aisy's
money, was his brother."

"So George Franklin is your uncle and Portia your cousin?"

"Yes; but let me go on. My father lived in Florence. I was often away
from home, as I was engaged as a governess. I came to England and met
Olga at the Institute. I procured an engagement in London; it was the
one I had before Mrs. Morley engaged me. I received news that my father
was ill of typhoid fever. I hurried at once to Florence. He not only was
dead, but he was buried, so I was informed by Mark Dane."

"Who is Mark Dane?"

"He was my father's secretary."

"One moment, Anne. Your uncle stated that he was the man who lived in
Florence, and that your father being a scamp lived in England. On
account of Walter George resided abroad."

"That is quite true. But Walter--I may speak of my father so for the
sake of clearness--used to come sometimes to Florence. George never knew
that he was there, thinking that he was in London. I learned all this
lately. At the time my father and I lived in Florence I knew nothing of
the relationship between George and Walter. My father knew that if Daisy
died his brother would inherit the money, and he kept a watch on George
so as to see if he would come into the property. But I knew nothing of
this, neither did Mark, although he was deep in my father's confidence.
Well, as I say, my father was supposed to have died. I expect another
corpse was buried in his place. Mark no doubt agreed to the fraud,
whatever was the reason. But I have not seen Mark since immediately
after the death, and can't get an explanation. I saw him in Florence,
and he told me that my father was dead and buried. Since then I have not
seen him."

"So you returned to England, thinking your father was dead?"

"Certainly. He left me a little money. I went back to my situation.
Afterwards I came down here. On that New Year's Eve I entered the
library and saw my father speaking to Mr. Morley. I disguised my
feelings, as I was certain he did not wish to be recognized. But the
shock was so great that I nearly fainted. I went up to my room, and
afterwards to church to see my father. He was there, as you know. I saw
him pass a paper to Daisy. She went out ten minutes later; he followed.
I wished to see him, and I was curious to know why he had come to
Rickwell and had let me think he was dead. Shortly afterwards I went
outside. It was snowing fast. I could not see my father or Daisy.
Suddenly I came across my father. He w