“I have to-day had a letter from the old ladies at Avonsyde,” answered Mr. Baring. “They seem pleased with the boy who is at present claiming the property. From the tone of Miss Griselda’s letter, I should judge that if your boy does not put in his appearance the child who is at present at Avonsyde will be publicly recognized as the heir. Even a public recognition does not really interfere with your son if you can prove his title; but undoubtedly it will be best for all parties that you should make your claim before the other child is put into a false position.”
“When do you anticipate that the old ladies will absolutely decide?”
“They name a date—the 5th of May.”
“I think I can promise one thing: after the 5th of May neither Rupert nor I will interfere. We make claim before or on that date, not afterward. The fact is, we know something of the child who is now at Avonsyde.”
Mr. Lovel, after enjoining absolute secrecy on the lawyers, went his way, and that evening had a long interview with Mrs. Lovel.
“I fear,” he said in conclusion, “that in no case would your girls come into the place, except indeed under certain conditions.”
“What are they?” asked Mrs. Lovel.
“That we find neither tankard nor letters and in consequence do not make our claim, and that little Philip Lovel dies.”
“Is he so ill as that?”
“He is physically unsound. The best doctors in Melbourne have examined him and do not believe he will live to manhood. His mother comes of an unhealthy family, and the boy takes after her physically—not mentally, thank God!”