"Yes, I believe she has. I think perhaps the Ayres family have paid
some attention to her," Horace said, constrainedly.

"I have seen the Ayres girl with her a good deal, I know," said Henry.

"Very possibly, I dare say. Well, Miss Farrel did not think she or
any one else cared about her very much. She told me that none of her
pupils did, and I could not gainsay her, and then she told me what I
feel that I must tell you." Horace paused. Henry waited.

Then Horace resumed. He spoke briefly and to the purpose.

"Miss Abrahama White, who left her property to your wife, had a
sister," he said. "The sister went away and married, and there was a
daughter. First the father died, then the mother. The daughter, a
mere child at the time, was left entirely destitute. Miss Farrel took
charge of her. She did not tell her the truth. She wished to
establish if possible some claim upon her affection. She considered
that to claim a relationship would be the best way to further her
purpose. The girl was told that Miss Farrel was her mother's cousin.
She was further told that she had inherited a very considerable
property from her mother, whereas she had not inherited one cent.
Miss Farrel gave up her entire fortune to the child. She then, with
the nervous dread of awakening dislike instead of love which filled
her very soul, managed to have the child, in her character of an
heiress, established in a family moving in the best circles, but
sadly in need of money. Then she left her, and began supporting
herself by teaching. The girl is now grown to be a young woman, and
Miss Farrel has not dared see her more than twice since she heaped