The active scenes,' continued the count, 'in which I was immediately afterwards engaged, drove the whole affair from my mind.

Now that your questions have recalled them, I feel certain of the facts I have mentioned; and I am ready to establish them by my testimony.' Lord Colambre thanked him with an eagerness that showed how much he was interested in the event.

It was clear, he said, either that the packet left with the ambassador had not been delivered, or that the father of Mr.Reynolds had suppressed the certificate of the marriage, as it had never been acknowledged by him or by any of the family.

Lord Colambre now frankly told the count why he was so anxious about this affair; and Count O'Halloran, with all the warmth of youth, and with all the ardent generosity characteristic of his country, entered into his feelings, declaring that he would never rest till he had established the truth.
'Unfortunately,' said the count, 'the ambassador who took the packet in charge is dead.

I am afraid we shall have difficulty.' 'But he must have had some secretary,' said Lord Colambre; 'who was his secretary ?--we can apply to him.' 'His secretary is now CHARGE D'AFFAIRES in Vienna--we cannot get at him.' 'Into whose hands have that ambassador's papers fallen--who is his executor ?' said Lord Colambre.
'His executor!--now you have it,' cried the count.