"This is a bad business, Mr. Trevelyan," he said; and by his ceasing to use the title, I knew he had given up all hope of my cause. "Of course," he continued, "you can go to law if you like, but I tell you quite honestly you have no chance. The evidence is clear and without a flaw; nothing can shake it. If you have a lawsuit you will lose it, and probably have to pay all costs."
I told him that I had no such intention; that if the estate were not legally mine, I had no wish to claim it.
"It was a very sad thing for you, Mr. Trevelyan. I am heartily grieved for you."
"I must bear it like a man. I am not the first who has lost a fortune."
But Sir John would not hear of my final arrangements until we had been to Lincoln and had seen the child.
"No one knows the depth of those French women," he said. "It is possible there may be no child. Let us take her by surprise this very day, and ask her to accompany us to the house where the nurse lives."
Both lawyers applauded the idea.
"If there be any imposture we are sure to find it out," they said.
Without a minute's loss of time, Mrs. Trevelyan was asked to join us in the library. She complied at once.
"We want you to go with us to Lincoln to show us the child," said Sir John, abruptly.