"Yes," she answered, simply.
"Who is not your child?"
"But I love her as much. I have always taught her to look upon me as her mother."
"I presume so. My visit has reference to her."
"Can you tell me anything of her parentage?" inquired Mrs. Harding, eagerly.
"I was her nurse," said the stranger.
Mrs. Harding scrutinized anxiously the hard features of the woman. It was, at least, a relief to know that no tie of blood connected her with Ida, though, even upon her assurance, she would hardly have believed it.
"Who were her parents?"
"I am not permitted to tell."
Mrs. Harding looked disappointed.