‘I know; but still—my father was sent for at his death. There was no suspicion. I have heard that it was a mésalliance, but that is all I have ever heard.’
‘Your father arrived when he was dying, had no communication with him, nor had any of his true friends. She kept them away. Lord Will, perhaps we have talked on this question long enough; it is no matter to me, it is only you who are affected. If there is money involved it is of the more consequence. You will require proof of the marriage before you do anything further. That is all you have to do. Ask her to send in her certificates, child’s birth, and all that. Women of that class are very wary; they generally see after their papers. I have thought it over; I thought it all over before I made up my mind to speak to you. I felt that I could not allow what might be a great wrong to be done to the family of one who was once a dear friend——’
Mrs. Swinford put her handkerchief lightly to her eyes; it was scarcely substantial enough to have imbibed one tear. And there were perhaps other reasons why tears would have been out of place; but, had they existed at all, they would have been not dew, but fire.
XXIX
Lord Will was greatly impressed, as may be supposed, by that interview with Mrs. Swinford. When he joined Leo downstairs he had very little to say. He had not the heart to play a game at billiards, but knocked the balls a little vaguely, and took the refreshment which was given to him while he puffed at his cigar. ‘I say, Swinford, your mother and this aunt of mine don’t seem to hit it off,’ he said.
‘Don’t they?’ said Leo. ‘I don’t know, indeed; they were great friends once.’
‘Which makes women hate each other all the more when they fall out.’
‘Does it?’ said Leo. ‘You seem to know so much. I am older, but my knowledge is much less.’
‘By Jove!’ said Lord Will. ‘You ought to have learnt a thing or two,’ and then he became suddenly silent, thinking it would be very difficult if he were called upon to explain himself. Leo did not ask any questions, but he was not indifferent to what his friend said.
‘I think you should not take anybody’s opinion,’ he said. ‘If you want to know about your aunt, go and see her for yourself.’