"I began learning my work, sir, before I was twelve years old."

"Yes! yes! I mean what private families have you served in?"

"Two, sir."

"How long have you been in your two situations?"

"Four years in the first; and three in the second."

The General looked agreeably surprised. "Seven years in only two
situations is a good character in itself," he remarked. "Who are your
references?"

The groom laid two papers on the table.

"I don't take written references," said the General.

"Be pleased to read my papers, sir," answered the groom.

My uncle looked sharply across the table. The groom sustained the look
with respectful but unshaken composure. The General took up the
papers, and seemed to be once more favorably impressed as he read them.
"Personal references in each case if required in support of strong
written recommendations from both his employers," he informed my aunt.
"Copy the addresses, Mina. Very satisfactory, I must say. Don't you
think so yourself?" he resumed, turning again to my aunt.

Lady Claudia replied by a courteous bend of her head. The General went
on with his questions. They related to the management of horses; and
they were answered to his complete satisfaction.

"Michael Bloomfield, you know your business," he said, "and you have
a good character. Leave your address. When I have consulted your
references, you shall hear from me."

The groom took out a blank card, and wrote his name and address on it.
I looked over my uncle's shoulder when he received the card. Another
surprise! The handwriting was simply irreproachable--the lines running
perfectly straight, and every letter completely formed. As this
perplexing person made his modest bow, and withdrew, the General, struck
by an after-thought, called him back from the door.

"One thing more," said my uncle. "About friends and followers? I
consider it my duty to my servants to allow them to see their relations;
but I expect them to submit to certain conditions in return--"

"I beg your pardon, sir," the groom interposed. "I shall not give you
any trouble on that score. I have no relations."

"No brothers or sisters?" asked the General.

"None, sir."

"Father and mother both dead?"

"I don't know, sir."

"You don't know! What does that mean?"

"I am telling you the plain truth, sir. I never heard who my father and
mother were--and I don't expect to hear now."

He said those words with a bitter composure which impressed