'There are sundry considerations that have interfered,' said he, with a faltering voice, and a veil let down over his eyes. 'You cannot understand. In the higher circles, you know; but she is your mother, and I would rather say no more.' 'Father,' said Winefred, 'I will tell you right out how matters stand here――here, not at Axmouth, only here in Bath. Here I am your child, but my mother is thought to be dead.' 'Dead!' His cheek flushed. 'Only in Bath. She is in Axmouth, and alive there.' 'I do not understand.' 'Mrs. Jose has given out that she was my nurse――my nurse only, not my mother. She did this because my dear mother insisted on it.' 'Oh! true. I am glad.' 'I do not like it. I am unhappy. It is a lie. I hate lies. But I cannot help myself. Here, in Bath, she is known as my nurse.' 'Quite so, your nurse.' 'Yes, in Bath. Elsewhere she is my mother.' 'Ah, your mother. You have her force――her vehemence.' 'And she is your wife.' 'I am――ah! so agitated. I will see you again. I must go and have some of the waters. I will call on Mrs.――――' 'Tomkin-Jones. And on me, your child?' 'Yes――I shall see you again――my child.' He stood hesitating before her. Then he stooped, looked about him timidly, and, seeing no one, kissed her brow. CHAPTER XXXIV MISCHIEF-MAKING A rap at the front door, followed by a ring, and then a card was brought up by the servant and presented to Mrs. Tomkin-Jones on a blistered Japan tray. 'Oh, certainly――charmed,' said the lady. Then to Winefred, 'My dear――your father.' Next moment Mr. Holwood was ushered into the drawing-room, in which, happily, a fire was burning, but the covers had not been removed from the furniture. He was well dressed, in a plum-coloured coat with high rolling collar, brass buttons, a tall cravat, and two waistcoats, one of which was of figured silk. His trousers were tight-fitting and buttoned at the ankles. At first glance Mrs. Jones saw that he was a gentleman and a gentleman of style. He bowed to each lady as he entered and advanced, and his gold-framed eyeglass dangled and swung as a pendulum under these evolutions. As he approached the lady of the house he offered profuse apologies for his intrusion, and then turned and touched Winefred's cheek with his lips. 'So glad to make your acquaintance, Mr. Holwood,' said Mrs. Jones. 'It is a real honour to Bath to receive a visit from you.' 'I have come,' said the gentleman, 'positively to throw myself at your feet, madam, in the attitude of a suppliant. I am so much alone in Bath――――' 'Yes, the Finnboroughs have left.' 'The――oh yes!' 'How is your sister, the Viscountess?' 'My sister! Oh! you mean my cousin, Lady Finnborough. 'Pon my word of honour, I don't know. It is Finnborough himself who is dyspeptic. She is all right, I believe. I never heard anything to the contrary; but, 'pon my soul, I know little of them, and they less of me.' Mrs. Tomkin-Jones sighed.