CHAPTER VIII.
MANY MYSTERIES CLEARED UP.
On the day prior to the one on which Bernard first entered the public school of Winchester, Fairfax Belgrave had just arrived in the town.
A costly residence, beautifully located and furnished in the most luxurious manner, was on the eve of being sold.

Mrs.Belgrave purchased this house and installed herself as mistress thereof.

Here she lived in isolation with her boy, receiving no callers and paying no visits.

Being a devoted Catholic, she attended all the services of her church and reared Bernard in that faith.
For a time white and colored people speculated much as to who Mrs.
Belgrave was, and as to what was the source of her revenue; for she was evidently a woman of wealth.

She employed many servants and these were plied with thousands of questions by people of both races.