Mollie shook her sunny curls.
"The 'voice of nature' has nothing to say in the matter, and I am no more like him than a white chick is like a mastiff. But it might be so, you know, for all that."
"I know. Would it make you any happier to know you were his daughter?"
"I don't know," said Mollie, thoughtfully. "I dare say not. For, if I were his daughter and had a right to his name, I would probably bear it, and be publicly acknowledged as such before now; and if I am his daughter, with no right to his name, I know I would not live ten-minutes under the same roof with him after finding it out."
"Sharp little Mollie! Ask no questions, then, and I'll tell you no lies. Take the goods the gods provide, and be content."
"But, Miriam, are you really my aunt?"
"Yes; that much is true."
"And your name is Dane?"
"It is."
"And my mother was your sister, and I bear my mother's name?"