Then, when the case is settled and this so-called heir is master of the situation, or supposes himself so, bring suit to show that he is an impostor, and assert my own claim as the nearest living heir." Hobson whistled softly.

"A plan worthy of your ambition, my lady, but hardly feasible.

It is one thing to assert a claim, and another to be able to establish it.

Through your over-ambition you would lose in the end, for, should you succeed in dispossessing this stranger, Ralph Mainwaring would surely come forward with his claim, and you would be beaten." "When I lay down arms to a Mainwaring, I will lay down my life also," she answered, proudly.
"You think so, perhaps; but let me tell you the best course for you to pursue is to make terms, either with Ralph Mainwaring, as I first suggested, or else with this new-comer--should he prove victorious--by threatening to expose his whole scheme." Mrs.LaGrange made no reply, and Hobson, rising to take leave, saw her face for the first time and paused, surprised at its strange expression.
"Well ?" he said, with a look of inquiry.
"My thoughts were wandering just then," she said, with a faint smile, and her tone was so changed the voice scarcely seemed her own.

"I was wishing, just for the moment, that this stranger, whoever he may be, was in reality the one he claims to be.