From the first _we_ are derived--from the last, the Wychecombes of Hertfordshire--since known as baronets of that county, by the style and title of Sir Reginald Wychecombe of Wychecombe-Regis, Herts." "The present Sir Reginald can have no claim, being of the half-blood," put in Sir Wycherly, with a brevity of manner that denoted feeling.

"The half-blood is as bad as a _nullius_, as you call Tom." "Not quite.

A person of the half-blood may be as legitimate as the king's majesty; whereas, a nullius is of _no_ blood.

Now, suppose for a moment, Sir Wycherly, that you had been a son by a first wife, and I had been a son by a second--would there have been no relationship between us ?" "What a question, Tom, to put to your own brother!" "But I should not be your _own_ brother, my good sir; only your _half_ brother; of the _half_, and not of the _whole_ blood." "What of that--what of that ?--your father would have been my father--we would have had the same name--the same family history--the same family _feelings_--poh! poh!--we should have been both Wychecombes, exactly as we are to-day." "Quite true, and yet I could not have been your heir, nor you mine.

The estate would escheat to the king, Hanoverian or Scotchman, before it came to me.