Chapter VIII

           Onthe14ththeDirectorsandtheirlegaladvisersmetforthereadingofthereport,withcloseddoors.ThesewerethetermsinwhichtheCommissionersrelatedtheresultsoftheirinquiry:’Privateandconfidential.

           ’WehavethehonourtoinformourDirectorsthatwearrivedinVeniceonDecember6,1860.OnthesamedayweproceededtothepalaceinhabitedbyLordMontbarryatthetimeofhislastillnessanddeath.

           ’WewerereceivedwithallpossiblecourtesybyLadyMontbarry’sbrother,BaronRivar."Mysisterwasherhusband’sonlyattendantthroughouthisillness,"theBaroninformedus."Sheisoverwhelmedbygriefandfatigue—orshewouldhavebeenheretoreceiveyoupersonally.Whatareyourwishes,gentlemen?andwhatcanIdoforyouinherladyship’splace?"

           ’Inaccordancewithourinstructions,weansweredthatthedeathandburialofLordMontbarryabroadmadeitdesirabletoobtainmorecompleteinformationrelatingtohisillness,andtothecircumstanceswhichhadattendedit,thancouldbeconveyedinwriting.Weexplainedthatthelawprovidedforthelapseofacertainintervaloftimebeforethepaymentofthesumassured,andweexpressedourwishtoconducttheinquirywiththemostrespectfulconsiderationforherladyship’sfeelings,andfortheconvenienceofanyothermembersofthefamilyinhabitingthehouse.

           ’TothistheBaronreplied,"Iamtheonlymemberofthefamilylivinghere,andIandthepalaceareentirelyatyourdisposal."Fromfirsttolastwefoundthisgentlemanperfectlystraightforward,andmostamiablywillingtoassistus.