We can imagine the grief and horror of the unhappy man . In that interview the friend promised to leave all to Sir Richard , to preserve the secret till some means of relief could be found ; and with this promise he returned , to guard and comfort the forsaken wife . Sir Richard wrote the truth to Lady Trevlyn , meaning to kill himself , as the only way of escape from the terrible situation between two women , both so beloved , both so innocently wronged . The pistol lay ready , but death came without its aid , and Sir Richard was spared the sin of suicide . '' Paul paused for breath , but Lady Trevlyn motioned him to go on , still sitting rigid and white as the marble image near her . `` The friend only lived to reach home and tell the story . It killed the wife , and she died , imploring the old priest to see her child righted and its father 's name secured to it . He promised ; but he was poor , the child was a frail baby , and he waited . Years passed , and when the child was old enough to ask for its parents and demand its due , the proofs of the marriage were lost , and nothing remained but a ring , a bit of writing , and the name . The priest was very old , had neither friends , money , nor proofs to help him ; but I was strong and hopeful , and though a mere boy I resolved to do the work . I made my way to England , to Trevlyn Hall , and by various stratagems -LRB- among which , I am ashamed to say , were false keys and feigned sleepwalking -RRB- I collected many proofs , but nothing which would satisfy a court , for no one but you knew where Sir Richard 's confession was . I searched every nook and corner of the Hall , but in vain , and began to despair , when news of the death of Father Cosmo recalled me to Italy ; for Helen was left to my care then . The old man had faithfully recorded the facts and left witnesses to prove the truth of his story ; but for four years I never used it , never made any effort to secure the title or estates . '' `` Why not ? '' breathed my lady in a faint whisper , as hope suddenly revived . `` Because I was grateful , '' and for the first time Paul 's voice faltered . `` I was a stranger , and you took me in . I never could forget that , nor tie many kindnesses bestowed upon the friendless boy . This afflicted me , even while I was acting a false part , and when I was away my heart failed me . But Helen gave me no peace ; for my sake , she urged me to keep the vow made to that poor mother , and threatened to tell the story herself .
Talbot 's benefaction XXXXX me no excuse for delaying longer , and I came to finish the hardest task I can ever undertake .
Cosmo England Hall Helen Paul Trevlyn left proofs sleepwalking years