'Well! Your mother, I shall never forget it.'
'You found her weeping when you were once at Marringhurst. You told me of it.'
'Ay, ay!'
'There is a wing of our house shut up. We often talked of it.'
'Often, Venetia; it was a mystery.'
'I have penetrated it,' replied Venetia in a solemn tone; 'and never have I known what happiness is since.'
'Yes, yes!' said Lord Cadurcis, very pale, and in a whisper.
'Plantagenet, I have a father.'
Lord Cadurcis started, and for an instant his arm quitted Venetia's.
At length he said in a gloomy voice, 'I know it.'
'Know it!' exclaimed Venetia with astonishment. 'Who could have told you the secret?'