"If it were so, he would have great reason to be proud of the relationship, truly," observed Wood, shrugging his shoulders.
"It is easy to make an assertion like this," said Thames, contemptuously.
"And equally easy to prove it," replied Jack, giving him the paper he had abstracted from Wild. "Read that."
Thames hastily cast his eyes over it, and transferred it, with a look of incredulity, to Wood.
"Gracious Heavens! this is more wonderful than all the rest," cried the carpenter, rubbing his eyes. "Thames, this is no forgery."
"You believe it, father?"
"From the bottom of my heart. I always thought Mrs. Sheppard superior to her station."
"So did I," said Winifred. "Let me look at the paper."
"Poor soul!—poor soul!" groaned Wood, brushing the tears from his vision. "Well, I'm glad she's spared this. Oh! Jack, Jack, you've much to answer for!"
"I have, indeed," replied Sheppard, in a tone of contrition.