman of fortune, and though his history waswell known in his own retired circle, it never spread beyond it. No onesupposed him near the succession, and there was no motive for statingthe fact, on account of his interests. Once he wrote to Sir Wycherly,but he suppressed the letter, as likely to give more pain than pleasure.That letter I now have, and in his own hand-writing. I have also hiscommission, and all the other proofs of identity that such a personwould be apt to possess. They are as complete as any court inChristendom would be likely to require, for he never felt a necessityfor changing his name. He has been dead but two years, and previously todying he saw that every document necessary to establish my claim, shoulda moment for enforcing it ever arrive, was put in such a legal form asto admit of no cavilling. He outlived my own father, but none of usthought there was any motive for presenting ourselves, as all believedthat the sons of Bar
on Wychecombe were legitimate. I can only say, sir,that I have complete legal evidence that I am heir at law of Gregory,the younger brother of the late Sir Wycherly Wychecombe. Whether thefact will give me any rights here, you best can say."

  "It will make you heir of entail to this estate, master of this house,and of most of what it contains, and the present baronet. You have onlyto prove what you say, to defeat every provision of this will, with theexception of that which refers to the personal estate."

  "Bravo!" cried Sir Gervaise, fairly rubbing his hands with delight."Bravo, Dick; if we were aboard the Plantagenet, by the Lord, I'd turnthe hands up, and have three cheers. So then, my brave young seaman, youturn out to be Sir Wycherly Wychecombe, after all!"

  "Yes, that's the way we always does, on board ship," observed Galleygo,to the group of domestics; "whenever any thing of a hallooing characterturns up. Sometimes we makes a signal to Admiral Blue and the rest on'em, to 'stand by to cheer,' and all of us sets to, to cheer as if ourstomachs was lull of hurrahs, and we wanted to get rid on 'em. If SirJarvy would just pass the word now, you'd have a taste of that 'erecustom, that would do your ears good for a twelvemonth. It's a cheeringmatter when the one of the trade falls heir to an estate."

  "And would this be a proper mode of settling a question of a right ofproperty, Sir Gervaise Oakes?" asked Tom, with more of right and reasonthan he commonly had of his side; "and that, too, with my uncle lyingdead beneath this roof?"

  "I acknowledge the justice of the reproof, young sir, and will say nomore in the matter--at least, nothing as indiscreet as my last speech.Sir Reginald, you have the affair in hand, and I recommend it to yourserious attention."

  "Fear nothing, Sir Gervaise," answered he of Hertfordshire. "Justiceshall be done in the premises, if justice rule in England. Your story,young gentleman, is probable, and naturally told, and I see a familylikeness between you and the Wychecombes, generally; a likeness that iscertainly not to be traced in the person of the other claimant. Did thepoint depend on the legitimacy of Mr. Thomas Wychecombe, it might beeasily determined, as I have his own mother's declaration to the fact ofhis illegitimacy, as well as of one other material circumstance that maypossibly unsettle even the late Baron Wychecombe's will. But thistestamentary devise of Sir Wycherly appears to be perfect, and nothingbut the entail can defeat it. You speak of your proofs; where are they?It is all-important to know which party is entitled to possession."

  "Here they are, sir," answered Wycherly, removing a belt from his body,and producing his papers; "not in the originals, certainly; for most of_them_ are matters of official record, in Virginia; but in, what thelawyers call 'exemplified copies,' and which I am told are in a fitstate to be read as evidence in any court in England, that can takecognizance of the matter."

  Sir Reginald took the papers, and began to read them, one by one, andwith deep attention. The evidence of the identity of the grandfather wasfull, and of the clearest nature. He had been recognised as an oldschoolfellow, by one of the governors of the colony, and it was at thisgentleman's suggestion that he had taken so much pains to perpetuate theevidence of his identity. Both the marriages, one with Jane Beverly, andthe other with Rebecca Randolph, were fully substantiated, as were thetwo births. The personal identity of the young man, and this too as theonly son of Wycherly, the _eldest_ son of Gregory, was well certifiedto, and in a way that could leave no doubt as to the person meant. In aword, the proofs were such as a careful and experienced lawyer wouldhave prepared, in a case that admitted of no doubt, and which was liableto be contested in a court of law. Sir Reginald was quite half an hourin looking over the papers; and during this time, every eye in the roomwas on him, watching the expression of his countenance with the utmostsolicitude. At length, he finished his task, when he again turned toWycherly.

  "These papers have been prepared with great method, and an acuteknowledge of what might be required," he said. "Why have they been solong suppressed, and why did you permit Sir Wycherly to die in ignoranceof your near affinity to him, and of your claims?"

  "Of my claims I was ignorant myself, believing not only Mr. ThomasWychecombe, but his two brothers, to stand before me. This was theopinion of my grandfather, even when he caused these proofs to beperpetuated. They were given to me, that I might claim affinity to thefamily on my arrival in England; and it was the injunction of mygrandfather that they should be worn on my person, until the momentarrived when I could use them."

  "This explains your not preferring the claim--why not prefer therelationship?"

  "What for, sir? I found America and Americans looked down on, inEngland--colonists spoken of as a race of inferior beings--of diminishedstature, feebler intellects, and a waning spirit, as compared to thosefrom whom they had so recently sprung; and I was too proud to confess anaffinity where I saw it was not desired. When wounded, and expecting todie, I was landed here, at my own request, with an intention to statethe facts; but, falling under the care of ministering angels,"--hereWycherly glanced his eye at Mildred and her mother--"I less felt thewant of relatives. Sir Wycherly I honoured; but he too manifestlyregarded us Americans as inferiors, to leave any wish to tell him I washis great-nephew."

  "I fear we are not altogether free from this reproach, Sir Gervaise,"observed Sir Reginald, thoughtfully. "We do appear to think there issomething in the air of this part of the island, that renders us betterthan common. Nay, if a claim comes from _over water_, let it be what itmay, it strikes us as a foreign and inadmissible claim. The fate fromwhich even princes are not exempt, humbler men must certainly submitto!"

  "I can understand the feeling, and I think it honourable to the youngman. Admiral Bluewater, you and I have had occasion often to rebuke thisvery spirit in our young officers; and you will agree with me when I saythat this gentleman has acted naturally, in acting as he has."

  "I must corroborate what you say, Sir Gervaise," answered Bluewater;"and, as one who has seen much of the colonies, and who is getting to bean old man, I venture to predict that this very feeling, sooner orlater, will draw down upon England its own consequences, in the shape ofcondign punishment."

  "I don't go as far as that, Dick--I don't go as far as that. But it isunwise and unsound, and we, who know both hemispheres, ought to set ourfaces against it. We have already some gallant fellows from that quarterof the world among us, and I hope to live to see more."

  This, let it be remembered, was said before the Hallowells, and Coffins,and Brentons of our own times, were enrolled in a service that has sincebecome foreign to that of the land of their birth; but it was propheticof their appearance, and of that of many other high names from thecolonies, in the lists of the British marine. Wycherly smiled proudly,but he made no answer. All this time, Sir Reginald had been musing onwhat had passed.

  "It would seem, gentlemen," the latter now observed, "that, contrary toour belief, there is an heir to the baronetcy, as well as to the estateof Wychecombe; and all our regrets that the late incumbent did not liveto execute the will we had drawn at his request, have become useless.Sir Wycherly Wychecombe, I congratulate you, on thus succeeding to thehonours and estates of your family; and, as a member of the last, I maybe permitted to congratulate all of the name in being so worthilyrepresented. For one of that family I cheerfully recognise you as itshead and chief."

  Wycherly bowed his acknowledgments, receiving also the compliments ofmost of the others present. Tom Wychecombe, however, formed anexception, and instead of manifesting any disposition to submit to thissummary disposal of his claims, he was brooding over the means ofmaintaining them. Detecting by the countenances of the upper servantsthat they were effectually bribed by his promise to pay the latebaronet's legacies, he felt tolerably confident of support from thatquarter. He well knew that possession was nine points of the law, andhis thoughts naturally turned towards the means necessary to securingthis great advantage. As yet, the two claimants were on a par, in thisrespect; for while the executed will might seem to give him a superiorclaim, no authority that w
as derived from an insufficient source wouldbe deemed available in law; and Sir Wycherly had clearly no right todevise Wychecombe, so long as there existed an heir of entail. Bothparties, too, were merely guests in the house; so that neither had anypossession that would require a legal process to eject him. Tom had beenentered at the Temple, and had some knowledge of the law of the land;more especially as related to real estate; and he was aware that thereexisted some quaint ceremony of taking possession, as it existed underthe feudal system; but he was ignorant of the precise forms, and hadsome reasonable doubts how far they would benefit him, under thepeculiar circumstances of this case. On the whole, therefore, he wasdisposed to try the effect of intimidation, by means of the advantageshe clearly possessed, and of such little reason as the facts connectedwith his claim, allowed him to offer.

  "Sir Reginald Wychecombe," he said gravely, and with as muchindifference as he could assume; "you have betrayed a facility of beliefin this American history, that has surprised me in one with so high areputation for prudence and caution. This sudden revival of the dead mayanswer for the credulous lovers of marvels, but it would hardly do for ajury of twelve sober-minded and sworn men. Admitting the whole of thisgentleman's statement to be true, however, you will not deny the lateSir Wycherly's right to make a will, if he only devised his old shoes;and, having this right, that of naming his executor necessarilyaccompanied it. Now, sir, I am clearly that executor, and as such Idemand leave to exercise my functions in this house, as its temporarymaster at least."

  "Not so fast--not so fast, young sir. Wills must be proved and executorsqualified, before either has any validity. Then, again, Sir Wycherlycould only give authority over that which was his own. The instant heceased to breathe, his brother Gregory's grandson became the life-tenantof this estate, the house included; and I advise him to assert thatright, trusting to the validity of his claim, for his justification inlaw, should it become necessary. In these matters he who is right issafe; while he who is wrong must take the consequences of his own acts.Mr. Furlong, your steward-ship ceased with the life of your principal;if you have any keys or papers to deliver, I advise your placing them inthe hands of this gentleman, whom, beyond all cavil, I take to be therightful Sir Wycherly Wychecombe."

  Furlong was a cautious, clear-headed, honest man, and with every desireto see Tom defeated, he was tenacious of doing his duty. He led SirReginald aside, therefore, and examined him, at some length, touchingthe nature of the proofs that had been offered; until, quite satisfiedthat there could be no mistake, he declared his willingness to complywith the request.

  "Certainly, I hold the keys of the late Sir Wycherly's papers,--thosethat have just been seen in the search for the will," he said, "and haveevery wish to place them in the hands of their proper owner. Here theyare, Sir Wycherly; though I would advise you to remove the bags of goldthat are in the secretary, to some other place; as _those_ your unclehad a right to bequeath to whom he saw fit. Every thing else in thesecretary goes with the estate; as do the plate, furniture, and otherheir-looms of the Hall."

  "I thank you, Mr. Furlong, and I will first use these keys to followyour advice," answered the new baronet; "then I will return them to youwith a request that you will still retain the charge of all your formerduties."

  This was no sooner said than done; Wycherly placing the bags of gold onthe floor, until some other place of security could be provided.

  "All that I legally can, Sir Wycherly, will I cheerfully do, in order toaid you in the assertion of your right; though I do not see how I cantransfer more than I hold. _Qui facit per alium, facit per se_, is goodlaw, Sir Reginald; but the principal must have power to act, before thedeputy can exercise authority. It appears to me that this is a case, inwhich each party stands on his own rights, at his own peril. Thepossession of the farms is safe enough, for the time being, with thetenants; but as to the Hall and Park, there would seem to be no one inthe legal occupancy. This makes a case in which title is immediatelyavailable."

  "Such is the law, Mr. Furlong, and I advise Sir Wycherly to takepossession of the key of the outer door at once, as master of thetenement."

  No sooner was this opinion given, than Wycherly left the room, followedby all present to the hall. Here he proceeded alone to the vestibule,locked the great door of the building, and put the key in his pocket.This act was steadily performed, and in a way to counteract, in a greatdegree, the effect on the domestics, of Tom's promises concerning thelegacies. At the same moment, Furlong whispered something in the ear ofSir Reginald.

  "Now you are quietly in possession, Sir Wycherly," said the latter,smiling; "there is no necessity of keeping us all prisoners in order tomaintain your claims. David, the usual porter, Mr. Furlong tells me, isa faithful servant, and if he will accept of the key as _your_ agent itmay be returned to him with perfect legal safety."

  As David cheerfully assented to this proposition, the key was put intohis hands again, and the new Sir Wycherly was generally thought to be inpossession. Nor did Tom dare to raise the contemplated question of hisown legitimacy before Sir Reginald, who, he had discovered, possessed aclue to the facts; and he consequently suppressed, for the moment atleast, the certificate of marriage he had so recently forged. Bowinground to the whole company, therefore, with a sort of sarcasticcompliance, he stalked off to his own room with the air of an injuredman. This left our young hero in possession of the field; but, as thecondition of the house was not one suitable to an unreasonable displayof triumph, the party soon separated; some to consult concerning thefuture, some to discourse of the past, and all to wonder, more or less,at the present.