CHAPTER XXIV.


NEW OBLIGATIONS.

That interview with the lawyer left Edith in a state of the deepest
dejection. She had certainly not anticipated any thing like this. She
expected that measures would at once be taken to carry on a contest with
Wiggins, and give her her lawful rights, and above all her freedom. It
never for a moment entered her mind to question the truth of a single
statement that Barber had made. His whole communication with her was of
the most business-like character, as it seemed to her, and she thought
he must be eminent in his profession, or else Dudleigh would not have
employed him. And this was the end of all that hope in which she had
been indulging! Her freedom now seemed farther removed than ever. How
could Sir Lionel ever be found? According to Dudleigh, he lived the life
of a wanderer, and left no trace behind him. It was hard for her to
think that her only hope depended upon finding him.

On the following day Dudleigh came, looking as calm and as unruffled as
usual.

"Barber has gone back," said he. "I knew before what he was going to
tell you. I had not the heart to tell you myself, or even to be here
when he was telling you."

"It might have saved me some disappointment if _you_ had told me."

"But the disappointment would have been as great, and I had not the
heart to inflict sorrow myself upon _you_! I know, after Barber had