"Is that really so--would it be so?" he asked.
"It may be--I'm not sure," replied Mr. Pawle. "As I say, I don't know
how the succession runs in this particular instance. There are, as you
are aware, several peeresses in their own rights--twenty-four or five, at
least. Some are very ancient peerages. I know that three--Furnivale and
Fauconberg and Conyers--go right back to the thirteenth century; three
others--Beaumont, Darcy da Knayth, and Zorch of Haryngworth--date from
the fourteenth. I'm not sure of this Ellingham peerage--but I'll find out
when I get back to my office. However, granting the premises, and if the
peerage does continue in the female line, it will be as I say--this
girl's the rightful holder of the title!"
Viner made no immediate answer and Mr. Pawle began to put up the letters
in their original wrappings.
"Regular romance, isn't it--if it is so?" he exclaimed. "Extraordinary!"
"Shall you tell her?" asked Viner.
Mr. Pawle considered the direct question while he completed his task.
"No," he said at last, "not at present. She evidently knows nothing, and
she'd better be left in complete ignorance for a while.
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