"Sir George Lanfranc," replied the earl, "is——"
"Was," corrected Ivar.
"Our family solicitor," continued the earl, with a frown—he hated to be corrected—"and one of the privileged four admitted to the knowledge of our secret funeral vault."
"The other three being——?" queried Lorelie.
"Ivar and I, as a matter of course: and the Rector of Ormsby."
"I think I could name a fifth," murmured Lorelie to herself.
For, on the day prior to her coming to Ravenhall she had chanced to meet with Godfrey, and, moved by a sudden impulse, he had told her how he had followed Ivar to the crypt and what had happened there, not omitting Lord Walden's utterance that it was done on Lorelie's account. The story was a complete revelation to her, and, while thanking Godfrey for his communication, she determined to discover the meaning of the strange affair with which Ivar had associated her name. A favourable opportunity seemed now to present itself, and she resolved to essay a bold stroke.
"We shall have to choose some one to supply Lanfranc's place," said the earl, turning to his son.
"Permit me to offer myself," suggested Lorelie.
Lord Ormsby raised his eyebrows in manifest surprise.