'I must begin,' said I, 'with declaring my perfect conviction of your ignorance, that any person is existing, who has a right to the property which your ladyship at present possesses.'
'Assuredly such a notion never entered my head,' said she, 'and indeed, were such a claim made, I should consider it as utterly untenable—in fact, impossible.'
'I regret,' said I, 'that it is undeniable. There are documents extant, and witnesses living, to prove it beyond all refutation.'
Her ladyship, I thought, changed colour, as she said:
'This is strange; but I cannot believe it. Who would have the face to set up such a silly claim?'
'I am so unfortunate as to have that face,' answered I, in a tone of the most touching humility.
'You!' she cried with amazement. 'You!'
'Pardon me the pain I give you,' said I, 'but such is the fact; and grating as this interview must be to the feelings of both parties, I do assure you, that I have sought it, solely to prevent the more disagreeable process of a law-suit.'
'You are welcome to twenty law-suits, if you wish them,' cried she, 'but I fancy they will not deprive me of my property.'
'At least,' said I, 'they may be the means of sullying the character of your deceased lord.'