"You've lately lost your father ?" he went on more gravely.
"Yes; more than a year ago.

After that my aunt was very kind to me; she came to see me and proposed that I should come with her to Europe." "I see," said Ralph.

"She has adopted you." "Adopted me ?" The girl stared, and her blush came back to her, together with a momentary look of pain which gave her interlocutor some alarm.

He had underestimated the effect of his words.

Lord Warburton, who appeared constantly desirous of a nearer view of Miss Archer, strolled toward the two cousins at the moment, and as he did so she rested her wider eyes on him.
"Oh no; she has not adopted me.