"And yet you listened to her, child."
"She says that he took all her money before he left her."
"Oh! Pray, why has she so much to say, and to you?"
"She wanted to warn me against Colonel Boyce."
"And against his son, I think. And you were so kind as to listen. Egad, ma'am, I am obliged to you. Well, now you know what to do. You have the money and I have none. Pray, lock up your purse to-night."
"You are childish," said Alison with lofty scorn. "Harry—who was your mother?"
"Oh, I thought your kind friend told you I had none. I dare say it's as true as the rest."
"You don't know?"
"I never saw her."
"She said—" Alison hesitated.