So eloquent--and most especially, so lovely, so charming an advocate, is almost certain of success; and my uncle and myself must admit the absent gentleman's right to our name; though, heaven be praised, he has not yet got either the title or the estate." "I hope I have said nothing, Sir Wycherly, to displease _you_," returned Mildred, with emphasis; though her face was a thousand times handsomer than ever, with the blushes that suffused it.

"Nothing would pain me more, than to suppose I had done so improper a thing.

I merely meant that we cannot believe Mr.Wycherly Wychecombe would willingly take a name he had no right to." "My little dear," said the baronet, taking the hand of the distressed girl, and kissing her cheek, as he had often done before, with fatherly tenderness; "it is not an easy matter for _you_ to offend _me_; and I'm sure the young fellow is quite welcome to both my names, if you wish him to have 'em." "And I merely meant, Miss Mildred," resumed Tom, who feared he might have gone too far; "that the young gentleman--quite without any fault of his own--is probably ignorant how he came by two names that have so long pertained to the head of an ancient and honourable family.

There is many a young man born, who is worthy of being an earl, but whom the law considers--" here Tom paused to choose terms suitable for his auditor, when the baronet added, "A _filius nullius_--that's the phrase, Tom--I had it from your own father's mouth." Tom Wychecombe started, and looked furtively around him, as if to ascertain who suspected the truth.

Then he continued, anxious to regain the ground he feared he had lost in Mildred's favour.
"_Filius nullius_ means, Miss Mildred, exactly what I wish to express; a family without any legal origin.