"If that is any consolation, there are. Well, madam, you now know the whole history; and, as it doesn't concern you, nor the child, best forget it at once."
"Poor mother!"
She kept harping on the bereavement, as though Providence, and not she herself, was the cause.
"I have told her that the boy will be brought up in ease—affluence even"—the lady inclined her head—"and she is resigned."
"Thank you. And when——?"
"You would like to go up to London this afternoon? Well, I will myself bring the child to the railway station. Once more, as regards heredity. If the child should inherit his mother's qualities, he will be truthful and tenacious, or obstinate and perhaps rather stupid; if his father's, he will be artistic and musical, selfish, cold-hearted, conceited."
"He might inherit the better qualities of both."
"Ah, then he will be persevering, high-principled, a man of artistic feeling—perhaps of power,—ambitious, and desirous of distinction. I wish, madam, that he may become so perfect and admirable a young man." He rose. "I have only, I think, to receive the money which will start this poor woman on her wild-goose chase. Thank you. Ten five-pound notes. I will take care that the woman has it at once."
"For your own trouble, Dr. Steele?"
"My fee is three guineas. Thank you."