“Oh, but I am,” said Marie Louise.
Lady Clifton-Wyatt gasped, “You don’t mean to pretend that––”
“Did you read the will?” said Marie Louise.
“No, of course not, but––”
“It says there that I was their daughter.”
“Well, we’ll not quibble. Legally you may have been, but actually you were their adopted child.”
“Yis?” said Marie Louise. “And where did they find me? Had you heard?”
“Since you force me to it, I must say that it is generally believed that you were the natural daughter of Sir Joseph.”
Marie Louise was tremendously relieved by having something that she could deny. She laughed with a genuineness that swung the credulity all her way. She asked:
“And who was my mother––my natural mother, could you tell me? I really ought to know.”