Why does she happen to be living in this wretched town and among such people ?" Whereupon Bonner rushed into a detailed and somewhat lengthy history of the mysterious Miss Gray, repeating it as it had come to him from her own frank lips, but with embellishments of his own that would have brought the red to her cheeks, could she have heard them.

His mother's interest was not assumed; his sister was fascinated by the recital.
"Who knows," she cried, her dark eyes sparkling, "she may be an heiress to millions!" "Or a princess of the royal blood!" amended her mother with an enthusiasm that was uncommon.

"Blood alone has made this girl what she is.

Heaven knows that billions or trillions could not have overcome the influences of a lifetime spent in--in Winkletown--or is that the name?
It doesn't matter, Wicker--any name will satisfy.

Frankly, I am interested in the girl.