She was a distinctly pretty child, neat in her dark-blue frock and white pinafore. In the village school she was head of her class, and Mr Holmes, the popular, good-humoured schoolmaster, had already suggested to the Doctor, and also to Lady Gavin at the Manor, that she should be sent to the Secondary School at Peterborough now that he could teach her no more.
The Doctor drew Aggie upon his knee, and told her of her father’s inquiries and of his suggestion that she should go to Paris to see him.
Paris seemed to the child such a long way off. She had seen it marked upon the wall-maps in school, but to her youthful mind it was only a legendary city.
“I don’t want to leave Horsford, dad,” replied the girl with a slight pout. “I want to remain with you.”
“Not in order to see and know your father?”
“You are my dad—my only dad,” she declared quickly. “I don’t want to see my other dad at all,” she added decisively. “If he wants to see me, why doesn’t he come here?”
“He can’t my dear,” replied the doctor. “But tell me. Have you seen Lady Gavin since I’ve been away?”
“No, dad. Mr Farquhar and his sister have come to stay at the Manor, so she’s always engaged.”
“Frank Farquhar is down here again, eh?” asked Diamond quickly. Then he reflected deeply for a few moments.
He was wondering if Farquhar could help him—if he dare take the young man into his confidence.