human
It is a document which would seem to prove conclusively that the young lady hitherto known as Miss Eleanor Lloyd was not the daughter of the late Mr. Jacob Lloyd--nor indeed any relative of his whatever, but simply the child of some unknown parents, adopted by Mr. Lloyd and his wife out of charity or compassion.
gpt
Good gracious me! whatever is the woman talking about?
human
Mr. Lloyd, as your ladyship may remember, resumed Olive, without heeding the interruption,
gpt
--indicating Eleanor by a slight inclination of the head--
human
Miss Deane, you forget yourself! said Lady Dudgeon, with severity.
gpt
You forget that Miss Lloyd is my guest.
human
I ask your ladyship's pardon if I have committed any offence. I was but making a simple statement of fact.
gpt
That has yet to be proved. But, in any case, the statement was most offensively made. Then she patted Eleanor's cheek affectionately.
human
Keep up your spirits, my dear. Don't get downhearted. There must be a mistake somewhere. Miss Deane's story sounds far too romantic to be true.
gpt
I believe your ladyship is sufficiently acquainted with Mr. Kelvin, said Olive, not without a touch of sternness,
human
Oh, Lady Dudgeon, it is not that I fear poverty! cried Eleanor.
gpt
Don't think that. You know that I have never really valued the riches that were said to be mine.
human
That's true enough,
gpt
It is the thought of having lost the dearest and kindest man that ever breathed that wrings my heart. I have lost--my father!
human
Hush, my dear--hush! Even if it should turn out that you are not Mr. Lloyd's daughter in reality, you will always have the consolation of knowing that he loved you as such. Nothing can deprive you of that. Then turning to Olive, she added:
gpt
Since Mr. Kelvin has made this very clever discovery--which, mind you, as I said before, has yet got to be proved--he is, doubtless, clever enough to have found out the person to whom Mr. Lloyd's property really does belong?
human
The heir-at-law is a certain Mr. Gerald Warburton, a nephew of Mr. Lloyd, but a person whom Mr. Kelvin has never seen.
gpt
But a person with whom he will at once place himself in communication?
human
Undoubtedly, madam.
gpt
Miss Lloyd's interests in this matter must not be allowed to suffer. The case appears to be one that requires the most minute and strict investigation, and I shall at once place it in the hands of Mr. Barclay.
human
Mr. Kelvin will no doubt either seek an interview with Miss Lloyd, or write her full particulars, as soon as he is strong enough to do so.
gpt
I decline to let Miss Lloyd be troubled in the affair. She is going up to town with me on Monday next. Mr. Kelvin had better communicate direct with Mr. Barclay.
human
I will not fail to deliver your ladyship's message.
gpt
Perhaps, after all, it's quite as well that you did not marry Captain Dayrell, said Lady Dudgeon to Eleanor.
human
He would hardly have liked having to give up your dowry.
gpt
I have no name--no home, she said, in a dreamy way, as if communing with herself.
human
I can work for my living; I am not afraid of that. But--but I have lost my father, and I have no name!
gpt
Eh--what's this?--what's this? he said, cheerfully.
human
Hope I'm not intruding, as what's-his-name says in the play. Rehearsing a little comedietta, or what?
gpt
Run away to your room now, my dear, said Lady Dudgeon, as she rose and kissed Eleanor.
human
Every cloud has its silver lining. Keep up your spirits, and remember that you shall never want for a home as long as Sir Thomas and I are on this side of the grave.