“Jack.”

In reply to this letter, or rather note, Jack received an intimation that he was not to cease his efforts as long as a chance remained to find Ida.

The very day after the reception of this letter, as Jack was sauntering along the street, he suddenly perceived in front of him a form which at once reminded him of Mrs. Hardwick.  Full of hope that this might be so, he bounded forward, and rapidly passed the suspected person, turned suddenly round, and confronted Ida’s nurse.

The recognition was mutual.  Peg was taken aback by this unexpected encounter.

“Her first impulse was to make off, but the young man’s resolute expression warned her that this would prove in vain.

“Mrs. Hardwick!” said Jack.

“You are right,” said she, nodding, “and you, if I am not mistaken, are John Crump, the son of my worthy friends in New York.”

“Well,” ejaculated Jack, internally, “if that doesn’t beat all for coolness.”

“My name is Jack,” he said, aloud.

“Indeed!  I thought it might be a nickname.”

“You can’t guess what I came here for,” said Jack, with an attempt at sarcasm, which utterly failed of its effect.

“To see your sister Ida, I presume,” said Peg, coolly.

“Yes,” said Jack, amazed at the woman’s composure.

“I thought some of you would be coming on,” said Peg, whose prolific genius had already mapped out her course.

“You did?”

“Yes, it was only natural.  But what did your father and mother say to the letter I wrote them?”

“The letter you wrote them!”

“The letter in which I wrote that Ida’s mother had been so pleased with the appearance and manners of her child, that she could not resolve to part with her, and had determined to keep her for the present.”

“You don’t mean to say,” said Jack, “that any such letter as that has been written?”

“What, has it not been received?” inquired Peg, in the greatest apparent astonishment.

“Nothing like it,” answered Jack.  “When was it written?”

“The second day after Ida’s arrival,” replied Peg, unhesitatingly.

“If that is the case,” returned Jack, not knowing what to think, “it must have miscarried.”

“That is a pity.  How anxious you all must have felt!” remarked Peg, sympathizingly.

“It seemed as if half the family were gone.  But how long does Ida’s mother mean to keep her?”

“A month or six weeks,” was the reply.

“But,” said Jack, his suspicions returning, “I have been told that Ida has twice called at a baker’s shop in this city, and, when asked what her name was, answered Ida Hardwick.’  You don’t mean to say that you pretend to be her mother?”

“Yes, I do,” returned Peg, calmly.

“It’s a lie,” said Jack, vehemently.  “She isn’t your daughter.”

“Young man,” said Peg, with wonderful self-command, “you are exciting yourself to no purpose.  You asked me if I pretended to be her mother.  I do pretend; but I admit, frankly, that it is all pretence.”