the situation thus presented to him, but could not realise
anything save what in his own mind was he pleased to call a "cock-
and-bull" story.

"Most extraordinary!" he ejaculated, at last--"Did he give you no
clue at all as to your actual parentage?"

Innocent shook her head.

"How could he? A man on horseback arrived here suddenly one very
stormy night, carrying me in his arms--I was just a little baby--
and asked shelter for me, promising to come and fetch me in the
morning--but he never came--and Dad never knew who he was. I was
kept here out of pity at first--then Dad began to love me--"

The suppressed tears rose to her eyes and began to fall.

"Priscilla can tell you all about it," she continued, tremulously
--"if you wish to know more. I am only explaining things a little
because I do want you to understand that Dad was really a good man
though he did not go to Church--and he must have been 'saved,' as
you put it, for he never did anything unworthy of the name of
Jocelyn!"

The clergyman thought a moment.

"You are not Miss Jocelyn, then?" he said.

She met his gaze with a sorrowful calmness.