'I thought I had better consult my father, expecting to hear that she
was dead, and that no further notice need be taken of the matter.
But he was greatly disturbed to hear of the certificate, and would
hardly believe me. He said that some friend of my grandmother had
written her word of goings on at Freshwater between his brother and
the young governess, and that they went off at once to put a stop to
it, but found us left with the German maid, who declared that Miss
Headworth had gone off with Mr. Egremont in the yacht. No more was
heard of my uncle for six weeks, and when he came back there was a
great row with the old General, but he absolutely denied being
married. I am afraid that was all the old sinner wished, and they
went off together in the yacht to the West Indies, where it was
burnt; but they, as you know, never came to England again, going
straight off to the Mediterranean, having their headquarters at
Sorrento, and cruising about till the General's death ten years ago.'

'Yes, I once met them at Florence, and thought them two weary
pitiable men. One looked at the General as a curious relic of the
old buck of the Regency days, and compassionated his nephew for
having had his life spoilt by dangling after the old man. It was a
warning indeed, and I am glad you have profited by it, Mark.'

'He came back, after the old man died, to club life in London, and
seldom has been near the old place; indeed, it has been let till
recently, and he wants to let it again, but it is altogether too
dilapidated for that without repairs. So he came down to see about
it, and was taken ill there. But to return to what my father told
me. He was shocked to hear of the certificate, for he had implicitly
believed his brother's denial of the marriage, and he said Miss