"Listen. Before administering to Mr. Lloyd's will, it was necessary that I should be in a position to prove that Miss Lloyd was really the person the world believed her to be. Jacob Lloyd left an immense mass of papers behind him, amongst which I was not long in finding his marriage certificate; but I failed to find any document having reference either to the birth or baptism of his daughter. Having some other important matters on hand just then, and there being no particular hurry in the affair, I did not prosecute my search very vigorously. I knew that about the time Miss Lloyd was born, Jacob Lloyd and his wife were travelling, either for health or pleasure, from place to place, and I had little doubt that when a proper search came to be made I should be able to find the information I wanted. A few days ago, however, there came into my hands certain documentary proofs, full and complete, of the truth of what I am now going to tell you. Eleanor Lloyd is not the daughter of Jacob Lloyd, nor any relation of his whatever. She is neither more nor less than a child adopted in infancy by him and his wife, they having no family of their own. The fortune left by Jacob Lloyd is the property of a nephew, Gerald Warburton, now living somewhere on the Continent. The woman who rejected me is an 'absolute pauper." "A strange story--a very strange story, indeed, cousin Matthew!" "Eleanor Lloyd has to come here two hours hence to sign certain deeds. She will enter this room a rich woman; she will leave it penniless!" "And you will be revenged?" "And I shall be revenged." They were both silent, thinking their 'own thoughts. "Where has she been living since the death of her father?" said Olive. "She has been living very quietly at Bridgely, her own home." "But has it not been her intention to take up a position in society, such as her supposed wealth would entitle her to occupy?" "Lady Dudgeon, the wife of one of out Pembridge magnates, has taken her by the hand, and has constituted herself Miss Lloyd's chaperone. Eleanor is to accompany her ladyship to London in the spring, and will then make her début." "To how many people is Miss Lloyd's true parentage known?" "Not a soul in the world knows of it except myself--and you." "Good. And your idea of revenge is to break this news to Miss Lloyd suddenly here--this very morning--and so crush her?" "It is." "A man's idea--poor and commonplace. Shall I tell you what mine--a woman's idea of revenge--would be in such a case?" "You are a clever girl, Olive, and you pique my curiosity."