"Yes," replied the lady, with a deep sigh.
"How did you lose her? Pray do not think I am creating this distress on your part without strong reasons."
"She was playing in the garden, and the nurse, who thought it rather cold, ran in for a minute to get a handkerchief to tie round her neck. When the nurse returned, the child had disappeared." Lady de Clare put her handkerchief up to her eyes.
"Where did you find her afterwards?"
"It was not until three weeks afterwards that her body was found in a pond about a quarter of a mile off."
"Did the nurse not seek her when she discovered that she was not in the garden?"
"She did, and immediately ran in that direction. It is quite strange that the child could have got so far without the nurse perceiving her."
"How long is it ago?"
"It is now nine years."
"And the age of the child at the time?"