"Who told you that?" she demanded, quickly.
"No one told me. I saw her in the street."
Peg at once conceived the idea that her visitor was aware of the fact that the child had been lured away from home; possibly he might be acquainted with the cooper's family? or might be their emissary.
"Suppose you did see such a child on the street, what has that to do with me?"
"But I saw the child entering this house with you."
"What if you did?" demanded Peg, defiantly.
"I was about," said the artist, perceiving that he was misapprehended, "I was about to make a proposition which may prove advantageous to both of us."
"Eh!" said Peg, catching at the hint. "Tell me what it is and we may come to terms."
"I must explain," said Bowen, "that I am an artist. In seeking for a face to sketch from, I have been struck by that of your child."
"Of Ida?"