He was astonished when he found her in company with Liane Lester.
Explanations followed, and surprise was succeeded by delight.
He was so sure that Liane was his own daughter that he longed to clasp her in his arms, kiss her sweet, rosy lips, and claim her for his own.
But he did not dare risk the shock to his delicate, nervous wife.
"I must wait a little, till I can get proof to back up my assertion," he decided, so his greeting to Liane, though grateful and friendly, was repressed in its ardor, while he thought gladly:
"Thank Heaven! She has won her way, unaided, to her mother's heart, and that makes everything easier. I shall not have to encounter her opposition in ousting Roma from the place so long wrongfully occupied."
"Do you know what I am thinking of, Edmund, dear?" said his wife. "I wish to adopt Liane for a daughter."
He started with surprise and pleasure, his fine eyes beaming:
"A happy idea!" he exclaimed; "but do you think Roma would care for a sister?"