Elizabeth had long suspected Lady Hallendale of being an Hebrew; her name, Sarah, diminutive size, colouring, quick intelligence, and inclination to business naturally predisposed conjecture in that direction, but certainly did not decide the question. Whatever might have been her early habits, it was certain that Lady Hallendale never missed Sunday service, appeared sincere in her devotions, and was responsible for any such influence on her step-sons; to the extent that they received any serious instruction, it certainly proceeded from that source. The Earl, being of a scientifical persuasion, was never wont to spare time away from his own studies to attend to the religious education of his sons. Elizabeth could find no reason to declare Lady Hallendale irreligious or otherwise exceptional, whatever may have been the practise of her family, but remained undecided and unaccountably curious.

On one of Elizabeth’s visits to Lady Hallendale, she one day felt secure enough of their friendship to introduce the delicate question. Upon Elizabeth’s enquiry as to the faith of Lady Hallendale’s family, Her Ladyship replied with a laugh and a sly smile,

“Oh Lizzy, my Lizzy, your penetration is not to be denied! You are right to regard me with suspicion; my father was indeed a member of the Jewish faith, or an Hebrew, as you would call it. However, my mother was born a member of your church, the Church of England. And, in this case, convenience met necessity, as—in my father’s religion—one’s mother determines the faith of the children, not the father, as in your tradition. Therefore, to a Jew, I cannot be a Jew, and am so neither by training nor inclination. I have attended Christian services since I was able to walk, my mother and father dividing my education such that my mother superintended my spiritual studies, and my father taught me from his scientifical books. There, have I accounted for my unusual ancestry and hope that you are now comfortable on this issue.”

Elizabeth could only reply in an embarrassed way that she had never suspected Lady Hallendale of any disingenuity with regards to her faith, and the subject was never raised again.

Seeing Elizabeth’s remaining confusion of spirits, Lady Hallendale continued in a soft tone, “It may be that the success of the unusual arrangement between my beloved father and myself made me sufficiently bold to adopt the present arrangement out of respect for His Lordship’s talents and the pleasures he finds in his studies, and my natural willingness to undertake for my husband no more than I assumed to ease the burthens on my dear father. I am blessed to have learnt a few simple lessons which enable me to even partially repay His Lordship’s kindness and generosity to myself.”