"I suppose you mean the day might come when someone will
appear to claim the girl, and you will lose a large sum of
money?"

"No; no; you do not know what I mean, you have never heard the
girl's strange history."

"I know she is not your child."

"Yes; you forced that confession from me a long time ago."

"Tell me the girl's history."

"I dare not."

"Does she know the tale?"

"No."

"She believes herself your child?"

"I think she has a suspicion that she is not my child, but she
loves me."

"Has she ever asked you whether or not she is your child?"

"Never!"

"Nor hinted?"