She was a heroine, now, with a mysterious father somewhere.

She could not really tell whether she wanted to find him and spoil it all or not; but still all the traditions of romance pointed to the making the attempt as the usual and necessary, course to follow; therefore she would some day begin the search when opportunity should offer.
Now a former thought struck her--she would speak to Mrs.Hawkins.
And naturally enough Mrs.Hawkins appeared on the stage at that moment.
She said she knew all--she knew that Laura had discovered the secret that Mr.Hawkins, the elder children, Col.

Sellers and herself had kept so long and so faithfully; and she cried and said that now that troubles had begun they would never end; her daughter's love would wean itself away from her and her heart would break.

Her grief so wrought upon Laura that the girl almost forgot her own troubles for the moment in her compassion for her mother's distress.

Finally Mrs.Hawkins said: "Speak to me, child--do not forsake me.