"You must be blind, then," retorted Claude, in an exasperated tone. "You know I love Jenny."
"Well?"
"Well, I can't love her. She is my half sister."
"Indeed!" said Tait, in nowise astonished at this announcement. "How do you make that out?"
"Why, isn't Jenny the daughter of Paynton, and isn't he my father?"
"He is your father, certainly, but I assure you Jenny is not his daughter. She is no relation to him."
"Tait! what do you mean?"
"Can't you guess?"
"No. Out with it, man! Don't keep me in suspense."
"Why," drawled Tait, enjoying the situation. "Jenny is the niece of Denis—in other words, she is the child of Mona Bantry and Jeringham."