“I’m so sorry you are upset,” continued the informer; “but to open your eyes is the truest kindness. I can’t imagine how they have kept it from you, all these years.” “Kept what from me?” demanded the girl in a choking voice. “I can’t think why you are telling me these awful things. I believe you are inventing them.” “Your father’s name is Blagdon--so is yours,” announced Miss Plassy with bland composure. “Hugo Blagdon of Sharsley Court, a magnificent place in Yorkshire. He is enormously rich; they say he has forty thousand a year--pounds--not _francs_!” “Oh!” “And you are his only child, and heiress.” Cara’s amazement was such, that she was unable to utter a word, but her face worked convulsively. At last she stammered: “This is a joke!” “Not at all; I only wish it were my joke! When you were about three years old, your mother ran away with a good-looking officer, I forget his name; he did not marry her, and went to India. Afterwards, she and Mrs. Hesketh travelled about together, and we met them at Cannes. Later on, we saw in the papers that your mother had kidnapped you, from your nurse, and disappeared,--and here you are! What a funny chance coming across you at the Paradis!” “So that’s the story--and it’s all true?” Cara’s eyes glittered with excitement, her soft pink cheeks, were paler than usual. “True as gospel,” replied her companion emphatically; “as true as I am sitting here. If your father knew of your whereabouts, he would certainly claim you, and give you a ripping time. You might ask me to stay?” she added playfully. “You would have motors, balls, racing, a town house, a country house. I only wish _I_ had a chance of standing in your shoes!” “I declare you have made me feel quite giddy,” and Cara put her hand to her head; “but I understand a lot of things--_now_.” “Yes, I suppose you do.--You look pretty wide-awake.” “I see why we have no English friends, except Mrs. Hesketh--whom I hate, and who never ceases asking bothering questions, and making nasty speeches, and tells me, that I can never repay the Mum for all she has done for me.” “Done you out of, she means!” briskly corrected Miss Plassy. “And I remember a man we met ages ago on the Fluellen boat; awfully good-looking; he and mother seemed so amazed to see one another. He was going to India, and they had such a talk. After he left, the Mum cried a lot. I think his name was Lumley.” “That’s the man she ran away with!” declared Miss Plassy triumphantly. “And now after hearing all this, I’ve got to go home to the Mum and face her! I don’t see how I can ever forgive her; she has spoiled my life. Oh,” and her voice was broken with emotion, “when I think of all I have missed, since I was a kid, it’s too, too, awful!” and large tears welled from Cara’s hard blue eyes. “It will all come right some day,” said the other soothingly. “Why, you are only seventeen, and not even out yet. Your mother just wanted you all to herself, you see. _Do_ finish your ice.”