He advanced a theory concerning the motives of the leader in the plot to send Rosalie into an exile from which she was not expected to return.

It was his belief that the person who abandoned her as a babe was actuated by the desire to possess a fortune which should have been the child's.

The conditions attending the final disposition of this fortune doubtless were such as to make it unwise to destroy the girl's life.

The plotter, whatever his or her relation to the child may have been, must have felt that a time might come when the existence of the real heiress would be necessary.

Either such a fear was the inspiration or the relationship was so dear that the heart of the arch-plotter was full of love for the innocent victim.
"Who is to say, Miss Gray," said Bonner one night as they sat before the fire, "that the woman who left you with Mr.Crow was not your own mother?
Suppose that a vast estate was to be yours in trust after the death of some rich relative, say grandparent.