The fair of May fair - University Library

22 HEARTS AND DIAMONDS.
estate in order to clear off these unsatisfactory
incumbrances. Our conversation of this morn-
ing produced an expansion of feehng such as I
little expected from a man of his reserved dis-
position. He owned tliat Lady Stratherne had
written soon after her arrival at Spa, to make
known the difficulties by which she was beset
previous to her departure. ' I have already
encroached on my children's birthright/ said
he. On this occasion—but for the last time,
I will again extend my hand to save her from
disgrace. My wife assures me that to the
advice and example of Lady Sophia Meredyth
she owes her determination to renounce her
past errors ; return to the bosom of her family
and assume the duties of a wife and a mother.
Judge whether my obligations to your daughter
are capable of repayment by the paltry sum I
have placed in your hands !—In short," conti-
nued Lord Chester, " poor Stratherne was so
deeply aftected, in speaking of j^ou, and anti-
cipating the change of his domestic position,
that I doubt whether Clendennis himself would
have expressed himself more warmly."
« All—all my wishes are fulfilled !" cried I,
—