I found her in a private sitting-room, looking wretched enough, confoundedly ill.

And then and there she told me her story.

It was a queer one; no one could have guessed it." He seized the poker and stirred the fire savagely.
"I shall just give you the plain facts.

Her father was a builder in a small way, living at Bristol.

He had made a little money, and was able to give his children a decent education.