girl's face with some perplexity.

"Because--there are reasons why I do not wish to meet her just at
present," Mona said, with some embarrassment, "and I do not know that she
would be able to prove anything. To be frank," she continued, with
increasing confusion, "the present Mrs. Montague entertained a strong
dislike, even hatred, against my mother. Doubtless her animosity extends
to me also, and she would not be likely to prove anything that would
personally benefit me."

"You have not a very high opinion of Mrs. Richmond Montague, I perceive,"
Mr. Corbin remarked, with a curious smile.

"I have nothing special against her personally, any further than that I
know she hated my mother, and I do not wish to meet her at present. Why,"
with sudden thought, "could not you try to ascertain from her some facts
regarding my mother's marriage?"

"I might possibly," said Mr. Corbin, gravely, "but that would not benefit
you; you would be obliged to meet her in order to be identified as Mona
Forester's child."

"I had not thought of that," replied Mona, with a troubled look, "and,"
she added, "she could not even identify me to your satisfaction, for she
never saw me to know me as Mona Montague."

"_As Mona Montague!_" repeated the quick-witted lawyer; "does she know
you by any other name? Are you not keeping something back which it would
be well for me to know?"