“Was she quite young?” Mrs. Hampton asked, unheeding Grimsby’s question.

“About twenty, so I understand.  And very pretty, too.  I have seen her two or three times.  She was very much sought after by young men, and a great favourite in society, so I have been told.”

“How did she drown herself?”

“Went out in a boat, so I believe, and jumped overboard.  They found the boat adrift down river this morning, and her hat was picked up along the shore.  That’s about all I know.”

“Dear me, this is very sad,” and Mrs. Hampton sighed.  “I suppose John will know more about the affair when he comes home.  Help yourself to the doughnuts, Gabriel.”

“Thanks, madame.  They are delicious.  Your son is not at home, then?”

“No.  He went to the city yesterday, and I am expecting him at any minute.”

“What a big, fine-looking fellow he is getting to be, madame.  I saw him the other day, and was surprised at the way he has grown.  He’s a great worker, too, so I hear.”

“Yes, John is a good boy, Gabriel.  He is a great comfort to me.”

“Better than a daughter, eh?” As Grimsby asked the question he noted that Mrs. Hampton gave a slight start, and it pleased him.  “A girl wouldn’t be much use on a farm such as this,” he continued.  “I suppose he’s doing something with that coal mine, too.”

“It’s the mine that took him to the city.  The prospects are very encouraging, so I am anxious to hear how he has made out.”

“A daughter, then, wouldn’t be able to carry on such work, would she, madame?”

“I suppose not,” was the somewhat slow reply.  “But why do you ask?  Why do you mention a daughter to me?”

“Why shouldn’t I?  You have a daughter, haven’t you?”

At these words Mrs. Hampton’s face turned white.  She rose to her feet, her whole body trembling, and confronted Grimsby.

“What do you mean?” she gasped.  “Why do you ask whether I have a daughter?”

“It’s true, though, isn’t it?  There, now, don’t get so worked up.  You seem to take my simple question very much to heart.”

With her hand pressing her side, Mrs. Hampton stood staring upon the placid man before her.  What does he know? she asked herself.  Why did he mention a daughter to me?

“I see I am not far astray, madame.  You have a daughter, and it is concerning her that I am here.”

“Oh!” It was all that the woman could say, but the tone in which it was uttered clearly expressed the agony of her soul.

“Yes, madame, you understand now my business.  For some time I tried to enlighten people’s minds by supplying them with good literature.  But business is dull these days, so I have been forced to turn to something else for a living for me and mine.  And I must say that this new business pays much better.  I am a stand-between, and in that capacity I am here to-day.”