Her existence spoiled my life--banished me from India, a widow in all but the name, and more desolate than many widows.' 'Lord Maulevrier was known to leave India carrying with him two large chests--supposed to contain books--but actually containing treasure.

A man who was in the Governor's confidence, and who had been the go-between in his intrigues, confessed on his death-bed that he had assisted in removing the treasure.

Now, Lady Maulevrier, since your husband died immediately after his arrival in England, and before he could have had any opportunity of converting or making away with the valuables so appropriated, it stands to reason that those valuables must have passed into your possession, and it is from your honour and good feeling that I claim their restitution.

If you deny the claim so advanced, there remains but one course open to me, and that is to make my wrongs public, and claim my right from the law of the land.' 'And do you suppose that any English judge or English jury would believe so wild a story--or countenance so vile an accusation against the defenceless ?' demanded Lady Maulevrier, standing up before him, tall, stately, with flashing eye and scornful lip, the image of proud defiance.

'Bring forward your claim, produce your documents, your witnesses, your death-bed confessions.