His action in tapping the bars was like that of a child. She observed that his lips moved, he was counting them, without purpose, as a child. His going back to strike a bar that had been omitted was the action of a child. He was by no means an uncomely man. On the contrary, his features were finely cut, and had the lower jaw been firmer, and the chin less retreating, he would have been pronounced a handsome man. His brow was high and white, his eyebrows well arched, and the eyes fine, soft, and full. Winefred's heart beat fast in uncertainty whether he would recognise her or not. He came slowly on, with his eyes looking dreamily before him, and his lips moving as he counted, till he was close upon her. She blocked the way to his advance. Then he drew back, raised his hat, and said politely, 'A thousand pardons――sixty-eight, sixty-nine――I did not observe you.' He looked at Winefred. A trouble came into his eyes. He was not sure. Did he know the young lady? The face was familiar, yet―――― 'I must apologise,' said he hesitatingly, 'if I――if I――――' 'If you do not recollect your own child,' said Winefred, 'it is not her fault. You are, indeed, my father, who met me on the shore, and here is the watch you then gave me. I am Winefred Holwood.' He recoiled, and groped in his pocket for his latchkey, but being unable to find it, put the handle of his umbrella to his lips and blew upon that, then stood, undecided, looking at her with the umbrella held up between them, and the handle at his mouth. 'Father,' said Winefred, 'will you come through the gate into the garden? I should like to have some talk with you.' 'Oh, yes! indeed, indeed this is surprising. I trust no one overheard you. Unexpected felicity, astounding encounter.' 'I saw you some days ago, as I was driving down Pulteney Street.' 'You were driving! How come you here? No, do not answer till I see that we are not overheard. Is there any one else in the garden? Were you in company? I should not like――I mean I should prefer――――' Winefred drew him within and shut the gate. 'I do not see why, father, you should be surprised to see me. It was your wish that I should be brought up as a lady, and if you did not choose Mrs. Tomkin-Jones's house for me――――' 'I――I do not understand.' 'You provided the money; otherwise, of course, my darling mother could not have afforded this.' 'I――I provided the money! Oh, yes, certainly, certainly, and with the utmost regularity, and I shall continue to do so. But I did not anticipate――――' 'It was all arranged by dear Mrs. Jose.' 'Mrs. Jose! Oh, indeed.' 'She knew some people here of distinction, and they agreed to receive me and polish me, so as to make a lady of me; you understand, deal with me as Mr. Thomas Gasset does with the pebbles, rub and smooth and bring to a surface. It was your own desire.' 'I――well. Oh, certainly. Nothing could be better; but do they know?――excuse me, is it a matter of knowledge?' 'What do you mean, sir?'