"Oh," said I, "I thought that that was not generally known."
"Nor is it," replied Mr. Curwen. "I had the story from Sir John's lips. He was a very just man, and since Jervas came to visit me frequently, he thought that I ought to know."
Again my eyes went to the daughter's face. But this time she was already looking at me.
"I am sure, Mr. Clavering, that you need something," said she very anxiously.
"Indeed, no!" I replied in confusion.
And she smiled with the pleasantest air of contentment in the world.
Mr. Curwen did not on this occasion rise to satisfy my imaginary needs, but remained absorbed in thought.
"I suppose," he said dreamily, "that Jervas Rookley was a fairy's changeling."
I started at the words; they were not spoken in jest. I looked at him; he was seriously revolving the question in his mind.
"What do you think?" he asked of me.