clear if a man will open his eyes to look at them. In this case they
were altogether clear. These broad acres of Castle Richmond did
belong to Sir Thomas--for his life. But after his death they could
not belong to his son Herbert. It was a matter which admitted of no
doubt. No question as to whether the Molletts would or would not
hold their tongue could bear upon it in the least. Justice in this
case must be done, even though the heavens should fall. It was sad
and piteous. Stern and hard as was the man who pronounced this doom,
nevertheless the salt tear collected in his eyes and blinded him as
he looked upon the anguish which his judgment had occasioned.

Yes, Herbert must be told that he in the world was nobody; that he
must earn his bread, and set about doing so right soon. Who could
say that his father's life was worth a twelve-month's purchase? He
must be told that he was nobody in the world, and instructed also to
tell her whom he loved, an Earl's daughter, the same tidings; that
he was nobody, that he would come to possess no property, and that
in the law's eyes did not possess even a name. How would his young
heart suffice for the endurance of so terrible a calamity? And those
pretty girls, so softly brought up--so tenderly nurtured; it must be
explained to them too that they must no longer be proud of their
father's lineage and their mother's fame. And that other Fitzgerald
must be summoned and told of all this; he on whom they had looked
down, whom the young heir had robbed of his love, whom they had cast
out from among them as unworthy. Notice must be sent to him that he
was the heir to Castle Richmond, that he would reign as the future
baronet in those gracious chambers. It was he who could now make a
great county lady of the daughter of the countess.

"It will be very soon, very soon," sobbed forth the poor victim. And