"Then, sir," said the lawyer solemnly, "it is my painful duty to tell you that Miss Derinzy's mother is living and is mad."
"Good God, how horrible!" exclaimed George.
"Horrible indeed. She was a Frenchwoman, and she became deranged from a shock, after her child's birth. I suppose the treatment of the insane was not wise in those days, for she never recovered; and her husband's horror of the possible effect on the child made him morbidly anxious to put her out of sight and recollection. It was a bad business, not intentionally cruel, I am sure, but ill-judged, and she had much to suffer, I've no doubt. A sum was invested and placed in our keeping, and the payments are made by us. The poor woman has been very quiet and happy for a long time, for which I have frequently had your word, Dr. Wainwright."
"My word!" exclaimed the Doctor, on whom a light was breaking.
"Yes, indeed. I am speaking of Madame Vaughan."
"Of Madame Vaughan!" cried George, in a choking voice, quite unmanned by this revelation. "Ah, father, then it is no delusion, after all; the child--the child she is always pining for is my Annette."
"Even so," said Dr. Wainwright, and laid his hand on his son's arm impressively. "I don't wonder this discovery should affect you painfully. But cheer up, George. Remember, this pining for her child is the only trace of insanity your poor friend has exhibited for years--has ever exhibited, indeed, within my knowledge. Now we know this supposed delusion is no delusion at all, but a truth; and I don't entertain the smallest doubt that Annette's mother is as sane as you or I."
[CHAPTER THE LAST.]
CERTAINTY.
Mr. Hamber's opinion was justified by the result--the Derinzys did not fight. The character of the Captain has been sketched in these pages to very little purpose, if the reader does not guess with the utmost readiness that he was entirely indifferent concerning his son's future, when he had been once and for all thoroughly informed what was the best he had to expect and calculate upon for his own. In the interview which had taken place between the Captain and Dr. Wainwright, prior to Annette's journey to Germany, he had tried to bully the Doctor, with such utter failure that he bore a salutary remembrance of his defeat with him to the family council, convened a few days after the visit made by Dr. Wainwright and his son to Messrs. Hamber and Clarke's office.