“Well, sir,” said Monckton, “I thought the matter was at an end, and, having discharged a commission which was very unpleasant to me, I had at all events saved an innocent girl from tempting Mr. Walter Clifford to his destruction and ruining herself.  I say, I thought and hoped so.  But it seems now that the young lady has defied the warning, and has married your son after all.  Mrs. Walter Clifford has heard of it in Derby, and she is naturally surprised, and I am afraid she is now somewhat incensed.”

“Before we go any further, sir,” said Colonel Clifford, “I should like to see the certificate you say you showed to Miss Bartley.”

“I did, sir,” said Monckton, “and here it is—­that is to say, an attested copy; but of course sooner or later you will examine the original.”

Colonel Clifford took the paper with a firm hand, and examined it closely.  “Have you any objection to my taking a copy of this?” said he, keenly.

“Of course not,” said Monckton; “indeed, I don’t see why I should not leave this document with you; it will be in honorable hands.”

The Colonel bowed.  Then he examined the document.

“I see, sir,” said he, “the witness is William Hope.  May I ask if you know this William Hope?”

“I was not present at the wedding, sir,” said Monckton, “so I can say nothing about the matter from my own knowledge; but if you please, I will ask the lady.”

“Why didn’t she come herself instead of sending you?” asked the Colonel, distrustfully.

“That’s just what I asked her.  And she said she had not the heart nor the courage to come herself.  I believe she thought as I was a clergyman, and not directly interested, I might be more calm than she could be, and give a little less pain.”

“That’s all stuff!  If she is afraid to come herself, she knows it’s an abominable falsehood.  Bring her here with whatever evidence she has got that this Walter Clifford is my son, and then we will go into this matter seriously.”

Monckton was equal to the occasion.

“You are quite right, sir,” said he.  “And what business has she to put me forward as evidence of a transaction I never witnessed?  I shall tell her you expect to see her, and that it is her duty to clear up the affair in person.  Suppose it should be another Mr. Walter Clifford, after all?  When shall I bring her, supposing I have sufficient influence?”

“Bring her to-morrow, as early as you can.”

“Well, you know ladies are not early risers:  will twelve o’clock do?”

“Twelve o’clock to-morrow, sir,” said the Colonel.

The sham parson took his leave, and drove away in a well-appointed carriage and pair.  For we must inform the reader that he had written to Mr. Middleton for another L100, not much expecting to get it, and that it had come down by return of post in a draft on a bank in Derby.

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