“If she is, as you say, a helpless paralytic, how has she contrived to support and educate you—for I perceive you are educated?”
“It was not she who did it. I am indebted for my education to the kindness of an old gentleman who resides near us,” said Ray, flushing and biting his lip till it was bloodless.
“Who attends to her now, in her helplessness?”
“Erminie and her servant.”
“Erminie who? Oh, I remember; Miss Lawless spoke of some Erminie Germaine, who was to have been brought here instead of her. Who is this Erminie?”
“I cannot tell. My grandmother brought us from England together—she was a mere infant, then.”
“Perhaps she is your sister?”
“No; her very looks forbid such a supposition. That there is no gipsy blood in her veins, I am confident.”
“And gipsy Ketura brought her from England? Strange—strange! Who can she be?” said the outlaw, musingly. “She has often spoken to you of the De Courcy family, no doubt!”
“Yes, often.”