But though she leaned against the Duchess' knee she still lifted her eyes to Lord Coombe.
"This is what I must ask you to listen to," he said.

"We believe what you have told us but we know that no one else will--without legal proof.
We also know that some form may have been neglected because all was done in haste and ignorance of formalities.

You can give no clue--the ordinary methods of investigation are in confusion as the whole country is.

This is what remains for us to face.

_You_ are not ashamed, but if you cannot prove legal marriage Donal's son will know bitter humiliation; he will be robbed of all he should possess--his life will be ruined.