He handed it to her. She took it and held it in both hands, though
they trembled.
"Who is the witness?"
"The witness," said Grace, "is William Hope."
"Is that your father?"
"It's my father's name," said Grace, beginning to turn her eyes inward
and think very hard.
"But is it your father, do you think?"
"No, sir, it is not."
"Was he in that part of the world at the time? Did he know Bartley? the
clergyman who brought me this certificate--"
"The clergyman!"
"Yes, my dear, it was a clergyman, apparently a rector, and he told me--"
"Are you sure he was a clergyman?"
"Quite sure; he had a white tie, a broad-brimmed hat, a clergyman all
over; don't go off on that. Did your father and my son know each
other in Hull?"
"That they did. You are right," said Grace, "this witness was my father;
see that, now. But if so--Don't speak to me; don't touch me; let me
think--there is something hidden here;" and Mrs. Walter Clifford showed
her father-in-law that which we have seen in her more than once, but it
was quite new and surprising to Colonel Clifford.
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