."

Not like her mother and not like her (supposed) father. I knew that
the test by personal resemblance was not to be implicitly trusted, but,
on the other hand, it was not to be altogether rejected on that
account. Was it possible to strengthen the evidence by discovering any
conclusive facts in relation to the lives of Mrs. Catherick and Sir
Percival before they either of them appeared at Old Welmingham? When I
asked my next questions I put them with this view.

"When Sir Percival first arrived in your neighbourhood," I said, "did
you hear where he had come from last?"

"No, sir. Some said from Blackwater Park, and some said from
Scotland--but nobody knew."

"Was Mrs. Catherick living in service at Varneck Hall immediately
before her marriage?"

"Yes, sir."

"And had she been long in her place?"

"Three or four years, sir; I am not quite certain which."

"Did you ever hear the name of the gentleman to whom Varneck Hall
belonged at that time?"

"Yes, sir. His name was Major Donthorne."

"Did Mr. Catherick, or did any one else you knew, ever hear that Sir
Percival was a friend of Major Donthorne's, or ever see Sir Percival in
the neighbourhood of Varneck Hall?"

"Catherick never did, sir, that I can remember--nor any one else
either, that I know of."

I noted down Major Donthorne's name and address, on the chance that he
might still be alive, and that it might be useful at some future time
to apply to him. Meanwhile, the impression on my mind was now
decidedly adverse to the opinion that Sir Percival was Anne's father,
and decidedly favourable to the conclusion that the secret of his
stolen interviews with Mrs. Catherick was entirely unconnected with the
disgrace which the woman had inflicted on her husband's good name. I
could think of no further inquiries which I might make to strengthen
this impression--I could only encourage Mrs. Clements to speak next of
Anne's early days, and watch for any chance-suggestion which might in
this way offer itself to me.

"I have not heard yet," I said, "how the poor child, born in all this
sin and misery, came to be trusted, Mrs. Clements, to your care."

"There was nobody else, sir, to take the little helpless creature in
hand," replied Mrs. Clements. "The wicked mother seemed to hate it--as
if the poor baby was in fault!--from the day it was born. My heart was
heavy for the child, and I made the offer to bring it up as tenderly as
if it was my own."

"