Mr. Helstone pushed up his spectacles from his nose to his forehead, handled his snuff-box, and administered to himself a portion of the contents. Thus fortified, he answered briefly, "I see daylight. You've told her then, ma'am?"
"And is it _true_?" demanded Caroline, rising on her pillow. "Is she _really_ my mother?"
"You won't cry, or make any scene, or turn hysterical, if I answer Yes?"

Mr. Helstone pushed up his spectacles to his forehead, and took a pinch of snuff from his snuff-box. Thus fortified, he answered briefly, "I see daylight. You've told her then, ma'am?"
"And is it true?" demanded Caroline. "Is she really my mother?"
"You won't cry, or make any scene, or turn hysterical, if I answer Yes?"
