"No. We have yet to find that out. But he is quite satisfied from the hints of the late Mrs. Jersey that a marriage did take place, and he wishes to make amends to me for his unjust conduct as regards my mother's memory and myself."
"Whew! What means did you take to force him to recognize you?"
"I used no force at all," responded Brendon, very dryly.
"Lord Derrington would not climb down unless he were made to."
"As a matter of fact he did. The olive branch was held out by him. All this is none of your business, Mr. Bawdsey, and I only tell it to you to clear the ground for what I am about to say."
"It's something disagreeable, I bet," said Bawdsey, scanning the set face of his visitor.
"Your penetration does you credit, sir. It is disagreeable."
Bawdsey settled himself comfortably in his chair. "Then the sooner we grasp the nettle the sooner will the pain be over," he said, with quite an Eastern wealth of parable. "But first, Mr. Brendon, I should like to know your exact position."
"Oh, that is easily explained, and there is no reason why you should not know what all London will know soon. Lord Derrington will join with me in searching for the register of marriage, and meanwhile will recognize me as his grandson and the heir to his estates."
"Not a very large income for a future peer," murmured Bawdsey.