"Not at all. Mark has it yet, and shows himself a most honest man in his care of it."
"Ah! In what way?"
"He not only adores the child, but he rears it delicately, and he means to educate her."
"Yes? And can one be educated at Brakebury?" said the soft, caressing, languid, scarcely interested voice.
"The child is very young yet. She goes in a little donkey-carriage to a really nice little school, kept by two ladies in reduced circumstances. When she gets too old for that school, Mark means to find a better one for her."
"Quite thoughtful of him; and the child is pretty?"
"More pretty than I can tell you. I am sure she is nobly born. I saw her after service the day I held confirmation."
"And her parents have never been found?" asked the duchess.
"No; and surely never will be. Great care has been taken to secure secrecy, and Mark feels bound to maintain it."
"I do not know but it may be quite as well," said her grace; and then dinner was announced.