“A very strange story, Lilith.”
“My father will give you every particular as soon as your convenience permits him to do so. And I shall furnish the documents that shall prove the truth of his story.”
“How is it, my child, that you could not at the very first have told me that Ancillon was your father? That you are now at liberty to tell that secret which cost you so much to keep a year ago?”
“Because I am now in possession of the sequel to the secret, without which I could never have told the secret. But you shall know all from my father. I think, also, I ought to tell you how I happen to be in Paris with the Princess Gherardini. I can do so in a very few words. When I left home I went to New York, found a home with a good Christian, motherly woman, the widow of a clergyman. After waiting many weeks to hear from you, without success, I answered a lady’s advertisement for a traveling companion, and was so fortunate as to be accepted and to enter the household of the Baroness Von Bruyin, now, since morning, the Princess Gherardini. I did not know that she was your first love. In telling me the story you had not told me any names. She grew to love me. I know not why——”
“Why does every one love you, child?”
“Ah, I don’t know that every one does! I don’t even think that many do. Madame Von Bruyin has always treated me with the distinction of an honored guest and the affection of a beloved sister. You saw me in her immediate circle to-day. That has always been my place.”
“She is a much nobler and more generous woman than I had ever supposed her to be.”
“Oh, she is indeed! But, Tudor! Tell me how you came to be here at this wedding reception, when I supposed you to be at the Court of ——?”
“My love, I received a pressing letter from the baroness, not only inviting but commanding, exhorting and entreating me to come; going through all the variations of the potential mood to compel me to come. In short, darling, it was such a letter as could not be gainsayed. I obeyed, thinking that the lady only wanted an opportunity to say—Hail! and Farewell! to an old friend. I came and found my lost treasure! And now I know her motive was to restore that treasure to my possession. And I thank and bless her for it.”
“Amen and amen!” breathed Lilith.