“No; he died some years ago; but he left a child. That child is living, and has put in a claim for the estate.”
“But you told me he left no issue——”
“It was all supposition, madam, since we could learn nothing to the contrary; but we have recently learned our mistake.”
“He shall not have the property; he may be an impostor. I shall contest the point,” Mrs. Richards said, with frantic vehemence.
“Ellen, do be reasonable,” said her husband, sternly.
“Unfortunately for your peace of mind, madam, it is a point that cannot be contested,” returned Mr. Compton; “and, if you will give me your attention for a few moments, I will explain it to you.”
With a groan, Mrs. Richards sank into a chair, more wretched than she had ever been in her life.
“Your mother,” began the lawyer, also seating himself, and motioning Mr. Richards and Josephine to do the same, “was half-sister to the late Sir Charles’ mother. That made her half-aunt and you half-cousin to him. That relationship, however, would have been near enough to give you the property had no nearer claimant appeared. Sir William Thornton, the late Sir Charles’ father, and Albert were own brothers; consequently, the child of Albert would be own cousin to the late Sir Charles, and being a descendent on his father’s side, by far the nearest of kin. Have I made it clear to you?”
He glanced as he spoke at Mr. Richards, who nodded, while his wife covered her face and groaned aloud.
“Now,” resumed Mr. Compton, “I will tell you, in as few words as I can, the story of this younger brother, Albert Thornton. He was quite a number of years Sir William’s junior, and at an early age dissented from the established church and religion of his ancestors, and insisted upon going as a missionary to Africa. This so enraged his father that he disowned him, charging him never to show his face inside his ancestral home again. Deeply wounded, but still adhering to his convictions of duty, he went to Africa, but was obliged to return to England again in the course of a couple of years, on account of failing health. He did not, however, present himself in the home from which he had been banished, for this neither his pride nor his wounded heart would allow him to do. He therefore settled in a distant county, where he had charge of a small parish at a merely nominal salary, during the remainder of his life. Not long after his return he married a gentle and lovely girl, and one child was born to them, who, recently seeing our advertisement for the nearest of kin to Sir Charles, has presented a claim for the estate.”