He had had no scruple in passing off his eldest-born as legitimate, and now would have none in declaring the truth to the world.
What scruple need he have, seeing that he was so soon about to leave the world?
As to what took place at that interview between the father and the son very much was said among the clubs, and in societies to which Captain Mountjoy Scarborough was well known; but very little of absolute truth was ever revealed.

It was known that Captain Scarborough left the room under the combined authority of apothecaries and servants, and that the old man had fainted from the effects of the interview.

He had undoubtedly told the son of the simple facts as he had declared them to Mr.Grey, but had thought it to be unnecessary to confirm his statement by any proof.

Indeed, the proofs, such as they were,--the written testimony, that is,--were at that moment in the hands of Mr.Grey, and to Mr.Grey the father had at last referred the son.

But the son had absolutely refused to believe for a moment in the story, and had declared that his father and Mr.Grey had conspired together to rob him of his inheritance and good name.