“Very old! And you are so young.”
The Englishman looked almost incredulously at his animated companion.
“Yes, I am papa’s youngest child. He has been married twice. I have no real brothers and sisters. I have only half-brothers and sisters, who don’t really and truly care for me, you know. How should they? They were grown up when I was born, and I have scarcely ever seen them. I have only papa in all the world.”
“You have no mother, then?”
“No; mamma died when I was three years old.”
The Empress packet was entering the harbour by this time. The grey-headed Englishman went away to look after his portmanteaus and hat-boxes, but he returned presently to the fair-haired school-girl.
“Will you let me help you with your luggage?” he said. “I will go and look after it, if you will tell me for what to inquire.”
“You are very kind. I have only one box. It is directed to Miss Vane, Paris.”
“Very well, Miss Vane, I will go and find your box. Stay,” he said, taking out his card-case, “this is my name, and if you will permit me, I will see you safely to Paris.”
“Thank you, sir. You are very kind.”