"Well, I found out that Mary here is the granddaughter of your cousin, Emily Leonard, you been huntin' for."
"Mary!" exclaimed the elder Miss Clark startled, her slender hands fluttering agitatedly as the man's heavy voice forced itself upon her ears and the meaning of what he said entered her mind.
"This child!" ejaculated the younger sister, Miss Eliza, doubtfully, adjusting her glasses and leaning over to take a closer look at the proposed addition to the family.
"Hm!"
This comment came from Mr. Clark.
A dull flush crept over Hapgood's face.
"You don't seem very cordial," he remarked.
"O," the elder Miss Clark, Miss Maria, began apologetically, but she was interrupted by her brother.
"You have the proofs, I suppose."
Hapgood could not restrain a glare of dislike, but he drew a bundle of papers from his pocket.