"Does it involve the possible
loss of his title?--of Hartledon?"
"No," said Mr. Carr, looking at her with surprise.
"You are sure?"
"Certain. I give you my word. What can have got into your head, Lady
Hartledon?"
She gave a sigh of relief. "I thought it just possible--but I will not
tell you why I thought it--that some claimant might be springing up to
the title and property."
Mr. Carr laughed. "That would be a calamity. Hartledon is as surely your
husband's as this watch"--taking it out to look at the time--"is mine.
When his brother died, he succeeded to him of indisputable right. And now
I must go, for my time is up; and when next I see you, young gentleman,
I shall expect a good account of your behaviour. Why, sir, the finger's
mine, not yours. Good-bye, Lady Hartledon."
She gave him her hand coolly, for she was not pleased. The baby began to
cry, and was sent away with its nurse.
And then Lady Hartledon sat on alone, feeling that if she were ever to
arrive at the solution of the mystery, it would not be by the help of Mr.
Carr. Other questions had been upon her lips--who the stranger was--what
he wanted--five hundred of them: but she saw that she might as well have
put them to the moon.
And Lord Hartledon went out with Mr. Carr in the inclement night, and saw
him off by a Great-Western train.
CHAPTER XXX.
MAUDE'S DISOBEDIENCE.
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