Previous to his decease, in contemplation of the nobleness of mind
which would probably induce the nominal Lady Greville to renounce his
succession, he framed two testamentary acts. By one of these, he
acknowledged the nullity of his second marriage, but bequeathed to
Helen and her child all that the law of the land enabled him to
bestow; by the other he referred to Helen only as his lawful wife,
and to her son as his representative and successor; adding to their
legal inheritance all his unentailed property. Both were enclosed in
a letter to Lady Greville, written on his death-bed, which left it
entirely at her own disposal, _which_ to publish, _which_ to destroy.

It is not to be supposed that the selection cost her one moment's
hesitation. Having resigned into the hands of the lawful inheritor
all that the strictest probity could require, and much that his
admiration of her magnanimity would have prevailed on her to retain,
she retired peaceably to a mansion in the South bequeathed by Lord
Greville to her son, and occupied herself solely with his education.
In the commencement of the ensuring reign he obtained the royal
sanction to use the name and arms of Percy; and in his grateful
affection and the virtuous distinctions he early attained, his mother
met with her reward.

Theresa, the helpless Theresa, the guardian-ship of whose person had
been bequeathed to Helen, as a mournful legacy, by Lord Greville, was
removed with her from her dreary imprisonment at the Cross, and to
the latest moment of her existence partook of her affectionate and
watchful attention.

It was a touching sight to behold these two unfortunate beings,