"We cannot help our position, Allen. There is no hope."
"You are right," said Allen in a despairing tone; "there is no hope. Ah, Dora, if you only knew the truth!"
"I do know the truth."
"Who told you?" he asked, sitting up with a look of astonishment.
"Lady Burville told me that----"
"Lady Burville!" he interrupted sharply; "what does she know?"
"Everything. And it is no wonder, seeing that she is the root of all the evil."
"How do you mean that she is the root of all the evil?"
"Lady Burville is my mother, Allen."
"Great heavens! Your mother--Mrs. Carew!"