"Tell me, Miss Leslie, in what manner do you usually receive your father's letters?"
"Through one of his correspondents who lives at Southampton."
"Then they are not directly addressed to you."
"They are not."
"Were you very young when you left Louisiana?"
"I was only five years old," replied Cora.
"So young! Your memory can recall nothing that occurred at that time, I suppose."
"Oh, yes," answered Cora; "but memories so confused that they seem rather to resemble dreams. But there is one recollection which no time can efface. It is of a woman, young, beautiful, who clasped me to her arms, sobbing as she strained me to her breast. I can still hear her sobs when I recall that scene."
"Has Mr. Leslie ever spoken to you of your mother?" asked Mortimer.
"Was it she?" cried Cora, eagerly.