"No," said Vass, then added with some hesitation: "But Mr. Grent, finding himself childless, adopted the niece of his wife, Donna Maria Sandoval."
"How old is this lady?"
"Twenty years of age," replied the secretary, colouring--"and very beautiful."
Darrel noted the expression of his face, and the enthusiasm of his reply, which was rather in the tones of his voice than the substance of his remark. "Oh!" thought the novelist, "can this be the proverbial woman who has caused the trouble?"
"How long has Donna Maria been with Mr. Grent?"
"Two years, more or less."
"Of course, she speaks English?"
"Extremely well," answered Vass promptly. "She was taught by Miss Lydia Hargone, who was quite like a daughter of the house, and left only six weeks ago."
The nature of this reply seemed to strike Torry, for he made a note of this last name, but without comment, resumed his inquiries. "Mr. Grent lived at Wraybridge?"
"Yes. In Wray House, a large mansion on the banks of the Thames."