That gentleman seemed greatly surprised, and even startled at the earnestness of the young man, and more particularly so when he learned precisely the relation in which he stood to the daughter of Mr.Ballantine.
"I remember the fact," was his reply.

"But then, the young woman was, of course, a mere pretender." "But how do you know ?" urged Mr.Perkins.

"Did you take any steps to ascertain the truth of her story ?" "Of course not.

Why should I?
An old friend of her father's called upon them at the hotel, and saw the man that was attempted to be put off by an artful girl as Mr.Ballantine.But he said the man bore no kind of resemblance to that person.

He was old and white-headed.