"I heard that he was a man of good birth, by name Chumleigh. I heard some particulars of his youth and his marriage, and I mean to find out more. Having got so far upon the traces of his history it will hardly be difficult to learn the rest." "But what good will it do to any one, sir," asked Bridget, "since the child has been dead so many years? There is nobody to profit by your knowledge." "Who can say as much as that, Mrs. Bridget? Knowledge is power. I should like to know the history of Mrs. Bosworth's little companion. It pleases me to think that she was something better than a beggar's brat--a child of good birth, and, for all I know, entitled on the mother's side to a large fortune." Bridget became suddenly alert and interested. "A fortune did you say, sir?" she exclaimed. "Do you mean that my darling had a right to a fortune?" "I have reason to believe the child's mother had at least the expectation of wealth; but it was contingent upon the caprice of a rich father: just like your mistress's fortune, which she may lose if she disobey the Squire." "They all said he was a gentleman," remarked Bridget musingly. "I have heard Farmer Bowman talk about him many a time--he was thin and wasted with hunger, the farmer said; but he had been a handsome young man, and his clothes were a gentleman's clothes, though they were worn almost to rags." "Were there any papers found upon him?" "Yes, the Squire brought home a parcel of papers; but there was nothing among them all to show who he was. I have heard my master say as much." "Well, it will be my business to find out Mr. Chumleigh's relatives, and from them I may hear all about his marriage. I have seen the woman who had care of his motherless baby till within a fortnight of the time she was brought into this house." "Indeed, sir! That is very strange." "Strange indeed, Mrs. Bridget; but this world of ours is a much smaller place than we think." "The mother was dead then, sir?" "Yes, the mother died directly after the child's birth." "And had the woman been good to her, do you think?" "Fairly good, I take it; but her first nurse, the woman who took her from her dying mother's breast, was a careless unworthy wretch." "As how, sir?" "An accident of which I was told would prove as much." Bridget was thoughtful, but did not inquire the nature or the history of this accident. The recollection of her lost charge seemed to be full of trouble to her. Herrick said no more about Mr. Chumleigh or his child. He had said all he intended to say, and had keenly watched the effect of his revelations upon nurse Bridget. And now it was time for him to leave this paradise, lest some servant should pass that way and take note of his presence, or lest Mademoiselle should come in quest of her pupil. Rena had been glancing uneasily towards the house, momently expecting the apparition of her _gouvernante_.