“Mona! you astonish me,” cried her lover, regarding her wonderingly.

“It is true, and there is some mystery connected with my own mother and my early history which I am exceedingly anxious to learn.  Uncle Walter told me something of it only the day before he died; but I am very sure that he kept back certain portions of the story which I ought to know, and which he was also anxious to tell me when he was dying, and could not.  I have no means even of proving my identity; if I had, I suppose that I could claim some of this wealth of which Mrs. Montague appears to have abundance, and I am sure that she has some proof in her possession.  I want to get it, and that is why I am anxious to remain with her a little longer.  Let me tell you everything,” Mona went on, hurriedly, as Ray seemed about to utter another protest to her wish.  “As I understand the story, my father was dependent upon a rich aunt who wished him to marry the present Mrs. Montague; but he, being in love with my mother, was opposed to so doing, although he was anxious to secure the fortune.  As he was about to start on a European tour he married my mother and took her with him, none of his friends apparently suspecting the union.

“Now comes a part of the story which I cannot understand.  They traveled for several months; but, while in Paris, my father suddenly disappeared, and my mother, believing herself deserted, in her pride and humiliation, immediately left the city, doubtless with the intention of returning to America.  She was taken ill in London, however, and there, a few months later, I was born, and she died only a few hours afterward.  Uncle Walter heard of her sad condition, and hastened to her, but was three days too late, and found only a poor weak infant upon whom to expend his love and care.  It seems very strange to me that she did not write to him at the time she fled from Paris; but I suppose, since she had eloped with and been secretly married to my father, she was too proud and sensitive to appeal to any one.  Later, my father married this Miss Barton to please his aunt and secure the fortune which he so much desired.  I do not know anything about his after-life.  I questioned Uncle Walter, but he would not talk about him—­the most that he would tell me was that he was dead, but how, or when he died, I could never learn, and I do not know as there even exists any proof of his legal marriage with my mother, although my uncle confidentially asserted that she was his lawful wife.  I believe, however, that such proofs do exist and that they are in Mrs. Montague’s possession.”

Mona then proceeded to relate how she had happened to secure the position she now occupied.