own lawful child. She thought this might be done; and the only
difficulty in the way was the little bright-eyed, fair-haired Nina.

"Your mother did not wish to return to England calling Hart's
granddaughter her child. She said she had an insuperable objection and
repugnance to the idea, and an aversion for the poor little creature
began to grow up in her mind."

Bertram, who had sat during the greater part of this recital with his
hand shading his eyes, now started up with an impatient and distressed
exclamation. The Rector looked at him, sighed heavily, and said in a
voice of sympathy:

"My poor boy, this is a very hard story for you to listen to."

"Go on, Mr. Ingram," said Bertram. "Get it over quickly; that is all I
have to ask you."

"While these thoughts were troubling your mother," continued the Rector,
"she was one day surprised by a visit from Hart. He said he had come to
see his grandchild; and he took little Nina in his arms and kissed her.
Your mother says she scarcely knows how it was, but she and Hart began
to talk about the child, and both simultaneously revealed to the other
his and her real feelings.

"Hart hated Major Bertram, and would like to do him an injury. Your
mother had no love for Nina. I nead not lengthily describe this
interview. Suffice it to say that they made a plot between them. It was
a bad plot. I am sorry to have to use this word to a son about any act
of his mother's, but the truth must be told at all hazards. The plot was
bad, bad at the time, bad subsequently.

"Your mother arranged to give Nina to her grandfather. She would pay him
for delivering her from the child. After receiving his bribe Hart was to
leave that part of India at once, When the Major returned your mother
would tell him that the child was lost. That she feared her grandfather
Hart had stolen her. She would help Major Bertram to make inquiries.
These inquiries, she would arrange beforehand, should turn out useless,
for Hart was one of those clever individuals, who, when necessary, could
hide all trace of his existence.

"Your mother sold some jewellery to raise the necessary money for Hart.
He came the next day and carried off the child. Major Bertram returned.
He believed your mother's story, he was wild with grief at the loss of
his child, and did everything in his power to recover her. In vain. Your
mother and Hart were too clever for him.

"After a time he renewed his proposals to your mother. She m