To him, it was one of great pleasure, and also of exceedingly great pain.

Here was something like a clew, to the discovery which he was so deeply interested in making.

But, then, at whose expense was this discovery to be made?
He was betrothed to Lucy Gourlay, and here he was compelled by a sense of justice to drag her father forth to public exposure, as a criminal of the deepest dye.

What would Lucy say to this?
What would she say to the man who should entail the heavy ignominy with which a discovery of this atrocious crime must blacken her father's name.

He knew the high and proud principles by which she was actuated, and he knew how deeply the disgrace of a guilty parent would affect her sensitive spirit.