CHAPTER XIV.
"Yet, all is o'er!--fear, doubt, suspense, are fled, Let brighter thoughts be with the virtuous dead! The final ordeal of the soul is past, And the pale brow is sealed to Heaven at last." MRS.

HEMANS.
It will be easily supposed that Tom Wychecombe witnessed the proceedings related in the preceding chapter with dismay.

The circumstance that he actually possessed a _bona fide_ will of his uncle, which left him heir of all the latter owned, real or personal, had made him audacious, and first induced him to take the bold stand of asserting his legitimacy, and of claiming all its consequences.

He had fully determined to assume the title on the demise of Sir Wycherly; plausibly enough supposing that, as there was no heir to the baronetcy, the lands once in his quiet possession, no one would take sufficient interest in the matter to dispute his right to the rank.

Here, however, was a blow that menaced death to all his hopes.