Some days later, the insurance offices (two in number)received the formal announcement of Lord Montbarry's death,from her ladyship's London solicitors. The sum insured in eachoffice was five thousand pounds--on which one year's premium onlyhad been paid. In the face of such a pecuniary emergency as this,the Directors thought it desirable to consider their position.The medical advisers of the two offices, who had recommendedthe insurance of Lord Montbarry's life, were called into councilover their own reports. The result excited some interestamong persons connected with the business of life insurance.Without absolutely declining to pay the money, the two offices(acting in concert) decided on sending a commission of inquiryto Venice, 'for the purpose of obtaining further information.'

Mr. Troy received the earliest intelligence of what was going on.He wrote at once to communicate his news to Agnes; adding, what heconsidered to be a valuable hint, in these words:

'You are intimately acquainted, I know, with Lady Barville, the lateLord Montbarry's eldest sister. The solicitors employed by herhusband are also the solicitors to one of the two insurance offices.There may possibly be something in the report of the commissionof inquiry touching on Ferrari's disappearance. Ordinary personswould not be permitted, of course, to see such a document.But a sister of the late lord is so near a relative as to be an exceptionto general rules. If Sir Theodore Barville puts it on that footing,the lawyers, even if they do not allow his wife to look at the report,will at least answer any discreet questions she may ask referringto it. Let me hear what you think of this suggestion, at yourearliest convenience.'

The reply was received by return of post. Agnes declined to availherself of Mr. Troy's proposal.

'My interference, innocent as it was,' she wrote, 'has alreadybeen productive of such deplorable results, that I cannotand dare not stir any further in the case of Ferrari.If I had not consented to let that unfortunate man refer to meby name, the late Lord Montbarry would never have engaged him,and his wife would have been spared the misery and suspense fromwhich she is suffering now. I would not even look at the reportto which you allude if it was placed in my hands--I have heard morethan enough already of that hideous life in the palace at Venice.If Mrs. Ferrari chooses to address herself to Lady Barville(with your assistance), that is of course quite another thing.But, even in this case, I must make it a positive conditionthat my name shall not be mentioned. Forgive me, dear Mr. Troy!I am very unhappy, and very unreasonable--but I am only a woman,and you must not expect too much from me.'

Foiled in this direction, the lawyer next advised making the attemptto discover the present address of Lady Montbarry's English maid.This excellent suggestion had one drawback: it could only becarried out by spending money--and there was no money to spend.Mrs. Ferrari shrank from the bare idea of making any useof the thousand-pound note. It had been deposited in the safekeeping of a bank. If it was even mentioned in her hearing,she shuddered and referred to it, with melodramatic fervour, as 'myhusband's blood-money!'

So, under stress of circumstances, the attempt to solve the mysteryof Ferrari's disappearance was suspended for a while.

It was the last month of the year 1860. The commission of inquirywas already at work; having begun its investigations on December 6.On the 10th, the term for which the late Lord Montbarry had hiredthe Venetian palace, expired. News by telegram reached the insuranceoffices that Lady Montbarry had been advised by her lawyers to leavefor London with as little delay as possible. Baron Rivar, it was believed,would accompany her to England, but would not remain in that country,unless his services were absolutely required by her ladyship.The Baron, 'well known as an enthusiastic student of chemistry,'had heard of certain recent discoveries in connection with thatscience in the United States, and was anxious to investigatethem personally.

These items of news, collected by Mr. Troy, were duly communicatedto Mrs. Ferrari, whose anxiety about her husband made her a frequent,a too frequent, visitor at the lawyer's office. She attemptedto relate what she had heard to her good friend and protectress.Agnes steadily refused to listen, and positively forbade any furtherconversation relating to Lord Montbarry's wife, now that LordMontbarry was no more. 'You have Mr. Troy to advise you,' she said;'and you are welcome to what little money I can spare, if moneyis wanted. All I ask in return is that you will not distress me.I am trying to separate myself from remembrances--'her voice faltered;she paused to control herself--'from remembrances,' she resumed,'which are sadder than ever since I have heard of Lord Montbarry's death.Help me by your silence to recover my spirits, if I can. Let mehear nothing more, until I can rejoice with you that your husbandis found.'

Time advanced to the 13th of the month; and more information of theinteresting sort reached Mr. Troy. The labours of the insurance commissionhad come to an end--the report had been received from Venice on that day.