He
reminds me of something I said to him four or five years ago--some
little time before we were married--about Dorothy.'
'What about her?'
'It was a casual remark I made to him, when I thought you might not
take kindly to her, that if he knew a lady who was anxious to adopt
a child, and could insure a good home to Dorothy, he was to let me
know.'
'But that was when you had nobody to take care of her,' she said
quickly. 'How absurd of him to write now! Does he know you are
married? He must, surely.'
'Oh yes!'
He handed her the letter. The solicitor stated that a widow-lady of
position, who did not at present wish her name to be disclosed, had
lately become a client of his while taking the waters, and had
mentioned to him that she would like a little girl to bring up as
her own, if she could be certain of finding one of good and pleasing
disposition; and, the better to insure this, she would not wish the
child to be too young for judging her qualities. He had remembered
Sir Ashley's observation to him a long while ago, and therefore
brought the matter before him. It would be an excellent home for
the little girl--of that he was positive--if she had not already
found such a home.
'But it is absurd of the man to write so long after!' said Lady
Mottisfont, with a lumpiness about the back of her throat as she
thought how much Dorothy had become to her. 'I suppose it was when
you first--found her--that you told him this?'
'Exactly--it was then.
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