"He was my guardian," answered Miss Wickham. "My father left me in his charge." "Just so. Now, have you any recollection of your father?" "Only very vague recollections. I was scarcely six, I think, when he died." "What do you remember about him?" "I think he was a tall, handsome man--I have some impression that he was. I think, too, that he had a fair complexion and hair. But it's all very vague." "Do you remember where you lived?" "Only that it was in a very big town--Melbourne, of course. I have recollections of busy streets--I remember, too, that when I left there it was very, very hot weather." "Do you remember Mr. Ashton at that time?" "Oh, yes--I remember Mr. Ashton. I had nobody else, you see; my mother had died when I was quite little; I have no recollection whatever of her. I remember Mr. Ashton's house, and that he used to buy me lots of toys. His house was in a quiet part of the town, and he had a big, shady garden." "How long, so far as you remember, did you live with Mr. Ashton there?" "Not very long, I think. He told me that I was to go to England, to school. For a little time before we sailed, I lived with Mrs. Roscombe, with whom I came to England. She was very kind to me; I was very fond of her." "And who was Mrs. Roscombe?" "I didn't know at the time, of course--I only knew she was Mrs. Roscombe. But Mr. Ashton told me, not long before his death, who she was. She was the widow of some government official, and she was returning to England in consequence of his death. So she took charge of me and brought me over. She used to visit me regularly at school, every week, and I used to spend my holidays with her until she died." "Ah!" said Mr. Carless. "She is dead?" "She died two years ago," answered Miss Wickham. "I wish she had been living," observed Mr. Carless, with a glance at Mr. Pawle. "I should have liked to see Mrs. Roscombe. Well," he continued, turning to Miss Wickham, "so Mrs. Roscombe brought you to England, to school. What school?" "Ryedene School." "Ryedene! That's one of the most expensive schools in England, isn't it?" "I don't know. I--perhaps it is." "I happen to know it is," said Mr. Carless dryly. "Two of my clients have daughters there, now. I've seen their bills! Do you know who paid yours?" "No," she answered, "I don't know. Mr. Ashton, I suppose." "You had everything you wanted, I dare say! Clothes, pocket-money, and so on?" "I've always had everything I wanted," replied Miss Wickham. "And you were at Ryedene twelve years?" "Except for the holidays--yes." "You must be a very learned young lady," suggested Mr. Carless. Miss Wickham looked round the circle of attentive faces. "I can play tennis and hockey very well," she said, smiling a little. "And I wasn't bad at cricket the last season or two--we played cricket there. But I'm not up to much at anything else, except that I can talk French decently."