As he sauntered out into the park, to wander about for half an hour
in the dusk of the evening, his head was throbbing with pain. The
family friend in this instance had certainly been severely taxed in
the exercise of his friendship. And what was he to do next? How was
he to conduct himself that evening in the family circle, knowing, as
he so well did, that his coming there was to bring destruction upon
them all? "Be tender to him," Aunt Letty had said, little knowing
how great a call there would be on his tenderness of heart, and how
little scope for any tenderness of purpose.

And was it absolutely necessary that that blow should fall in all
its severity? He asked himself this question over and over again,
and always had to acknowledge that it was necessary. There could be
no possible mitigation. The son must be told that he was no son--no
son in the eye of the law; the wife must be told that she was no
wife, and the distant relative must be made acquainted with his
golden prospects. The position of Herbert and Clara, and of their
promised marriage, had been explained to him,--and all that too
must be shivered into fragments. How was it possible that the
penniless daughter of an earl should give herself in marriage to a
youth, who was not only penniless also, but illegitimate and without
a profession? Look at it in which way he would, it was all misery
and ruin, and it had fallen upon him to pronounce the doom!

He could not himself believe that there was any doubt as to the
general truth of Mollett's statement. He would of course inquire. He
would hear what the man had to say and see what he had to adduce. He
would also examine that old servant, and, if necessary--and if
possible also--he would induce Lady Fitzgerald to see the man. But
he did feel convinced that on this point there was no doubt. And