"Mine?" said Arderne. "The man is mad. I pray you explain."
"I will so," said the lawyer. "May I be permitted to sit in this presence."
"Take a chair," said Sir Hugh. And the lawyer accordingly seated himself, wiped his glasses, and commenced again.
"You doubtless are aware that, by the father's side, you can claim kindred with the noble house of Plantagenet," he said.
"It's a far-away relationship then," said Arderne. "Nevertheless I believe such is the case; but what of that?"
"You know it well enough, good Master Arderne," said Grasp; "for it is a thing to thank God and to be proud of; and you also know that the Lady Clara de Mowbray was also akin to you. As thus:—Geoffrey Plantagenet wedded with——."
"Well, a truce with all matter of that sort," interrupted Arderne. "I know my lineage well as thou canst tell it me, Master Grasp. But what of Clara de Mowbray? Granting I am her distant kinsman, and distant indeed must the relationship be——."
"Nevertheless it is true, as I am in a condition to prove," said Grasp. "Nay, not only are you her kinsman, but you are her sole remaining kinsman, and to obviate all controversy about succession, she hath constituted and appointed you her sole heir."
"You do, indeed, astonish me," said Arderne; "is then the beautiful Clara de Mowbray dead?"
"'Tis so rumoured, set down, and given out," said Grasp.