"We have seen and heard nothing at all, Sir," said Lucy, innocently replying for both; and the Captain did not repeat his question, neither he nor the Squire apparently noticing the suspicious silence of the elder sister.
"I must, if you please, ask leave to examine the servants."
Madam Passmore rang the bell, and ordered all the household up. They assembled in wonder, and each in turn responded to the Captain's queries by a simple denial of any knowledge on the subject. Patient stood last, and when Captain Wallace came to her, he accidentally put his first question in a different form from before.
"Do you know Sir Edward Ingram?"
"Ay do I," said she.
Celia listened with a beating heart. The innocent ignorance of Patient might work them terrible harm, which she would be the last person in the world to do wittingly.
"You know him?" repeated the Captain, in surprise.
"Do you think I shouldna ken the bairn I nursed?"
"Oh! you are his nurse, are you?"
"I was so, twenty-five years back."