oo reckless to care much
for any one. My conscience bade me fly from him. I gathered up what
money and jewels I could, and fled. A few months after you were born;
and I swear to you, by the proofs I can bring you, beyond all shadow
of a doubt, you were my lawful husband's child, not Basil's.

"Soon after this event a daring thought came to me. I could present
you, ere long, with myself, at Whitestone Hall. Basil Hurlhurst would
never know the deception practiced upon him; and you, the child of
humble parentage, should enjoy and inherit his vast wealth. My bold
plan was successful. We had a stormy interview, and it never occurred
to him there could be the least deception--that I was not his lawful
wife, or you his child.

"I found Basil had learned to despise even more fiercely than he had
ever loved me.

"He took us abroad, refusing to speak or look upon my face, even
though he escorted us. In a fit of desperation I threw myself into the
sea, but I was rescued by another vessel. A strong inclination seized
me to again visit Whitestone Hall and see what disposition he had made
of you. Years had passed; you were then a child of five years.

"One terrible stormy night--as bad a night as this one--I made my way
to the Hall. It was brilliantly lighted up, just as it is to-night.

"I saw the gate was locked; and through the flashes of lightning I saw
a little girl sobbing wildly, flung face downward in the grass,
heedless of the storm.

"I knew you, and called you to me. I questioned you as to why the
house was lighted, and learned the truth. Basil Hurlhurst had
remarried; he had been abroad with his wife, and to-night he was
bringing home his young wife.

"My rage knew no bounds. I commanded you to bring me the key of the
gate. You obeyed. That night a little golden-haired child was born at
Whitestone Hall, and I knew it would live to divide the honors and
wealth of Whitestone Hall with you--my child.

"The thought maddened me. I stole the child from its mother's arms,
and fled. I expected to see the papers full of the terrible deed, or
to hear you had betrayed me, a stranger, wanting the key of the
gate."

"My surprise knew no bounds when I found it was given out the child
had died, and was buried with its young mother. I never understood why
Basil Hurlhurst did not attempt to recover his child.

"I took the child far from here, placing it in a basket on the river
brink, with a note pinned to it saying that I,