"She did not always succeed, however," continued Miss Bull, with a flush. "I had my admirers also, and some I could keep. But when Violet could manage it, she always took them away." "You hinted that she took my father away," said Brendon. "She did--at least she tried to. But if he had not been murdered I should have been Mrs. Vane in spite of Violet's arts." "Well, tell me how you came to San Remo and met my father." "Oh, I knew him before that. We were six months at Como and saw your father frequently then. He and the General used to talk politics. Mr. Vane was always bringing us books and magazines, and we used to climb Mount Bisbino. What a delightful summer that was! I remember you then," she added, looking at George with interest. "You were scarcely two years old--a dear, good, fair little fellow. I met you and the nurse sometimes, and often carried you. "Was the nurse's name Eliza Stokes?" "No. It was--let me see, some Scotch name--Jane Fraser, I think." "Ah! Then Eliza Stokes was not at Como?" "I never saw her. Mr. Vane told me that you had had another nurse, but that he had to dismiss her at Milan for impertinence." George saw that Miss Bull was not keeping strictly to the truth, and corrected her at once, "You knew Eliza Stokes at San Remo?" "So I did, I quite forgot." Miss Bull put her hand to her head with a puzzled air. "But since my illness I have forgotten so much. It is all a blank to me. Tell me, Mr. Brendon, have you ever felt as though you were a ghost?" "No," replied George, keeping his countenance with difficulty. "I don't think I ever experienced that feeling." Miss Bull looked vaguely at the window. "It is a strange feeling," after which remark she lapsed into silence, still staring. Brendon remembered that she had been in an asylum, and thought that her mind was still weak. It might be that after all she had not told an untruth, but had quite forgotten Eliza Stokes. George was confirmed in his supposition by her next remark. "Eliza Stokes. I remember. Mrs. Jersey." "You knew she was Mrs. Jersey?" "Yes. That was why I came to this house." "Did you like her then?" Miss Bull's eyes flashed. "She was another Violet. I hated her, oh, how I hated her! I found her through my sister mentioning that Lord Derrington had given her this house, so I came here to board." "But your sister knows nothing about you. She says you ran away and that it was supposed you were dead." Miss Bull laughed bitterly. "My sister knows perfectly well that I live here, but it suits her to disown the relationship. It is my wish also, and for that reason I changed my name. No one would recognize pretty Jenny Howard in poor Miss Bull." She paused for a moment and then continued: "Yes. I knew that Eliza Stokes had become Mrs. Jersey, and that is why I came here." "But if you hated her----"