I knew he'd tell me, whatever it was, in
his own way."
"One or two other questions," said Mr. Carless. "Do you know who your
mother was?"
"Only that she was some one whom my father met in Australia."
"Do you know what her maiden name was?"
"No, only her Christian name; that was Catherine. She and my father are
buried together."
"Ah!" exclaimed Mr. Carless. "That is something else I was going to ask.
You know where they are buried?"
"Oh, yes! Because, before we sailed, Mrs. Roscombe took me to the
churchyard, or cemetery, to see my father's and mother's grave. I
remembered that perfectly. Her own husband was buried there too, close
by. I remember how we both cried."
Mr. Carless suddenly pointed to the ornament which Miss Wickham
was wearing.
"Will you take that off, and let me look at it?" he asked. "Thank you,"
he said, as she somewhat surprisedly obeyed. "I believe," he continued,
as he quietly passed the ornament to Lord Ellingham, "that Mr. Ashton
gave you this and told you it had belonged to your father? Just so!
Well," he concluded, handing the ornament back, "I think that's all.
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