“Hitherto,” continued the other, “you have not hesitated to accept my advice—”
“In matters concerning that religion, yes,” interposed Aoi, softly.
“Which surely concerns all other matters connected with your welfare and that of Hyacinth. No one knows better than you do that the lives of our parishioners, our children, are our particular care and charge. I take the interest of a parent in our little band. So you would not withhold your confidence from a parent?”
“What is it the honorable sir would know?”
“The history of Hyacinth—who she is, how you came by her, her people’s name—all information about her.”
“There is nothing to confide,” said Aoi, slowly, as though she chose her words carefully before replying. “The old excellency knew the history of the child. It was under his advice that the humble one adopted the little one.”
“Under Mr. Radcliffe’s advice!”
“Yes.”
“What did he know of Hyacinth?”
“The excellency deigned to make effort to discover the little one’s parents.”