Lady Audley's Secret

Upon finding that Helen’s father, Mr. Maldon, has not returned to the cottage, George and Robert search for him. They find him at the beach with George’s young son.

Mr. Maldon laments the fact that George had not arrived a week earlier, and George responds that if he had, then he would not have let Helen die. The old man looks at him helplessly and Robert observes that he seems almost afraid of George.

When George introduces himself to the boy as his father, the child replies that he does not know him. George says that he will leave the child in his grandfather’s care, and Mr. Maldon asks why. George replies that he is returning to Australia.

When George asks the landlady whether Helen died in poverty, she replies that Helen “wanted for nothing” (44). George is relieved, though puzzled as to where Helen’s father found sufficient money.

The next day, a document is drawn up appointing Robert guardian of George’s son. Robert argues that he is not suited to such a role, but George says that he trusts him to ensure that the boy is cared for. However, George misses the ship sailing from Liverpool, so he returns to London to stay with Robert.