_Mr. S._ That’s right, my dear, dear boy; and you shall find that you have lost little by your determination. And now that that’s settled, let us enter into _your_ affairs. What was it that you wanted to speak to me so seriously about just now?
_Fred._ Oh, to be sure! I--oh, it’s not of the least consequence.
_Mr. S._ Something about poor little Eve, wasn’t it?
_Fred._ Yes; about poor little Eve. How little do we know what five minutes may bring forth! I was actually going to consult you about fixing a day for our wedding. (_Wiping his eyes._)
_Mr. S._ My poor boy, you have behaved nobly. You are a true Smailey.
_Fred._ (_taking his hand_). I hope it is not presumptuous in me, but I sometimes think I am.
_Mr. S._ I have wounded you deeply. Let me compensate you by telling you a more pleasant piece of news. I have discovered Fitz Partington’s clew.
_Fred._ Indeed! I am rejoiced to hear it.
_Mr. S._ Yes. Mrs. Van Brugh told me on Tuesday that she had never actually seen her godfather’s will. So I felt it to be my duty to make an excuse for reading aloud that part of the will in which she is particularly described. I did so, and she fainted. Now, my dear Fred, what does this point to?
_Mr. S._ You would say bigamy, and so should I. I suggested this to Fitz Partington, and he seemed amazed at my penetration. We laid our heads together, and, at his suggestion, I drew up this advertisement. (_Hands MS. advertisement, which he has taken from table-drawer._)
_Fred._ (_reads_). _£50 Reward. This sum will be paid for a true copy of the burial certificate of the first wife of the late Captain Van Brugh, R.N. She is known to have died at Melbourne within the last eight years._ Are you sure Fitz Partington is acting straightforwardly with you?
_Mr. S._ A large sum? If I can only establish the fact that the first Mrs. Van Brugh died within the last eight years, every penny of this so-called Mrs. Van Brugh’s income--£8,000 a year at least--reverts to me.
_Fred._ Poor Eve will lose her settlement!
_Mr. S._ True; quite true. Dear me, I never thought of that. Poor Eve!
_Ruth._ I’ve brought this note from my lady.
_Mr. S._ Oh! There may be an answer. Stay.
_Mr. S._ (_reads note_). Oh! Mrs. Van Brugh writes to say that she wishes to see me this afternoon--alone. (_Sits down to write._)