There was a pause.
"Do tell me something about my past life," said she. "I have been lying here wondering and wondering."
"What do you want to know?"
"Everything. In the first place, are my parents living? Oh, I hope so!"
Here was a poser. Cyril had no idea whether her parents were alive or not, but even if they were, it would be impossible to communicate with them for the present, so he had better set her mind at rest by denying their existence.
"No, my dear, you are an orphan, and you have neither brothers nor sisters," he added hastily. It was just as well to put a final stop to questions as to her family.
"Nobody of my own—nobody?"
"Nobody," he reiterated, but he felt like a brute.
"Have I any children?" was her next question.
Cyril started perceptibly.