Coolly impassive, and without a vestige of curious interest, the lawyer quietly met his incisive gaze.

“Mr. Palma, may I ask whether Regina’s mother has unreservedly communicated her history to you?”

“She has acquainted me with only a few facts, concerning which she desired legal advice.”

“Has she given you her real name?”

“I know her only as Madame Odille Orphia Orme, an actress of very remarkable beauty and great talent.”

“Do you understand the peculiar circumstances that attended her marriage?”

“I merely possess her assurance that she was married by you.”

“Have you been informed who is Regina’s father?”

“The name has always been carefully suppressed, but she told me that Orme was merely an alias.”

“Have you ever suspected the truth?”

“Really, that is a question I cannot answer.  I have at times conjectured, but only in a random unauthorized way.  I should very much like to know, but my client declined giving me all the facts, at least at present; and while her extreme reticence certainly hampers me, it prevents me from asking you for the information, which she promises ere long to give me.”

Mr. Hargrove bowed and leaned back more easily in his chair, fully satisfied concerning the nature of the man with whom he had to deal.

“You doubtless think it singular that Mrs. Orme should commit her daughter to my care, while keeping me in ignorance of her parentage.  A few days since she signed in the presence of witnesses a cautiously worded instrument, in which she designated you and me as joint guardians of Regina Orme, and specified that should death or other causes prevent you from fulfilling the trust, I should assume exclusive control of her daughter until she attained her majority, or was otherwise disposed of.  To this arrangement I at length very reluctantly assented, because it is a charge for which I have no leisure, and even less inclination; but as she seems to anticipate the time when a lawsuit may be inevitable, and wishes my services, she finally overruled my repugnance to the office forced upon me.”

“I must ask you one question, which subsequent statements will explain.  Do you regard her in all respects as a worthy, true, good woman?”

“The mystery of an assumed name always casts a shadow, implying the existence of facts or of reports inimical to the party thus ambushed; and concealment presupposes either indiscretion, shame, or crime.  This circumstance excited unfavourable suspicions in my mind, but she assured me she had a certificate of her marriage, and that you would verify this statement.  Can you do so?  Was she legally married when very young?”

“She was legally married in this room eleven years ago.”