She shrank and stiffened a little. Zaidee Crawford would not be so glad to welcome her. She felt it in her inmost heart. For she had been the pet and darling of the household all these years. All the girls had paid her a curious sort of homage. She had been invested with a halo of romance, and generous as she seemed with her equals, she had established a rigorous distance between them. Lilian fancied she was annoyed by the suggestion of a resemblance between them. Her father was momentarily piqued by the unyielding lines of her figure and the hesitancy. "Oh, my child you must take in the strength, the absolute reality of our claim, unless you cannot believe this woman--" "I would stake my very life on her truth, and I can recall so many things that seemed strange to me then, especially these last two years. She so dreaded leaving me alone in the world, and I am not willing to embitter her last moments. You see she never thought of my parents being in a much higher walk in life, and the knowledge that she had kept me out of so much would be a cruel stab. No, let me wait until it is all over, and you have accepted the strange story truly. There are others beside yourself----" Her eyes were full of tears as she raised them. It _was_ noble to take this view, though he really grudged it. "You mean then to stay here until--" "I have promised sacredly, solemnly. There may be some things to certify. Mrs. Barrington spoke of one, that the confession, ought to be signed before witnesses." "Yes, though we should never doubt. And if there was any question there might be a legal adoption;" then he paused. His wife had not heard the story yet. Yes, his anger had hurried him along with scarcely a thought of all that needed to be done. He had dreamed of the joy of bringing the mother and daughter together. Yes, she must be prepared. "Perhaps you are right," he admitted, reluctantly. "Yet--oh, how can I leave you. It seems as if the joy would vanish." "I do not think I shall vanish," and she half smiled through her tears. The doctor came downstairs with a grave face. "There has been a sudden change. The paralysis has crept upward. She is moaning for you. Go to her." Lilian flashed out of the room. "Are you convinced?" asked the doctor. "Oh, positively. And what a noble girl! I hate to have her love that woman so, and yet it shows a true and generous nature. Why, I think some girls would have gone wild over the prospect." "Mrs. Barrington is enthusiastic about her and she has had a wide experience with girls. But my dear Major, there is a good deal to be done. Your wife must hear the story, and we must consider _her_ health, her nervous system must not have too severe a shock. And this Mrs. Boyd must attest her confession in some way. She can hardly speak intelligibly. With your permission, I'll hunt up Ledwith. It's best to have everything secure."