“I don’t know about that. But one thing I have long known, and that is that the Thornton branch of the family is nearly, if not quite, extinct. It is evident that no heirs are to be found in England, or Compton & Bailey would not have advertised in the United States papers,” she returned, feeling more and more sure in her own mind that her first impressions had not been at fault.
“That is a good argument, truly,” Mr. Richards said, with sudden interest, and then began to question his wife, and to examine more closely into the matter.
The result was that the next steamer bore a long letter to Compton & Bailey, No. 54 Lincoln’s-inn-fields, stating Mrs. Richards’ relationship to Sir Charles Thornton, of Halowell Park, Devonshire, together with proofs of what they asserted.
A month passed, and they had begun to think they had been nourishing a chimera, when, one day, there came an answer from Compton & Bailey, saying that they had faithfully studied the chronological tables of both sides of the Thornton family, and had arrived at the conclusion that Mrs. Richards was undoubtedly the nearest of kin to the late Sir Charles.
They stated that they had been advertising for a long time in English papers, and no one had presented any claim. They had then concluded to publish a similar notice in the American papers, and as it had met with no other response, they would undoubtedly decide the matter in favor of her.
However, they suggested that she come to London at once, as they could conclude better what to do after a personal interview.
“If it should prove a ‘wild-goose chase,’ as I fear it will, I can ill afford the expense of the trip,” Mr. Richards said, when considering the question.
But his wife was all enthusiasm, as well as very sanguine regarding the result, and it was at length decided that they should sail as soon as practicable, and preparations were at once begun for the voyage.
Mrs. Richards merely remarked to her friends, when informing them of their plans, that Mr. Richards was not well; they all wanted a change, and had resolved to try what a trip across the Atlantic would do for them. Not one word was breathed regarding her expectations, however.
“If I am successful, there will be time enough then to make it public; if I am not, no one shall ever be able to crow over my disappointment,” she said, cautiously, to her husband; although in her own mind she had not a doubt as to the issue of the matter, while already visions of a title and a life among the nobility of England, presentation at court, and a marriage in high life for Josephine, were taking shape in her head.