'There was theory of that kind, I remember, about ten years ago.
Since then--excuse me--I don't think you've mentioned her.'

'You talk as if she were a skeleton in the closet!'

'You DIDN'T talk--as if she were.'

'I think she was, in a way, poor child. But the resurrection day
hasn't confounded me as I deserved. She's a very good girl.'

'If you had asked me to pick out your daughter--'

'She would have been the last you would indicate! Quite so,' I
said. 'She is like her father's people. I can't help that.'

'I shouldn't think you would if you could,' Dacres remarked
absently; but the sea air, perhaps, enabled me to digest his
thoughtlessness with a smile.

'No,' I said, 'I am just as well pleased. I think a resemblance to
me would confuse me, often.'

There was a trace of scrutiny in Dacres's glance. 'Don't you find
yourself in sympathy with her?' he asked.

'My dear boy, I have seen her just twice in twenty-one years! You
see, I've always stuck to John.'

'But between mother and daughter--I may be old-fashioned, but I had