"You're a cool hand, Simnel but I know you mean running straight, so I don't mind. First thing of all I can recollect is being held out at arm's length by Phil Fox, as the child in his great trick-act of Rolla, or the something of Peru. The circus belonged to old Fox, Phil's father; and I used to live with the Foxes,--the old man and woman and Bella Fox, and Phil and his wife. Bad lot she was: had been a splendid rider, but fell and broke her leg; and was always vicious and snappish, and that irritating, I wonder Phil could put up with her. They were very kind to me, the Foxes, and I was quite like their own child; and I played fairies, and flower-girls, and columbines, and such like, all on horseback, in all the towns we went circuit. I used to ask the old man sometimes about myself; but he never would say more than that I was his little apprentice, and I should find it all right some day. And so I went on with them till I grew quite a big girl, and used to do the barebacked-steed business, and what I liked better, the riding-habit and the highly-trained charger dodge, until old Fox declared there was no better rider in England than me. I was just nineteen, when he sent for me one night,--it was at Warwick, I recollect, and we'd had a stunning house,--and I found him with two gentlemen standing with him. He pointed to one of them, and he said to me: 'Express'--that's the name he used to call me,--'Express, this is the gentleman that bound you 'prentice to me ever so many years ago. He's come to take you away now, and make your fortune.' I cried, and said I didn't want my fortune made, and that I wouldn't go; but after a long talk full of business, I saw it would be for my good, and I agreed. So this place was bought for me in my name, and here I've been ever since." "And who were those gentlemen?" "That's exactly what I can't tell you." "Can't tell?" "Won't, if you like it better. There, don't look vexed. I'll tell you this much, one of them was my uncle,--my real uncle, I firmly believe,--though on which side you must find out." "And the other?" "The other I love dearer than any one on earth." "Dearer than you loved--" "I know who you're going to say; infinitely dearer! but in--there; there's enough of that. One thing more I'll tell you: up to this hour I've never been told my father's name or rank in life." "And this benevolent uncle did it all? Quite like a play, by Jove! Well, I've not learned much; but I may be able to make something of it--something that will be good for us both." "That's all right! and now your business is finished?" "Yes, entirely--no, not quite, by the way; I wanted to say one word to you on another subject. You know I'm not likely to be jealous Kitty--" "So far as I'm concerned, you've no right to be."