Grand references had been made to a London banker, which had been answered by assurances that Mr.Talbot was as good as the Bank of England.

But it turned out that the assurances were forged, and that the letter of inquiry addressed to the London banker had been intercepted.

In short, it was all ruin, roguery, and wretchedness.
And very wretched they all were, the old father, the young bride, and all that parsonage household.

After much inquiry something at last was discovered.

The man had a sister whose whereabouts was made out; and she consented to receive the child--on condition that the bairn should not come to her empty-handed.