“I see no difficulty,” continued Mr. Stanmore, “in proving Mr. Thornton’s right to the name and title of Sir Oscar De Bracy. The will shall be opened and read in a few days, and I wish you, Commander O’Loughlin, to be present.”
We will here merely state the principal points in the will of the late Sir Oscar De Bracy: excepting a legacy of ten thousand pounds to his niece, Mabel Arden, five thousand to Mr. Patrick O’Loughlin, and a thousand each to his two solicitors, and ample donations to four attached domestics, the whole of his estates and remaining property were bequeathed to his son, known as William Thornton.
To his will was added a solemn declaration, before four witnesses, that he felt perfectly satisfied and convinced that the proofs of his son’s preservation and his identity with William Thornton were most satisfactorily explained, and most clear as to dates, and that the picture found round the child’s neck was one he left with Lady De Bracy a short period before his departure for India.
Captain O’Loughlin was greatly moved by this last mark of Sir Oscar’s esteem and remembrance, whilst Mabel deeply deplored that one so kind-hearted and noble should have undergone such trials; and that, just as his heart became relieved by the joyous intelligence received of his son’s being still in existence, when life would have been a boon, the destroyer should have laid his hand on his victim.
“But we are not to murmur,” she said; “it is not upon earth we are to seek or expect our reward for trials; we must look higher.”
Captain O’Loughlin’s marriage was postponed for twelve months. Neither he nor Agatha could think of their union taking place till the usual time for mourning for his generous benefactor had expired.
Three weeks passed calmly and pleasantly with Agatha Volney and her lover, who by this time had become an excellent French scholar; though Agatha excelled him in her knowledge of the English language. Mabel was anxious to hear some news of our hero; for generally the frigates cruising off the French ports returned at intervals to Plymouth and Falmouth, or vessels arrived with intelligence of their movements.
One morning Captain O’Loughlin, who was remaining at Southampton, and generally walked to the villa to breakfast, took a Times newspaper from his pocket.
“I have not had time to look at the naval intelligence this morning,” said the Captain, “and I am really anxious——”
“And so am I,” said Mabel, with a slight increase of colour; “there has been no news of any kind for many days.”