Mona breathed more freely, for she believed from his evasive reply that
Mrs. Montague did not now believe her to be Mona Forester's child.
"I beg you will not tell her," she said, impulsively, and then instantly regretted having made the request.
The young man's face lighted.
If they could have a common secret he believed that he should make some headway in his wooing.
"That will depend upon how kind you are to me," he said, meaningly.
Mona's head went up haughtily again. His presumption, his assurance, both annoyed and angered her.
He affected not to notice her manner, and asked:
"What was your object, Miss Montague, in coming into my aunt's family under an assumed name?"
Mona thought a moment before replying; then she felt that since he already knew so much, it would do no harm to tell him the truth.
"I had no intention at first of going anywhere under an assumed name," she said, gravely. "I applied at an employment bureau for a situation as seamstress, and this position was obtained for me. I did not even know the name of the woman who had engaged me, until I entered Mrs. Montague's house. When I learned the truth, I was tempted to leave at once; but the desire to learn more than I already knew regarding my parentage made me bold to brave discovery, and remain at least for a while, and so upon the spur of the moment I gave the name of Ruth Richards—Ruth is my middle name, and Richards very nearly like that of the man who married my mother—"