result as Messrs. Collinbrae and Jackson. There is absolutely no doubt whatever of your claim. You will petition the Crown, and on reference to the House of Lords the Committee for Privileges will admit your right. May I offer my congratulations, Lady de Lannoy on your acquisition? By the way, I may say that all the estates of the Earldom, which have been from the first kept in strict entail, go with the title de Lannoy.’

During the recital Stephen was conscious of a sort of bitter comment on the tendencies of good fortune.

‘Too late! too late!’ something seemed to whisper, ‘what delight it would have been had Father inherited � If Harold had not gone � !’ All the natural joy seemed to vanish, as bubbles break into empty air.