But now he began to feel more interest in them, and a sense of longing, not unmixed with curiosity, took possession of him.

What sort of a woman, he wondered, could that unknown mother have been?
Well, physically he was himself like her--so Lady Merthyr Tydvil had said; and so much like her that it was through that very resemblance that all these interesting discoveries had been made.

Then his thoughts reverted to what Aunt Charlotte had told him about his mother's dying words, and how bitterly she had grieved at not living to bring him up herself.

And yet she was still alive--somewhere--though in a world removed.

Of course he couldn't remember her, having never seen her, _but she had not forgotten him_--of that he felt convinced.