I wrote a short note to my mother, making no allusion to her project, and since then I've been gradually working my way down to the bottom of the map of Europe, and here I am." "You didn't see the lady, then ?" "No." "Who was she ?" "I don't know." "Don't know the lady ?" "No." "Odd, too! Haven't you any idea?
Surely her name was mentioned ?" "No; my mother wrote in a roundabout style, so as to feel her way.

She knew me, and feared that I might take a prejudice against the lady.

No doubt I should have done so.

She only alluded to her in a general way." "A general way ?" "Yes; that is, you know, she mentioned the fact that the lady was a niece of Sir Gilbert Biggs." "What!" cried Dacres, with a start.
"A niece of Sir Gilbert Biggs," repeated Hawbury.
"A niece--of--Sir Gilbert Biggs ?" said Dacres, slowly.

"Good Lord!" "Yes; and what of that ?" "Very much.