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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Crooked Path, by Mrs. Alexander
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: A Crooked Path
+       A Novel
+
+Author: Mrs. Alexander
+
+Release Date: May 18, 2006 [EBook #18418]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A CROOKED PATH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Janet Blenkinship
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+A CROOKED PATH
+
+_A NOVEL_
+
+BY MRS. ALEXANDER,
+
+_Author of "The Wooing O't," "A Life Interest," Etc._
+
+
+
+
+NEW YORK THE F. M. LUPTON PUBLISHING COMPANY,
+NOS. 72-76 WALKER STREET.
+
+
+
+
+A CROOKED PATH.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+"GATHERING CLOUDS."
+
+
+The London season had not yet reached its height, some years ago, before
+the arch admitting to Constitution Hill had been swept back to make room
+for the huge, ever-increasing stream of traffic, or the plebeian 'bus
+had been permitted to penetrate the precincts of Hamilton Place. It was
+the forenoon of a splendid day, one of the earliest of June, and at that
+hour the roadway between the entrance to Hyde Park and the gate then
+surmounted by the statue of the Duke of Wellington on his drooping steed
+was comparatively free, when two gentlemen coming from opposite
+directions recognized each other, and paused at the gate of Apsley
+House--the elder, a stout, florid man of military aspect, middle age,
+and average height, with large gray mustache and small, slightly
+bloodshot eyes; the younger, who was tall and bony, might have been
+thirty, or even forty, so grave and sedate was his bearing, although his
+erect carriage, elastic step, and clear keen dark eyes suggested earlier
+manhood.
+
+Both had the indescribable well-groomed, freshly bathed look peculiar to
+Englishmen of the "upper ten."
+
+"Ha! Errington! I didn't know you were in town. I thought you were
+cruising somewhere with Melford, or rusticating at Garston Hall. I think
+your father expected you about this time."
+
+"I don't think so. I was summoned by telegraph from Paris. My father was
+seized with a paralysis last week. He had just come up to town, and for
+a few days was dangerously ill, but is now slowly recovering."
+
+"Very sorry to hear of it. A man of his stamp would have been of immense
+value to the country. He had begun to take a very leading part in local
+matters. I trust he will come round."
+
+"I fear he will never be the same again. I doubt if he will be able to
+direct his own affairs as he used."
+
+"That's bad! You are not in the business, I believe?"
+
+"No; I never took any part in it. I almost regret I did not. It would, I
+imagine, be a relief to my father, now that his mind is less clear, to
+know that I was at the helm. But we have a capital man as manager, quite
+devoted to the house. I shall get my father down to the country as soon
+as I can, and I trust he'll come round."
+
+"No doubt he will. He was wonderfully hale and strong for his years."
+
+"Ay! how d'ye do, Bertie?" interrupted the first speaker, holding out
+his hand to a young man who came up from Hyde Park and seemed about to
+pass with a smile and a nod. "Who would have thought of meeting you in
+these godless regions? I hear you are busy 'slumming' from morning till
+night."
+
+"Well, Colonel," returned Bertie--a slight, fair, boyish-looking man--"I
+am so far false to my new vocation as to have lost some irrevocable
+moments looking at the horses and horsewomen in the Row."
+
+"Aha! the old leaven, my dear boy! You are on the brink of
+perdition.--Don't you know Bertie Payne?" he continued, to his newly met
+friend. "He was one of my subs before he renounced the devil and all his
+works. He was with us at Barrackbore when you were in India."
+
+"I do not think we have met," the other was beginning, when a young
+lady--toward whom the Colonel had already cast some sharp, admiring
+glances as she stood on the curbstone holding a hand of the smaller of
+two little boys in smart sailor suits--uttered a cry of dismay. The
+elder child had rushed into the road, as if to stop a passing omnibus,
+not seeing that a hansom was coming up at speed.
+
+The young man called Bertie dashed forward, and barely succeeded in
+snatching the child from under the wheel. A scramble of horses' feet, an
+imprecation or two shouted by the irritated driver, a noisy declaration
+from the "fare" that he should lose his train, and the scuffle was over.
+
+The little man, held firmly by the shoulder, was marched back to his
+young guardian.
+
+"Thank you!--oh, thank you a thousand times! You have saved his life!"
+she exclaimed, fervently, in unsteady tones. Then to the child: "How
+could you break your promise to stay by me, Cecil? You would have been
+killed but for this gentleman!"
+
+"I wanted to catch the 'omlibus' for you, auntie!" he cried, with an
+irrepressible sob, though he gallantly tried to hold back his tears.
+
+"Hope the little fellow is none the worse of his fright," said the
+Colonel, advancing and raising his hat. "Can I be of any use?--can I
+call a cab?"
+
+"No, thank you; I will take an omnibus and get home as soon as I can.
+Cecil will soon forget his fright, I fear--"
+
+"Sooner than you will," remarked Bertie. "There is a Royal Oak omnibus.
+Will that do?"
+
+"Yes, thank you."
+
+"Come along, then, my young man; I will not let you go."
+
+Bertie put the trio into the vehicle, and the lookers-on saw that he
+shook hands with "auntie" as the conductor jumped on his perch and they
+rolled on.
+
+"Gad! there's a chance for you!" cried the Colonel as Bertie joined him.
+"An uncommon fine girl, by George! What a coloring! and a splendid pair
+of black eyes!"
+
+"I suspect extreme fright did a good deal for both, poor girl. Her eyes
+are brown, not black."
+
+"Brown! Nonsense! Didn't _you_ think they were black?"
+
+"I did not observe them," returned the grave personage he addressed,
+indifferently. "The boy had a narrow escape. I must say good morning,"
+he added.
+
+"Stop a bit," cried the Colonel. "I must see you again before you leave
+town. Dine with me to-morrow at the Junior. And, Bertie--"
+
+"Thanks, no, I am engaged." He said good-by and walked on.
+
+"Queer fellow that," said the Colonel, looking after him. "He got into
+some money troubles in India, left the army, and got converted. Now he
+is not exactly a Salvation soldier, but something of the kind. He'll be
+at you one of the days for a subscription to convert the crossing
+sweepers or some such undertaking. But you'll dine with me to-morrow.
+I'll tell you all the Clayshire gossip."
+
+"Thank you, I shall be very happy."
+
+"Then good-by for the present, I am engaged to lunch to meet one of the
+prettiest little widows you ever saw in your life, but she has no cash.
+Here, hansom," calling to the driver of a cab which was passing slowly.
+"I am a little late." He jumped in and drove off.
+
+His friend, with a slight grave smile, continued his walk to the
+Alexandria Hotel, the portals of which received him.
+
+
+Meantime the hero of the cab incident sat very demurely by his young
+aunt, as the omnibus rolled slowly up Park Lane, occasionally stealing
+inquisitive glances at her face.
+
+"You have been a _very_ naughty boy, Cecil!" she exclaimed as her eyes
+met his. "How could I have gone home to mamma if I had been obliged to
+leave you behind?"
+
+"But you needn't, you know; you could have tied me up in a bundle and
+taken me back. Mamma would have known it wasn't your fault."
+
+"I am not so sure of that, and you have made poor Charlie cry,"--drawing
+the younger boy to her side.
+
+"Charlie is just a baby," contemptuously.
+
+"He is a better boy than you are." Silence.
+
+"Auntie, do you think the gentleman who pulled me back was the old
+gentleman's son?"
+
+"No, I do not think he was."
+
+"Why don't you, auntie?"
+
+"I can hardly say why."
+
+"I have seen that gentleman--the old gentleman--in Kensington Gardens,"
+said little Charlie, nestling up to his aunt. "He spoke to mammy the day
+she took me to feed the ducks."
+
+"I think that is only a fancy, dear."
+
+"No; I am quite sure."
+
+"Oh, you are always fancying things; you are a silly," cried Cecil, now
+quite recovered, and turning to kneel upon the seat that he might look
+out, thereby rubbing his feet on the very best "afternoon" dress of a
+severely respectable female, whose rubicund face expressed "drat the
+boy!" as strongly as a face could.
+
+The rest of the journey was accomplished after the usual style of such
+travels when the aunt and nephews went out together. Cecil was
+constantly rebuked and made to sit down, and as constantly resumed his
+favorite position; so that he ultimately reached home with beautifully
+clean shoes, having wiped "the dust off his feet" effectually on the
+garments of his fellow-passengers, while his little brother nestled to
+his auntie's side and gazed observantly on his fellow-travellers,
+arriving at curious conclusions respecting them, to be afterward set
+forth to the amusement of his hearers.
+
+Leaving the omnibus at the Royal Oak, the trio diverged to one of the
+streets between that well-known establishment and the Bayswater Road--a
+street which had still a few trees and small semi-detached villas, with
+front gardens left at one end, the relics of a past when Penrhyn Place
+was "quite the country"; while at the other, bricks, mortar,
+scaffolding, and a deeply rutted roadway indicated the commencement of
+mansions which would soon swallow up their humbler predecessors.
+
+At one of these villas, the garden of which was tolerably neat, the
+little boys and their aunt stopped, and were admitted by a smart but not
+over-clean girl, who welcomed the children with a cheerful, "Well,
+Master Cecil, you are just in nice time for dinner! Come, get your
+things off; your gran'ma has a treat for you."
+
+"Has she? Oh, what is it? Do tell, Lottie!"
+
+"Don't mind, dear, if you are tired; your morning-gown will do very
+well, as we are alone."
+
+"No, no; I must honor Cecil's birthday with my best dress. These trifles
+are important."
+
+"I suppose so," returned her daughter, looking after her gravely, as she
+left the room.
+
+Mrs. Liddell was tall, and the lines of her figure considerably
+enlarged. Yet she had not quite lost the grace for which she was once
+remarkable. Her light brown hair had a pale look from the increasing
+admixture of gray, and her blue eyes seemed faded by much use. It was a
+kind, thoughtful, worn face from which they looked, yet it could still
+smile brightly.
+
+"She looks very, very tired," thought her daughter. "I must make her lie
+down if I can; it is so hard to make her rest!" She too looked uneasily
+at the mass of writing on the table, and then went away to remove her
+out-door attire.
+
+The birthday dinner gave great satisfaction. It was crowned by a
+plum-pudding, terrible as such a compound must always be in June; but it
+was a favorite "goody" with the young hero of the day. Grandmamma made
+herself as agreeable as though she was one of a party of wits, and drank
+her grandson's health in a bottle of choice gooseberry, proposing it in
+a "neat and appropriate" speech, which gave rise to much uproarious
+mirth and delight. At last the feast was over; the children retired to
+amuse themselves with a horse and a wheelbarrow--some of the birthday
+gifts--in the back garden (a wilderness resigned to their ravages), and
+Mrs. Liddell and her daughter were left alone.
+
+"Now, mother, _do_ come and lie down on the sofa in the drawing-room. I
+see you are out of sorts. You hardly tasted food, and you are dreadfully
+tired; come and rest. I will read you to sleep."
+
+"No, Kate; there can be no rest for me, my darling," returned her
+mother, rising, and beginning to put the plates and glasses together
+with a nervous movement. "I _am_ out of sorts, for I have had a great
+disappointment. _The Family Friend_ has refused my three-volume novel,
+and I really have not the heart to try it anywhere else after such
+repeated rejections. At the same time Skinner & Palm write to say they
+cannot use my short story, 'On the Rack,' for five or six months, as
+they have such a quantity of already accepted manuscripts."
+
+"How provoking!" cried Katherine. "But come away; the drawing-room is
+cooler; let us go there and talk things over."
+
+Mrs. Liddell accepted the suggestion, and sank into an arm-chair, while
+her daughter let down the blinds, and then placed herself on a low
+ottoman opposite her.
+
+There was a short silence; then Mrs. Liddell sighed and began: "I
+counted so much on that short story for ready money! Skinner always pays
+directly he has published. Now I do not know what to do. If I take it
+back I may fail to dispose of it, yet I cannot wait. But the novel--that
+is the worst disappointment of all. I suppose it was foolish, but I felt
+_sure_ about that."
+
+"Of course you did," cried Katherine, eagerly. "It is an excellent
+story."
+
+"It is not worse than many Santley brings out," resumed Mrs. Liddell;
+"but one is no judge of one's own work. It was with reluctance I offered
+it to _The Family Friend_, and you see--" her voice faltered, and she
+stopped abruptly.
+
+Katherine knew the tears were in her eyes and swelling her heart. She
+restrained the impulse to throw her arms round her; she feared to
+agitate her mother; rather she would help her self-control.
+
+"Well, dear, I am no great judge, but I am quite sure that such a story
+as yours must succeed sooner or later. So we will be patient."
+
+"Ah! but, Katie, the landlord and the butcher will not wait, and, my
+child, I have only about five pounds. I made too sure of success for I
+did so well last year. Then Madame de Corset will soon be sending in her
+bill for that famous dress of Ada's, and she will want the money she
+lent me."
+
+"Then Madame de Corset must wait," said Katherine, firmly. "Ada is
+really your debtor. Where could she live at so small a cost as with you?
+Where could she be so free to run about without a thought for the
+children? What has become of her? Couldn't she stay with Cecil on his
+birthday?"
+
+"She is gone to luncheon with the Burnetts. It is as well to keep up
+with them; their influence might be useful to the boys hereafter; but I
+do wish I could pay her."
+
+"I wish you could, for it would make you happier; but she really owes
+you ten pounds and more."
+
+"What shall I do about that novel? If I could get two hundred--even one
+hundred--pounds for it, I should do well. I began to hope I might make
+both ends meet with my pen. Oh, Katie dear, I am ashamed of myself, but
+for the first time in my life I feel beaten. I feel as if I could not
+come up to time again. It has been such a long, weary battle!" She
+pressed her handkerchief to her eyes.
+
+"I wish _I_ could give you rest, darling mother!" said Katherine, taking
+her hand and fondling it. "I fear I have been too useless--too
+thoughtless."
+
+"You have done all you could, my child; one cannot expect much from
+nineteen. But I wish--I wish I could think of any means of deliverance
+from my present difficulty. A small sum would suffice. Where to find it
+is the question. I counted too much on those unlucky manuscripts, and
+now I do not know where to turn; I see a vista of debt." A sudden fit of
+coughing interrupted her.
+
+"You have taken cold, mother," cried Katherine. "I heard you coughing
+this morning. I was sure you would suffer for sitting near the open
+window in the study last night."
+
+"It was so hot!" murmured Mrs. Liddell, lying back exhausted.
+
+"Yes, but it was also frightfully damp. Tell me, mother, is there
+anything we can sell?--anything--"
+
+Mrs. Liddell interrupted her. "Nothing, dear. The few jewels I had
+preserved went when I was trying to furnish this house. I fancied we
+should do well in a house of our own, and I was so anxious to make a
+home for my poor boy's widow!"
+
+"When do you expect any more money?"
+
+"Not for nearly two months, and then another quarter's rent will be
+due."
+
+"Mother," said Katherine, after a moment's silence, "would not my
+father's brother, of whom I heard you speak, help you? It is dreadful to
+ask, but he is so near a kinsman, and childless."
+
+"It is useless to think of it. He and your father quarrelled about
+money, and he is implacable. His only child, a son, opposed him, and he
+drove him away. Poor fellow! he was killed in Australia."
+
+"Why have hard-hearted wretches heaps of money, while kind, generous
+souls like you never have a farthing?"
+
+"That is a mystery of long standing," said Mrs. Liddell, with a faint
+smile. "Katie, I cannot think or talk any more. I will go and lie down
+in my own room. There neither Ada nor the children can disturb me. Oh,
+my darling, how can I ever die in peace if I leave _you_ to do battle
+with the bitter, bitter world unprovided for?" Her voice quivered, and
+the hand she laid on her daughter's trembled.
+
+"Do not fear for me, mother. I am tougher and more selfish than you are.
+It is time I worked for you. How feverish you are! Come up to your own
+room. You will see things differently when you have had a little sleep.
+If the worst comes, _I_ will tell Ada that we must give up the house and
+go back to lodgings. We never had difficulties before we came here."
+
+"No, for we never had debts. Now I have, and I have this house for
+nearly three years longer. It is not so easy to shake off engagements as
+you would a cloak that had grown too heavy."
+
+So saying, Mrs. Liddell rose and ascended to the room she shared with
+her daughter, whom she allowed to take off her dress and put on her
+wrapper, to arrange her pillows, to bathe her brow in eau-de-cologne and
+water, and soothe her with those loving touches, those tender cares,
+that the heart alone can prompt, till in spite of the cloud and thick
+darkness that hid her future, Mrs. Liddell was calmed by the delicious
+sense of her daughter's love and sympathy.
+
+"I will make a list of editors," said Katherine--"I mean those whom you
+have not tried--and go round to them myself. Perhaps I may bring you
+luck."
+
+"Yes; your young life is more likely to have fortune on its side: the
+fickle jade has forsaken me."
+
+Katherine made no reply beyond a gentle kiss. She sat silently by her
+mother's side, till feeling the hand that held hers relax its hold, she
+slowly and softly withdrew her own, comforted to perceive that balmy
+sleep had stolen upon the weary woman.
+
+Still she sat there thinking with all the force of her young brain,
+partly remembering, partly anticipating.
+
+Of her father she had scarce any knowledge. She was but four years old
+when he died, and her only brother was nearly fourteen. The eldest and
+youngest of Mrs. Liddell's children were the survivors of several.
+
+Katherine's memory of her childish days presented the dim picture of a
+quaint foreign town; of blue skies, bright sunshine, and abundant
+vegetation; of large rooms and a smiling black-eyed attendant in a
+peculiar head-dress; of some one lying back in a large chair, near whom
+she must never make a noise. Then came a change; mother always in black,
+with a white cap, and often weeping, and of colder winters, snow and
+skating--a happy time, for she was always with mother both in lesson and
+play time, whilst Fred used to go away early to school. Next, clear and
+distinct, was the recollection of her first visit to London, and from
+this time she was the companion and confidante of her mother. They were
+poor--at least every outlay had to be carefully considered--but Katie
+never knew the want of money. Then came the excitement and preparation
+attending Fred's departure for India, the mixture of sorrow and
+satisfaction with which her mother parted from him, of how bitterly she
+had cried herself; for though somewhat tyrannical, Fred had been always
+kind and generous.
+
+How well she remembered the day he had left them never to return--how
+her mother had clasped her to her heart and exclaimed: "You must be all
+in all to me now, Katie. I have done but little for you yet, dear, Fred
+needed so much."
+
+A spell of happy, busy life in Germany followed, enlivened by long
+letters from the young Indian officer, whose career seemed full of
+promise. But when Katherine was a little more than thirteen sorrow fell
+upon them. Fred's letters had become irregular; then came a confession
+of weakness and debt, crowned by the supreme folly of marriage,
+concluding with a prayer for help.
+
+Mrs. Liddell was cruelly disappointed. She had hoped and expected much
+from her boy. She believed he was doing so well! She told all to Katie,
+who heartily agreed with her that Fred must be helped. Some of their
+slender capital was sold out and sent to him, while mother and daughter
+cheerfully accepted the loss of many trifling indulgences, drawing the
+narrow limits of their expenditure closer still, content and free from
+debt, though as time went on Katherine cast many a longing glance at the
+world of social enjoyment in which their poverty forbade her to triumph.
+
+Mrs. Liddell had always loved literature, and her husband had been an
+accomplished though a reckless and self-indulgent man. She had wandered
+a good deal with him, and had seen a great variety of people and places.
+It occurred to her to try her pen as a means of adding to her income,
+and after some failures she succeeded with one or two of the smaller
+weekly periodicals. This induced her to return to London, hoping to do
+better in that great centre of work. Here the tidings of her son's death
+overwhelmed her. Next came an imploring letter from the young widow, who
+had no near relatives, praying to be allowed to live with her and
+Katherine--sharing expenses--as the pension to which an officer's widow
+and orphans were entitled insured her a small provision.
+
+So Mrs. Liddell again roused herself, and managed to furnish very
+scantily the little home where Katherine sat thinking. But the addition
+to their income was but meagre compared to the expenses which followed
+in the train of Mrs Frederic Liddell and her two "little Indian boys."
+
+All the efforts of the practical mother and daughter did not suffice to
+keep within the limits they dreaded to overpass. Mrs. Liddell's pen
+became more than ever essential to the maintenance of the household,
+while the younger widow considered herself a martyr to the most sordid,
+the most unnecessary stinginess.
+
+A tapping at the door and suppressed childish laughter called Katherine
+from her thoughts. She rose and opened the door quickly and softly.
+
+"Hush, Cecil! be quiet, Charlie! poor grannie is asleep. Come with me
+downstairs; I will read to you if you like."
+
+"Oh yes, do," said Charlie.
+
+"I don't care for reading," cried Cecil. "Can't you play bears?"
+
+"It makes too much noise. I will play it to-morrow if grandmamma is
+better. Shall I tell you a story?"
+
+"No," said Cecil; "_I_ will tell _you_ one."
+
+"Very well. I shall be delighted to hear it."
+
+"I would rather have you read, auntie," said the little one.
+
+"Never mind, Charlie; I will read to you after."
+
+"Shall we sit in the garden? We have made it quite clean and tidy."
+
+"No, dear; grannie would hear us there. Come into the dining-room."
+
+Established there, the boys one on each side of her, Katherine listened
+to the young story-teller, who began fluently: "There was once two
+little boys called Jimmie and Frank. Frank was the biggest; he was very
+strong and very courageous; and he learned his lessons very well when he
+liked, but he did not always like. The two little boys had an aunt; she
+was nice and pleasant sometimes, but more times she was cross and
+disagreeable, and she spoiled Jimmie a great deal. One day they went out
+to walk a long way, and saw lots of people riding, and Jimmmie grew
+tired, and so did Frank, but Frank would not complain, and their aunt
+was so unkind that she would not call a hansom; so when they came to a
+great street Frank thought he would catch an omnibus, and he ran out
+quick--quick. He would have caught it, but his aunt was so silly and
+such a coward that she sent a man after him, who nearly dragged him
+under the feet of a horse that was coming up, and they would both have
+been killed if Frank had not called out to the cabman to stop."
+
+"Oh, Cecil, that is you and I. _What_ a story! Auntie is not unkind, and
+you did not call out," cried Charlie.
+
+Katherine could not help laughing at the little monkey's version of the
+incident.
+
+"Cecil, Cecil, you must learn to tell the truth--" she was beginning,
+when the door was opened, and a small, slight lady in black silk, with a
+profusion of delicate gray ribbons, jet trimming, and foamy white tulle
+ruching, stood in the doorway. She was very fair, with light eyes, a
+soft pink color, and pale golden brown hair--altogether daintily pretty.
+
+"Oh, mammy! mammy! where have you been all my birthday?" cried the elder
+boy, rushing to her.
+
+"My own precious darling, do not put your dear dirty little paws on my
+dress!" she exclaimed, in alarm. "I was _obliged_ to go, my boy; but I
+have brought you a bag of sweets; it is in the hall. Dear me! how stuffy
+this room is! Mrs. Burnett's house is _so_ cool and fresh! It looks into
+a charming garden at the back; and oh, how delightful it must be to be
+rich!" She had advanced into the room as she spoke, and began to untie
+and smooth out her bonnet strings.
+
+"It must indeed," returned Katherine, with a deep sigh.
+
+"I will go and put on an old dress; this one is too pretty to spoil, and
+the house is _so_ dusty. Do you think it becoming, Katherine?"
+
+"Yes, very"--with an indulgent smile. "You ought always to wear
+half-mourning; it suits you admirably."
+
+"I think it does; but I must put it off some day, you know. Cecil dear,
+go and ask cook to make me a cup of tea. I will have it up in my room.
+Charlie, don't cuddle up against your aunt in that way; it makes her too
+hot, and you will grow crooked." Charlie jumped down from his chair and
+held up his face.
+
+"There, dear," giving a hasty kiss. "Don't worry."
+
+"Mammy," said Cecil, with much solemnity, "I was nearly killed to-day."
+
+"Nonsense, dear! This is one of your wonderful inventions. What does he
+mean, Katherine?"
+
+"He might have been. He darted from me at Hyde Park Corner, intending to
+catch an omnibus, and would have been run over if a gentleman had not
+snatched him from under the horses' feet."
+
+"My precious boy!" laying her hand on his head, but keeping him at a
+distance. "How wrong of you, Katherine, to let his hand go!"
+
+"I did not let it go; I was not holding it," returned Katherine, dryly.
+
+"At Hyde Park Corner?" pursued Mrs. Frederic Liddell, eagerly. "Was the
+gentleman soldierly and stout, with gray mustaches?"
+
+"No. He was young and slight and clean-shaved."
+
+"That is curious; for Colonel Ormonde was saying at luncheon to-day that
+he had saved, or helped to save, such a pretty little boy from being run
+over. I don't exactly remember what he said. I was listening to Mrs. De
+Vere Hopkins, and Mrs. Burnett's boy was making a noise. Colonel Ormonde
+said he was just like a little fellow he had seen nearly run over that
+morning. I am sure Tom Burnett is not half as handsome as my Cecil."
+
+"I should not have been run over if auntie had left me alone."
+
+"Go and get mother's tea, and you, Charlie, fetch her some nice bread
+and butter," said Katherine, who, though six or seven years her
+sister-in-law's junior, looked at first sight older. "There _was_ an
+elderly gentleman such as you describe, talking with the young man who
+rescued Cecil, and he was very polite and interested in Cecil, who broke
+away from me, though he had promised to stay by my side."
+
+"Promised," repeated Mrs. Frederic, lightly, and carefully dusting her
+bonnet with her handkerchief. "What can you expect from a child's
+promise? But poor Cecil rarely does right in your eyes."
+
+"Nonsense, Ada!"
+
+"Not at all. I am very observant. But tell me, did Colonel Ormonde take
+much notice of Cecil?"
+
+"I do not know. I was too much frightened to see anything but the dear
+child himself."
+
+Mrs. Frederic did not reply for a moment; she seemed to be thinking
+deeply. "Where did you get those flowers--those you bought on Saturday
+for sixpence?"
+
+"Oh! at the little florist's on Queen's Road. It was late in the
+evening, you know, or they would not have been so cheap."
+
+"I should like some to-morrow to make the drawing-room look pretty, if
+possible, for Colonel Ormonde said he would call. He wishes to see some
+of my Otocammed photographs. Heigho! it is a miserable place to receive
+any one in."
+
+"Well, you see, it must do."
+
+"Really, Katherine, you are very unsympathetic. If you have a fault,
+dear, it is selfishness. You don't mind my saying so?"
+
+"Oh, not at all. I am thankful for the 'if.'"
+
+"Where is your mother?"
+
+"Lying down. She is tired, and has a horrid headache."
+
+"I'm sure I don't wonder at it, toiling from morning till night for
+those wretched papers. I was telling Mrs. Burnett to-day that my
+mother-in-law was an authoress, but when I mentioned that she wrote for
+_The Family Friend_ and _The Cheerful Visitor_, Lady Everton, who writes
+in _The Court Journal_ and various grand things of that kind, said they
+were quite low publications, and never got higher than the servants'
+hall."
+
+"You need not have gone into particulars, Ada. Whether my mother writes
+well or ill, the pressure on her is too great to allow of her picking or
+choosing; she must catch at the quickest market."
+
+"I'm sure it is a great pity. That is the reason I stay on here, and let
+you teach Cis and Charlie, though Colonel Ormonde says the sooner boys
+are out of a woman's hands the better."
+
+"If Colonel Ormonde is the old man I saw this morning, he looks more
+capable of judging a dinner than what is the best training for youth."
+
+"Old!" screamed the pretty widow. "He is not old; he is only mature. He
+is very well off, too. He has a place in the country. And as to
+mentioning those papers, I know nothing of such things. _The Nineteenth
+Century_, or _Bow Bells_, or _The Family Friend_, they are all the same
+to me. Only I am sure such a nice lady-like woman as Mrs. Liddell should
+not write for the servants' hall. She must have been so handsome, too!
+Fred, poor fellow, was her image. You will never be so good-looking,
+Kate."
+
+"No, I don't suppose I shall," returned Katherine, with much equanimity.
+
+"Are there any letters for me?" asked Mrs. Frederic, looking round as
+she lifted her bonnet from the table.
+
+"Here are two."
+
+"Ah! this is from Harry Vigors. I suppose he is coming home. And oh!
+this is Madame de Corset's bill"--putting down her bonnet and opening
+it. "Eleven pounds seventeen and ninepence-half-penny. Why, this is
+abominable! She promised it should not be much more than ten pounds.
+There is five per cent off for ready money. Oh, I'll pay it immediately.
+How much will that be altogether, Kate? Eleven shillings? Well, that is
+worth saving. It will buy me two pairs of gloves. Now I'll go and rest.
+Tell me when Mrs. Liddell is awake."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+BREAKING NEW GROUND.
+
+
+Katherine took care that her sister-in-law should not have an
+opportunity of private conversation with Mrs. Liddell, that evening at
+least.
+
+She rolled up and arranged the disordered manuscripts, putting the small
+study in order, and locking away the rejected tales. Then she proposed
+conducting the young widow to the florist's, as the evening grew cooler,
+and made herself agreeable by listening attentively to the little
+woman's description of the luncheon party, and her repetition of all the
+pretty things said to her by the various gentlemen present, especially
+by Colonel Ormonde.
+
+"Of course I do not mind their nonsense, but however my heart may cling
+to dear Fred's memory, I must think of my precious boys," was her
+conclusion. To which Katherine answered, "Of course," as she would have
+answered any proposition, however wild, provided only she could save her
+mother from worry, at least for that evening.
+
+Next day was showery and dull. True to her resolution, Katherine put her
+mother's lucubrations into their covers, and prepared to start on her
+projected round.
+
+"I am not sure I ought to let you go, Katie dear," said Mrs. Liddell,
+as her daughter came into the study in her out-door dress. "It is rather
+a wild goose chase. Why should you succeed for me when I have failed for
+myself? Besides, personal interviews are of no avail. No editor will
+take work that does not suit him, however interesting the applicant."
+
+"Nevertheless I will go. I shall bring a new element into the business,
+and I _may_ be lucky! Why have you plunged into these horrid accounts?"
+pointing to a pile of small books, and a sheaf of backs of letters
+scribbled over with calculations. "This is not the way to cheer
+yourself."
+
+"My love, it is a change of occupation, at least, to revert to the old
+yet ever new problem of life--how to extract thirty shillings from a
+sovereign. I am trying to see where we can possibly retrench. What is
+Ada doing?"
+
+"She is decking the drawing-room and herself for the reception of
+Colonel Ormonde, who is coming to afternoon tea."
+
+"What, already?"
+
+"She is quite excited, I assure you. Is it not soon to think of----"
+
+"Do not judge her harshly. She is a woman not made to live alone. In due
+time I shall be glad to see her happily married, for she _will_ marry."
+
+"Tell me, is that irreconcilable uncle of mine really still alive? How
+long is it since you heard anything of him?"
+
+"Oh, more than six or seven years. But I am sure he is alive. I should
+have heard of his death. I suppose he is still living on in Camden
+Town."
+
+"Not a very agreeable quarter," returned Katherine, carelessly.
+"Good-by, mother dear! Do not expect me to dinner. I can have something
+whenever I come in."
+
+Katherine walked briskly toward town, intending to save some of her
+omnibus fare, for she had planned a long and daring expedition--an
+undertaking which taxed all her courage. In truth, though she had never
+known the ease or luxury of wealth, she had been most tenderly brought
+up. Her mother had constantly shielded her from all the roughness of
+life, and the deed she contemplated seemed to her mind an almost
+desperate effort of independent action.
+
+Through one of the very few sleepless nights she had ever experienced
+she had thought out an idea which had flashed through her brain while
+Mrs. Liddell was explaining her difficulties, and which she had
+carefully kept to herself.
+
+She saw clearly enough the hopelessness of their position; probably with
+the intensity of youth she exaggerated it, which was scarcely necessary,
+as a small rut is apt to widen into a bottomless pit if it crosses the
+path of those who are living up to the utmost verge of a narrow income.
+As she reviewed the endless instances of her mother's self-abnegation
+which memory supplied--her cheerful industry, her brave struggle to live
+like a gentlewoman on a pittance, her tender thought for the welfare and
+happiness of her children--she felt she could walk through a burning
+fiery furnace if by so doing she could earn ease and repose for her
+mother's weary spirit.
+
+"She is looking ill and worn," thought Katherine, "and years older. She
+has never been the same since that attack of bronchitis last year. Ada
+and the boys are too much for her, though they are dear little fellows;
+but they are costly. If Ada would even give us twenty pounds a year more
+it would be a great help."
+
+The project Katherine had evolved through the night-watches was to visit
+her uncle and ask him, face to face, for help! It is, she argued, harder
+to say "no" than to write it; even if she failed she should know her
+fate at once, and not have to endure the agony of waiting for a letter.
+Nor, were she refused, need her mother ever know now she had humiliated
+herself in the dust.
+
+How her young heart sank within her at the thought of being harshly,
+contemptuously rejected! It was a positive painful physical sense of
+faintness that made her limbs tremble as she pressed on faster than she
+was aware. "But I _will_ do it--I will! If I succeed no humiliation will
+be too great," she said to herself. "I will speak with all my soul! When
+I begin, this horrible feeling that my tongue is dry and speechless will
+go away. I must find out where this awful old man is; what is his street
+and number. I dared not ask mother. First I will try the publisher; as
+the 'servants' hall' publications have rejected it, I shall offer
+_Darrell's Doom_ to a first-rate house. Why not try Channing & Wyndham?
+They cannot say worse than 'no,' and I shall no doubt see a Directory
+there." Thus communing with herself, she took an omnibus down Park Lane
+and walked thence to the well-known temple of the Muses in Piccadilly.
+
+Arrived there, a civil clerk took her card--which was her mother's--and
+soon returning, asked if she had an appointment. "No, I have not, but
+pray ask Mr. Channing or Mr. Wyndham to see me; I will not stay more
+than a few minutes." The young man smiled slightly; he was accustomed to
+such assurances. Almost as Katherine spoke, a stout "country gentleman"
+looking person came into the warehouse, slightly raising his hat as he
+passed her. A sudden inspiration prompted her to say, "Pray excuse me,
+but are you Mr. Wyndham?"
+
+"I am."
+
+"Then do let me speak to you for five minutes."
+
+"With pleasure," said the great publisher, graciously, and ushered her
+into a sort of literary loose box or small enclosure in the remote
+back-ground.
+
+"I have ventured to bring you a manuscript," began Katherine, smiling
+with all her might, with an abject desire to propitiate the arbiter of
+her mother's fate.
+
+"So I see," he returned, ruefully but politely.
+
+"It is a beautiful story, and I thought it ought to be published by a
+great house like yours," pursued Katherine.
+
+"Thank you," he said, with a twinkle in his eye. "Pray is it your own?"
+
+"Mine! Oh dear no! It is my mother's. She is not very strong, so _I_
+brought it."
+
+There was a slight faltering in her voice that suggested a good deal to
+her hearer. "Then you are not Mrs. W. Liddell," glancing at the card,
+"but Mrs. Liddell's daughter. Pray put down that heavy parcel. Three
+volumes, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes, three volumes, but they are not very long, and the story is most
+interesting."
+
+"No doubt. I hope it is not historical?"
+
+"Oh no! quite modern."
+
+"So much the better. Well, Miss Liddell, I will look at the manuscript,
+or rather our reader shall, and let you know the result in due course;
+but I must warn you that we are rather overdone with three-volume
+novels, and there are already a large number of manuscripts awaiting
+perusal, so you must not expect our verdict for some little time."
+
+"When you will, but oh! as soon as you can," she urged.
+
+"I will keep your address, and you shall hear at the earliest date we
+can manage. Good-morning. Very damp, uncomfortable day."
+
+Katherine felt herself dismissed, and almost forgot her ulterior
+intention. "Would you be so very good as to let me look at the
+Directory, if you have one?"
+
+"Certainly," said Wyndham, who was slipping the card under the string of
+poor Katherine's parcel. "Here, Tompkins, let this young lady see the
+Directory. Excuse me--I am a good deal pressed for time;" and with a bow
+he went off, the manuscript under his arm.
+
+"Well, it is really in his hands, at all events," thought Katherine,
+looking wistfully after it.
+
+A boy with inky hands here placed that thick volume, the Post-Office
+Directory, before her, and she proceeded to search confusedly among the
+endless pages of names, a little strengthened and cheered by her brief
+interview with the publisher. It seemed that she was in a lucky vein:
+trouble is always conducive to superstition. When visible hope fails,
+poor human hearts turn to the invisible and the improbable.
+
+At last she paused at "John Wilmot Liddell, 27 Legrave Crescent, Camden
+Town, N. W." That must be her uncle; they were all Wilmot Liddells. How
+to reach his abode was the question.
+
+The inky boy soon gave her the requisite information. "You take a
+Waterloo 'bus at Piccadilly Circus; it runs through to Camden Town; that
+is, to the beginning of Camden Town," he said. Katherine thanked him,
+and again set forth.
+
+It was a long, tedious drive. The omnibus was crammed with warm
+passengers and damp umbrellas, but Katherine was too racked with
+impatience and fear to heed small discomforts. Would her dreaded
+relative order her out of his sight at once? Was her interview with the
+publisher a good omen?
+
+At last she reached the end of her journey, and addressing herself to
+the tutelary policeman solemnly pacing past the Tavern where the omnibus
+paused, she asked to be directed to Legrave Crescent.
+
+It was an old-fashioned row of houses, before them a few sooty trees in
+a half-moon of grass, one side railed off from the street and dignified
+with gates at either end--gates which were always open.
+
+The place had a still, deserted air, but about the middle stood a cab,
+on which a rheumatic driver, assisted by a small boy, was placing a
+cumbrous box. As Katherine approached she found that the house before
+which it stood bore the number she sought, and on reaching it she found
+the door held open by a little smutty girl, the very lowest type of
+slavey, with unkempt hair, and a rough holland apron of the grimiest
+aspect. On the top step stood a stout woman, fairly well dressed in a
+large shawl and a straw bonnet largely decorated with crushed artificial
+flowers; a very red, angry face appeared beneath it, with watery eyes
+and a coarse, half-open mouth. All this Katherine saw, but hardly
+observed, so strongly was her attention attracted to a figure that stood
+a few paces within the entrance--a tall, thin old man, bent and leaning
+on a stick. He was wrapped in a long dressing-gown of dull dark gray,
+evidently much worn; slippers were on his feet, and a black velvet
+skull-cap on his head, from under which some thin straggling locks of
+white hair escaped. His thin aquiline features and dark sunken eyes were
+alight with an expression of malignant fury; one long claw-like hand was
+outstretched with a gesture of dismissal, the other grasped the top of
+his stick. "Begone, you accursed drunken thief!" he was almost screaming
+in a shrill voice. "I would take you to the police, court if there was
+anything to be got out of you; but it would only be throwing good money
+away after bad. Get you gone to the ditch where you'll die! You
+guzzling, muzzling fool, to leave my house without a shilling after all
+your pilfering!"
+
+While he uttered these words with frightful vehemence, the woman he
+addressed kept up a rapid undercurrent of reply.
+
+"Living with a miserable screwy miser like you would make a saint drink!
+Do you think people will serve you for nothing, and not pay themselves
+somehow? The likes of you are born to be robbed--and may your last crust
+be stole from you, you old skinflint!" With this last defiance, she
+turned and threw herself hastily into the cab, which crawled away as if
+horse and driver were equally rheumatic.
+
+"Shut the door," said the old man, hoarsely, as if exhausted.
+
+"Please, sir, there's a lady here," said the little slavey. Katherine,
+who was as frightened as if she were face to face with a lunatic, had a
+terrible conviction that this appalling old man was her uncle. How
+should she ever address him? What an unfortunate time to have fallen
+upon!
+
+"What do you want?" asked the old man, fiercely, frowning till his
+shaggy white eyebrows almost met over his angry black eyes.
+
+"I want to see Mr. John Wilmot Liddell."
+
+"Then you see him! Who are you?"
+
+"Katherine Liddell, your niece."
+
+"My niece!" with inexpressible contempt and disbelief, "Well, niece or
+not, you may serve a turn. Can you read?"
+
+"Yes, of course."
+
+"Come, then--come in." He turned and walked with some difficulty to the
+door of the front parlor. Half bewildered, Katherine followed
+mechanically, and the small servant shut the front door, putting up the
+chain with a good deal of noise.
+
+The room to which Katherine was so unceremoniously introduced was of
+good size, covered with a carpet of which no pattern and very little
+color were left. The furniture was old-fashioned and solid; a
+dining-table covered with faded green baize was in the middle, and a
+writing-table with several drawers was placed near the fireplace, beside
+which stood a high-backed leather arm-chair, old, worn, dirty. A
+wretched fire was dying out in the grate, almost choked by the red ashes
+of the very cheapest coal.
+
+An odor of dust long undisturbed pervaded the atmosphere, and the dull
+damp weather without added to the extreme gloom. Indeed the door of this
+apartment might well have borne Dante's inscription over the entrance to
+a warmer place.
+
+Mr. Liddell went with feeble rapidity across to where a large newspaper
+lay upon the floor, and resting one hand on the writing-table, stooped
+painfully to raise it.
+
+"There! read--read the price-list to me. I am blind and helpless, for
+that jade has hid my glasses. I know she has. I cannot find them
+anywhere, and I _must_ know how Turkish bonds are going. Read to me.
+I'll hear what you have to say after." He thrust the paper into her
+hand, and sat down in the high-backed chair.
+
+Poor Katherine felt almost dazed. She took a seat at the other side of
+the table, and began to look for the mysterious list. The geography of
+the mighty _Times_ was unknown to her, and even in her mother's humbler
+penny paper the City article was a portion she never glanced at. While
+she turned the wide pages, painfully bewildered, the old man "glowered"
+at her.
+
+"I don't think you know what you are looking for," he cried,
+impatiently.
+
+"I do not indeed! If you will show it to me----"
+
+He snatched it from her, and pointed out the part he wished to hear.
+"Read from the beginning," he said.
+
+Katherine obeyed, her courage returning as she found herself thus
+strangely installed within the fortress she feared to attack. She
+stumbled occasionally, and was sharply set upon her feet, in the matter
+of figures, by her eager hearer. At last she came to Turkish six per
+cents.
+
+"Eighty-seven to eighty-eight and a quarter."
+
+"Ha!" muttered the old man, "that's an advance! good! nothing to be done
+there yet. Now read the railway stocks."
+
+Katherine obeyed. When she came to "Florida and Teche debentures,
+sixty-two and a half to sixty-five and three-fourths," she was startled
+by a sort of shrill shout. "Ay! _that's_ a rise! Some rigging design
+there! I must write--I must. Where, where has that----harridan hid my
+glasses? Why, it is almost twelve o'clock! the boy will be here for the
+paper immediately. And the post! the post! I must catch the post. Can
+you write?"
+
+"Oh yes! Shall I write for you?"
+
+"You shall! you shall! here's paper"--rising and opening an ancient
+blotting-book, its covers all scribbled over with tiny figures, the
+result of much calculating, he hastily set forth writing materials, his
+lean, claw-like, dirty hands trembling with eagerness. "Hear, hear,
+write fast."
+
+Katherine, growing a little clearer, and amazed at her own increasing
+self-possession, drew off her gloves, and taking the rusty pen offered
+her, wrote at his dictation:
+
+"_To Messrs. Rogers & Stokes, Corbett Court, E. C._:
+
+"GENTLEMEN,--Sell all my Florida shares if possible to-day,
+even if they decline a quarter.
+
+"I am yours faithfully--"
+
+"Now let me come there!" he exclaimed. "I'll let no one sign my name.
+I'll manage that. There? there! Direct an envelope. Oh Lord! I haven't a
+stamp--not one! and its ten minutes' walk to the post-office."
+
+"I think--I believe I have a stamp," said Katherine, drawing her slender
+purse from her pocket and opening it.
+
+"Have you?" eagerly. "Give it to me. Stick it on! Go! go! There is a
+pillar just outside the left-hand gate there; and mind you come back. I
+will give you a penny. Ah, yes, you shall have your penny?"
+
+"I hope you will hear me when I return," she said, appealingly, as she
+left the room.
+
+"Ay, ay; but go--go now."
+
+When Katherine returned she found the old man, with the half-opened door
+in his hand, waiting for her.
+
+"Were you in time?" he asked, eagerly.
+
+"Oh yes, quite. I saw the postman coming across the road to empty the
+box as I was dropping the letter in."
+
+"That's well. I will rest a bit now, and you can tell me what you
+please. First, what have you come here for?"
+
+It was an appalling question, and nothing but the simple truth occurred
+to her as an answer. Indeed, some irresistible power seemed to compel
+the reply, spoken very low and distinct, "I came here to beg."
+
+The old man burst into a singularly unpleasant laugh. "Well, I like
+candor. Pray what business have you to beg from me?"
+
+"Because I know no one else to turn to--because, you are so near a
+kinsman. Let me tell you about my mother." Simply and shortly she gave
+the history of their life and struggles, of the coming of her brother's
+young widow and orphans, of the disappointment of her mother's literary
+expectations, of the present necessity. The quiver in her young voice,
+the pathetic earnestness with which she told her story, the deep love
+for her mother breathing through the recital, might well have moved a
+heart of ordinary coldness, but it seemed to small impression on her
+grim uncle.
+
+"You come of a wasteful extravagant lot," he said, faintly, "if you are
+what you represent yourself to be--of which there is no proof whatever.
+How do I know you are the daughter of Frederic Liddell?"
+
+This was an objection Katherine had never anticipated, and knew not how
+to meet. She colored vividly and hesitated; then, struck with the
+ghastly pallor of the old man's face, she exclaimed, "You are ill! you
+are fainting!" drawing near him as she spoke.
+
+"I am not ill," he gasped. "I am weak from want of food. I have tasted
+none since yesterday afternoon."
+
+"Will you not order some?" said Katherine, looking round for a bell.
+
+"There is nothing in the house. That drunken robber I have just driven
+out went off to her revels last night and left me without anything; but
+while she was away a tradesman came with a bill I thought was paid, and
+so I discovered all her iniquity."
+
+"You must have something," cried Katherine, seriously alarmed. "Can I
+get you some wine or brandy?" and she rang hastily.
+
+Mr. Liddell drew a bunch of keys from his trousers pocket, and feebly
+selecting one, put it in her hand, pointing to the sideboard.
+
+The first cellaret Katherine opened was quite empty, the opposite one
+held two empty bottles covered with dust, and another, at the bottom of
+which was about a wineglass of brandy. She sought eagerly for and found
+a glass, and brought it to the fainting man, pouring out a small
+quantity, which he sipped readily enough. "Ah!" he said, "I was nearly
+gone. I must eat. I suppose that wretched brat can cook something. Ring
+again." Katherine rang, and rang, but in vain.
+
+"May I go down and see what has become of her?"
+
+"If you please," he murmured, more civilly than he had yet spoken.
+
+Katherine, with increasing surprise and interest, descended the dingy
+stair and entered a chaotic kitchen.
+
+Such a scene of dirt and confusion she had never beheld. Nothing seemed
+fit to touch. The little girl's rough apron lay on the floor in the
+midst, and she herself was tying on a big bonnet, while a small bundle
+lay on a chair beside her. She started and colored when Katherine stood
+in the doorway. "Mr. Liddell has sent me to look for you. He is very
+ill. Why did you not answer the bell?"
+
+"Because I was going away to mother," cried the girl, bursting into
+tears. "I could not stay here by myself. Mr. Liddell is more like a wild
+beast than a man when he is angry, and I have had a night and a day as
+would frighten a policemen. I can't stay--I can't indeed, miss."
+
+"But you _must_," said Katherine, impressively. "I am Mr. Liddell's
+niece, and at least you must do a few things for me before you go."
+
+"Oh! if you are here, miss, I don't mind. I can't think as how you are
+Mr. Liddell's niece."
+
+"I am, and I must not leave him till he is better. What is your name?"
+
+"Susan, ma'am."
+
+"Well, Susan, is there any bread or anything in the larder?"
+
+"Not a blessed scrap, miss, and I _am_ so hungry"--a fresh burst of
+tears.
+
+"Don't cry. Do as I bid you, and then you had better ask your mother to
+come here. Now get me some fresh water."
+
+"There's only water in the tap; the filterer is broke."
+
+"Well, give me a jugful. And are you too hungry to make up the fire?"
+
+"I'll manage that, 'm; we had a hundred of coal in yesterday morning
+before the row."
+
+"Then clear away the ashes and get as clear a fire as you can. I will
+get some food."
+
+The desperate, deserted condition of the old man seemed to rob him of
+his terrors, and all Katherine's energy was roused to save him from the
+ill effects of his own fury. She hastened back to the dining-room. Mr.
+Liddell was sitting up, grasping the arms of his chair.
+
+"There is nothing downstairs. Will you allow me to go and buy you some
+food? You will be ill unless you eat."
+
+"Can't that child fetch what is needful?" he said, with an effort.
+
+"I am afraid she may not return."
+
+"Then you had better go. I'll open the door to you when you come back."
+
+"I will go at once. But you must give me a little money. I would gladly
+pay for the things, but I have only my omnibus fare back."
+
+"How much do you want?" he returned, drawing forth an old worn green
+porte-monnaie.
+
+"If you will be satisfied with a chop, two shillings will get all you
+want," said Katherine.
+
+"There, then; bring me the change and account," he returned, handing her
+the required sum.
+
+Since her mother had become a housekeeper Katherine had done a good deal
+of the marketing and household management, and had put her heart into
+her work, as was natural to her. She therefore felt quite competent to
+make these small purchases.
+
+"You will want a little more wine or something," she ventured to
+suggest.
+
+"I have plenty--plenty. Make haste!"
+
+Katherine called the little girl, told her she was going out, and
+promised to bring her back some food. Then she sped on her way to some
+shops she had noticed on her way, and soon accomplished her errand. This
+necessity for action put her right with herself, and gave her the
+courage she needed. With a word to the fainting old miser, she descended
+to the chaotic kitchen, where she rejoiced the heart of the small slavey
+by the sight of the cold beef and bread she had brought for her. Then
+she set to work to cook the chops she had purchased. This done, to the
+amazement of the little servant, she looked in vain for a cloth to
+spread upon the only battered tray she could find. She was obliged to be
+content with dusting it and placing the result of her cooking between
+two warm plates thereupon. Then she carried the whole up to her starving
+relative. Mr. Liddell had fallen into a doze from exhaustion, and looked
+quite wolfish when, rousing up, his eyes fell upon the sorely needed
+food.
+
+"You have been quick, but it is surely wasteful to cook _two_ chops."
+
+"You will not find them too much, I hope. I am sure you ought to eat
+both."
+
+"I do not know, but the meat is good." He fell to and ate with relish.
+Katherine asked where she could find some wine for him. He again
+produced his keys, selected one, and told her to open a door at the end
+of the room, which she fancied led into another. It was a cupboard,
+plentifully filled with bottles of various descriptions, from among
+which, by her patient's direction, she selected one labelled cognac, and
+gave him some in water.
+
+Katherine sat down and watched the old man demolish both chops with
+evident enjoyment. Then he paused, drank a little brandy and water, and
+drew over the plate containing the butter, and smelled it very
+deliberately.
+
+"You have extravagant ways, I am afraid," he said. "This is fresh
+butter."
+
+"That piece only cost fourpence-halfpenny," she said, gravely, "and the
+little you eat you had better have good."
+
+"Fourpence-halfpenny!" he repeated, and fell into profound meditation,
+from which he broke with a sudden return of anger. "What a double-dyed
+villain and robber that infernal woman has been! She told me that prices
+had risen to such a height that the commonest salt butter was
+eighteenpence a pound, that every chop was a shilling, that--that--"
+Then breaking off, with an air of the deepest pathos he exclaimed:
+"Thirty shillings a week I gave her to keep the house, and she has left
+the butcher unpaid for six months. But _I_ will not pay him. He shall
+suffer. Why did he trust her? What did you pay for these things?" he
+ended, abruptly, in a high key.
+
+Katherine silently handed him the back of a letter on which she had
+scribbled down the items.
+
+"What is the use of showing me this, when I cannot read--when I have no
+glasses?" he exclaimed, impatiently.
+
+"True. I must try and find them for you. Where did you first miss them?"
+
+"Oh, I don't know. I had them on when I went to see that----woman out
+of the house."
+
+Calling Susan to assist in the search, Katherine looked carefully in the
+hall, but in vain, when her young assistant gave a cry of joy; she had
+almost trodden on them as they lay between a mangy mat and the foot of
+the stairs.
+
+The recovery of his precious glasses did more to soothe the ruffled
+spirit of the recluse than anything else. He wiped them tenderly, and
+looking through them, observed that they were all right. Then he sat in
+profound silence, while Susan, under Katherine's directions, cleared up
+the hearth, and removed the heap of dust and ashes which had nearly put
+out the fire. When she had retired, carrying off the tray, Mr. Liddell
+turned his keen eyes on his young visitor, and said:
+
+"You came in the nick of time, and you seem to know what you are about;
+but I dare say I should have pulled through without you. Now about your
+story. Before anything else I must be assured that you are really
+Frederic Liddell's daughter. Not that your being so gives you the
+smallest claim upon me."
+
+"I suppose it does not," returned Katherine, sadly. "Still, if you could
+help us with a loan at this trying time it might be the saving of our
+fortunes, and both my mother and myself would do our best to repay you."
+
+"That's but indifferent security," said the miser with a sardonic grin.
+
+"I feel sure that my mother's novel will succeed. It is a beautiful
+story--and you know how some of the best books have been rejected--and
+when it is taken they will give her at least a hundred pounds for it!"
+cried Katherine, eagerly.
+
+"Good Lord! a hundred pounds for trashy scribblings."
+
+"They are not trash, sir," returned Katherine, with spirit.
+
+"And what sum do you want on this first-class security?" he asked.
+
+"Oh, thirty or forty pounds!" she said, her heart beating with wild
+anxiety.
+
+"Thirty pounds! Why, that is a fortune!"
+
+"It would be to us," said Katherine, fighting bravely against a
+desperate inclination to cry.
+
+"And all you have to offer in exchange is a mortgage on an unpublished
+novel?"
+
+"We have nothing in the world but the furniture," she replied, with a
+slight sob.
+
+"Furniture!" repeated Mr. Liddell, sharply. "How much?--how many rooms
+have you?"
+
+"A drawing-room and dining-room, my mother's study, and four bedrooms,
+besides--"
+
+"Well!" exclaimed Liddell, interrupting her, "you'll have a hundred
+pounds' worth in it, and I dare say it cost you two. Now you have shown
+you have some knowledge of the value of money, and you have served me
+well at this uncomfortable crisis. I'll tell you what I will do; I'll
+write to my solicitor to go and see you, at the address you have told
+me, to-morrow. He shall find out if you are speaking the truth, and look
+at your goods and chattels. If he reports favorably I will do something
+for you, on the security of the furniture. You haven't given a bill of
+sale to any one else, I suppose?"
+
+"A bill of sale?--I do not know what you mean."
+
+"Ah! perhaps not." He rose and hobbled to his writing-table, where he
+began to write. "What's your address?" he asked. Katherine told him.
+Presently he finished and turned to her. "Put this in the post. Look at
+it. Mr. Newton, my solicitor, will take it with him when he calls,
+to-morrow or next day. No!" suddenly. "I will send the girl with it to
+the pillar, and you shall stay till she returns. You may or you may not
+be honest; but I will never trust any one again."
+
+"As you like," returned Katherine, overjoyed not to be utterly refused.
+"And before I go, do let me try and find some one to be with you. It is
+dreadful to think of your being alone in this large house with only that
+poor little girl! and she is inclined to run away! I think her mother is
+coming here; let me stay till she comes."
+
+"I don't want any one," said the old man, fiercely. "I am hale and
+strong; the child can do all I want. You got some food for her I see.
+The strength of that meat will last till to-morrow. Then you must come
+to hear what I decide, and you can do what I want, _if_ you _are_ my
+niece!"
+
+"Do--do let me find some one to stay with you! I cannot bear to think of
+your being alone." The old man stared at her curiously, and a sort of
+mocking smile parted his lips. "May I at least ask Susan if her mother
+can come? for I am sure the girl will not stay alone."
+
+"Very well," he said; "but be sure you do not promise her money! She
+_may_ come here to keep the child company--not for my sake."
+
+Katherine hastened to question Susan, and found that her mother, a
+char-woman, lived near. She despatched the little girl to fetch her,
+and, after some parleying, agreed to give her half a crown if she would
+remain for the night, determining to pay it herself rather than mention
+the subject to the ogre upstairs. Then she put her hat straight and
+resumed her gloves. "I must bid you good-morning now," she said. "This
+mother of Susan's looks a respectable woman, and will not ask you for
+any money. Will you not let me get you some tea and sugar before I go,
+and something for--"
+
+"No!" cried the old man. "I have some tea. It is all that----robber
+left behind her. I want nothing more. Mind you come back to-morrow. If
+you are my brother's daughter (though it is no recommendation!) I'll do
+something for you. If you are _not_, I'd--I'd like to give you a piece
+of my mind." He laughed a fiendish, spiteful laugh as he said this.
+
+"Then accept my thanks beforehand," said Katherine smiling a little
+wearily.
+
+She was very tired. It was an oppressive day, and she had been under a
+mental strain of no small severity. Now she was longing to be at home to
+tell her mother all her strange adventures, and she had yet to find out
+by what route she should return.
+
+Once more she said good-by. Mr. Liddell followed her to the door, with
+an air of seeing her safe off the premises, rather than of courtesy, and
+Katherine quickly retraced her steps to the place where she had
+alighted, hoping to find that universal referee, a policeman, who would
+no doubt set her on her homeward way.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE LAWYER'S VISIT.
+
+
+While her young sister-in-law was thus seeking fortune in strange
+places, Mrs. Fred Liddell was spending a busy and, it must be confessed,
+a cheerful morning, preparing for the anticipated visit of Colonel
+Ormonde.
+
+It was rather inconsiderate, she thought, of Katherine to go out and
+leave all the extra dusting of the drawing-room to her. If she,
+Katherine, had remained at home she would have taken the boys, as she
+always did, and then Jane, the house and children's maid, would have
+been able to help.
+
+If Katherine would only stay out all day she could forgive her--but she
+would be sure to come in for dinner, and so appear at afternoon tea,
+which by no means suited Mrs. F. Liddell's views.
+
+The Colonel had given so very highly colored a description of the young
+lady who was with the little boy so nearly run over on the previous
+morning that the pretty widow's jealousy was aroused.
+
+In spite of her flightiness and love of pleasure she had a very keen
+sense of her own interest, and perceiving Colonel Ormonde's decided
+appreciation, she had made up her mind to marry him.
+
+This, she felt, would be more easily designed than accomplished. Colonel
+Ormonde was an old soldier in every sense, and an old bachelor to boot,
+with an epicurean taste for good dinners and pretty women. He might
+sacrifice something for the first, but the latter were too plentiful and
+too come-at-able to be worth great cost. Still, it was generally
+believed he was matrimonially inclined, and Mrs. Fred thought she might
+have as good a chance as any one else, had she not been hampered with
+her two boys.
+
+It would be too dreadful if Ormonde's fancy were caught by Katherine's
+bold eyes and big figure. So Mrs. Fred wished that her sister-in-law
+might not put in an appearance.
+
+"She is not a bit like other girls," thought the little woman, as she
+finally shook the duster out of the open window and set herself to
+distribute the flowers she had bought the previous evening to the best
+advantage. "She has no dear friends, no acquaintances with whom she
+likes to stop and chatter; she never stays out, and I don't think she
+ever had the ghost of a lover. When _I_ was her age I had had a dozen,
+and I was married. Poor Fred! Heigho! I wish he had left me a little
+money, and I am sure I should never dream of giving him a successor. But
+for the sake of the dear boys I should never think of marrying! How
+cruel it is to be so poor, and to be with such unenterprising people! If
+Mrs. Liddell would only venture to make an appearance, and just risk a
+little, she might dispose of Kate and of me too. There _are_ men who
+might admire Kate, and there they go on screwing and scribbling. I wish
+my mother-in-law would write for some big magazine--_Blackwood_ or
+_Temple Bar_--or not write at all! That will do, I think. That is the
+only strong arm-chair in the house; it will stand nicely beside the
+sofa. Oh, have you come in already, children?"--as the two boys peeped
+in. "Couldn't Jane have kept you out a little longer! Don't attempt to
+come in here!"
+
+"Jane had to come back to lay the cloth. Mamma, where is aunty?"
+
+"She has not come in yet. Why, dear me, it is nearly one o'clock! Go and
+get off your boots, my darlings, and ask grandmamma when she expects
+aunty."
+
+Mrs. Liddell did not know when Katherine might return, and, moreover,
+she was getting uneasy. She did not like to say much about her errand,
+for she knew her daughter-in-law thought but indifferently of her
+writings, and with an indescribable "crass" dislike of what she could
+not do herself, would have been rather pleased than otherwise to know
+that a manuscript had been rejected.
+
+In looking over one of the drawers in her writing-table Mrs. Liddell had
+found that Katherine had left the shorter story behind. This rendered
+her prolonged absence less accountable, for she could have interviewed
+several publishers of three-volume novels in the time. The poor lady
+naturally feared that they must have refused even to look at her work,
+or Katherine would have returned.
+
+When dinner was over, and four o'clock came, Mrs. Liddell's anxiety rose
+high; she could not bear her daughter-in-law's presence, and retired
+into her own den.
+
+"Won't you stay and see Colonel Ormonde? He used to be quite friendly
+with poor Fred in India, and I should like him to see what a nice
+handsome mamma-in-law I have," said Mrs. Fred, caressingly: she rather
+liked her mother-in-law, and felt it was as well to be on affectionate
+terms with her.
+
+"No, my dear; my head is not quite free from pain, and I want to give
+Katherine something to eat when she comes in; she will be very hungry.
+Then I can see that the children do not get into any mischief in the
+garden."
+
+The younger lady then went to pose herself with a dainty piece of
+fancy-work in the drawing-room, and the elder to sit at her
+writing-table, pen in hand, but not writing; only thinking round and
+round the circle of difficulties which hedged her in, and longing for
+the sight of her daughter's face.
+
+At last it beamed upon her through the open door-window which led out on
+the stairway to the garden; her approach had been seen by her little
+nephews, who had admitted her through the back gate.
+
+"You must not come in now, dears; I want to talk to grannie. If you keep
+away I will tell you a nice story in the evening."
+
+"My dearest child, what has kept you? I have been uneasy; and how
+dreadfully tired you look!"
+
+"I am tired, but that is nothing. I think, dear, I have a little good
+news for you."
+
+"Come into the dining-room. I have some dinner for you, and we can talk
+quietly. Ada is expecting a visitor."
+
+But Katherine could not eat until she told her adventures. First she
+described her interview with Mr. Channing.
+
+"It is something certainly to have left my unfortunate MS. in his hands;
+still I dare not hope much from that," said Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"Then, mother dear," resumed Katherine, "I ventured to do something for
+which I hope you will not be angry with me--I have found John Liddell! I
+have invaded his den; I have spoken to him; I have cooked a chop for
+him, as I used for you last winter; and though I have been sent empty
+away, I am not without hopes that he will help us out of our
+difficulties."
+
+"Katie, dear, what _have_ you done?" cried her mother, aghast. "How did
+you manage--how did you dare?" Whereupon Katherine gave her mother a
+graphic account of the whole affair.
+
+"It is a wonderful history," said Mrs. Liddell. "I feel half frightened;
+yet if Mr. Liddell's solicitor is an honest, respectable man, he will
+surely be on our side; at the same time, I am half afraid of falling
+into John Liddell's clutches. He has the character of being a relentless
+creditor: he will have his pound of flesh! If he gives this money as a
+loan, and I fail in paying the interest, he will take me by the throat
+as he would the greatest stranger."
+
+"Why should you fail?" cried Katherine. "You only want time to succeed.
+I am sure you will sell your books, and then we can pay principal and
+interest; besides, old Mr. Liddell could _not_ treat his brother's widow
+as he would a stranger."
+
+"I am not so sure."
+
+"And you are not angry with me for going to him?"
+
+"No, dear love; I am proud of your courage. Had I known what you
+intended, I should have forbidden you. I should never have allowed you
+to run the risk of being insulted: it was too much for you. I wish I
+could shield you from all such trials, my Kate; but I cannot--I cannot."
+The unwonted tears stood in her kind, faded eyes.
+
+"Ah, mother, _you_ have borne the burden and heat of the day long enough
+alone; I must take my share now, and I assure you, after my adventures
+to-day, I feel quite equal to do so. I have been too long a heedless
+idler; I want to be a real help to you now. Do you think I have done any
+good?"
+
+"Yes, certainly! but everything depends on this man who is coming
+to-morrow. Your poor father used to know Mr. Liddell's solicitor, and I
+think liked him; of course he may have a different one now. Still it is
+a gleam of hope; which is doubly sweet because _you_ brought it."
+
+Katherine hastily pressed her handkerchief to her eyes, and choked down
+the sob that would swell her throat. She was dreadfully tired,
+physically and mentally.
+
+"Ada asked me for that money this morning as soon as you were gone. I
+told her I could not return it for a while, and she did not look
+pleased, naturally enough."
+
+"I think she is very selfish," said Katherine.
+
+"No, dear, only thoughtless, and younger than her years. She is always
+nice with me, and would be with you if you had more patience. You must
+remember that no character is stronger than its weakest part, and hers
+is--"
+
+"Self," put in Katherine.
+
+"No! love of admiration and pleasure," added her mother.
+
+"Well," returned Katherine, good-humoredly, "they both are very nice."
+
+Here the person under discussion came hastily into the room, in the
+crispest of lilac and white muslins, with a black sash and bows, and a
+rose at her waist, looking as fresh as if the heaviest atmosphere could
+not touch her.
+
+"Oh, you have arrived, Katherine! I wish you would come and see Colonel
+Ormonde. He wants so much to speak to you!"
+
+"But I do not want to speak to him. I don't want to see any one."
+
+"Do come, Katie! I assure you you have made quite an impression; come
+and deepen it," cried Mrs. Frederic, with a persuasive smile, while she
+thought, "She is looking awfully bad and pale, and Katherine without
+color is nowhere; her eyes are red too.--Come, like a dear," she
+persisted, aloud, "unless you want to go up and beautify."
+
+"No, I certainly do not," said Katherine, rising impatiently. "I will go
+with you for a minute or two, but I am too tired to talk."
+
+"Your hair is in utter disorder," remarked her mother.
+
+"It is no matter," returned Katherine, following her sister-in-law out
+of the room.
+
+Her dress was by no means becoming. It was of thin black material, the
+remains of her last year's mourning; the white frill at her throat was
+crushed by the friction of her jacket, and some splashes on the skirt
+gave her a travel-stained aspect. But no disorder could hide the fine
+warm bronze brown of her abundant hair, nor disguise the shape of her
+brows and eyes, though the eyes themselves lost something of their color
+from the paleness of her cheeks; nor did her weariness detract from the
+charm of her delicate upturned chin.
+
+"Here is my naughty sister-in-law, who has been wandering about all the
+morning alone, and making us quite uneasy."
+
+"What! In search of further adventures--eh?" asked Colonel Ormonde,
+rising and making an elaborate bow. He spoke in a tone half paternal,
+half gallant, in right of which elderly gentlemen sometimes take
+liberties.
+
+"I went to do a commission for my mother," said Katherine,
+indifferently.
+
+"Ah! if we had a corps of such _commissionnaires_ as you are, we should
+spend our lives sending and receiving messages," returned the Colonel,
+with a laugh. He spoke in short authoritative sentences, with a loud
+harsh voice, and in what might be termed the "big bow-wow" style.
+
+"You must not believe all Colonel Ormonde says," observed the fair
+widow, smiling and slightly shaking her head. "He is a very faithless
+man."
+
+"By George! Mrs. Liddell, I don't deserve such a character from _you_.
+But"--addressing Katherine, who had simply looked at him with quiet,
+contemplative eyes--"I hope you have recovered from your fright of
+yesterday. I never saw eyes or cheeks express terror so eloquently."
+
+"Yes, I was dreadfully frightened, and very, very grateful to the
+gentleman who saved poor Cecil. I hope he was not hurt?"
+
+"Shall I tell him to come and report himself in person?"
+
+"No, thank you."
+
+"Wouldn't you like to thank him again? It might be a pleasant process to
+both parties--eh?"
+
+Katherine smiled good-humoredly, while she thought, "What an idiot!"
+
+"Katherine is a very serious young woman," said Mrs. Frederic--"quite
+too awfully in earnest; is always striving painfully to do her duty. She
+despises frivolities and never dreams of flirtation."
+
+"This is an appalling description," said Ormonde. "Pray is it on
+principle you renounce flirtation?"
+
+"For a much better reason," replied Katherine, wearily. "Because I have
+no one to flirt with."
+
+"By Jove! there's a state of destitution! Why, it is a blot on society
+that you should be left lamenting."
+
+"Yes; is it not melancholy?" replied Katherine, carelessly. "Ada, I am
+so tired I am sure you will excuse me if I go away to rest?"
+
+"Before you go," said Ormonde, eagerly, "I have a request to make. A
+chum of mine, Sir James Brereton, and myself are going up the river on
+Thursday, with some friends of Mrs. Liddell's--a picnic affair. Your
+sister-in-law has promised to honor me with her company, and I earnestly
+hope _you_ will accompany her. I promise you shall be induced to rescind
+your anti-flirtation resolutions."
+
+"Up the river?" repeated Katherine, with a wistful look, and paused. "On
+Thursday next? Thank you very much, but I'm engaged--quite particularly
+engaged."
+
+"Nonsense, Katie!" cried her sister-in-law. "Where in the world are you
+going? You know you never have an engagement anywhere."
+
+"Come, Miss Liddell, do not be cruel. We will have a very jolly day, and
+I'll try and persuade your hero of yesterday to meet you."
+
+"I should like to go very much, but I really cannot. I thank you for
+thinking of me." She stood up, and, with a slight bow, said,
+"Good-morning," leaving the room before the stout Colonel could reach
+the door to open it.
+
+"Phew! that was sharp, short, and decisive," said Ormonde.
+
+"Yes, wasn't it? She is quite a character. Leave her to me if you wish
+her to go. I will manage it."
+
+"Yes, do. She is something fresh, though she is not so handsome as I
+thought. I suspect there is a strong dash of the devil in her."
+
+"I cannot say _I_ have seen much of it," said the young widow, frankly.
+She was extremely shrewd in a small way, and had adopted an air of
+candid good-nature as best suited to her style and complexion. "Handsome
+or not, if you would like to have her at your party, I will try to
+persuade her to come."
+
+"Thanks. What a little brick you are!" said Ormonde, admiringly. "No
+nonsense with you, or trying to keep a pretty girl out of it. I say,
+Mrs. Liddell, it must be an awful life for you, shut up in this stuffy
+suburban box?"
+
+"Well, it is not cheerful; but I have no choice, so I just make the best
+of it," she returned, with as bright a smile as she could muster. "No
+use spoiling one's eyes or one's temper over the inevitable. Then I am
+really fond of my mother-in-law, poor soul! She would spoil me if she
+had the means; and Katherine--well, she isn't bad."
+
+"By George! if you make your mother-in-law fond of you, you must be an
+angel incarnate."
+
+"An angel!" echoed the little lady. "That would never do. No, no; it is
+because I am so desperately human I get on with them all."
+
+"Delightfully human, you mean. No house could be dull with you in it.
+There's nothing like pluck and good-humor in a woman."
+
+"Well, Heaven knows I want both!"
+
+"I am afraid I must be off," said the Colonel. "I am going to dine with
+Eversley, and he has a villa at Rochampton--quite a journey, you know.
+Where is the little chap that was nearly run over?"
+
+"Playing in the garden, very happy and very dirty. I dare not have him
+in--he always climbs up and hangs about me, for I have my best dress
+on!"--the last words in large capitals.
+
+"A deuced becoming dress too; but it's not so fine as what you had on
+yesterday."
+
+"No, of Course not; there are degrees of best dress. Yesterday's was my
+_very_ best go-to-luncheon dress, and must last me a whole year."
+
+"A year! By Jove! And you always look well dressed! You are a wonderful
+woman! Now I must be off. Mrs. Burnett says she will send the carriage
+for you on Thursday. We drive down to Twickenham."
+
+"Oh, thank you, Colonel Ormonde! I am sure I am indebted to you for that
+lift," said Mrs. Frederic, while she thought, "He might have driven me
+down himself."
+
+"_Au revoir_, then. Always hard to tear myself away from such a charming
+little witch as you are."
+
+Ormonde kissed her hand and departed.
+
+"Jolly, plucky little woman," he thought, as he walked toward the
+Bayswater Road, looking for a hansom. "Just the sort to save a man
+trouble, and get full value out of a sovereign." He continued to muse on
+the wonderful discovery he had made of a woman perfectly planned,
+according to man's ideal--sweet, yielding, tenderly sympathetic, willing
+and capable to ward off all annoyances from her master, full of feeling
+for _his_ troubles, and not to be moved by her own to sad looks,
+unbecoming tears, or downcast spirits--all softness to him, all
+bristling sharpness to the rest of the world. "Such a woman would answer
+my purpose as well as a woman with money, and she is an uncommonly
+tempting morsel. But then those infernal boys! I am not going to provide
+for another fellow's brats, and they can't have more than sixty pounds
+between them from the fund! No; I must not make an ass of myself, even
+for a pretty, clever woman, who has rather a hankering for myself, or I
+am much mistaken. That sister-in-law of hers is the making of an
+uncommon fine woman. There's a dash of a tragedy queen about her, but it
+will be good fun to play her against the widow."
+
+And the widow, as she rang for the house-maid to remove the tea-things,
+indulged in a few speculations on her side. "He was evidently
+disappointed with Katherine. I am not surprised. She is looking ill, and
+she has _such_ ungracious manners! Of course she will come to this
+Richmond party when I ask her, and I must ask her. Ormonde is a good
+deal smitten with me, but he'll not lose his head. It is an awful thing
+to be poor and to have two boys. Oh, how dreadful it is to live in this
+horrible dull hole! I wonder if Colonel Ormonde will ever propose for
+me! He is very nice and pleasant, but he is awfully selfish. I hate
+selfishness. Perhaps if Mrs. Liddell would undertake to keep the little
+boys altogether it might make matters easier. Poor children! if I were
+only rich I would never wish to part with them; but who can hold out
+against poverty?"
+
+The night which followed was sleepless to Mrs. Liddell. How could she
+close her eyes when so much depended on the visit she hoped to receive
+to-morrow? If this agent of John Liddell's was propitious, she might get
+breathing-time and be able to wait till her manuscript brought forth
+some fruit; if not--well she dared not think of the reverse. She
+listened to the soft, regular breathing of her daughter, who was wrapped
+in refreshing slumber, and thanked God for the quick forgetfulness of
+youth. It was like a fresh draught of life and hope to think of her
+courage and perseverance in finding out and affronting her miserly
+uncle. Good must come of it.
+
+Day dawned bright and clear, and the little party met as usual at
+breakfast. Neither mother nor daughter had breathed a word of their
+hopes or fears to the pretty widow. Breakfast over, they all dispersed
+to their usual avocations. Katherine, downstairs, was consulting cook,
+and Mrs. Liddell was wearily sorting and tearing up papers, when the
+servant came into the study and said, "Please, 'm, there's a gentleman
+wanting you.'
+
+"Where have you put him?" asked Mrs. Liddell, glancing at the card
+presented to her, on which was printed, "Mr. C. B. Newton, 26 Manchester
+Buildings."
+
+"He is by the door, 'm."
+
+"Oh, show him into the dining-room. Where is Mrs. Frederic?"
+
+"Gone out, 'm."
+
+"I will come directly," and Mrs. Liddell hastily locked a drawer and put
+a weight on her papers; "Tell Miss Liddell to come to me," she said as
+she passed.
+
+A short, thick-set man of more than middle age, slightly bald, with an
+upturned nose, quiet, watchful eyes of no particular color, and small
+sandy mutton-chop whiskers, was standing near the window when she
+entered. He made a quick bow, and stepped nearer "Mrs. Liddell?" he
+asked.
+
+"Yes, I am Mrs. Liddell."
+
+"I have called on the part of my client, Mr. John Liddell, of Legrave
+Crescent, to make certain inquiries. This note, which I received from
+him yesterday afternoon, will explain the object of my visit."
+
+"Pray sit down, Mr. Newton"--taking a chair as she spoke, while she read
+the small, crabbed, tremulous characters written on the page presented
+to her. The note contained directions to call on Mrs. Liddell and
+ascertain if she really was the widow of his late brother; also what
+security she could offer for a small loan.
+
+Her color rose faintly as she read.
+
+"You must not regard the plainness of business phraseology," said the
+visitor, in dry, precise tones. "My client means no offence."
+
+"Nor do I mean to take any," she replied, handing him back the note.
+"Pray how am I to prove my own identity?"
+
+"It would not, I suppose, be very difficult; but, as it happens, _I_ can
+be your witness. I quite well remember seeing you with Mr. Liddell, your
+late husband, some sixteen or seventeen years ago."
+
+"Indeed! I am surprised that I do not recall you. I generally have a
+good memory, but--"
+
+"_I_ am not surprised. I was unhappily the bearer of an unpleasant
+message, which excited Mr. Liddell considerably, and your attention was
+absorbed by your efforts to calm him."
+
+"I remember," said Mrs. Liddell, coloring deeply. "It was a trying
+time."
+
+"We will consider this inquiry answered. As regards the loan"--the door
+opening to admit Katherine interrupted him; he rose and bowed formally
+when her mother named her; then he resumed his sentence--"as regards
+the loan, I must first know the amount it is proposed to borrow, in
+order to judge of the security offered."
+
+"I asked my uncle for thirty pounds, but I should be very glad if he
+would lend us forty."
+
+"No, Katie; I dare not take so much," interrupted her mother. "Remember,
+it must be repaid; and," addressing the lawyer, she added, "the only
+security I have to offer is the furniture of this house--furniture of
+the simplest, as you will see."
+
+"Have you seen Mr. Liddell?" asked Mr. Newton, a slight expression of
+surprise passing over his face.
+
+"My daughter has," said Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"Yes; I ventured to visit him, because"--she hesitated, and then went
+on, frankly--"because we wanted this money very much indeed; and I found
+him in a sad condition." Katherine went on to describe the scene of
+yesterday, dwelling on the desolate position of the old man. "I felt
+frightened to leave him alone; he seems weak, and unfit to take care of
+himself. I hope, Mr. Newton, you will go to him and induce him to have a
+proper servant. I am going, because I promised in any case to go; and I
+must give the little servant's mother the half-crown I promised her."
+
+"I have been somewhat uneasy respecting Mr. Liddell. For a considerable
+time I had my doubts of his cook housekeeper; but he is a man of strong
+will and peculiar views. Then the fear of parting with money increases
+with increasing years. I am glad Miss Liddell succeeded in making
+herself known to him; he is a peculiar character--very peculiar." He
+paused a moment, looking keenly at Katherine, and added: "With a view to
+arranging for the loan you require, I must ask to look at your rooms. I
+do not suppose I am a judge of such things, but the knowledge of former
+transactions, my recollection of our last interview, determines me to
+come myself rather than to send an ordinary employee."
+
+"I feel your kind consideration warmly," said Mrs. Liddell. "Follow me,
+and you shall see what few household goods I possess."
+
+Gravely and in silence Mr. Newton was conducted to the drawing-room, the
+best bedroom, Mrs. Liddell's, and the children's rooms. The examination
+was swiftly accomplished. Then the sedate lawyer returned to the
+dining-room and began to put on his right-hand glove. "I presume," he
+said--"it is a mere, formal question--I presume there is no claim or
+lien upon your goods and chattels?"
+
+"None whatever. I want a little temporary help until--" She paused.
+
+"My mother has been successful in writing short stories. Channing &
+Wyndham have a three-volume novel of hers now, and I am sure they will
+take it; then she can pay Mr. Liddell easily."
+
+The lawyer smiled a queer little withered, half-developed smile. "I
+trust your anticipations may be verified," he said. "Now, my dear madam,
+I need intrude on you no longer; I shall go on to see Mr. Liddell. But
+though I shall certainly represent that he may safely make you this
+small advance, it is possible he may refuse; and it is certain he will
+ask high interest. However, I shall do my best."
+
+"It will be a great accommodation if he consents. And if he is rich
+surely he will not deal as hardly with his brother's widow as with a
+stranger."
+
+"Where money is concerned, Mr. Liddell recognizes neither friend nor
+foe. He will wish some form of the nature of a bill of sale to be
+signed."
+
+"Whatever you both think right," said Mrs. Liddell.
+
+Here some shouts from the garden drew Newton's attention to the window,
+through which Cecil and Charlie could be seen endeavoring to put some
+noxious insect on the neck of the nurse-maid, who had taken them their
+noonday slices of bread and butter. "My grandsons," said Mrs. Liddell,
+smiling--"My poor boy's orphans."
+
+"Hum!" said the little man; and he stood a moment in thought.
+
+"I think Miss Liddell said her uncle expressed a wish that she should
+return to see him?"
+
+"He made me promise to go back to-day."
+
+"Then by no means disappoint him. He is a very difficult man to manage,
+and if your daughter"--to Mrs. Liddell--"could contrive to interest him,
+to make him indulge in a few of the comforts necessary to his years and
+his position, it would be of the last importance, and ultimately, I
+hope, not unprofitable to herself."
+
+"I fear the last is highly improbable; but Katherine will certainly
+fulfil her promise."
+
+"I am going to drive over to Legrave Crescent myself: if it would suit
+Miss Liddell to accompany me, I shall be most happy to be her escort."
+
+"Thank you; I shall be very glad."
+
+"My brother-in-law will not imagine there is any collusion between you?"
+asked Mrs. Liddell, with a smile. "Men of his character are suspicious."
+
+"No; I think I may venture so far, though Mr. Liddell _is_ suspicious."
+
+"Then I must ask you to wait while I put on my hat," said Katherine, and
+left the room.
+
+She had changed her dress when her mother followed her. "My love, you
+had better take a few shillings, and try and come back soon. Why, Katie,
+considering you had to do cooking yesterday, you ought not to have put
+on your best frock, dear, for I see little chance of another."
+
+"Oh, mother, I could _not_ go out in my old black cashmere with Mr.
+Newton. Why, he is the perfection of neatness."
+
+"Here is Ada, just coming in."
+
+"What a volley of questions she will ask! Now, mother, do _not_ satisfy
+her. Tell her my rich uncle has sent his solicitor to interview us, and
+that I am going to dine with him. I wish I could have had some dinner
+before I went, for I am going to Hungry Hall."
+
+"Courage, darling! If we _can_ get this loan it will be a great relief.
+Do not keep him waiting any longer--there are your gloves. Come back as
+soon as ever you can."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+"A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS."
+
+
+"Where in the world is Katherine going, and who is that man?" exclaimed
+the younger widow, her light blue eyes wide open in amazement, when
+Katherine had passed her with a smiling "Good-by for the present," and
+walked down the road beside the precise lawyer.
+
+"She is going-to her uncle, Mr. John Liddell, who expressed a wish to
+see her to-day, and that gentleman is Mr. Liddell's solicitor," returned
+the elder lady, smiling to think how soon she had been driven in upon
+the reserved force of her daughter's suggestion.
+
+"What! that terrible old miser poor Fred used to talk of? Why, he will
+take a favorable turn, and leave everything to Katie! Oh, dear Mrs.
+Liddell, that will not be fair. _Do_ contrive to let him see Cis and
+Charlie. We will declare that Cecil is his very image. Old men like to
+be considered like pretty young creatures. I always get on with crabbed
+old men. Let _me_ see him too. Katherine must not keep the game all in
+her own hands. Let me have a chance."
+
+"I don't fancy Katie has much of a chance herself," returned Mrs.
+Liddell, as she followed her daughter-in-law into the dining-room. "It
+is an old man's whim, and he will probably never wish to see her again."
+
+"Very likely. You know dear Katherine does not do herself justice; her
+manners are so abrupt. You do not mind my saying so?"
+
+"Not in the least." Mrs. Liddell had a fine temper, and also a keen
+sense of humor. Though fond of and indulgent to her daughter-in-law, she
+saw through her more clearly than Katherine did, as she gave full credit
+for the good that was in her, in spite of her little foibles and
+greediness. "Katherine is much more abrupt than you are."
+
+"Exactly. She will never be quite up to her dear mother's mark. Few
+step-mothers and daughters get on as we do, and I am sure you would look
+after poor Fred's boys as if they were your own."
+
+"So would Katherine. Of that you may be sure, my dear."
+
+"Oh yes; she is very fond of them, especially Charlie. I do not think
+she is really just to Cecil."
+
+"Real justice is rare," returned Mrs. Liddell, calmly. "There is a note
+for you, Ada, on the chimney-piece; it came just after you went out."
+
+"Why, it is from Mrs. Burnett!"--pouncing on it and tearing it open.
+"What shall I do?" she almost screamed as she read it. "I am afraid I
+shall never get there in time. What o'clock is it?--my watch is never
+right. Half-past twelve, and luncheon is at half-past one. Oh, I must
+manage it! Read that, dear.--Jane! Jane! bring me some hot water
+immediately, and come help me to dress.--What is the cab fare to Park
+Terrace? Eighteenpence?--it can't be so much. Just lend me a shilling;
+you can take it out of the ten pounds you are to pay me next week." And
+she flew out of the room.
+
+"Mrs. Liddell sat down with a sigh, and read the note which caused this
+excitement:
+
+
+"DEAR MRS. LIDDELL,--Do help me in a dilemma! We have a box for
+Miss St. Germaine's benefit matinee to-morrow, and Lady Alice Mordaunt
+wants to come with Fanny and Bea. You know she is not out yet. Now I am
+engaged to go with Florence to Lady McLean's garden party at Twickenham.
+So may I _depend_ on you to come and chaperon them? If it were my own
+girls only, they could go with Ormonde or any one. But Lady Alice is to
+be escorted to our house by that incarnation of propriety, Mr.
+Errington; so they must have a chaperon. I therefore depend on you.
+Luncheon at 1.30. Do not fail. Ever yours affectionately.
+                                                    E. BURNETT."
+
+
+Mrs. Liddell folded up the epistle and placed it in its envelope; then
+she sat musing. How cruel it would be to break this butterfly on the
+wheel of bitter circumstance! It would be irrational, she thought, "to
+expect the strength that could submit to and endure the inevitable from
+_her_. She will at once suffer more and less than my Katie. Small
+exterior things will sting Ada and make her miserable. As long as
+Katherine's heart is satisfied all else can be borne; but _her_
+conditions are more difficult. Heigho! for material ills there is
+nothing so intolerable as debt." She rose and went to her room with the
+vague intention of doing some of the hundred and one things which needed
+doing, one more than another, as was usual in her busy life, but somehow
+the uncertainty and anxiety oppressing her heart made her incapable of
+continued action; she was always breaking off to think--and the more she
+thought, the more uneasy she grew. If she had worked out the thin vein
+of invention and observation which gained her her humble literary
+success, one source of income was gone--a source on which she had
+reckoned too surely. Then she had not anticipated that her
+daughter-in-law would be so expensive an inmate. Self-denial was a thing
+incomprehensible to her. As long as she took care of her clothes, and
+refrained from buying the very expensive garments her soul longed for,
+she considered herself most exemplary. As for the smaller savings of
+omnibus and cabs not absolutely needful, she rarely thought of such
+matters, or, if she did, it made her frightfully cross, and urged her to
+many spiteful and contemptuous remarks on girls who have the strength of
+a horse, and do not care what horrid places they tramp through: so that
+she never was able to lighten the household burdens by a farthing beyond
+the very small amount she had originally agreed to contribute toward
+them.
+
+Her mother-in-law's meditations were interrupted by the young widow
+skurrying in in desperate haste. "Jane has gone for a cab," she
+exclaimed; "have you that shilling?"
+
+"Here; you had better have eighteenpence, in case--"
+
+"Oh yes, I had better; and do I look nice?"
+
+"Very nice indeed. I think you are looking so much better than you did
+last year--"
+
+"That is because I go out a little; I delight in the theatre. Now I must
+be off. There is the cab--oh! a horrid four-wheeler. Good-by, dear."
+
+Mrs. Burnett was the wife of a civilian high up in the Indian service,
+and was herself a woman of good family. She had come home in the
+previous winter in order to introduce her eldest daughter to society,
+and accidentally meeting Mrs. Frederic Liddell, whom she had known in
+India, was graciously pleased to patronize her. She had taken a handsome
+furnished house near Hyde Park, and kept it freely open during the
+season. Admission to such an establishment was a sort of "open sesame"
+to heaven for the little widow. She loved, she adored Mrs. Burnett and
+her dear charming girls, to say nothing of two half-grown sons, "the
+most delightful boys!" She was really fond of them for the time, and it
+was this touch of temporary sincerity that gave her the unconscious
+power to hold the hearts of Mrs. Burnett and her daughters.
+
+She was quite the pet of the family, and always at their beck and call.
+To keep this position she strained every means; she even denied herself
+an occasional pair of gloves in order to tip the stately man-servant who
+opened the door and opened her umbrella occasionally for her.
+
+She found the whole party assembled in the dining-room, and her entrance
+was hailed with acclamations.
+
+"I had just begun to tremble lest you should not come," cried Mrs.
+Burnett, stretching out her hand, but not rising from her seat at the
+head of the table.
+
+"I only had your note half an hour ago," said Mrs. Liddell, with
+pardonable inaccuracy, feeling her spirits rise in the delightful
+atmosphere, flower-scented, and stirred by the laughter and joyous
+chatter of the "goodlie companie."
+
+A long table set forth with all the paraphernalia of an excellent
+luncheon was surrounded by a merry party, the girls in charming summer
+toilettes, and as many men as women. Men, too, in the freshest possible
+attire, all "on pleasure bent."
+
+"Do you know us all?" asked Mrs. Burnett, looking round. "Yes, I think
+all but Lady Alice Mordaunt and Mr. Kirby."
+
+"I have never had the pleasure of meeting Lady Alice Mordaunt
+before"--with a graceful little courtesy--"but Mr. Kirby, though _he_
+has forgotten me, I remember meeting him at Rumchuddar, when I first
+went out to my poor dear papa. Perhaps you remember _him_--Captain
+Dunbar, at----?" Thus said Mrs. Liddell, as she glided into her seat
+between one of the Burnetts and a tall, big, shapeless-looking man with
+red hair, small sharp eyes, a yellow-ochreish complexion, and craggy
+temples, who had risen courteously to make room for her.
+
+"God bless my soul!" he exclaimed, turning red--a dull deep red. "I
+remember perfectly--that is, I don't remember _you_; I remember your
+father. I'm sure I do not know how I could have forgotten you," with a
+shy, admiring glance.
+
+"Nor I either," cried Colonel Ormonde, who sat opposite. "Though Mrs.
+Liddell does not seem to remember _me_."
+
+"Why, I only saw you yesterday, and I am sure I bowed to you as I came
+in." So saying, Mrs. Liddell lifted her head with a sweet caressing
+smile to the eldest of the Burnett boys, who himself brought her some
+pigeon pie; and from that moment she devoted herself to her new
+acquaintance, utterly regardless of the hitherto tenderly cultivated
+Colonel.
+
+Kirby, a newly arrived Indian magistrate, was not given to conversation,
+but he was assiduous in attending to his fair neighbor's wants, and
+seemed to like listening to her lively remarks.
+
+Colonel Ormonde glanced at them from time to time; he was amazed and
+indignant that Mrs. Liddell could attend to any one save himself. He was
+rather unfortunately placed between Miss Burnett, whose attention was
+taken up by Sir Ralph Brereton, a marriageable baronet, who sat on her
+other side, and Lady Alice Mordaunt, a timid, colorless, but graceful
+girl, still in the school-room, who scarcely spoke at all, and if she
+did, always to her right-hand neighbor, a stately-looking man with grave
+dark eyes, which saved him from being plain, and a clear colorless brown
+complexion. He said very little, but his voice, though rather cold, was
+pleasant and refined, conveying the impression that he was accustomed to
+be heard with attention. He too was very attentive to Lady Alice, but in
+a kind, fatherly way, as if she were a helpless creature under his care.
+
+"I believe we are quite an Indian party," said Mrs. Burnett, looking
+down the table. "Of course my children are Indian by inheritance; then
+there are Mr. Kirby and Mr. Errington"--nodding to the dark man next
+Lady Alice--"and Colonel Ormonde."
+
+"I am not Indian, you know; I was only quartered in India for a few
+years," returned Ormonde, contradictiously.
+
+"And I was only a visitor for one season's tiger-shooting," said
+Brereton.
+
+"And I do not want to go," cried Tom Burnett; "I want to be an attache."
+
+"Oh yes; you speak so many languages!" said his younger sister.
+
+"I certainly do not consider myself an old Indian," said the man
+addressed as Errington, "though I have visited it more than once."
+
+"You an Indian!" cried Ormonde. "Why, you have just started as an
+English country gentleman. We are to have Errington for a comrade on the
+bench and in the field down in Clayshire. His father has bought Garston
+Hall--quite close to Melford, Lady Alice. But I suppose you know all
+about it."
+
+"Yes," said Lady Alice, in a tone which might be affirmation or
+interrogation. "There are such pretty walks in Garston Woods!"
+
+"Errington was born with a silver spoon in his mouth," returned Ormonde.
+"Garston dwarfs Castleford, I can tell you. It was a good deal out of
+repair--the Hall I mean?"
+
+"It is. We do not expect to get it into thorough repair till winter.
+Then I hope, Mrs. Burnett, you will honor us by a visit," said
+Errington.
+
+"With the greatest pleasure," exclaimed the hostess.
+
+"And oh, Mr. Errington, do give a ball!" cried Fanny, the second
+daughter.
+
+"I fear that is beyond my powers. I do not think I ever danced in my
+life."
+
+"Are you to be of the party on board Lord Melford's yacht?" asked
+Ormonde, speaking to Lady Alice.
+
+"Oh no. I am to stay with Aunt Harriet at the Rectory all the summer."
+
+"Ah, that is too bad. You'd like sailing about, I dare say?"
+
+"Oh, yachting must be the most delightful thing in the world," cried
+Mrs. Liddell, from her place opposite. "If I were you I should coax my
+father to let me go."
+
+"Papa knows best. I am very fond of the Rectory," said Lady Alice,
+blushing at being so publicly addressed.
+
+"And _you_ understand the beauty of obedience," said Errington, with
+grave approval.
+
+"Now, if you intend to see the whole 'fun of the fair,'" said Mrs.
+Burnett, "you had better be going, young people. The carriage is to come
+back for us after setting you down at the theatre. Who are going? My
+girls, Lady Alice, and Mrs. Liddell? Who is to be their escort? Colonel
+Ormonde?"
+
+He glanced across the table. Mrs. Liddell sent no glance in his
+direction; she again devoted her attention to Kirby.
+
+"No, thank you. To be intensely amused from two to six is more than I
+can stand; besides, I hope to meet you at Lady Maclean's this
+afternoon."
+
+"I have an engagement, a business engagement at three," said Errington;
+"but I shall be happy to call for these ladies and see them home."
+
+"You need not take that trouble," said Mrs. Burnett. "My son will be in
+the theatre later, and take charge of them; but there is still a place
+in the box. Will you go, Mr. Kirby?"
+
+"Oh, pray do!" cried Mrs. Liddell. "You will be sure to be amused; a
+matinee of this kind is great fun. There is singing and dancing and
+acting and recitations of all kinds." She spoke in her liveliest manner
+and her sweetest tones.
+
+"You are very good. I have not been in a theatre since I arrived; so if
+you really have a place for me, I shall be most happy to accompany you."
+
+"That's settled. Go and put on your hats, my dears," said Mrs. Burnett;
+and her daughters, with Lady Alice, left the room.
+
+"Well, Mrs. Liddell, have you persuaded your handsome sister-in-law to
+join our party on Thursday?" asked Ormonde.
+
+"I have really had no time to speak much to her. An old uncle of hers,
+as rich as a Jew and a perfect miser, sent his lawyer for her this
+morning. I suppose he is going to make her his heiress. I hope they will
+give a share to my poor little boys. I am going to take them to ask a
+blessing from their aged relative, I assure you."
+
+"Oh yes, by George! you try and hold on to him. The little fellows ought
+to have the biggest share, of course, as the _nephew's_ children. Why,
+it would change your position altogether if your boys had ten or fifteen
+thou. between them."
+
+"Or apiece," said Mrs. Liddell, carelessly. She was immensely amused by
+the Colonel's tone of deep interest. "You may be very sure I shall do my
+best. I know the value of money."
+
+"May I ask where this Mr. Liddell resides?" asked Mr. Errington, joining
+them, with a bow to the young widow.
+
+"I really do not know, though he is my uncle-in-law. Pray do you know
+him?"
+
+"No; I know of him, but we are not personally acquainted."
+
+"And is he not supposed to be very rich?"
+
+"That I cannot say; but I have an idea that he is well off."
+
+With another bow Errington retreated to say good-morning to his hostess.
+
+"Well, whether your sister-in-law comes or not, I hope we are sure of
+your charming self?" said Ormonde.
+
+"Unless I am obliged to parade my boys for their grand-uncle's
+inspection, I am sure to honor you."
+
+"Of course everything must give away to _that_. I shall come and inquire
+what news soon, if I may?"
+
+"Oh yes; come when you like."
+
+"They are all ready, Mrs. Liddell," remarked her hostess.
+
+Mr. Kirby offered his arm, which was accepted with a smile, and the
+little widow sailed away with the sense of riding on the crest of a
+wave. The ladies were packed into the carriage, the polite man out of
+livery whistled up a hansom for the two gentlemen, and the luncheon
+party was over.
+
+It was a weary day to Mrs. Liddell--the dowager Mrs. Liddell, as society
+would have called her, only she had no dower. All she had inherited from
+her husband was the remnant of his debts, which she had been struggling
+for some years to pay off, and the care and maintenance of her boy and
+girl, on her own slender funds.
+
+At present the horizon looked very dark, and she almost regretted for
+Katherine's sake that she had agreed to make a home for her son's widow
+and children. Yet what would have become of them without it?
+
+Partly to rouse herself from her fruitless reflections, partly to
+relieve the house-maid, who had been doing some extra scrubbing, Mrs.
+Liddell took her little grandsons to Kensington Gardens, and when they
+had selected a place to play in she sat down with a book which she had
+brought in the vain hope of getting out of herself. But her sight was
+soon diverted from the page before her by the visions which came
+thronging from the thickly peopled past.
+
+Her life had been a hard continuous fight with difficulty after the
+first few years of her wedded existence. She had seen her gay,
+pleasure-loving husband change under the iron grasp of untoward
+circumstances into a querulous, bitter, disappointed man, rewarding all
+her efforts to keep their heads above water by sarcastic complaints of
+her narrow stinginess, venting on her the remorseful consciousness,
+unacknowledged to himself, that his reverses were the result of his own
+reckless extravagance. Perhaps to her true heart the cruelest pain of
+all was the gradual dying out, or rather killing out, of the love she
+once bore him, the vanishing, one by one, of the illusions she cherished
+respecting him, till she saw the man as he really was, weak, unstable,
+self-indulgent, incapable of true manliness. Still she was patient with
+him to the last; and when she was relieved by friendly death from the
+charge of so wilful and ungrateful a burden--though things were easier,
+because hers was the sole authority--it was a constant strain to provide
+the education necessary for her boy. But that accomplished, she had a
+sweet interlude with her daughter in humble peace, and while she did her
+best to arm the child for the conflict of life, she avoided weakening
+herself by too much thought for her future. This spell of repose was
+broken by the necessity for sacrificing some of her small capital to set
+her son free from his embarrassments. Then came his death and her
+present experiment in house-keeping in order to give his widow and
+children a refuge.
+
+For the last four or five years she had made a welcome addition to her
+small income by her pen, contributing to the smaller weekly periodicals
+stories and sketches; for Mrs. Liddell had seen much with keen,
+observant eyes, and had a fair share of humor. This small success had
+tempted her to spend several months on a three-volume novel, thereby
+depriving herself of present remuneration which shorter, lighter tales
+had brought in. She sorely feared this ambitious step was a
+mistake--that she had over-estimated her own powers. She feared that she
+could never manage to keep up the very humble establishment she had
+started. Above all, she feared that her own health and physical force
+were failing. It was such an effort to do much that formerly was as
+nothing. That attack of bronchitis last spring had tried her severely:
+she had never felt quite the same since. And if she were called away,
+what would become of Katherine? Never was there a dearer daughter than
+her Katie. She knew every turn, every light and shade in her nature--her
+faults, her pride and hastiness, her deep, tender heart. A sob rose in
+her throat at the idea of Katherine being left alone to engage
+single-handed in the struggle for existence. No! She _would_ live!--she
+would battle on with poverty and difficulty till Katherine was a few
+years older; till she was stronger and better able to stand alone.
+
+"Yet she is strong and brave for nineteen," thought the mother, proudly.
+"Perhaps I have kept her too much by my side. I wish I could let her pay
+a visit to the Mitchells. They have asked her repeatedly; but we must
+not think of it at present."
+
+Here her little grandsons, who had more than once broken in upon her
+musings, came running across the grass to inform her they were sure it
+was tea-time, as they were very hungry.
+
+"Then we shall go home," said Mrs. Liddell, immediately clearing her
+face of its look of gloom, and rising to accompany them, cheered by the
+thought that perhaps Katie's dear face might be ready to welcome her.
+
+But neither daughter nor daughter-in-law awaited her, and a couple of
+hours went slowly over--slowly and wearily, for she forced herself to
+tell the boys a couple of thrilling tales, before they went to bed, to
+keep them quiet and cool. Then, with promises that both mamma and auntie
+should come and kiss them as soon as they returned, she dismissed the
+little fellows.
+
+It was past seven when Katherine at last appeared at the garden gate.
+
+"I am so glad you have come in before Ada," cried Mrs. Liddell,
+embracing her. "Are you very tired, dearest?"
+
+"No, not nearly so tired as yesterday; and, mother dear, I think that
+strange old man will certainly give us the money."
+
+"Thank God! Tell me all about your day."
+
+"It was all very funny, but not terrible, like yesterday. My uncle seems
+determined to make a cook of me. He would not let them buy or prepare
+any food for him, except a cup of tea and some toast, until I came. How
+that frail old man can exist upon so little nourishment I cannot
+imagine; but though I seem to give him satisfaction, he does not express
+any. While he and Mr. Newton talked I was sent to look at the condition
+of the rooms upstairs. Such a condition of dust and neglect you could
+not conceive. Oh, the gloom and misery of the whole house is beyond
+description!"
+
+"Did you get anything to eat yourself?" asked Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"Yes; Mr. Newton, who is really kind and friendly under his cool,
+precise exterior, sent for some cakes. He staid a good while. I think he
+has a good deal of influence on Mr. Liddell. (I can hardly call him
+uncle.) He was more polite when Mr. Newton was present. When he was
+going away he said, 'I am happy to say I have convinced Mr. Liddell that
+you are his niece, and if you and your mother will call upon me at noon
+to-morrow, the loan you wish for can be arranged, if you will agree to
+certain conditions, which I should like to explain both to you and to
+Mrs. Liddell.' He gave me his card. Here it is. He has written 'twelve
+to one' on it."
+
+"They must be very hard conditions if we cannot agree to them," said
+Mrs. Liddell, taking out her porte-monnaie and putting the card into it.
+"This is indeed a Godsend, Katie, dear. I am thankful you had the pluck
+to attack the old lion in his den."
+
+"Lion! Hyena rather. Yet I cannot help feeling sorry for him. Think of
+passing away without a soul to care whether you live or die--without one
+pleasant memory!"
+
+"His memories are anything but pleasant," returned Mrs. Liddell,
+gravely. "His wife, of whom I believe he was fond in his own way, left
+him when their only child, a son, was about ten years old. This seemed
+to turn his blood to gall. He took an unnatural dislike to his poor boy,
+and treated him so badly that he ran away to sea. Poor fellow? he used
+sometimes to write to your father. Their mutual dislike to John Liddell
+was a kind of bond between them. It is an unhappy story, for, as I told
+you, he was afterward killed at the gold diggings.
+
+"Very dreadful!" said Katherine, thoughtfully. "What a cruel visiting of
+the mother's sin on the unfortunate child!--that horrible bit of the
+decalogue! With all his icy cold selfishness Mr. Liddell is a gentleman.
+His voice is refined, and except when he was carried away by hi-fury
+against his roguish housekeeper he seems to have a certain self-respect.
+After Mr. Newton went away I read for a long time all the money articles
+in two penny papers, for the _Times_ had been taken away. Then I wrote a
+couple of letters, and all my uncle said was: 'So it seems you really
+are my niece. Well, I hope you know more of the value of money than
+either your father or mother.' I could not let that pass, and said, 'My
+father died when I was too young to know him; but no one could manage
+money better nor with greater care than my mother.' He stared at me. 'I
+am glad to hear it,' he returned, very dryly. He had a note from his
+stock-broker in reply to one I wrote for him yesterday. He seemed
+greatly pleased with it. He kept chuckling and murmuring, 'Just in time,
+just in time!'"
+
+"Perhaps he will fancy you bring him luck."
+
+"I am awfully afraid he will want me to go and read to him every day,
+for when I was directing one of the letters he said, as though to
+himself, 'If she can read and write for me I need not buy a new pair of
+spectacles.' It would be too dreadful to be with that cynical hyena
+every day."
+
+"Oh, when he gets a good servant he will not want you."
+
+"I hope not."
+
+"Now come, you must have your supper, dear. I am sure you have earned
+it. We will have it quietly together before Ada comes back. I feel so
+relieved, I shall be able to eat now."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+"INTO THE SHADOWS."
+
+
+To avoid Mrs. Frederic Liddell's almost screaming curiosity was not
+easy, and to appease it Kate assumed an air of frankness, saying that
+she believed Mr. Liddell merely wished to test her powers as secretary,
+and that she hoped she had not succeeded too well.
+
+"Oh, you lazy thing! You really ought to try and get in with him.
+Oughtn't she, Mrs. Liddell?"
+
+"Yes, certainly, if she can; but I fancy it will not be so easy. What
+are you going to do to-day, Ada?"
+
+"Oh, nothing"--in a rather discontented tone. "Why do you ask?"
+
+"Because I am obliged to go into town on a matter of business, and I
+want to take Katherine."
+
+"Well, I will look after the boys"--condescendingly, as if it were not
+her legitimate business. "But I really think you worry too much about
+those tiresome publishers. They would think more of you if you troubled
+them less. Your mother looks pale and fagged, Katherine."
+
+"Yes, she does indeed," looking anxiously at her.
+
+"I am afraid the publishers would leave me too utterly undisturbed if I
+left them alone," returned Mrs. Liddell, smiling, and leaving the
+suggestion uncontradicted. This conversation took place at breakfast.
+
+Mother and daughter made the journey cityward very silently, both a good
+deal occupied conjecturing what conditions John Liddell could possibly
+mean to impose. Perhaps only a very high rate of interest, which would
+cost no small effort to spare from their narrow income.
+
+Mr. Newton received his visitors directly their names were sent up to
+him. His was an eminent firm; their offices, light, clean, well
+furnished, an abode which impressed those who entered with the idea of
+fair dealing, and forbade the notion of dark dusty corners moral or
+physical.
+
+Katherine's quick eyes took in the aspect of the place: the bookshelves,
+where stores of legal learning in calf-bound volumes were ranged: the
+various brown tin boxes with names in white paint suggestive of the
+title-deeds "of all the land"; the big knee-hole table loaded with
+papers; the heavy chairs upholstered in the best leather for the
+patients who came to be treated; and Mr. Newton himself, more intensely
+cleaned up and starched than ever, in an oaken seat of mediæval form.
+
+He rose and set chairs for Mrs. Liddell and her daughter himself; then
+he rustled among his papers, and spoke down a tube.
+
+"Ahem!" he began. "Your brother-in-law, madam, is a man of peculiar
+character, but by no means without discrimination. Thank you"--to a
+clerk who brought in a long folded paper and laid it beside him,
+disappearing quickly. "By no means without discrimination," repeated Mr.
+Newton. "Unfortunately the love of money grows on a childless man, and
+his terms for the loan you require may not meet your approbation."
+
+"Pray what are they?" asked Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"My client will accept a bill of sale on your furniture as security, but
+he will give you a period of eighteen months to repay him, and he will
+charge ten per cent.; but if you agree to another condition, which I
+will explain, he will be content with five per cent."
+
+"This must be a severe condition," said Mrs. Liddell, with a slight
+smile.
+
+"No; it may prove a fortunate condition," said the lawyer, with some
+hesitation. "In short, I have persuaded Mr. Liddell to allow me to
+choose him a respectable servant at fair wages. The state into which he
+has fallen is deplorable. I felt it my duty to remonstrate with him, and
+he is not averse to my influence. I therefore pressed upon him the
+necessity of having a better class of housekeeper, a person who could
+read to him and write for him, and would be above drink and pilfering."
+
+"What did he say to that?" asked Katherine, with a bright, amused look.
+
+"He said, very decidedly: 'I will have that girl you say is my niece to
+be my housekeeper and reader. She gave me the best and cheapest dinner I
+ever ate; her letter to my stock-broker brought me luck; and I will pay
+ready money for everything, so she shall not be able to leave books
+unpaid. If she comes I will be content with five per cent, on the loan,
+which must do instead of salary; and if she refuses, why, so do I.' An
+ungracious speech, Mrs. Liddell, but there is the condition."
+
+"Do you mean my brother-in-law will refuse to help me if my daughter
+does not go to manage his house?"
+
+"So he says."
+
+"But did you not say at first that he would take ten per cent, without
+this sacrifice?"
+
+"_He_ said so at first; then this plan seemed to strike him, and he was
+very firm about it."
+
+"It is an awful place to go to." The words burst from Katherine's lips
+before she could stop herself.
+
+"I can hardly agree to such a condition as this," cried Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"And I must urge you not to reject it," said Mr. Newton, impressively,
+"for the sake of your daughter and grandsons. I must point out that by
+refusing you not only deprive yourself of the temporary aid you
+require, but you cut off your daughter from all chance of winning
+over her uncle by the influence of her presence. Propinquity, my dear
+madam--propinquity sometimes works wonders; and Mr. Liddell has a great
+deal in his power. I would not encourage false hopes, but this is a
+chance you may never have again--a chance of sharing her uncle's
+fortune. If she refuses, he will never see her again."
+
+Silence ensued. The choice was a grave difficulty. Mrs. Liddell looked
+at Katherine, and Katherine looked at the carpet.
+
+Suddenly Katherine looked up quickly, and said, in a clear, decided
+voice: "I will go. I will undertake the office of secretary and
+housekeeper--at least until my mother pays off this loan."
+
+"Katie, my child, how shall you be able to bear it?"
+
+"Miss Liddell has decided wisely and well," said the lawyer. "I
+earnestly hope--nay, I believe--she will reap a rich reward for her
+self-sacrifice."
+
+"But, Mr. Newton, I cannot consent without some reflection. I too have
+some conditions to impose."
+
+"And they are?" put in Newton, uneasily.
+
+"I cannot define them all clearly on the spur of the moment; but I must
+have leave to go and see my daughter whenever I choose, and she must
+have the right to spend one day in the week at home."
+
+"This might be arranged," said the lawyer, thoughtfully. "Be brave, my
+dear madam. Sacrifice something of the present to secure future good."
+
+"Provided we do not pay too high a price for a doubtful benefit. It will
+be terrible for a young girl to be the bond-slave of such a man as John
+Liddell."
+
+"Well, mother, I am quite willing to undertake the task. Not that I am
+going to be a bond-slave, but as soon as you have paid your debt, I
+shall consider myself free."
+
+"By that time, my dear young lady, I hope you will have made yourself of
+so much importance to your uncle that he will make it worth your while
+to stay," exclaimed Newton, who was evidently actuated by a friendly
+feeling toward both mother and daughter.
+
+"He must bribe high, then," returned Kate, laughing.
+
+"Then may I inform Mr. Liddell that you accept his proposition? and you
+are prepared to begin your duties at once! Remember he considers his
+acceptance of five instead of ten per cent, frees him from the necessity
+of paying you any salary."
+
+"Surely the laborer is worthy of his hire," said Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"No doubt of it, madam; but the case is a peculiar one."
+
+Some more particulars were discussed and arranged; Mr. Newton begged
+Mrs. Liddell to look out for and select a servant, that Katherine might
+begin with some prospect of comfort. It was settled that an interview
+should be arranged between Mrs. Liddell and her brother-in-law on the
+day but one following, at which Mr. Newton was to assist, Finally she
+signed a paper, and received six lovely new crisp bank-notes, the magic
+touch of which has so marvellously reviving an effect.
+
+Katherine slipped her arm through her mother's and pressed it lovingly
+as they walked to the Metropolitan station for their return journey.
+"Now, dear, you will have a little peace," she said.
+
+"Dear-bought peace, my darling. I cannot reconcile myself to such a fate
+for you."
+
+"Still, the money is a comfort."
+
+"It is indeed. I will pay the rent to-day, and to-morrow I will give Ada
+her money. That will be an infinite relief. And still I shall have a few
+pounds left. Katie dear, is it not too dreadful, the prospect of eating,
+drinking, sleeping, and beginning _di nuovo_ each morning in that gloomy
+house? How shall you bear it?"
+
+"You shall see. If I can have a little chat with you every week I shall
+be able for a good deal. Then, remember, the book still remains. When
+that succeeds we may snap our fingers at rich uncles."
+
+"When that time comes," interrupted her mother, "you will be tied to the
+poor old miser by habit and the subtle claims which pity and
+comprehension weave round the sympathetic."
+
+"Oh, if I ever grow to like him it will simplify matters very much. I
+almost hope I may, but it is not likely. How strange it will be to live
+in a different house from you! How dreadfully the boys will tease you
+when I am away! Come; suppose we go and see the _Cheerful Visitor_--the
+editor, I mean--before we return, and then we can say we _have_ been to
+a publisher. I really do not think Ada knows the difference between an
+editor and a publisher."
+
+"Very likely; nor would you, probably, if you had not a mother who
+scribbles weak fiction."
+
+"It is a great deal better than much that is published and paid for,"
+said Katherine, emphatically.
+
+"Ah! Kate, when money has long been scarce you get into a bad habit of
+estimating things merely at their market value. However, let us visit
+the _Cheerful Visitor_ on our homeward way. Of course we must tell Ada
+of the impending change, but we need not explain too much."
+
+The journey back was less silent. Both mother and daughter were
+oppressed by the task undertaken by the latter. But Katherine was
+successful in concealing the dismay with which she contemplated a
+residence with John Liddell. "Whatever happens, I must not seem afraid
+of him or _be_ afraid of him," she thought, with instinctive perception.
+"I will try to do what is just and right, and leave the rest to
+Providence. It must be a great comfort to have faith--to believe that if
+you do the right thing you will be directed and assisted by God. What
+strength it would give! But I haven't faith. I cannot believe that
+natural laws will ever be changed for me, and I _know_ that good,
+honest, industrious creatures die of hunger every day. No matter. Do
+rightly, come what may, is the motto of every true soul. I don't
+suppose I shall melt this old man's stony heart, but I will do my best
+for him. His has been a miserable life in spite of his money. There is
+so much money cannot buy!"
+
+"How dreadfully late you are!" said Mrs. Frederic, querulously, when
+they reached home. "I really could not keep the children waiting for
+you, so we have finished dinner; but Maria is keeping the mutton as hot
+as she can for you. Dear me! how sick I am of roast mutton! but I
+suppose it is cheap"--contemptuously.
+
+"Poor dear! it shall have something nice to-morrow," returned Mrs.
+Liddell, with her usual strong good temper.
+
+"I suppose you are too tired, Katherine, to come with me. The band plays
+in Kensington Gardens to-day, and I wanted so much to go and hear it."
+
+"I am indeed! Besides, mother has a great deal to tell you when we have
+had some dinner."
+
+"Oh, indeed! Has your book been accepted, Mrs. Liddell? or has that
+terrible uncle of ours declared Katherine to be his heiress?"
+
+"Have a little patience, and you shall hear everything."
+
+"I am dying of curiosity and impatience. Here, Sarah, _do_ bring up
+dinner--Mrs. Liddell is so hungry!"
+
+The announcement that Katherine was invited to live with John Liddell
+created a tornado of amazement, envy, anticipation--with an undercurrent
+of exultant pride that they were at last recognized by the only rich man
+in the family--in the mind of the pretty, impressionable little widow.
+
+"Gracious! What a grand thing for Kate! But she will be moped to death,
+and he will starve her. Why, Katherine, when it is known that a
+millionaire has adopted you his den will be besieged by your admirers.
+You will never be able to stand such a life for long at a time. Suppose
+I relieve guard every fortnight? You must let me have my innings too.
+Old gentlemen always like me, I am so cheerful. Then I might have the
+boys to see him; you know he ought to divide the property between us."
+
+"Of course he ought. I wish he would have us alternately; it would be a
+great relief," said Katherine, laughing.
+
+"I fancy he is _im_-mensely rich," continued Ada. "Why, Mr. Errington
+evidently knew his name."
+
+"Who is Mr. Errington?" asked Mrs. Liddell, with languid curiosity.
+
+"Did you never hear of the Calcutta Erringtons?" cried Ada, with
+infinite superiority. "There are as rich as Jews, and one of the
+greatest houses in India. Old Mr. Errington bought a fine place in the
+country lately, and this young man--I'm sure I don't know if he _is_
+young; he is as grave as a judge and as stiff as a poker--at all events
+he is an only son. I met him at the Burnett's yesterday. Well, he seemed
+to know Mr. Liddell's name quite well. Colonel Ormonde pricked up his
+ears too when I said you had gone to see him. It is a great advantage to
+have a rich old bachelor uncle, Katherine, but you must not keep him all
+to yourself."
+
+
+The next few days were agitated and much occupied. Katherine went for
+part of each to read and write and market for the old recluse, and he
+grew less formidable, but not more likable, as he became more familiar.
+He was an extraordinary example of a human being converted into a
+money-making and accumulating machine. He was not especially irritable;
+indeed his physical powers were weak and dying of every species of
+starvation; but his coldness was supernatural. Fortunately for
+Katherine, his former housekeeper was greedy and extravagant, so that
+his niece's management seemed wise and economical, and she had an
+excellent backer-up in Mr. Newton.
+
+The old miser was with difficulty persuaded to see his sister-in-law;
+but Mrs. Liddell insisted on an interview, and Mr. Newton himself
+supported her through the trying ordeal.
+
+The mother's heart sank within her at she sight of the gloomy, desolate
+abode in which her bright daughter was to be immured; but she comforted
+herself by reflecting that it need not be for long.
+
+Mr. Liddell did not rise from the easy-chair in which he sat crouched
+together, his thin gray locks escaping as usual from under the
+skull-cap, his long lean brown hands grasping the arms of his chair,
+when Mrs. Liddell came in; neither did he hold out his hand. He looked
+at her fixedly with his glittering dark eyes.
+
+"You wanted to see me?" he said. "Why?"
+
+"Because I thought it right to see and speak with you before committing
+my only child to your keeping."
+
+"But you have done it!--She has agreed to the conditions, has'nt she?"
+turning to Newton. "If you go back, I must have my money back."
+
+"Of course, my dear sir--of course," soothingly.
+
+"I am glad that Katherine can be of use to you. I do not wish to retract
+anything I have agreed to, but I wish to remind you that my child is
+young; that you must let her go in and out, and have opportunities for
+air and exercise."
+
+"She may do as she likes; she can do anything. So long as she reads to
+me, and buys my food without wasting my money, _I_ don't want her
+company. She seems to know something of the value of money, and I'll
+keep her in pledge till you have paid me. I'll never let myself be
+cheated again, as I was by your worthless husband."
+
+"Let the dead rest," said Mrs. Liddell, sadly. "I have paid you what I
+could."
+
+"Ay, the principal--the bare principal. What is that? Do men lend for
+the love of lending?" he returned, viciously.
+
+"Pray do not vex yourself. It is useless to look back--annoying and
+useless," said the lawyer, with decision.
+
+"Useless indeed! What more have you to say?"
+
+"I should like to see the room my daughter is to occupy. It is as well
+she should have the comforts necessary to health, for all our sakes.
+_You_ will not find one who will serve you as Katherine can, even for a
+high price. I think you feel this yourself," said Mrs. Liddell,
+steadily.
+
+"You may go where you like, but do not trouble me. You can come and see
+your daughter, but _I_ shall not want to see you; and she may go and see
+you of a Sunday, when there are no newspapers to be read; but, mark you
+I will not pay for carriages or horses or omnibuses; and mark also that
+I have made my will, and I'll not alter it in any one's favor. Your
+daughter will have her food and lodging and my countenance and
+protection."
+
+"She has done without these for nineteen years," said Mrs. Liddell, with
+a slight smile. "But you have given me very opportune help, for which I
+am grateful; so I have accepted your terms. Kate shall stay with you
+till I have paid you principal and interest, and then _I_ warn you I
+shall reclaim my hostage."
+
+"She'll be a good while with me," he said, with a sneer. "None of
+you--you, your husband, or your son--ever had thirty pounds to spare in
+your lives."
+
+"Time will show," returned Mrs. Liddell, with admirable steadiness and
+temper. "Now I will bid you good-day, and take advantage of your
+permission to look over your house."
+
+"Let me show you the way," said Newton. "I shall return to you
+presently, Mr. Liddell."
+
+The old man bent his head. "See that the girl comes to-morrow," he said,
+and leaned back wearily in his chair.
+
+The friendly lawyer led the way upstairs, and showed Mrs. Liddell a
+large room, half bed, half sitting, with plenty of heavy old-fashioned
+furniture. "This was, I think, the drawing-room," said Mr. Newton; "and
+having extracted permission from my very peculiar client to have the
+house cleaned, so far as it could be done, which it sorely needed, the
+person I employed selected the best of the furniture for this room. We
+propose to give the next room at the back to the servant. You have, I
+believe, found one?"
+
+"Yes, a respectable elderly woman, of whom I have had an excellent
+character."
+
+After Mrs. Liddell had visited the rooms upstairs--mere dismantled
+receptacles of rubbish--and they returned to what was to be Katherine's
+abode, she sat down on the ponderous sofa, and in spite of her efforts
+to control herself the tears would well up and roll over.
+
+"I feel quite ashamed of myself," said she, in a broken voice; "but when
+I think of my Katie, here alone, with that cruel old man, it is too much
+for my strength. She has been so tenderly reared, her life, though quiet
+and humble, has been so cared for, so tranquil, that I shrink from the
+idea of her banishment here."
+
+"It is not unnatural, my dear madam, but indeed the trial is worth
+enduring. Do not believe that the will of which Mr. Liddell speaks is
+irrevocable. He has made two or three to my certain knowledge, and it
+would be foolish to cut your daughter off from, any chance of sharing
+his fortune, which is considerable, I assure you, merely to avoid a
+little present annoyance."
+
+"It would indeed. Do not think me very weak. It is a passing fit of the
+dolefuls. I have had much anxiety of late, and for the moment I have a
+painful feeling that I have sold myself and my dear daughter into the
+hands of a relentless creditor; that I shall never free my neck from his
+yoke. I shall probably feel differently to-morrow."
+
+"I dare say you will. You are a lady of much imagination; a writer, your
+daughter tells me. Such an occupation should be an outlet for all
+imaginative terrors or anticipations, and leave your mind, your
+judgment, clear and free. I am sure Miss Liddell will do her uncle and
+herself good by her residence here. Mr. Liddell has been a source of
+anxiety to me and to my partners. We have, you know, been his legal
+advisers for years, and to know that he is in good hands will be a great
+relief. Rely on my--on our doing our best to assist your daughter in
+every way."
+
+Mrs. Liddell, perceiving the friendly spirit which actuated the precise
+lawyer, thanked him warmly, and after a little further discussion of
+details, took her way home.
+
+From the step she had voluntarily taken there was no retreat, nor, to do
+her justice, was Katherine Liddell in the least disposed to turn back,
+having once put her hand to the plough. Indeed the blessed
+castle-building powers of youth disposed her to rear airy edifices as
+regarded the future, which lightened the present gloom. Suppose John
+Liddell were to soften toward her, and make her a handsome present
+occasionally, or forgive this debt to her mother? What a delightful
+reward this would be for her temporary servitude! But though Katherine
+really amused herself with such fancies, they never crystallized into
+hope. Hope still played round her mother's chance of success with the
+publishers. Not that she fancied her dear mother a genius; on the
+contrary, because she _was_ her mother, she probably undervalued her
+work; but she knew that hundreds of stories printed and paid for lacked
+the common-sense and humor of Mrs. Liddell's.
+
+How ardently she longed to give her mother something of a rest after the
+burden and heat of the day, which she had borne so well and so long--a
+spell of peaceful twilight before the gray shadows of everlasting
+darkness closed, or the brightness of eternal light broke upon her! Yes,
+she would stand four-square against the steely terrors of John Liddell's
+cold egotism and penuriousness, against the desolation and gloom of his
+forbidding abode, the crushing sordidness of an existence reduced to the
+merest straws of sustenance, provided she could lighten her mother's
+load--perhaps secure her future ease; and she would do her task well,
+thoroughly, keeping a steady heart and a bright face. Then, should the
+tide ever turn, what deep draughts of pleasure she would drink!
+Katherine was not socially ambitious; finery and grandeur as such did
+not attract her; but real joys, beauty and gayety, the company of
+pleasant people, _i.e._ people who suited _her_, graceful surroundings,
+becoming clothes, and plenty of them, all were dear and delightful to
+her.
+
+Some of these things she had tasted when she lived with her mother in
+the German and Italian towns where she had been chiefly educated; the
+rest she was satisfied to imagine. Above all, she loved to charm those
+with whom she associated--loved it in a half-unconscious way. Were it to
+a poor blind beggar woman, or a little crossing sweeper, she would speak
+as gently and modulate her voice as carefully as to the most brilliant
+partner or the greatest lady. This might be tenderness of nature, or the
+profound instinct to win liking and admiration. As yet it was quite
+instinctive; but if hurt or offended she could feel resentment very
+vividly, and was by no means too ready to forgive.
+
+Unfortunately she started with a strong prejudice against her uncle, and
+sometimes rehearsed in her own mind exceedingly fine speeches which she
+would have liked to address to her miserly relative on the subject of
+his cruelty to his son, his avarice, his egotism.
+
+Still a strain of pity ran through her meditations. Was life worth
+living, spent as his was? How far had his nature been warped by his
+wife's desertion?
+
+It was an extraordinary experience to Katherine, this packing up of her
+belongings to quit her home. She took as little as she could help, to
+keep up the idea that she was entering on a very temporary engagement;
+besides, as she meant to adhere rigidly to her right of a weekly visit
+to her mother, she could always get what she wanted.
+
+After Mrs. Liddell, Katherine found it hardest to part with the boys,
+specially little Charlie, whose guardian and champion she had
+constituted herself. Her sister-in-law had rather an irritating effect
+upon her, of which she was a little ashamed, and whenever she had spoken
+sharply, which she did occasionally, she was ready to atone for it by
+doing some extra service, so that, on the whole, the pretty little widow
+got a good deal more out of her sister than out of her mother-in-law.
+
+But meditations, resolutions, regrets, and preparations notwithstanding,
+the day of Katherine's departure arrived. It was a bright, glowing
+afternoon, and the Thursday fixed for the boating party. Mrs. Liddell
+junior had expended much eloquence to no purpose, as she well knew it
+would be, in trying to persuade her sister-in-law to postpone the
+commencement of what the little widow was pleased to call her "penal
+servitude," and accompany her to Twickenham.
+
+She departed, however, without her, looking her very best, and uttering
+many promises to come and see Katie soon, to try her powers of pleasing
+on that dreadful old uncle of ours, to bring the dear boys, and see if
+they would not cut out their aunty, etc.
+
+Mrs. Liddell and her daughter were most thankful to have the last few
+hours together, and yet they said little, and that chiefly respecting
+past days which they had enjoyed together--little excursions on the Elbe
+or in the neighborhood of Florence; a couple of months once passed at
+Siena, which was a mental epoch to Katherine, who was then about
+fifteen; promises to write; and tender queries on the mother's side if
+she had remembered this or that.
+
+The little boys clung to her, Charlie in tears, Cecil very solemn. Both
+had taken up the sort of camera-obscura image of their elders' views
+which children contrive to obtain so mysteriously without hearing
+anything distinct concerning them, and both considered "Uncle John" a
+sort of modern ogre, only restrained by the policeman outside from
+making a daily meal of the nearest infant school, and sure to gobble up
+aunty some day. Charlie trembled at the thought; Cecil pondered
+profoundly how, by the judicious arrangement of a trap-door in the
+middle of his room, he might carry out the original idea of Jack the
+Giant-Killer.
+
+"Pray don't think of coming with me, mother," said Katherine, seeing
+Mrs. Liddell take out her bonnet. "I could not bear to think of your
+lonely drive back. Trust me to myself. I am not going to be either
+frightened or cast down, and I will write to-morrow."
+
+"Then I must let you go, darling! On Sunday next, Katie, we shall see
+you."
+
+A long, fond embrace, and Mrs. Liddell was indeed alone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+"SHIFTING SCENES."
+
+
+Parting is often worst to those who stay behind. Imagination paints the
+trials and difficulties of the one who has put out to sea as far worse
+than the reality, while variety and action brace the spirit of him who
+goes forth.
+
+Katherine's reception, however, was paralyzing enough.
+
+Nothing was in her favor save the mellow brightness of the fine warm
+evening, though from its south-east aspect the parlor at Legrave
+Crescent was already in shadow. There, in his usual seat beside the
+fire--for, though a miser, John Liddell had a fire summer and
+winter--sat the old man watching the embers, in himself a living
+refrigerator.
+
+"You are late!" was his greeting, in a low, cold voice. "I have been
+expecting you. The woman Newton found for me has been up and down with a
+dozen questions I cannot answer. I must be saved from this; I will not
+be disturbed. Go and see what she wants; then, if there is more food to
+be cooked, come to me for money. Mark! no more bills. I will give you
+what cash you want each day, so long as you do not ask too much."
+
+"Very well. Your fire wants making up, uncle." She brought out this last
+word with an effort. "I suppose I _am_ to call you uncle?"
+
+"Call me what you choose," was the ungracious reply.
+
+In the hall she found the new servant, whom she had already seen,
+waiting her orders. She was a stout, good-humored woman of a certain
+age, with vast experience, gathered in many services, and partly tempted
+to her present engagement by the hope that in so small a household her
+labor would be light.
+
+"Will you come up, miss, and see if your room is as you like it?" was
+her first address. "I'm sure I _am_ glad you have come! I've been
+groping in the dark, in a manner of speaking, since I came yesterday;
+and Mr. Liddell, he's not to be spoke to. Believe me, miss, if it wasn't
+that I promised your mar, and saw you was a nice young lady yourself,
+wild horses wouldn't keep me in such a lonesome barrack of a place!"
+
+"I hope you will not desert us, Mrs. Knapp," returned Katherine,
+cheerfully. "If you and I do our best, I hope the place will not be so
+bad."
+
+"Well, it didn't ought to," returned Mrs. Knapp. "There's lots of good
+furniture everywhere but in the kitchen, and that's just for all the
+world like a marine store!"
+
+"Is it?" exclaimed Katherine, greatly puzzled by the metaphor. "At all
+events you have made my room nice and tidy." This conversation,
+commenced on the staircase, was continued in Katherine's apartment.
+
+"It ain't bad, miss; there's plenty of room for your clothes in that big
+wardrobe, and there's a chest of drawers; but Lord, 'm, they smell that
+musty, I've stood them open all last night and this morning, but they
+ain't much the better. I didn't like to ask for the key of the bookcase,
+but I can see through the glass the books are just coated with dust,"
+said Mrs. Knapp.
+
+"We must manage all that by-and-by," said Katherine. "Have you anything
+in the house? I suppose my uncle will want some dinner."
+
+"I gave him a filleted sole with white sauce, and a custard pudding, at
+two o'clock, and he said he wanted nothing more. I had no end of trouble
+in getting half a crown out of him, and he had the change. If the
+gentleman as I saw with your mar, miss, hadn't given me five shillings,
+I don't know where I should be."
+
+"I will ask my uncle what he would like for dinner or supper, and come
+to you in the kitchen afterward."
+
+Such was Katherine's inauguration.
+
+She soon found ample occupation. Not a day passed without a battle over
+pennies and half-pennies. Liddell gave her each morning a small sum
+wherewith to go to market; he expected her to return straight to him and
+account rigidly for every farthing she had laid out, to enter all in a
+book which he kept, and to give him the exact change. These early
+expeditions into the fresh air among the busy, friendly shopkeepers soon
+came to be the best bit of Katherine's day, and most useful in keeping
+up the healthy tone of her mind. Then came a spell of reading from the
+_Times_ and other papers. Every word connected with the funds and money
+matters generally, even such morsels of politics as effected the pulse
+of finance, was eagerly listened to; of other topics Mr. Liddell did not
+care to hear. A few letters to solicitor or stock-broker, some entries
+in a general account-book, and the forenoon was gone. Friends,
+interests, regard for life in any of its various aspects, all were
+nonexistent for Liddell. Money was his only thought, his sole
+aspiration--to accumulate, for no object. This miserliness had grown
+upon him since he had lost both wife and son. Fortunately for Katherine,
+his ideas of expenditure had been fixed by the comparatively liberal
+standard of his late cook. When, therefore, he found he had greater
+comfort at slightly less cost he was satisfied.
+
+But his satisfaction did not prompt him to express it. His nearest
+approach to approval was not finding fault.
+
+In vain Katherine endeavored to interest him in some of the subjects
+treated of in the papers. He was deaf to every topic that did not bear
+on his self-interest.
+
+"There is a curious account here of the state of labor in Manchester and
+Birmingham; shall I read it to you?" asked Katherine, one morning, after
+she had toiled through the share list and city article. She had been
+about a fortnight installed in her uncle's house.
+
+"No!" he returned; "what is labor to me? We have each our own work to
+do."
+
+"But is there nothing else you would care to hear, uncle?" She had grown
+more accustomed to him, and he to her; in spite of herself, she was
+anxious to cheer his dull days--to awaken something of human feeling in
+the old automaton.
+
+"Nothing! Why should I care for what does not concern me? You only care
+for what touches yourself; but because you are young, and your blood
+runs quick, many things touch you."
+
+"Did you ever care for anything except--except--" Katherine pulled
+herself up. The words "your money" were on her lips.
+
+"I cannot remember, and I do not wish to look back. I suppose, now, you
+would like to be driving about in a fine carriage, with a bonnet and
+feathers on your head. I suppose you are wishing me dead, and yourself
+free to run away from your daily tasks in this quiet house, to listen to
+the lying tongue of some soft-spoken scoundrel, as foolish women will;
+but the longer I live the better for _you_, till your mother's debt is
+paid, or my executors will give her a short shrift and scant time."
+
+"I don't want you to die, Uncle Liddell," said Katherine, with simple
+sincerity, "but I wish there was anything I could do to interest you or
+amuse you. I am sorry to see you so dull. Why, you are obliged to sleep
+all the afternoon!"
+
+"Amuse _me_?" he returned, with infinite scorn. "You need not trouble
+yourself. I have thoughts which occupy me of which you have no idea, and
+then I pass from thoughts to dreams--grand dreams!"--he paused for a
+moment. "Where is that pile of papers that lay on the chair there?" he
+resumed, sharply.
+
+"I have taken them away upstairs; when I have collected some more I am
+going to sell them. My mother always sells her waste paper--one may as
+well have a few pence for them."
+
+"Did you mother say so?" with some animation--then another pause. "Are
+you going to see her on Sunday?"
+
+"Not next Sunday," returned Katherine, quite pleased to draw him into
+conversation. "You know we must let Mrs. Knapp go out every alternate
+Sunday, and you cannot be left alone."
+
+"Why not? Am I an imbecile? Am I dying? I can tell you I have years of
+life before me yet."
+
+"I dare say; still, it is my duty to stay here in case you want
+anything. But I shall go home on Saturday afternoon instead, if you have
+no objection."
+
+"You would not heed my objections if I had any. You are self-willed, you
+are resolute. I see things when I care to look. There, I am very tired!
+You will find some newspapers in my room; you can add them to the
+others. How soon will dinner be ready?" Katherine felt herself
+dismissed.
+
+The afternoons were much at her own disposal; and as she found a number
+of old books, some of which greatly interested her, she managed to
+accomplish a good deal of reading, and even did a little dreaming.
+Still, though time seemed to go so slowly, the weeks, on looking back,
+had flown fast.
+
+The monotony was terrible; but a break was at hand which was not quite
+unexpected.
+
+The day following the above conversation, Katherine had retired as usual
+after dinner to write to a German friend with whom she kept up a
+desultory correspondence; the day was warm, and her door being open, the
+unwonted sound of the front door-bell startled her.
+
+"Who could it possibly be?" asked Katherine of herself. The next minute
+a familiar voice struck her ear, and she quickly descended to the front
+parlor.
+
+There an appalling sight met her eyes. In the centre of the room, her
+back to the door, stood Mrs. Fred Liddell, a little boy in either
+hand--all three most carefully attired in their best garments, and
+making quite a pretty group.
+
+Facing them, Mr. Liddell sat upright in his chair, his lean, claw-like
+hands grasping the arms, his eyes full of fierce astonishment.
+
+"You see, my dear sir, as you have never invited me, I have ventured to
+come unasked to make your acquaintance, and to introduce my dear boys to
+you; for it is possible you have sent me a message by Katherine which
+she has forgotten to deliver; so I thought--" Thus far the pretty little
+widow had proceeded when the children, catching sight of their auntie,
+sprang upon her with a cry of delight.
+
+"Who--who is this?" asked Mr. Liddell, compressing his thin lips and
+hissing out the words.
+
+"My brother's widow, Mrs. Fred Liddell," returned Katherine, who was
+kissing and fondling her nephews.
+
+"Did you invite her to come here?"
+
+"No, uncle."
+
+"Then explain to her that I do not receive visitors, especially
+relations, who have no claims upon me, and--and I particularly object to
+children."
+
+"I shall take my sister-in-law to my room for a little rest," returned
+Katherine, wounded by his manner, though greatly vexed with Ada for
+coming.
+
+"Ay, do, anywhere you like."
+
+But Mrs. Fred made a gallant attempt to stand her ground.
+
+"My dear sir, you must not be so unkind as to turn me out, when I have
+taken the trouble to come all this way on purpose to make your
+acquaintance. Let Katherine take away the children by all means--some
+people _are_ worried with children--but let _me_ stay and have a little
+talk with you."
+
+Mr. Liddell's only reply was to rise up. Gaunt, bent, his gray locks
+quivering with annoyance, and leaning on his stick, he slowly walked to
+the door, his eyes fixed with a cold glare on the intruder. At the door
+he turned, and addressing Katherine, said, "Let me know when she is
+gone;" then he disappeared into the hall.
+
+Little Charlie burst into tears. Cecil cried out, "You are a nasty,
+cross old man"; while Mrs. Fred grew very red, and exclaimed: "I never
+saw such a bear in all my life! Why, a crossing-sweeper would have
+better manners! I am astonished at you, Katie. How can you live with
+such a creature? But _some_ people would do anything for money."
+
+"I am dreadfully sorry," said Katherine; "do come up to my room. If you
+had only told me you were coming I should have advised you against it.
+You must rest a while in my room."
+
+"I really do not think I will sit down in this house after the way in
+which I have been treated," said the irate widow, while she followed her
+sister-in-law upstairs.
+
+"Oh yes, do, mammy; I want to see the house," implored Cecil.
+
+"Why did you not tell me what a dreadful man he is, Katherine, and I
+should not have put myself in the way of being insulted?"
+
+"I think I told you enough to keep you away, Ada. What put it into your
+head to come?"
+
+"I scarcely know. I always intended it, and Colonel Ormonde said it was
+my duty to let him, Mr. Liddell, see the boys. I really did not want to
+come."
+
+"I wish Colonel Ormonde would mind his own affairs," cried Katherine. "I
+fancy he only talks for talking's sake."
+
+"That is all you know," indignantly; "he is a very clever man of the
+world, and I am fortunate in having such a friend to interest himself in
+me."
+
+"Oh, well, perhaps so. At all events, I am very glad to see the bays,
+and--you too, Ada. Charlie is very pale. Come here, Charlie."
+
+"Oh, auntie, is this your own, own room? Does the cross old man ever
+come here? Are all those books yours--and the funny little table with
+the crooked legs? Who is the man in a wig?" cried Cecil. "Mightn't we
+stay with you? we would be so quiet? Mother says we are _dreffully_
+troublesome since you went away. We could both sleep with you in that
+great big bed! The cross old gentleman would never know. It would be
+such fun! Do, do, let us stay, auntie!"
+
+"But I am afraid of the old gentleman," whispered the younger boy. "Does
+he ever hurt you, auntie dear? I wish you would come home."
+
+"Charlie is such a coward," said Cecil, with contempt.
+
+"Don't talk nonsense, children," exclaimed their mother, peremptorily.
+"I should die of fright if I thought you were left behind with that
+ogre. _I_ wouldn't sacrifice my children for the sake of filthy lucre."
+
+"Do not talk nonsense, Ada?" said Katherine, impatiently. "I am
+infinitely distressed that my uncle should have behaved so rudely, but
+he is really eccentric, and if you had consulted--"
+
+"He is the boys' uncle as well as yours," interrupted Ada, indignantly.
+"Why should they not come and see him? How was I to suppose he was such
+an unnatural monster?"
+
+"I always told you he was very peculiar."
+
+"Peculiar! that is a delicate way of putting it. If I were you I should
+be ashamed of wasting my time and my youth acting servant to an old
+miser who will not leave you a sou!"
+
+"No, I don't suppose he will," returned Katherine, quietly. "Still, I am
+not the least ashamed of what I am doing; I am quite satisfied with my
+own motives."
+
+"Oh, you are always satisfied with yourself, I know," was the angry
+answer, "But"--with a slight change of tone--"I am sorry to see you look
+so pale and ill, though you deserve it."
+
+"Never mind, Ada. Take off your bonnet and sit down. I will get you a
+cup of tea."
+
+"Tea! no, certainly not! Do you think me so mean as to taste a mouthful
+of food in this house after being ordered out of it?"
+
+"Oh, I am _so_ hungry!" cried Cecil, in mournful tones.
+
+"You are a little cormorant: Grannie will give you nice tea when we get
+home. Put on your gloves, children, I shall go at once."
+
+"Do come back with us, auntie," implored the boys. "Grannie wants you
+ever so much."
+
+"Not more than I want her," returned Katherine. "How is she, Ada?"
+
+"Oh, very well; just the same as usual. People who are not sensitive
+have a great deal to be thankful for. _I_ feel quite upset by this
+encounter with your amiable relative, so I will say good-by."
+
+"Oh, wait for me; I will come with you. Let me put on my hat and tell
+Mr. Liddell I am going out."
+
+"Of course you must ask the master's leave!"
+
+"Exactly," returned Katherine, good-humoredly. And she put on her hat
+and gloves.
+
+"Well, I shall be glad of your guidance, for I hardly know my way back
+to where the omnibus starts. Such a horrible low part of the town for a
+man of fortune to live in! I wonder what Colonel Ormonde would say to
+it?"
+
+"I am sure I don't know," returned Kate, laughing. "Now come downstairs.
+If you go on I will speak to my uncle, and follow you."
+
+"I am sorry you have been annoyed," said Katherine, when having tapped
+at the door, Mr. Liddell desired her to "come in." He was standing at an
+old-fashioned bureau, the front of which let down to form a writing-desk
+and enclosed a number of various-sized drawers. He had taken out several
+packets of paper neatly tied with red tape and seemed to be rearranging
+them.
+
+"I am going to take my sister-in-law back to the omnibus; you may be
+sure she will never intrude again."
+
+"She shall not," he replied, turning to face her. Katherine thought how
+ghastly pale and pinched he looked. "I see the sort of creature she
+is--a doll that would sell her sawdust soul for finery and glitter; ay,
+and the lives of all who belong to her for an hour of pleasure."
+
+Katherine was shocked at his fierce, uncalled-for bitterness.
+
+"She has lived with us for more than a year and a half, and we have
+found her very pleasant and kind. Her children are dear, sweet things.
+You should not judge her so harshly."
+
+"You are a greater fool than I took you for," cried Mr. Liddell. "Go
+take them away, and mind they do not come back."
+
+Katherine hastened after her visitors and led them by a more direct
+route than they had traversed in coming. It took them past a cake shop,
+where she spent one of her few sixpences in appeasing her nephews'
+appetite, which, at least, with Cecil, grew with what it fed upon, in
+the matter of cakes.
+
+The children, each holding one of her hands, chattered away, telling
+many particulars of grannie and Jane, and the cat, to say nothing of a
+most interesting gardener who came to cut the grass. To all of which
+Katherine lent a willing ear. How ardently she longed to be at home with
+the dear mother again! She had never done half enough for her. Ah, if
+they only could be together again in Florence or Dresden as they used to
+be!
+
+Mrs. Fred Liddell kept almost complete silence--a very unusual case with
+her--and only as she paused before following her little boys into the
+omnibus did she give any clew to the current of her thoughts. "Should
+Colonel Ormonde come on Saturday when you are with us--which is not
+likely--do not say anything about that horrid old man's rudeness; one
+does not like to confess to being turned out."
+
+"Certainly not. I shall say nothing, you may be sure."
+
+"Good-by, then. I shall tell your mother you are looking _wretchedly_."
+
+"Pray do not," cried Katherine, but the conductor's loud stamping on his
+perch to start the driver drowned her voice.
+
+It was a fine evening, fresh, too, with a slight crispness, and
+Katherine could not resist the temptation of a walk in Regent's Park.
+She felt her spirits, which had been greatly depressed, somewhat revived
+by the free air, the sight of grass and trees. Still she could not
+answer the question which often tormented her, "If my mother cannot sell
+her book, how will it all end--must I remain as a hostage forever?" It
+was a gloomy outlook.
+
+She did not allow herself to stray far; crossing the foot-bridge over
+the Regent's Canal, she turned down a street which led by a circuit
+toward her abode. It skirted Primrose Hill for a few yards, and as she
+passed one of the gates admitting to the path which crosses it, a
+gentleman came out, and after an instant's hesitation raised his hat.
+Katherine recognized the man who had rescued Cecil at Hyde Park Corner.
+She smiled and bowed, frankly pleased to meet him again; it was so
+refreshing to see a bright, kindly face--a face, too, that looked glad
+to see her.
+
+"May I venture to inquire for my little friend?" said the gentleman,
+respectfully. "I trust he was not the worse for his adventure?"
+
+"Not at all, thanks to your promptness," said Katherine, pausing. "I
+have only just parted with him and his mother. She would have been very
+glad of an opportunity to thank you."
+
+"So slight a service scarcely needs your thanks," he said, in a soft,
+agreeable voice, as he turned and walked beside her.
+
+Katherine made no objection; she knew he was an acquaintance of Colonel
+Ormonde, and it was too pleasant a chance of speaking to a civilized
+human being to be lost. Her new acquaintance was good-looking without
+being handsome, with a peculiarly happy expression, and honest, kindly
+light-brown eyes. He was about middle height, but well set up, and
+carried himself like a soldier.
+
+"Then your little charge does not live with you?" he asked.
+
+"Not now. I am staying with my uncle. Cecil lives with his mother and
+mine at Bayswater."
+
+"Indeed! I think my old friend, Colonel Ormonde, knows the young
+gentleman's mother."
+
+"He does."
+
+"Then, may I introduce myself to you? My name is Payne--Gilbert Payne."
+
+"Oh, indeed!" returned Katherine, with a vague idea that she ought not
+perhaps to walk with him, yet by no means inclined to dismiss a pleasant
+companion.
+
+"I fancy your young nephew is a somewhat rebellious subject."
+
+"He is sometimes very troublesome, but you cannot help liking him."
+
+"Exactly--a fine boy. What bewildering little animals children are! They
+ought to teach us humility, they understand us so much better than we
+understand them."
+
+"I believe they do, but I never thought of it before. Have you little
+brothers and sisters who have taught you this?"
+
+"No. I am the youngest of my family; but I am interested in a refuge for
+street children, and I learn much there."
+
+"That is very good of you," said Katherine, looking earnestly at him.
+"Where is it--near this?"
+
+"No; a long way off. There are plenty of such places in every direction.
+I have just come from a home for poor old women, childless widows,
+sickly spinsters, who cannot work, and have no one to work for them. If
+you have any spare time, it would be a great kindness to go and read to
+them now and then. The lees of such lives are often sad and tasteless."
+
+"I should be glad to help in any way," said Katherine, coloring, "but
+just now I belong (temporarily) to my uncle, who is old, and requires a
+good deal of reading--and care."
+
+"Ah, I see your work is cut out for you: that, of course, is your first
+duty."
+
+The conversation then flowed on easily about street arabs and the
+various missions for rescuing them, about soldiers' homes, and other
+kindred topics. Katherine was much interested, and taken out of herself;
+she was quite sorry when on approaching Legrave Crescent she felt
+obliged to pause, with the intention of dismissing him. He understood.
+"Do you live near this?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, quite near."
+
+"May I bring you some papers giving you an account of my poor old
+women?"
+
+"I should like so much to have them," said Katherine. "But my uncle is
+rather peculiar. He does not like to be disturbed; he does not like
+visitors; he was vexed because my sister-in-law and the children came
+to-day."
+
+"I understand, and will not intrude. But should you be able and willing
+to help these undertakings, Colonel Ormonde will always know my address.
+He honors me still with his friendship, though he thinks me a
+moon-struck idiot."
+
+"Because you are good. The folly is his," said Katherine, warmly. Then
+she bowed, Mr. Payne lifted his hat again, and they parted, not to meet
+for many a day.
+
+When Mrs. Knapp opened the door she looked rather grave, but Katherine's
+mind was so full of her encounter with Gilbert Payne that she did not
+notice it, seeing which, Mrs. Knapp said, "I'm glad you have come in,
+miss."
+
+"Why?" with immediate apprehension. "Is my uncle ill?"
+
+"He is not right, miss. I took him up his cup or tea and slice of dry
+toast about five, and he was lying back, as he often does, asleep, as I
+thought, in the chair. I says, 'Here's your tea, sir,' but he made no
+answer, and I spoke again twice without making him hear; then I touched
+his hand; it was stone cold; so I got water and dabbed his brow, when he
+sat up all of a sudden, and swore at me for making him cold and damp
+with my--I don't like to say the word--rags. Then he shivered and shook
+like an aspen; but I made up the fire and popped a spoonful of brandy in
+his tea--he never noticed. But he kept asking for you, miss. I think he
+doesn't know he was bad."
+
+Katherine hastened to her uncle, greatly distressed at having been
+absent at the moment of need. In her eagerness she committed the mistake
+of asking how he felt now, and received a tart reply. There was nothing
+the matter with him, nothing unusual--only his old complaint, increasing
+years and infirmity; still he was not to be treated like a helpless
+baby.
+
+Katherine felt her error, and turned the subject; then, returning to it,
+begged him to see a doctor. This he refused sternly. Finally she had
+recourse to an article on the revenue in the paper, which soothed him,
+and she saw the old man totter off to bed with extreme uneasiness, yet
+not daring even to suggest a night light, so irritable did he seem.
+
+Before she slept she wrote a brief account of what had occurred to Mr.
+Newton, and implored him to come and remonstrate with his client.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE BEGINNING OF THE END.
+
+
+Katherine Liddell had never spent so uneasy a night, save when her
+mother had been ill. Her nerves were on the stretch, her ears painfully
+watchful for the smallest sound. What if the desolate old man should
+pass away, alone and unaided, in the darkness of night! The sense of
+responsibility was almost too much for her. If she could have her mother
+at her side she would fear nothing. She was up early, thankful to see
+daylight, and eager for Mrs. Knapp's report of her uncle.
+
+Generally the old man was afoot betimes, and despised the luxury of warm
+water. This morning Mrs. Knapp had to knock at his door, as he was not
+moving, and after a brief interview returned to inform Katherine that
+Mr. Liddell grumbled at her for being up too early, and on hearing that
+it was half past eight, said she had better bring him a cup of tea.
+
+Katherine carried it to him herself. He took very little notice of her,
+but said he would get up presently and hear the papers read.
+
+When she came back with some jelly, for which she had sent to the
+nearest confectioner, he ate it without comment, and told her she
+might go.
+
+It was a miserable morning, but about noon, to her great delight,
+she saw Mr. Newton opening the garden gate. She flew to admit
+him.
+
+"I am so thankful you have come!"
+
+"How is Mr. Liddell?"
+
+"He seems quite himself this morning, except that he is inclined
+to stay in bed."
+
+"He must see a doctor," said Mr. Newton, speaking in a low
+voice and turning into the parlor. "We must try and keep him
+alive and in his senses for every reason. I am glad he is still in bed;
+it will give me an excuse for urging him to take advice, for of
+course I shall not mention your note."
+
+"No pray do not. He evidently does not like to be thought ill."
+
+"Pray how long have you been here--nearly a month? Yes, I
+thought so. I cannot compliment you on your looks. How do you
+think you have been getting on with our friend?"
+
+"Not very well, I fear," said Katherine, shaking her head. "He
+rarely speaks to me, except to give some order or ask some necessary
+question. Yet he does not speak roughly or crossly, as he does
+to Mrs. Knapp; and something I cannot define in his voice, even in
+his cold eyes, tells me he is growing used to my presence, and that
+he does not dislike it."
+
+"Well, I should think not, Miss Liddell," said the precise lawyer,
+politely. "I trust time may be given to him to recognize the claims
+of kindred and of merit. Pray ask him if he will see me, and in the
+mean time please send a note to Dr. Brown--a very respectable
+practitioner, who lives not far; ask him to come at once. I must
+persuade Mr. Liddell to see him, and if possible while I am present."
+
+The old man showed no surprise at Mr. Newton's presence; it was
+almost time for his monthly visit, and as he brought a small sum of
+money with him, the result of some minor payments, he was very
+welcome.
+
+Katherine, immensely relieved, sat trying to work in the front
+parlor, but really watching for the doctor. Would her uncle see
+him? and if not, ought she still to undertake the responsibility of
+such a charge?
+
+At last he arrived, a staid, thoughtful-looking man; and before
+he had time to do more than exchange a few words with her, Mr.
+Newton appeared and carried him off to see the patient.
+
+They seemed a long time gone; and when they returned the doctor
+wrote a prescription--a very simple tonic, he said. "What your
+uncle needs, Miss Liddell," he said, "is constant nourishment. He
+is exceedingly weak; the action of the heart is feeble, the whole
+system starved. You must get him to take all the food you can, and
+some good wine--Burgundy if possible. He had better get up.
+There is really no organic disease, but he is very low. He ought to
+have some one in his room at night."
+
+"It will be difficult to manage that," said Mr. Newton.
+
+"I shall look in to-morrow about this time," said the doctor, and
+hurried away.
+
+"How have you contrived to make him hear reason?" asked
+Katherine, eagerly.
+
+"I took the law into my own hands, for one thing, and I suggested
+a powerful motive for living on. I reminded him that he and
+another old gentleman are the only survivors in a 'Tontine,' and
+that he must try to outlive him. So the cost of doctor, medicine,
+etc., etc., ought to be considered as an investment. Do not fail to
+get him all possible nourishment. If he rebels, send for me."
+
+"I will indeed. I am almost afraid to stay here alone. Might I
+not have my mother with me?"
+
+"Do not think of it"--earnestly. "I was going to say that I believe
+you are decidedly gaining on your uncle; but the intrusion of
+Mrs. Frederic Liddell yesterday was very unfortunate. My rather
+peculiar client is impressed with the idea that you invited her."
+
+"Indeed I did not!" cried Katherine.
+
+"I did not suppose you did, but her appearance seems to have
+given Mr. Liddell a shock." Mr. Newton paused, and then asked
+in a slow tone, as if thinking hard, "What was your sister-in-law's
+maiden name?"
+
+"Sandford," said Katherine.
+
+"Sandford? That is rather a curious coincidence. The late Mrs.
+John Liddell was a Miss Sandford."
+
+"Is she dead, then?"
+
+"Yes; she died eight or nine years ago."
+
+"Could they have been related?"
+
+"Possibly. Some likeness seems to have struck your uncle."
+
+There was a short silence, and Mr. Newton resumed. "I trust
+you do not find your stay here too trying? I consider it very important
+that you should persevere, though it is only right to tell you
+that Mr. Liddell has made a will--not a just one, in my opinion--and
+it is extremely unlikely he will ever change it."
+
+"That does not really affect me. Of course I should be very glad
+if he chose to leave anything to my mother or myself, but I shall do
+my best for him under any circumstances. Besides, I have a sort
+of desire to make him speak to me and like me--perhaps it is vanity--quite
+apart from a sense of duty. He is so like a frozen man!"
+
+"Try, try by all means, my dear young lady."
+
+"What I do not like is the hour or half hour after market. The
+wolfish greed by which he clutches the change I bring back, the
+glare in his eyes, the fierce eagerness with which he asks the price
+of everything--he is not human at such times, and I almost fear
+him."
+
+"It is a dreadful picture, but perhaps the details may soften in
+time."
+
+"How shall I get money for all he wants?" asked Katherine,
+anxiously.
+
+"I shall impress upon Mr. Liddell the necessity of his case, and
+even make out that the good things he requires cost more than they
+do. I will beg him to allow me to supply the money during his indisposition
+and enter it in his account. Here, I will give you five
+pounds while we are alone."
+
+"Thank you so much! You see I dare not get into debt. I will keep a
+careful account of all expenditure, and ask him--my uncle, I mean--not
+to give me any money, then there will be no confusion.
+
+"Very well. I will go back to him now. He will be almost ready to come
+in here. Write to me frequently. I shall try to look in to-morrow for a
+few minutes."
+
+Katherine stirred the fire, and placed a threadbare footstool before the
+invalid's easy-chair, thanking Heaven in her heart for sending her such
+an ally as the friendly lawyer.
+
+Then Mr. Liddell appeared, leaning on Newton's arm, and not looking much
+worse than usual, Katherine thought. He took no notice of her until she
+put the footstool under his feet; then, wonderful to relate, he looked
+down into her grave, kindly face and smiled, not bitterly or cynically,
+but as if, on the whole, pleased to see her. He seemed a little
+breathless, yet he soon began to speak to Newton as if in continuation
+of their previous conversation--"And is Fergusson really a year younger
+than I am?"
+
+"Yes, quite a year, I should say, and he takes great care of himself. I
+do not think he has really so good a constitution as you have, but he
+takes everything that is strengthening--good wine, turtle soup, and I do
+not know what."
+
+"Ah, indeed!" returned Mr. Liddell, thoughtfully.
+
+"I have been explaining to Mr. Liddell," said the lawyer, turning to
+Katherine, "that it would be well to let me give you the house-keeping
+money for the present, so that he need not be troubled about anything
+except to get well; and when well, my dear sir, you really must go out.
+Fresh air--"
+
+"Fresh fiddle-sticks," interrupted the old man; "I have been well for
+years without going out, and I'll not begin now. I'll give in to
+everything else; only, if _I_ am obliged to take costly food as a
+medicine, I expect the rest of the household to live as carefully as
+ever."
+
+"I shall do my best, uncle," said Katherine, softly.
+
+After a little more conversation the lawyer took his leave, and then
+Katherine applied herself to read the papers which had been neglected.
+
+It was not till toward evening she was able to write a few lines to her
+mother describing Mr. Liddell's illness, and begging she would come to
+see her on Saturday, as she (Katherine) could not absent herself while
+her uncle was so unwell.
+
+After this things went on much as usual, only Mr. Liddell never resumed
+his habits of early rising; he was a shade less cold too, though at
+times terribly irritable.
+
+He took the food prepared for him obediently enough, but with evident
+want of appetite, rarely finishing what was provided.
+
+Mr. Newton generally called every week, and Katherine wrote to him
+besides; she was strict in insisting on the audit of her accounts, which
+the accurate lawyer sometimes praised. By judicious accounts of
+Fergusson, the other surviving member of the Tontine, he managed to keep
+his client in tolerable order. Katherine, though grateful to him for his
+friendly help, little knew how strenuously he strove to lengthen the old
+miser's days, hoping he would make some provision for his niece, while
+he dared not offer any suggestion on the subject, lest it should
+produce an effect contrary to what he desired.
+
+
+Mrs. Fred Liddell was bitterly disappointed by the result of her visit
+to the rich uncle. A good deal, indeed, hung upon it. A wealthy
+succession was certainly a thing to be devoutly wished for in itself,
+but the sharp little widow felt that provision for her boys and a dowry
+for herself meant marriage, _if_ she chose, with Colonel Ormonde.
+
+And she very decidedly did wish it. Her imagination, which was vivid
+enough of its kind, was captivated by the Colonel's imposing "bow-wow"
+manner, the idea of a country place--an old family place too--by his
+diamond ring and florid compliments, his self-satisfied fastidiousness
+and his social position. In short, to her he seemed a fashionable hero;
+but she was quite sure he never would hamper himself with two little
+portionless boys. Ada Liddell was by no means unkind to her children;
+she was ready to pet them when they met, and give them what did not cost
+her too much; but she considered them a terrible disadvantage, and
+herself a most generous and devoted mother.
+
+The day after she had been so ignominiously expelled from John Liddell's
+house she put on the prettiest thing she possessed in the way of a
+bonnet--a contrivance of black lace and violets--and having inspected
+the turn-out of the children's maid in her best go-to-meeting attire,
+also the putting on of the boys' newest sailor suits, the curling of
+their hair, and many minor details, she sallied forth across Kensington
+Gardens to the ride, feeling tolerably sure that, in consequence of a
+hint she had dropped a day or two before, when taking afternoon tea in
+Mrs. Burnett's drawing-room, Colonel Ormonde would probably be amongst
+the riders on his powerful chestnut, ready to receive her report. She
+was quite sure he was very much smitten, and eager to know what her
+chances with old Liddell might be; and as her mother-in-law had a bad
+habit of presiding over her own tea-table, it would be more convenient
+to talk with her gay Lothario in the Park.
+
+Many admiring glances were cast upon the pretty little woman in becoming
+half-mourning, with the two golden-haired, sweet-looking children and
+their trim maid, which did not escape their object, and put her into
+excellent spirits. She felt she had gone forth conquering and to
+conquer. About half-way down the row she recognized a well-known figure
+on a mighty horse, who cantered up to where she stood, followed by a
+groom.
+
+"Good-morning, Mrs. Liddell; I thought this piece of fine weather would
+tempt you out," cried Colonel Ormonde, dismounting and throwing his rein
+to the groom, who led away the horse as if in obedience to some
+previously given command. "I protest you are a most tantalizing little
+woman!" he exclaimed, when they had shaken hands and he had patted the
+children's heads. "I have been looking for you this half-hour. Where did
+you hide yourself?"
+
+"I did not hide myself. I am dying to tell you about my uncle."
+
+"Ah! was he all your prophetic soul painted him?"
+
+"He was, and a good deal more. He is quite an ogre, and lives in a
+miserable hovel. How Katherine can degrade herself by grovelling there
+with him for the sake of what she can get passes my understanding."
+
+"Deuced plucky, sensible girl! She is quite right to stick to the old
+boy. Hope she will get his cash. Gad! with her eyes and _his_ thousands,
+she'd rouse up society!"
+
+"Well, I believe she intends to have them all. She was quite vexed at my
+going over to see the ogre, and I think has prejudiced him against my
+poor darling boys, for as soon as he saw them he called out that he
+could not receive any one, that he was ill and nervous. But I smiled my
+very best smile, and said I had come to introduce myself, and I hoped he
+would let me have a little talk with him. The poor old ogre looked at me
+rather kindly and earnestly when I said that, and I really do think he
+would have listened to me, but my sister-in-law would make me come away,
+as if the sight of me was enough to frighten a horse from his oats; so
+somehow we got hustled upstairs, and there was an end of it."
+
+"Ah, Mrs. Liddell, you ought not to have allowed yourself to be
+outmanoeuvred," cried the Colonel, who greatly enjoyed irritating his
+pretty little friend. "Your _belle-soeur_ (as she really is) is too
+many for you. Don't you give up; try again when the adorable Katherine
+is out of the way."
+
+"I fully intend to do so, I assure you," cried Mrs. Frederic, her eyes
+sparkling, her heart beating with vexation, but determined to keep up
+the illusion of ingratiating herself with the miserly uncle. "Pray
+remember this is only a first attempt."
+
+"I am sure you have my devout wishes for your success. How this wretched
+old hunk can resist such eyes, such a smile, as yours, is beyond my
+comprehension. If such a niece attacked _me_, I should surrender at the
+first demand."
+
+"I don't think you would"--a little tartly. "I think you have as keen a
+regard for your own interest as most men."
+
+"I am sure you would despise me if I had not, and the idea of being
+despised by you is intolerable."
+
+"You know I do not"--very softly. "But it is time I turned and went
+toward home."
+
+"Nonsense, my dear Mrs. Liddell! or, if you will turn, let it be round
+Kensington Gardens. Do you know, I am going to Scotland next week, to
+Sir Ralph's moor; then I expect a party to meet Errington at my own
+place early in September; so I shall not have many chances of seeing you
+until I run up just before Christmas. Now I am going to ask a great
+favor. It's so hard to get a word with you except under the Argus eyes
+of that mother-in-law of yours."
+
+"What can it be?" opening her eyes.
+
+"Come with me to see this play they have been giving at the Adelphi. I
+have never had a spare evening to see it. We'll leave early, and have a
+snug little supper at Verey's, and I'll see you home."
+
+"It would be delightful, but out of the question, I am afraid: Mrs.
+Liddell has such severe ideas, and I dare not offend her."
+
+"Why need she know anything about it? Say--oh, anything--that you are
+going with the Burnetts: they have gone to the Italian lakes, but I
+don't suppose she knows."
+
+The temptation was great, but the little widow was no fool in some ways.
+She saw her way to make something of an impression on her worldly
+admirer.
+
+"No, Colonel Ormonde," she said, shaking her head, while she permitted
+the "suspicious moisture" to gather in her eyes. "It would indeed be a
+treat to a poor little recluse like me, but though there is not a bit of
+harm in it, or you would not ask me, I am sure, I must not offend my
+mother-in-law; and though Heaven knows I am not straight-laced, I never
+will tell stories or act deceitfully if I can help it; that is my only
+strong point, which has to make up for a thousand weak ones."
+
+Colonel Ormonde looked at her with amazement; her greatest charm to men
+such as he was her dolliness, and this was a new departure.
+
+"Well," he said, in his most insinuating tones, "I thought you might
+have granted so much to an old friend and faithful admirer like myself.
+There is no great harm in my little plan."
+
+"Certainly not, but you see I must hold on to my mother-in-law: she is
+my only real stay. While pleasant and friendly as you are, my dear
+Colonel"--with a pretty little toss of her head--"you will go off
+shooting, or hunting, or Heaven knows what, and it is quite possible I
+may never see your face again."
+
+"Oh, by George! you will not get rid of me so easily," cried Ormonde, a
+good deal taken back.
+
+"I shall be very glad to see you if you do turn up again," said Mrs.
+Liddell, graciously. "So as this will probably be the last time I shall
+see you for some months, pray tell me some amusing gossip."
+
+But gossip did not seem to come readily to Colonel Ormonde; nevertheless
+they made a tour of the gardens in desultory conversation, till Mrs.
+Liddell stopped decidedly, and bade him adieu.
+
+"At last," said the cautious ex-dragoon, "you will write and tell me how
+you get on with this amiable old relative of yours."
+
+"I shall be very pleased to report progress, if you care to write and
+ask me, and tell me your whereabouts."
+
+"Then I suppose it is to be good-by?" said Ormonde, almost
+sentimentally. "You are treating me devilishly ill."
+
+"I do not see that." Here the boys came running up, at a signal from
+their mother.
+
+"Well, my fine fellow," said Ormonde, laying his hand on Cecil's
+shoulder, "so you went to see your old uncle. Did he try to eat you?"
+
+"No; but he is a nasty cross old man. He wouldn't speak a word to mammy,
+but took his stick and hobbled away."
+
+"Yes, he is a wicked man, and I am afraid he will hurt auntie," put in
+Charlie.
+
+Colonel Ormonde laughed rather more than the mother liked. "I think you
+may trust 'auntie' to take care of herself.--So you forced the old boy
+to retreat? What awful stories your sister-in-law must have told of
+you!" to Mrs. Liddell.
+
+She was greatly annoyed, but, urged by all-powerful self-interest, she
+maintained a smooth face, and answered, "Oh yes, when Katherine kept
+worrying about our disturbing her uncle, the poor old man got up and
+left the room."
+
+"Well, you must turn her flank, and be sure to let me know how matters
+progress. I suppose you will be here all the autumn?"
+
+"I should think so; small chance of my going out of town," she returned,
+bitterly, and the words had scarce left her lips before she felt she had
+made a mistake. Men hate to be bothered with the discomforts of others.
+
+The result was that Colonel Ormonde cut short his adieux, and parted
+from her with less regret than he felt five minutes before.
+
+The young widow walked smartly back, holding her eldest boy's hand, and
+administered a sharp rebuke to him for talking too much. To which Cecil
+replied that he had only answered when he was spoken to. This elicited a
+scolding for his impertinence, and produced further tart answers from
+the fluent young gentleman, which ended by his being dismissed in a fury
+to Jane, _vice_ Charles, promoted to walk beside mamma.
+
+
+As may be supposed, Mrs. Liddell lost no time about answering her
+daughter's note in person. In truth, toward the end of a week's
+separation she generally began to hunger painfully for a sight of her
+Katie's face, to feel the clasp of her soft arms, and to this was added
+in the present instance serious uneasiness respecting the strain to
+which her sense of responsibility as nurse as well as housekeeper must
+subject so inexperienced a creature.
+
+It was rather late in the afternoon when Mrs. Liddell reached Legrave
+Crescent, and the servant showed her into the front parlor at once.
+Katherine almost feared to draw her uncle's attention to the visitor. He
+had had all the papers read to him, and even asked for some articles to
+be read a second time; now after his dinner he seemed to doze. If he had
+not noticed Mrs. Liddell's entry she had perhaps better take her away
+upstairs at once, but while she thought she sprang to her and locked her
+in a close, silent embrace.
+
+Turning from her, he saw that Mr. Liddell's eyes were open and fixed
+upon them, and she said, softly: "I am sorry you have been disturbed. I
+shall take my mother to my room; perhaps if you want anything you will
+ring for me."
+
+"I will," he returned; and Mrs. Liddell thought his tone a little less
+harsh than usual. "I said you might come and see your daughter when you
+like," he added, "and I repeat it. You have brought her up more usefully
+than I expected." Having spoken, he leaned his head back wearily and
+closed his eyes.
+
+"I am pleased to hear you say so," returned Mrs. Liddell, quietly, and
+immediately followed her daughter out of the room.
+
+"Oh, darling mother, I am so delighted to have you here all to myself!
+It is even better than going home," cried Kate, when they were safe in
+her own special chamber. "But you are looking pale and worn and
+thin--_so_ much thinner!"
+
+"That is an improvement, Katherine," returned Mrs. Liddell; "I shall
+look all the younger."
+
+"Ah! but your face looks older, dear. What has been worrying you? Has
+Ada--"
+
+"Ada has never worried me, as you know, Katie," interrupted Mrs.
+Liddell. "She is not exactly the companion I should choose for every day
+of my life, but she has always been kind and nice with me."
+
+"Oh, she is not bad, and she would be clever if she managed to make
+_you_ quarrel. I am quite different. Now I must get you some tea. Pray
+look round while I am gone, and see how comfortable it is;" and
+Katherine hurried away.
+
+She soon returned, followed by Mrs. Knapp, who was glad to carry up the
+tea-tray to the pleasant, sensible lady who had engaged her for what
+proved to be not an uncomfortable situation. When, after a few civil
+words, she retired, with what delight and tender care Katie waited on
+her mother, putting a cushion at her back and a footstool under her
+feet, remembering her taste in sugar, her little weakness for cream!
+
+"It was very warm in the omnibus, I suppose, for you are looking better
+already."
+
+"I _am_ better; but, Katherine, your uncle is curiously changed. It is
+not so much that he looks ill, but by comparison so alarmingly amiable."
+
+"Well, he is less appalling than he was, and I have grown wonderfully
+accustomed to him. But for the monotony, it is not so bad as I expected,
+and it will be better now, as Mr. Newton is to give me the weekly money.
+I think my uncle is trying to live."
+
+"Poor man! he has little to live for," said Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"He wishes to outlive some other old man, because then he will get a
+good deal of money, according to some curious system--called a
+'Tontine.'"
+
+"Is it possible? The ruling passion, then, in his instance is strong
+against death."
+
+"What a poverty-stricken life his has been, after all!" exclaimed
+Katherine. "Did Ada tell you how vexed he was at her visit?"
+
+"She was greatly offended, but I should like your version of it."
+
+Katherine told her, and repeated Mr. Newton's inquiry about Mrs. Fred
+Liddell's family name.
+
+"Mr. Newton is very kind. He is very formal and precise, and very
+guarded in all he says, yet I feel that he likes me--us--and would like
+my uncle to do something for us."
+
+"I never hoped he would do as much as he has. If he would remember those
+poor little boys in his will it would be a great help. You and I could
+always manage together, Katie."
+
+"I wish that we were together by our own selves once more," returned
+Kate, nestling up to her mother on the big old-fashioned sofa, and
+resting her head on her shoulder.
+
+"I wish to God we were! I miss you so awfully, my darling!"
+
+There was a short silence while the two clung lovingly together. Then
+Katherine said, in a low tone, "Mr. Newton evidently thinks he--my
+uncle--has made a very unjust will, and fears he will never change it."
+
+"Most probably he will not; but he ought not to cut off his natural
+heirs."
+
+"Would Cecil and Charlie be his natural heirs?"
+
+"I suppose so, and something would come to you too; but I do not
+understand these matters. It is dreadful how mean and mercenary this
+terrible need for money makes one."
+
+"You want it very much, mother? There is trouble in your voice; tell me
+what it is."
+
+"There is no special pressure, dear, just now; but unless I am more
+successful with my pen I greatly fear I shall get into debt before I can
+liberate myself from that house. Yet if I do, what will become of Ada
+and the boys?" She paused to cough.
+
+Katherine was silent; the tone of her mother's voice told more than her
+words. "But," resumed Mrs. Liddell, "all is not black. The _Dalston
+Weekly_ has taken my short story, and given me ten pounds for it.
+However, you must take the bad with the good; my poor three-decker has
+come back on my hands."
+
+Katherine uttered a low exclamation. "I did hope they would have taken
+it! and what miserable pay for that bright, pretty story! Mother, I
+cannot believe that the novel will fail. _Do, do_ try Santley & Son! I
+have always heard they were such nice people. Try--promise me you will."
+
+"Dear Katie, I will do whatever you ask me; but--but I confess I feel as
+if Hope, who has always befriended me, had turned her back at last. I am
+so dreadfully tired! I feel as if I was never to rest. Oh for a couple
+of years of peace before I go hence, and a certainty that _you_ would
+not want!"
+
+"Do not fear for me," cried Katherine, pressing her mother to her and
+covering her pale cheeks with kisses. "For myself I fear nothing, but
+for _you_, I greatly fear you are unwell; you breathe shortly; your
+hands are feverish. Do not let hope go. A few weeks and my uncle will be
+stronger, or he may be invigorated by feeling he has killed out the
+other old man, and then I will go back to you and help you, whatever
+happens. I won't stay here to act compound interest. My own darling
+mother, keep up your heart."
+
+"I am ashamed of myself," said Mrs. Liddell, in an unsteady voice. "I
+ought not to have grieved your young heart with my depression, for I
+_have_ been depressed."
+
+"Why not? What is the good of youth and strength if it is not to uphold
+those who have already had more than their share of life's burdens?"
+
+"I assure you this outpouring has relieved me greatly; I shall return
+like a giant refreshed," said Mrs. Liddell, rallying gallantly; "and you
+may depend on my trying the fortune of my poor novel once more, with
+Santley & Son. Now tell me how your domestic management prospers."
+
+A long confidential discussion ensued, and at last Mrs. Liddell was
+obliged to leave.
+
+Katherine went to tell her uncle she was going to set her mother on her
+way, and to see his cup of beef tea served to him. His remark almost
+startled her. "Very well," he said. "Come back soon."
+
+This interview agitated Katherine more than Mrs. Liddell knew. Her worn
+look, her cough, her unwonted depression, thrilled her daughter's warm
+heart with a passion of tender longing to be with her, to help her, to
+give her the rest she so sorely needed; and in the solitude of her large
+dreary room she sobbed herself to sleep, her lips still quivering with
+the loving epithets she had murmured to herself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+"THE LONG TASK IS DONE."
+
+
+The facility with which human nature assimilates new conditions is among
+its most remarkable attributes. A week had scarcely elapsed since John
+Liddell's sudden indisposition and subsidence into an invalid condition,
+yet it seemed to Katherine that he had been breakfasting in bed for
+ages, and might continue to do so for another cycle without change. Her
+inexperience took no warning from the rapidly developing signs of
+decadence and failing force which Mr. Newton perceived; and, on the
+whole, she found her task of housekeeper and caretaker less ungrateful
+since weakness had subdued her uncle, and the friendly lawyer had been
+appointed paymaster.
+
+The days sped with the swiftness monotony lends to time. Mrs. Liddell
+always visited her daughter once a week. Occasionally Katherine got
+leave of absence, and spent an hour or two at home, where she enjoyed a
+game of play with her little nephews. Otherwise home was less homelike
+than formerly. Ada was sulky and dissatisfied; she dared not intrude on
+Mr. Liddell in his present condition; and she was dreadfully annoyed at
+not being able to give Colonel Ormonde any encouraging news on this
+head. Her influence on the family circle, therefore, was not cheerful.
+Besides this, though Mrs. Liddell kept a brave front, and did not again
+allow herself the luxury of confidence in her daughter, there were
+unmistakable signs of care and trouble in her face, her voice. She was
+unfailing in her kind forbearance to the woman her son had loved, and
+whatever good existed in Mrs. Fred's rubbishy little heart responded to
+the genial, broad humanity of her mother-in-law. But Katherine
+perceived, or thought she perceived, that Mrs. Liddell was wearing
+herself down in the effort to make her inmates comfortable, and so to
+beat out her scanty store of sovereigns as to make them stretch to the
+margin of her necessities. It was a very shadowy and narrow pass through
+which her road of life led Katherine at this period, nor was there much
+prospect beyond. Moreover, as her mother had anticipated, the invisible
+cords which bound her to the moribund old miser were tightening their
+hold more and more, she often looked back and wondered at the sort of
+numbness which stole over her spirit during this time of trial.
+
+September was now in its first week; the weather was wet and cold; and
+Katherine was thankful when Mr. Newton's weekly visit was due. It was
+particularly stormy that day, and he was a little later than usual.
+
+When she had left solicitor and client together for some time, she
+descended, as was her custom, to make a cup of tea for the former, and
+give her uncle his beef tea or jelly.
+
+Mr. Newton rose, shook hands with her, and then resumed his conversation
+with Mr. Liddell.
+
+"I do not for a moment mean to say that he is a reckless bettor or a
+mere gambling horse-racer; and, after all, to enter a horse or two for
+the local races, or even Newmarket, is perfectly allowable in a man of
+his fortune--it will neither make him nor mar him."
+
+"It _will_ mar him," returned Mr. Liddell, in more energetic tones than
+Katherine had heard him utter since he was laid up. "A man who believes
+he is rich enough to throw away money is on the brink of ruin. He
+appears to me in a totally different light. I thought he was steady,
+thoughtful, alive to the responsibility of his position. Ah, who is to
+be trusted? Who?"
+
+There seemed no reply to this, for Mr. Newton started a new and
+absorbing topic.
+
+"Mr. Fergusson is keeping wonderfully well," he remarked. "His sister
+was calling on my wife yesterday, and says that since he took this new
+food--'Revalenta Arabica,' I think it is called--he is quite a new man."
+
+"What food is that?" asked Mr. Liddell. While Newton explained,
+Katherine reflected with some wonder on the fact that there was a Mrs.
+Newton; it had never come to her knowledge before. She tried to imagine
+the precise lawyer in love. How did he propose? Surely on paper, in the
+most strictly legal terms! Could he ever have felt the divine joy and
+exultation which loving and being loved must create? Had he little
+children? and oh! did he, could he, ever dance them on his knee? He was
+a good man, she was sure, but goodness so starched and ironed was a
+little appalling.
+
+These fancies lasted till the description of Revalenta Arabica was
+ended; then Mr. Liddell said, "Tell my niece where to get it." Never had
+he called her niece before; even Mr. Newton looked surprised. "I will
+send you the address," he said. "And here, Miss Liddell, is the check
+for next week."
+
+"I have still some money from the last," said Katherine, blushing. "I
+had better give it to you, and then the check need not be interfered
+with." She hated to speak of money before her uncle.
+
+"As you like. You are a good manager, Miss Liddell."
+
+"Give it to me," cried the invalid from his easy-chair; "I will put it
+in my bureau. I have a few coins there, and they can go together."
+
+"Very well; but had not my uncle better write an acknowledgment? We
+shall be puzzled about the money when we come to reckon up at the end of
+the month, if he does not."
+
+Katherine had been taught by severe experience the necessity of saving
+herself harmless when handling Mr. Liddell's money.
+
+"An acknowledgment," repeated the old man, with a slight, sobbing,
+inward laugh. "That is well thought. Yes, by all means write it out, Mr.
+Newton, and I will sign. Oh yes; I will sign!"
+
+Newton turned to the writing-table and traced a few lines, bringing it
+on the blotting-pad for his client's signature.
+
+"I can sign steadily enough still," said Mr. Liddell, slowly, "and my
+name is good for a few thousands. Hey?"
+
+"That it certainly is, Mr. Liddell."
+
+"Do you think old Fergusson could sign as steadily as that?" asked Mr.
+Liddell, with a slight, exulting smile.
+
+"I should say not. What writing of his I have seen was a terrible
+scrawl."
+
+"Hum! he wasn't a gentleman, you know. He drank too; not to be
+intoxicated, but too much--too much! For he will find the temperance man
+too many for him. _I'll_ win the race, the waiting race;" and he laughed
+again in a distressing, hysterical fashion, that quite exhausted him.
+
+Katherine flew to fetch cold water, while the old man leaning back
+panting and breathless, and Mr. Newton, much alarmed, fanned him with a
+folded newspaper.
+
+He gradually recovered, but complained much of the beating of his heart.
+Mr. Newton wished to send for the doctor, but Mr. Liddell would not hear
+of it. Then he urged his allowing the servant at least to sleep on the
+sofa in the front parlor, leaving the door into Mr. Liddell's room open.
+To this the object of his solicitude was also opposed, so Mr. Newton
+bade him farewell. Katherine, however, waylaid him in the hall, and they
+held a short conference.
+
+"He really ought not to be left alone at night."
+
+"No, he must not," said Katherine. "I will make our servant spend the
+night in the parlor. She can easily open the door after the lights are
+out, without his being vexed by knowing she is there. I could not sleep
+if I thought he was alone. I will come very early in the morning to
+relieve her."
+
+"Do, my dear young lady. I will call on the doctor and beg him to come
+round early."
+
+"Do you think my uncle so ill, then?"
+
+"He is greatly changed, and his weakness makes me uneasy. I trust in God
+he may be spared a little longer."
+
+Katherine looked and felt surprised at the fervor of his tone. Little
+did she dream the real source of the friendly lawyer's anxiety to
+prolong a very profitless existence.
+
+After a few more remarks and a promise to come at any time if he were
+needed, Mr. Newton departed; and Katherine got through the dreary
+evening as best she could.
+
+How she longed to summon her mother! but she feared to irritate her
+uncle, who was evidently unequal to bear the slightest agitation.
+
+Next day was unusually cold, and though Mr. Liddell had passed a
+tranquil night, he seemed averse to leave his bed. He lay there very
+quietly, and listened to the papers being read, and it was late in the
+afternoon before he would get up and dress. From this time forward he
+rarely rose till dusk, and it grew more and more an effort to him. He
+was always pleased to see Mr. Newton, and to converse a little with him.
+He even spoke with tolerable civility to Mrs. Liddell when she came to
+see her daughter.
+
+As the weather grew colder--and autumn that year was very wintry--he
+objected more and more to leave his bed, and at last came to sitting up
+only for a couple of hours in the chair by his bedroom fire. It was
+during one of these intervals that Katherine, who had been racking her
+brains for something to talk of that would interest him, bethought her
+of a transaction in old newspapers which Mrs. Knapp had brought to a
+satisfactory conclusion. She therefore took out "certain moneys" from
+her purse.
+
+"We have sold the newspapers at last, uncle," she said. "I kept back
+some for our own use, so all I could get was a shilling and three
+half-pence." She placed the coins on a little table which stood by his
+arm-chair, adding, "I suppose you know the Scotch saying, 'Many mickles
+make a muckle'; even a few pence are better than a pile of useless
+papers."
+
+"I know," said Liddell, with feeble eagerness, clutching the money and
+transferring it to his little old purse. "It is a good saving--a wise
+saying. I did not think you knew it; but--but why did you keep back
+any?"
+
+"Because one always needs waste paper in a house, to light fires and
+cover things from dust. I shall collect more next time," she added,
+seeing the old man was pleased with the idea.
+
+He made no reply, but sat gazing at the red coals, his lips moving
+slightly, and the purse still in his hand. Again he opened it, and took
+out the coins she had given him, holding them to the fire-light in the
+hollow of his thin hand.
+
+"Do you know the value of money?" he said at length, looking piercingly
+at her. "Do you know the wonderful life it has--a life of its own?"
+
+"If the want of can teach its value I ought to know," she returned.
+
+"You are wrong! Poverty never teaches its worth. You never hold it and
+study it when, the moment you touch it, you have to exchange it for
+commodities. No! it is when you can spare some for a precious seed, and
+watch its growth, and see--see its power of self-multiplication if it is
+let alone--just let alone," he repeated, with a touch of pathos in his
+voice. "Now these few pence, thirteen and a half in all--a boy with an
+accumulative nature and youth, early youth, on his side, might build a
+fortune on these. Yes, he might, if he had not a grovelling love of food
+and comfort."
+
+"Do you think he really could?" asked Kate, interested in spite of
+herself in the theories of the old miser.
+
+"Would you care to know?" said her uncle, fixing his keen dark eyes upon
+her.
+
+"I should indeed." Her voice proved she was in earnest.
+
+"Then I will tell you, step by step, but not to-night. I am too weary.
+You are different from the others--your father and your brother. You
+are--yes, you are--more like _me_."
+
+"God forbid!" was Katherine's mental ejaculation.
+
+Mr. Liddell slowly put the thirteenpence half penny back in his purse,
+drew forth his bunch of keys, looked at them, and restored them to his
+pocket; then, resting his head wearily against the chair, he said, "Give
+me something to take and I will go to bed."
+
+Katherine hastened to obey, and summoned the servant to assist him, as
+usual.
+
+The next morning was cold and wet, with showers of sleet, and Mr.
+Liddell declared he had taken a chill, and refused to get up. He was
+indisposed to eat, and did not show any interest in the newspaper. About
+noon the doctor called. Mr. Liddell answered his questions civilly
+enough, but did not respond to his attempts at conversation.
+
+"Your uncle is in a very low condition," said the doctor, when he came
+into the next room, where Katherine awaited him. "You must do your best
+to make him take nourishment, and keep him as warm as possible. I
+suppose Mr. Newton is always in town?"
+
+"I think so; at least I never knew him to be absent since I came here. I
+rather expect him to-day or to-morrow. Do you think my uncle seriously
+ill?"
+
+"He is not really ill, but he has an incurable complaint--old age. He
+ought not to be so weak as he is; still, he may last some time, with
+your good care."
+
+Katherine took her needle-work and settled herself to keep watch by the
+old man. The doctor's inquiry for Mr. Newton had startled her, but his
+subsequent words allayed her fears. "He may last for some time,"
+conveyed to her mind the notion of an indefinite lease of life.
+
+Mr. Liddell seemed to be slumbering peacefully, when, after a long
+silence, during which Katherine's thoughts had traversed many a league
+of land and sea, he said suddenly, in stronger tones than usual, "Are
+you there?" He scarcely ever called her by her name.
+
+"I am," said Katherine, coming to the bedside.
+
+"Here, take these keys"--he drew them from under his pillows; "this one
+unlocks that bureau"--pointing to a large old-fashioned piece of
+furniture, dark and polished, which stood on one side of the fireplace;
+"open it, and in the top drawer left you will find a long, folded paper.
+Bring it to me."
+
+Katherine did as he directed, and could not help seeing the words, "Will
+of John Wilmot Liddell," and a date some seven or eight years back,
+inscribed upon it. She handed it to her uncle, arranging his pillows so
+that he might sit up more comfortably, while she rather wondered at the
+commonplace aspect of so potent an instrument. A will, she imagined, was
+something huge, of parchment, with big seals attached.
+
+John Liddell slowly put on his spectacles, and unfolding the paper, read
+for some time in silence.
+
+"This will not do," he said at last, clearly and firmly. "I was mistaken
+in him. The care for and of money must be born in you; it cannot be
+taught. No, I can make a better disposition. Could _you_ take care of
+money, girl?" he asked sternly.
+
+"I should try," returned Katherine, quietly.
+
+There was a pause. The old man lay thinking, his lean, brown hand lying
+on the open paper. "Write," he said at length, so suddenly and sharply
+that he startled his niece; get paper and write to Newton. Katherine
+brought the writing materials, and placed herself at the small table.
+
+"Dear sir," he dictated--"Be so good as to come to me as soon as
+convenient. I wish to make a will more in accordance with my present
+knowledge than any executed by me formerly. I am, yours faithfully."
+
+Katherine brought over pen and paper, and the old man affixed his
+signature clearly.
+
+"Now fold it up and send it to post. No--take it yourself; then it will
+be safe, and so much the better for you."
+
+Katherine called the good-natured Mrs. Knapp to take her place, and
+sallied forth. She was a good deal excited. Was she in a crisis of her
+fate? Would her grim old uncle leave her wherewithal to give the dear
+mother rest and peace for the remainder of her days? It would not take
+much; would he--oh, would he remember the poor little boys? She never
+dreamed of more than a substantial legacy; the bulk of his fortune he
+might leave to whom he liked. How dreadful it was that money should be
+such a grim necessity!
+
+She felt oppressed, and made a small circuit returning, to enjoy as much
+fresh air as she could, and called at some of the shops where she was
+accustomed to deal, to save sending the servant later. She was growing a
+little nervous, and disliked being left alone in the house.
+
+When she returned, her uncle was very much in the same attitude; but he
+had folded up his will and placed his hand under his head.
+
+"You have been very long," he said, querulously.
+
+Katherine said she had been at one or two shops.
+
+"Read to me," he said, "I am tired thinking; but first lock the bureau
+and give me the keys; you left them hanging in the lock. I have never
+taken my eyes from them. Now I have them," he added, putting them under
+his pillow, "I can rest. Here, take this"--handing her the will: "put it
+in the drawer of my writing-table; we may want it to morrow; and I do
+not wish that bureau opened again; everything is there."
+
+Having placed the will as he desired, Katherine began to read, and the
+rest of the day passed as usual.
+
+She could not, however, prevent herself from listening for Mr. Newton's
+knock. She felt sure he would hasten to his client as soon as he had
+read his note. He would be but too glad to draw up another and a juster
+will.
+
+Without a word, without the slightest profession of friendship, Newton
+had managed to impress Katherine with the idea that he was anxious to
+induce Mr. Liddell to do what was right to his brother's widow and
+daughter.
+
+But night closed in, and no Mr. Newton came. Mr. Liddell was unusually
+wakeful and restless, and seemed on the watch himself, his last words
+that night being, "I am sure Newton will be here in good time
+to-morrow."
+
+Instead, the morrow brought a dapper and extremely modern young man, the
+head of the firm in right of succession, his late father having founded
+the house of Stephens & Newton.
+
+Mr. Liddell had just been made comfortable in his great invalid's chair
+by the fire, having risen earlier than usual in expectation of Mr.
+Newton's visit. When this gentleman presented himself, Katherine
+observed that her uncle was in a state of tremulous impatience, and the
+moment she saw the stranger she felt that some unlucky accident had
+prevented Newton from obeying his client's behest.
+
+"Who--what?" gasped Mr. Liddell, when a card was handed to him. "Read
+it," to Katherine.
+
+"Mr. Stephens, of Stephens & Newton, Red Lion Square," she returned.
+
+"I will not see him, I do not want him," cried her uncle, angrily.
+"Where is Newton? Go ask him?"
+
+With an oppressive sense of embarrassment, Katherine went out into the
+hall, and confronted a short, slight young man with exceedingly tight
+trousers, a colored cambric tie, and a general air of being on the turf.
+He held a white hat in one hand, and on the other, which was ungloved,
+he wore a large seal ring. Katherine did not know how to say that her
+uncle would not see him, but the stranger took the initiative.
+
+"Aw--I have done myself the honor of coming in person to take Mr.
+Liddell's instructions, as Mr. Newton was called out of town by very
+particular business yesterday morning. I rather hoped he might return
+last night, but a communication this morning informs us he will be
+detained till this afternoon, not reaching town till 9.30 P.M. I am
+prepared to execute any directions in my partner's stead."
+
+He spoke with an air of condescension, as if he did Mr. Liddell a high
+honor, and made a step forward. Katherine did not know what to say. It
+was terrible to keep this consequential little man in the hall, and
+there was literally nowhere else to take him.
+
+"I am so sorry, but my uncle is very unwell and nervous. I do not think
+he could see any one but Mr. Newton, who is an old friend, you know,"
+she added, deprecatingly.
+
+"I am his legal adviser too," returned the young man, with a slightly
+offended air. "I am the senior partner and head of the house, and the
+worse Mr. Liddell is, the greater the necessity for his giving
+instructions respecting his will."
+
+"I will tell him Mr. Newton is away," said Katherine, courteously;
+"and--would you mind sitting down here? I am quite distressed not to
+have any better place to offer you, but I cannot help it."
+
+"It is of no consequence," returned the young lawyer, struck by her
+sweet tones and simple good-breeding, yet looking round him at the worn
+oil-cloth and shabby stair-carpeting with manifest amazement.
+
+"Mr. Newton is out of town, and does not return till late this evening,"
+said Katherine, returning to the irate old man. "This gentleman says he
+is the head of the firm, and will do your bidding in Mr. Newton's
+stead."
+
+"Tell him he shall do nothing of the kind," returned Mr. Liddell, in a
+weak, hoarse, impatient voice. "I saw him once, and I know him; he is an
+ignorant, addle-pated jackanapes. He shall not muddle my affairs; send
+him away; I can wait for Newton. I don't suppose I am going to die
+to-night."
+
+And Katherine, blushing "celestial rosy red," hied back to the smart
+young man, who was reposing himself on the only seat the entrance
+boasted, and conjecturing that if this fine, fair, soft-spoken girl was
+to be the old miser's heir, she would be almost deserving of his own
+matrimonial intentions.
+
+"My uncle begs me to apologize to you, Mr. Stephens, but he is so much
+accustomed to Mr. Newton, and in such a nervous state, that he would
+prefer waiting till that gentleman can come."
+
+"Oh, very well; only I wish I had known before--I came up here at some
+inconvenience; and also wish Mr. Liddell could be persuaded that delays
+are dangerous."
+
+"The delay is not for very long. I am sorry you had this fruitless
+trouble. Mr. Liddell is very weak."
+
+"I am sure if anything could restore him, it would be the care of such a
+nurse as you must be," with a bow and a grin.
+
+"Thank you; good-morning," said Katherine, with such an air of decided
+dismissal that the young senior partner at once departed.
+
+Mr. Liddell fretted and fumed for an hour or two before he had exhausted
+himself sufficiently to sit still and listen to Katherine's reading; and
+after he had apparently sunk into a doze, he suddenly started up and
+exclaimed: "That idiot, young Stephens, will never think of sending to
+his house. Write--write to Newton's private residence."
+
+"I think Mr. Stephens will, uncle. He seemed anxious to meet your
+wishes."
+
+"Don't be a fool--do as I bid you! Get the paper and pen. Are you
+ready?"
+
+"I am."
+
+"Dear sir, Let nothing prevent your coming to me to-morrow," he
+dictated; "I want to make my will. It is important that affairs be not
+left in confusion. Yours truly. Give me the pen," he went on, in the
+same breath. "I can sign as well as ever. Now go you yourself and put
+this in the post. I do not trust that woman--they all stop and gossip,
+and I want this to go by the next despatch."
+
+Katherine, always thankful to be in the air, went readily enough. She
+was distressed to find how the nervous uneasiness of yesterday was
+growing on her. The perpetual companionship of the grim old skeleton,
+her uncle, was making her morbid, she thought; she must ask leave to go
+and spend a day at home to see how her mother was getting on, to refresh
+herself by a game of romps with the children. Why, she felt absolutely
+growing old!
+
+When she re-entered the house she found, much to her satisfaction, that
+the doctor was with Mr. Liddell; and after laying aside her out-door
+dress, she went to the parlor.
+
+"I have been advising Mr. Liddell to try the effect of a few glasses of
+champagne," said the former, who was looking rather grave, Katherine
+thought. "But as there is none in his cellar, he objects. Now you must
+help me to persuade him. I am going on to a patient in Regent's Park,
+and shall pass a very respectable wine-merchant's on my way; so I shall
+just take the law into my own hands and order a couple of bottles for
+you. Consider it medicine. It is wonderful how much more generally
+champagne is used than when you and I were young, my dear sir!" etc.,
+etc., he went on, with professional cheerfulness. But Mr. Liddell did
+not heed him much.
+
+"He is very weak. The action of the heart is extremely feeble," said the
+doctor, when Katherine followed him to the door. "Try and make him take
+the champagne."
+
+Another day dragged through; then Katherine, rather worn with the
+constant involuntary sense of watching which had strained her nerves all
+day, slept soundly and dreamlessly. She woke early next morning, and was
+soon dressed. Mrs. Knapp reported Mr. Liddell to be still slumbering.
+
+"But law, miss, he have had a bad night--the worst yet, I think. He was
+dreaming and tossing from side to side, and then he would scream out
+words I couldn't understand. I made him take some wine between two and
+three, but I do not think he knew me a bit. I have had a dreadful night
+of it."
+
+Katherine expressed her sympathy, and did what she could to lighten the
+good woman's labors.
+
+Mr. Liddell, however, though he looked ghastly, seemed rather stronger
+than usual. He insisted on getting up, and came into the sitting-room
+about eleven.
+
+It was a cold morning, with a thick, drizzling rain. Katherine made up
+the fire to a cheerful glow, and by her uncle's directions placed pen,
+ink and paper on the small table he always had beside him. Then he
+uttered the accustomed commanding "Read," and Katherine read.
+
+Suddenly he interrupted her by exclaiming, "Give me the deaths first."
+
+It had been a whim of his latterly to have this lugubrious list read to
+him every day.
+
+Katherine had hardly commenced when she descried Mr. Newton's well-known
+figure advancing from the garden gate.
+
+"Ah, here is Mr. Newton!" she exclaimed.
+
+"Ha! that is well," cried her uncle, with shrill exultation. "Now--now
+all will go right."
+
+The next moment the lawyer was shown in, and having greeted them,
+proceeded to apologize for his unavoidable absence. "Here I am, however,
+sir," he concluded, "at your service."
+
+"Go--leave us," said Liddell, abruptly yet not unkindly, to Katherine;
+then, as she left the room, "Finish the deaths for me, will you, before
+we go to business. She had just read the first two. Read--make haste!"
+
+Somewhat surprised, Mr. Newton took up the paper and continued: "On the
+30th September, at Wimbledon, universally regretted, the Rev. James
+Johnson, formerly minister of "Little Bethel, Bermondsey." On October
+1st, at her residence, Upper Clapton, Esther, relict of Captain
+Doubleday, late of the E. I. C. Service. On the 2nd instant, at
+Bournemouth, Peter Fergusson, of Upper Baker Street, in the
+seventy-fifth year of his age."
+
+"Fergusson dead! and he is three years my junior! Now it is all
+mine--all!--all! I shall be able to settle it as I like. I haven't
+eaten and drunk in vain. I'm strong, quite strong. All the papers are
+there, in my bureau. I'll show them to you. Aha! I thought I'd outlive
+him! I was determined to outlive him!"
+
+With an uncanny laugh he struggled to his feet, and attempted to walk to
+his bedroom, his stick in one hand and the keys he had taken from his
+pocket in the other. For a few steps he walked with a degree of strength
+that astonished Newton; then he gave a deep groan, staggered, and fell
+to the ground with a crash.
+
+Newton rushed to raise him, which he did with some difficulty. The noise
+brought the servant to his assistance.
+
+"Go! fetch Dr. Bilhane," said Mr. Newton, as soon as they had laid the
+helpless body on the bed. "Though I doubt if he can do anything. The old
+man is gone."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+"TEMPTATION."
+
+
+To Katherine, who was in her own room, the sound beneath came with a
+subdued force, and knowing Mr. Newton was with him, she thought it
+better to stay where she was, for it never struck her that Mr. Liddell
+had fallen.
+
+When, therefore, Mrs. Knapp, with that eagerness to spread evil tidings
+peculiar to her class, rushed upstairs to announce breathlessly that she
+was going for the doctor, but that the poor old gentleman was quite
+dead, Katherine could not believe her.
+
+She quickly descended to the parlor, where she found Mr. Newton standing
+by the fire, looking pale and anxious.
+
+"Oh, Mr. Newton, he cannot be dead!" cried Katherine. "He seemed
+stronger this morning, and he has fainted more than once. Let me bathe
+his temples." She took a bottle of eau-de-Cologne from the sideboard as
+she spoke.
+
+"My dear young lady, both your servant and I have done what we could to
+revive him, and I fear--I believe he has passed away. The start and the
+triumph of finding himself the last survivor of the Tontine association
+were too much for his weak heart. I would not go in if I were you: death
+is appalling to the young."
+
+Katherine stopped, half frightened, yet ashamed of her fear. "Oh yes; I
+must satisfy myself that I can do nothing more for him. Can it be
+possible that he will never speak again--never search for news of that
+other poor old man?" She went softly into the next room, followed by
+Newton, and approaching the bed, laid her hand gently on his brow. "How
+awfully cold!" she whispered, shrinking back in spite of herself at the
+unutterable chill of death. "But he looks so peaceful, so different from
+what he did in life!" She stood gazing at him, silent, awe-struck.
+
+"Come away," said Newton, kindly. "The doctor will be here, I trust, in
+a few minutes, and will be able to give a certificate which will save
+the worry of an inquest."
+
+Katherine obeyed his gesture of entreaty, and went slowly into the
+front room, where she sat down, leaning her elbows on the table and
+covering her face with her hands, while Mr. Newton closed the door.
+
+It was all over, then, her hopes and fears; the poor wasted life, as
+much wasted and useless as if spent in the wildest and most extravagant
+follies, was finished. What had it left behind? Nothing of good to any
+human being; no blessing of loving-kindness, of help and sympathy, to
+any suffering brother wayfarer on life's high-road; nothing but hard,
+naked gold--gold which, from what she had heard, would go to one already
+abundantly provided. Ah, she must not think of that gold so sorely
+needed, or bad, unseemly ideas would master her!
+
+But Mr. Newton was speaking. "It is fortunate I was here to be some stay
+to you," he said; "the shock must be very great, and--" He interrupted
+himself hastily to exclaim, "Here is the doctor! I shall go with him
+into our poor friend's room; let me find you here when I come back."
+Katherine bent her head, and remained in the same attitude, thinking,
+thinking.
+
+How long it was before the kind lawyer returned she did not know; but he
+came and stood by her, the doctor behind him.
+
+"It is as I supposed," said Newton, in a low tone. "Life is quite
+extinct." Katherine rose and confronted them, looking very white.
+
+"Yes," added the doctor; "death must have been instantaneous. Your uncle
+was in a condition which made him liable to succumb under the slightest
+shock. Can you give me paper and ink? I will write a certificate at
+once. Then, Miss Liddell, I shall look to you."
+
+Katherine placed the writing materials before him silently, and watched
+him trace the lines; then he handed the paper to Mr. Newton, saying,
+"You will see to what is necessary I presume," and rising he took
+Katherine's hand and felt her pulse. "Very unsteady indeed; I would
+recommend a glass of wine now, and at night a composing draught, which I
+will send. If I can do nothing more I must go on my rounds. I shall be
+at home again about six, should you require my services in any way."
+
+He went out, followed by Mr. Newton, and they spoke together for a few
+moments before the doctor entered his carriage and drove off.
+
+"Now, my dear," said Mr. Newton, when he returned--the startling event
+of the morning seemed to have taken off the sharp edge of his
+precision--"what shall you do? I suppose you would like to go home. It
+would be rather trying for you to stay here."
+
+"To go home!" returned Katherine, slowly. "Yes, I should, oh, very much!
+but I will not go. My uncle never was unkind to me, and I will stay in
+his house until he is laid in his last resting place. Yet I do not like
+to stay alone. May I have my mother with me?"
+
+"Yes, by all means. I tell you what, I will drive over and break the
+news to her myself; then she can come to you at once. I have a very
+particular appointment in the city this afternoon, but I shall arrange
+to spend to-morrow forenoon here, and examine the contents of that
+bureau. I have thought it well to take possession of your uncle's keys."
+
+"Yes, of course," said Katherine; "you ought to have them. And you will
+go and send my mother to me! I shall feel quite well and strong if she
+is near. How good of you to think of it!" and she raised her dark
+tearful eyes so gratefully to his that the worthy lawyer's heart kindled
+within him.
+
+"My dear young lady, I have rarely, if ever, regretted anything so much
+as my unfortunate absence yesterday, though had I been able to answer my
+late client's first summons, I doubt if time would have permitted the
+completion of a new will. Now my best hope, though it is a very faint
+one, is that he may have destroyed his last will, and so died
+intestate."
+
+"Why?" asked Katherine, indifferently. She felt very hopeless.
+
+"It would be better for you. You would, I rather think, be the natural
+heir." Katherine only shook her head. "Of course it is not likely.
+Still, I have known him destroy one will before he made another. He has
+made four or five, to my knowledge. So it is wiser not to hope for
+anything. I shall always do what I can for you. Now you are quite cold
+and shivering. I would advise your going to your room, and keeping there
+out of the way. You can do no more for your uncle, and I will send your
+mother to you as soon as I can. I suppose you have the keys of the
+house?"
+
+Katherine bowed her head. She seemed tongue-tied. Only when Mr. Newton
+took her hand to say good-by she burst out, "You will send my mother to
+me soon--soon!"
+
+Then she went away to her own room. Locking the door, she sat down and
+buried her face in the cushions of the sofa. She felt her thoughts in
+the wildest confusion, as if some separate exterior self was exerting a
+strange power over her. It had said to her, "Be silent," when Mr. Newton
+spoke of the possibility of _not_ finding the will, and she had obeyed
+without the smallest intention to do good or evil. Some force she could
+not resist--or rather she did not dream of resisting--imposed silence on
+her. To what had this silence committed her? To nothing. When Mr. Newton
+came and examined the bureau he would no doubt open the drawer of the
+writing-table also. She had locked it, and put the key in the little
+basket where the keys of her scantily supplied store closet and of the
+cellaret lay: there it stood on the round table near the window, with
+her ink-bottle and blotting-book. She sat up and looked at it fixedly.
+That little key was all that intervened between her and rest, freedom,
+enjoyment. The more she recalled her uncle's words and manner on the day
+he had dictated his first note to Mr. Newton, the more convinced she
+felt that he had intended to provide for her, and now his intentions
+would be frustrated, and the will the old man wished to suppress would
+be the instrument by which his possessions would be distributed.
+
+It was too bad. She did not know how closely the hope of her mother's
+emancipation from the long hard struggle with poverty and its attendant
+evils by means of Uncle Liddell's possible bequest had twined itself
+round her heart. Now she could not give it up. It seemed to her that her
+mental grasp refused to relax.
+
+She rose and began to make some little arrangement for her mother's
+comfort, and presently the servant came to ask if she would take some
+tea.
+
+"I'm sure, miss, you must be faint for want of food, and we are just
+going to have some--the woman and me."
+
+"What woman?"
+
+"A very respectable person as Dr. Bilham sent in to--to attend to the
+poor old gentleman, miss."
+
+"Ah! thank you. I could not take anything now. I expect my mother soon;
+then I shall be glad of some tea.
+
+"Well, miss, you'll ring if you want me. And dear me! you ought to have
+a bit of fire. I'll light one up in a minnit."
+
+"Not till you have had your tea. I am not cold."
+
+"You look awful bad, miss!" With this comforting assurance Mrs. Knapp
+departed, leaving the door partially open.
+
+A muffled sound, as if people were moving softly and cautiously, was
+wafted to Katherine as she sat and listened: then a door closed gently;
+voices murmuring in a subdued tone reached her ear, retreating as if the
+speakers had gone downstairs.
+
+Katherine went to the window. It was a wretchedly dark, drizzling
+afternoon--cold too, with gusts of wind. She hoped Mr. Newton would make
+her mother take a cab. It was no weather for her to stand about waiting
+for an omnibus. Would the time ever come when they need not think of
+pennies?
+
+Suddenly she turned, took a key from her basket, and walked composedly
+downstairs, unlocked the drawer of the writing-table, and took out her
+uncle's last will and testament. Then she closed the drawer, leaving the
+key in the lock, as it had always been, and returned to her room.
+
+Having fastened her door, she applied herself to read the document. It
+was short and simple, and with the exception of a small legacy to Mr.
+Newton, left all the testator possessed to a man whose name was utterly
+unknown to her. Mr. Newton was the sole executor, and the will was dated
+nearly seven years back.
+
+Katherine read it through a second time, and then very deliberately
+folded it up. "It shall not stand in my way," she murmured, her lips
+closing firmly, and she sat for a few minutes holding it tight in her
+hand, as she thought steadily what she should do. "Had my uncle lived a
+few hours more, this would have been destroyed or nullified. I will
+carry out his intentions. I wonder what is the legal penalty for the
+crime or felony I am going to commit? At all events I shall risk it. The
+only punishment I fear is my mother's condemnation. She must never know.
+It is a huge theft, whether the man I rob is rich or poor. I hope he is
+very rich. I know I am doing a great wrong; that if others acted as I am
+acting there would be small security for property--perhaps for life--but
+I'll do it. Shall I ever be able to hold up my head and look honest folk
+in the face! I will try. If I commit this robbery I must not falter nor
+repent. I must be consistently, boldly false, and I must get done with
+it before my dearest mother comes. How grieved and disappointed she
+would be if she knew! She believes so firmly in my truthfulness. Well, I
+have been true, and I _will_ be, save in this. Here I will lie by
+silence. Where shall I hide it? for I will not destroy it--not yet at
+least. No elaborate concealment is necessary."
+
+She rose up and took some thin brown paper--such as is used in shops to
+wrap up lace and ribbons--and folded the will in it neatly, tying it up
+with twine, and writing on it, "old MSS., to be destroyed." Then she
+laid it in the bottom of her box. "If my mother sees it, the idea of old
+MS. will certainly deter her from looking at it." She put back the
+things she had taken out and closed the box; then she stood for a moment
+of thought. What would the result be? Who could tell? Some other unknown
+Liddells might start up to share the inheritance. Well, she would not
+mind that much; so long as she could secure some years of modest
+competence to her mother, some help for her little nephews, she would be
+content.
+
+Now that she had accomplished what an hour ago was a scarcely
+entertained idea, she felt wonderfully calm, but curious as to how
+things would turn out, with the sort of curiosity she might have felt
+with regard to the action of another.
+
+She did not want to be still any more, however; she went to and fro in
+her room, dusting it and putting it in order; she rearranged her own
+hair and dress, and then she went to the window to watch for her mother.
+Time had gone swiftly while her thoughts had been so intensely occupied,
+and to her great delight she soon saw a cab drive up, from which Mrs.
+Liddell descended.
+
+Katherine flew to receive her, and in the joy of feeling her mother once
+more by her side she temporarily forgot the sense of a desperate deed
+which had oppressed her.
+
+Mrs. Liddell had been much shocked by the sudden death of her
+brother-in-law, but her chief anxiety was to fly to Katie, to shorten
+the terrible hours of loneliness in the house of mourning.
+
+She too honestly confessed her regret that the old man had been cut off
+before he could fulfil his intention of making a new will, "though," she
+said to her daughter as they talked together, "we cannot be sure that he
+would have remembered us--or rather you. But there is no use in thinking
+of what is past out of the range of possibilities. Let us only hope
+whoever is heir will not insist on immediate repayment of that loan. It
+is strange that you should have managed to make the poor old man's
+acquaintance, and to a certain degree succeed with him, only in his last
+days."
+
+"Try and talk of something else, mother dear. It is all so ghastly and
+oppressive! Tell me about Ada and the boys."
+
+"Ada was out when Mr. Newton came. I left a little note telling her of
+your uncle's awfully sudden death, and of my intention of remaining with
+you until after the funeral. What a state of excitement she will be in!
+I have no doubt she will be here to-morrow."
+
+"Very likely," said Katherine, who was pouring out tea.
+
+"Did Mr. Newton mention to you that your uncle had written to him to
+come and draw up a new will?"
+
+"Why, I wrote the note, which my uncle signed."
+
+"Yes, of course; I had forgotten. But did Mr. Newton say that he had a
+faint hope that he might have destroyed the other will?"
+
+"He did; but it is not probable."
+
+"It would make an immense difference to us if he had."
+
+"Would it?" asked Kate, to extract an answer from her mother.
+
+"Mr. Newton believes that if he died intestate you would inherit
+everything."
+
+"What! would not the little boys share?"
+
+"I am not sure. But to get away from the subject, which somehow always
+draws me back to it, I have one bit of good news for you, my darling. I
+had a letter from Santley this morning. He will take my novel, and will
+give me a hundred and fifty pounds for it."
+
+"Really? Oh, this is glorious news! I am so delighted! Then you will get
+more for the next; you will become known and appreciated."
+
+"Do not be too sure; it may be a failure. And at present I do not feel
+as if I should ever have any ideas again. My brain seems so weary."
+
+"Perhaps," whispered Katherine, "you _may_ be able to rest. You are
+looking very tired and ill."
+
+
+Somewhat to her own surprise, Katherine slept profoundly that night. The
+delicious sense of comfort and security which her mother's presence
+brought soothed her ineffably. It seemed as if no harm could touch her
+while she felt the clasp of those dear arms.
+
+The early forenoon brought Mr. Newton, and after a little preliminary
+talk respecting the arrangements he had made for the funeral, he
+proposed to look for the will which he had drawn up some years before,
+and which, to the best of his recollection, Mr. Liddell had taken charge
+of himself.
+
+"Might you not wait until the poor old man is laid in his last home?
+asked Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"Perhaps it would be more seemly," said the lawyer; "but it is almost
+necessary to know who is the heir and who is the executor. Besides, it
+is quite possible that since he signed the will I drew up for him in
+'59, and to which I was executor, he may have made another, of which I
+know nothing, and I may have to communicate with some other executor. I
+will therefore begin the search at once. Would you and your daughter
+like to be present?"
+
+"Thank you, no," returned Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"I would rather not," said Katherine.
+
+Mr. Newton proceeded on his search alone, while Mrs. Liddell and her
+daughter went to the latter's room, anxious to keep from meddling with
+what did not concern them.
+
+Scarcely had the former settled herself to write a letter to an old
+friend in Florence with whom she kept up a steady though not a frequent
+correspondence, when she was interrupted by a tap at the door. Before
+she could say "Come in," it was opened to admit Mrs. Frederic Liddell,
+who came in briskly. She had taken out a black dress with crape on it,
+and retouched a mourning bonnet, so that she presented an appearance
+perfectly suited to the occasion.
+
+"Oh dear!" she cried, "I have been in such a state ever since I had your
+note! I thought I should never get away this morning. The stupidity of
+those servants is beyond description. Now do tell all about everything."
+She sat down suddenly, then jumped up, kissed her mother-in-law on the
+brow, and shook hands with Katherine.
+
+"There is very little more to tell beyond what I said in my note,"
+returned Mrs. Liddell. "The poor old man never spoke or showed any
+symptom of life after he fell. Mr Newton, of course, will make all
+arrangements. The funeral will be on Friday, and Katherine and I will
+remain here till it is over."
+
+"And the will?" whispered Mrs. Frederic, eagerly. "Have you found out
+anything about that?"
+
+Mrs. Liddell shook her head. "I have not even asked, so sure am I that
+it will not affect us in any way. Mr. Newton is now examining the bureau
+where my brother-in-law appears to have kept all his papers, hoping to
+find the will."
+
+"Is it not cruel to think of all this wealth passing away from us?"
+cried the little woman, in a tearful tone.
+
+"I do not suppose that John Liddell was wealthy," said Mrs. Liddell. "He
+was very careful of what he had, but it does not follow that he had a
+great deal."
+
+"Oh, nonsense! My dear Mrs. Liddell, you only say that to keep us quiet.
+Misers always have heaps of money. What do you say, Katherine?"
+
+"That from all I saw I should say he was not rich. He never mentioned
+large sums of money, or--"
+
+"I do not mind you," interrupted the young widow. "You always affect to
+despise money."
+
+"Indeed I do not, Ada. I am only afraid of thinking too much of it."
+Katherine perceived that her mother had wisely abstained from telling
+the whole circumstances to this most impulsive young person.
+
+"And do you mean to say," pursued Mrs. Frederic, who could hardly keep
+still, so great was her excitement, "that the horrid lawyer is rummaging
+through the old man's papers all alone? You ought to be present, Mrs.
+Liddell. You don't know what tricks he may play. He may put a will in
+his own favor in some drawer. It is very weak not to have insisted on
+being present, and shows such indifference to our interests!"
+
+"I am not afraid of Mr. Newton forging a will," said Mrs. Liddell,
+smiling; "and I greatly fear that whoever may profit by the old man's
+last testament, we will not. But I assure you Mr. Newton did ask me to
+assist in the search, and I declined. Indeed I asked him not to search
+while the poor remains were unburied."
+
+"Why, my goodness! you do not mean to say you are pretending to be
+_sorry_ for this rude--miser!" cried Mrs. Frederic, with uplifted hand
+and eyes.
+
+"Personally I did not care about him, but, Ada, death demands respect."
+
+"Oh yes, of course. Then there is absolutely nothing to do or to hear."
+
+"Nothing," said Katherine, rather shortly.
+
+"Could I go out and buy anything for you? Surely the executors, whoever
+they may be, will give you some money for mourning?"
+
+"I do not think it at all likely. I will tell you what you can do, Ada:
+go to my large cupboard and bring me," etc., etc.--sundry directions
+followed. "Katherine and I can quite well do all that is necessary
+ourselves to make a proper appearance on Friday."
+
+"Very well; and I will come to the funeral too, and bring the boys. A
+little crape on their caps and sleeves will be quite enough. They will
+produce a great effect. I dare say if I speak to Mrs. Burnett's friend,
+that newspaper man, he will put an account into the _Morning News_, with
+all our names. Whatever comes, it would have a good effect."
+
+"Of course you can come if you like, Ada, but I would not bring the
+boys. Children are out of place except at a parent's grave."
+
+"Well, I do not agree with you, and I do not think you need grudge my
+poor children that much recognition."
+
+"Poor darlings! Do you believe we could grudge them anything that was
+good for them?" cried Katherine.
+
+"Oh, there is no knowing! Pray is there any plate in the house,
+Katherine, or diamonds? You know the nephew's wife _ought_ to have the
+diamonds!"
+
+"Do not make me laugh, Ada, while the poor man is lying dead!" exclaimed
+Katherine, smiling. "The idea of plate or diamonds in _this_ house is
+too funny!"
+
+"Then are the spoons and forks only Sheffield ware?" asked her
+sister-in-law. "How mean!"
+
+After a good deal more cross-examination Mrs. Fred rose to depart, her
+pretty childish face clouded, not to say very cross.
+
+"I might have saved myself the trouble of coming here," she said.
+
+"We are very glad to see you, and it will be a great help if you can
+send or bring the things I want."
+
+"Perhaps, if I wait a little longer, this admirable Mr. Newton may find
+something," resumed Mrs. Fred, pausing, and reluctant to move.
+
+"If he does I will let you know immediately," said Katherine; "but there
+are numbers of little drawers in the bureau; it will take him a long
+time to look through them all."
+
+"Have you seen the inside of it?" asked Mrs. Fred, greedily.
+
+"I have seen my uncle writing at it," returned Katherine; "but I never
+had an opportunity of examining it."
+
+"Well, I suppose I had better go. I am evidently not wanted here!"
+exclaimed Mrs. Frederic, longing to quarrel with some one, being in that
+condition of mind aptly described as "not knowing what to be at."
+Finding no help from her auditors, she went reluctantly away.
+
+"I wish poor Ada would not allow her imagination to run away with her.
+It will be such a disappointment when she finds it is all much ado about
+nothing," said Mrs. Liddell, as she returned to her letter. "I am
+afraid, Katie dear, you have had a great shock; you do not look a bit
+like yourself."
+
+"I feel dazed and stupid, but I dare say I shall be all right
+to-morrow." She took a book and pretended to read, while her mother's
+pen scratched lightly and quickly over the paper.
+
+The light was beginning to change, when a message from Mr. Newton
+summoned both mother and daughter to the sitting-room, where they found
+him awaiting them.
+
+"I have looked most carefully through the bureau, and can find no sign
+of the will. There are various papers and account-books, a very clear
+statement of his affairs, and about a hundred and fifteen pounds of
+ready money, but no will. I have also looked in his writing-table
+drawer, his wardrobe, and every possible and impossible place. It may be
+at my office, though I am under the impression he took charge of it
+himself. There is a possibility he may have deposited it at his banker's
+or his stock-broker's, though that is not probable."
+
+"It is curious," remarked Mrs. Liddell, feeling she must say something.
+
+"Pray," resumed Newton, addressing Katherine, "have you ever seen him
+tearing up or burning papers?"
+
+She thought for a moment, and then said quietly, "No, I never have."
+
+"I can do no more here, at least to-day," Newton went on. "I must bid
+you a good-afternoon. You may be sure I will leave nothing undone to
+discover the missing will, and I can only say I earnestly hope I may not
+be successful."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+"FRUITION."
+
+
+The funeral over, Mrs. Liddell and her daughter went back to their
+modest home, feeling as though they had passed through some strange
+dream, which had vanished, leaving "not a wrack behind."
+
+To Katherine it was like fresh life to return to the natural cheerful
+routine of her daily cares and employments, to struggle good-humoredly
+with indifferent servants, to do battle with her little nephews over
+their lessons, to walk with them and tell them stories. At times she
+almost forgot that the diligently sought will lay in its
+innocent-looking cover among her clothes, or that any results would flow
+from her daring and criminal act; then again the consciousness of having
+weighted her life with a secret she must never reveal would press
+painfully upon her, and make her greedy for the moment when Mr. Newton
+would relinquish the search, and she should reap the harvest she
+expected.
+
+She never believed that her uncle was as rich as Ada supposed, but she
+did hope for a small fortune which might secure comfort and ease.
+
+Mrs. Frederic Liddell was a real affliction during this period. The idea
+of inheriting John Liddell's supposed wealth was never absent from her
+thoughts, and seldom from her lips. Even the boys were infected by her
+gorgeous anticipations.
+
+"I shall have a pony like that, and a groom to ride beside me," Cecil
+would cry when his attention was caught by any young equestrian. "And I
+will give you a ride, auntie. Shall you have a carriage too, or will you
+drive with mammy?"
+
+"And I shall have a beautiful dog, like Mrs. Burnett's, and a garden
+away in the country," was Charlie's scheme. "You shall come and dig in
+it, auntie."
+
+"Do not think of such things, my dears," was auntie's usual reply. "I am
+afraid we shall never be any richer than we are; so you must be diligent
+boys, and work hard to make fortunes for yourselves."
+
+"Where did Uncle Liddell keep all his money?" was one of Cecil's
+questions in reply. "Did he keep it in big bags downstairs? He hadn't a
+nice house; it was quite a nasty one."
+
+"Had he a big place in a cave, with trees that grow rubies and diamonds
+and beautiful things?" added Charlie.
+
+"Why doesn't mamma buy us some ponies now?" continued Cis; "we should be
+some time learning to ride."
+
+"I will not listen to you any more if you talk so foolishly. Try and
+think of something else--of the Christmas pantomime. You know grannie
+says you shall go if you do your lessons well," returned Katherine.
+
+"It isn't silly!" exclaimed Cecil. "Mammy tells us we must take care of
+her when we are rich men, and that we shall be able to hold up our heads
+as high as any one. _I_ can hold up my head _now_."
+
+Such conversations were of frequent occurrence, and kept Katherine in a
+state of mental irritation.
+
+Toward the end of October Mrs. Burnett brought relief in the shape of an
+invitation to Mrs. Frederic.
+
+The Burnett family were spending the "dark days before Christmas" at
+Brighton, and thither hied the lively young widow in great glee. Things
+generally went smoother in her absence; the boys were more obedient, the
+meals more punctual.
+
+Nevertheless Katherine observed that her mother did not settle to her
+writing as usual. Occasionally she shut herself up in the study, but
+when Katherine came in unexpectedly she generally found her resting her
+elbow on the table and her head on her hand, gazing at the blank sheet
+before her, or leaning back in her chair, evidently lost in thought.
+
+"You do not seem to take much to your writing, mother dear," said
+Katherine one morning as she entered and sat down on a stool beside her.
+
+"In truth I cannot, Katie. I do not know how it is, but no plots will
+come. I have generally been able to devise something on which to hang my
+characters and events; but my invention, such as it is--or rather
+was--seems dried up and withered. What shall I do if my slight vein is
+exhausted? Heaven knows I produced nothing very original or remarkable,
+but my lucubrations were saleable, and I do not see how we can do
+without this source of income."
+
+"You only want rest," returned Katherine, taking her hand and laying her
+cheek against it. "Your fancy wants a quiet sleep, and then it will wake
+up fresh and bright. Take a holiday; put away pen, ink, and paper; and
+you will be able to write a lovely story long before the money we expect
+for your novel is expended."
+
+"I hope so." She paused, and then resumed, with a sigh: "I ought to have
+more sense and self-control at my age, but I confess that the
+uncertainty about John Liddell's will absorbs me. Suppose, Katie, that
+his money were to come to you. Imagine you and I rich enough not to be
+afraid of the week after next! Why, our lives would be too blissful."
+
+"They would," murmured Katherine. "When do you think we shall know?"
+
+"I cannot tell. All possible search must be made before the law can be
+satisfied. My own impression is that your uncle _did_ destroy his will,
+intending to make a different distribution of his money, and to provide
+for you."
+
+"Yes, I believe he did," said Katherine, quietly. "I wish--oh, I _do_
+wish my uncle had had time to divide his property between us all; then
+there would be no ill feeling. But I suppose Cis and Charlie will get
+some, even if no will is found?"
+
+"I have no idea. If poor Fred had lived, I suppose he would take a
+share."
+
+They sat silent for some minutes. Then Kate rose and very deliberately
+shut up her mother's writing-book, collected her papers and rough
+note-book, and locked them away in her drawer. "Now, dearest mother,"
+she said, "promise me not to open that drawer for ten days at least,
+unless a very strong inspiration comes to you. By that time we may know
+something certain about the will, and at any rate you will have had
+change of occupation. Then put on your bonnet and let us go to see our
+friend Mrs. Wray. Perhaps she may let us see her husband's studio, and
+if he is there we are sure to have some interesting talk. We both sorely
+need a change of ideas."
+
+
+Mrs. Frederic Liddell returned from Brighton in a very thoughtful mood.
+She said she had had a "heavenly visit." Such nice weather--such a
+contrast to dirty, dreary, depressing London! She had met several old
+acquaintances, they had had company every night, and had she only had a
+third evening dress her bliss would have been complete. As it was, a
+slight sense of inferiority had taken the keen edge off her joy. "At any
+rate, the men didn't seem to think there was much amiss with me. Sir
+Ralph Brereton and Colonel Ormonde were really quite troublesome. I do
+not much like Sir Ralph. I never know if he is laughing at me or not,
+though I am sure I do not think there is anything to laugh at in me.
+Colonel Ormonde is so kind and sensible! Do you know, Mrs. Liddell, he
+says _I_ ought to see Mr. Newton myself, to look after the interests of
+my darling boys, and--and try to ascertain the true state of affairs.
+That is what Colonel Ormonde says, and I suppose you wouldn't mind, Mrs.
+Liddell?" she ended, in a rather supplicating tone; for she was just a
+little in awe of her mother-in-law, kind and indulgent though she was.
+
+"Go and see Mr. Newton by all means, Ada, if you feel it would be any
+satisfaction to you; but until the right time comes it will be very
+useless to make any inquiries. We leave it all to Mr. Newton."
+
+"Oh, you and Katherine are so cold and immovable; you are not a bit like
+me. I am all sensitiveness and impulse. Well, if it is not raining cats
+and dogs I _will_ go into that awful City and see Mr. Newton
+to-morrow."
+
+"Would it not be well to make an appointment?"
+
+"Oh dear no! I will take my chance; I would not write. Katie dear, I
+have torn all the flounce off my black and white dinner dress; you are
+so much more clever with your needle than I am, would you sew it on for
+me to-morrow?"
+
+"No, I cannot, Ada--not to-morrow at least. I am busy altering mother's
+winter cloak, and she has nothing warm to put on until it is finished. I
+will show you how to arrange the flounce, and you will soon do it
+yourself if you try."
+
+"Very well"--rather sulkily. "I am sure I was intended to be a rich
+man's wife, I am _so_ helpless."
+
+"And I am sure I was born under 'a three-half-penny constellation,' as
+L. E. L. said, for I rather like helping myself," returned Katherine,
+laughing. "Only I should like to have a little exterior help besides."
+
+"Do you know, Katherine, I am afraid you are very proud. I believe you
+think yourself the cleverest girl in the world."
+
+"I should be much happier if I did," said Katherine, good-humoredly.
+"Don't be a goose, Ada; let my disposition alone. I am afraid it is too
+decidedly formed to be altered."
+
+"Colonel Ormonde was asking for you," resumed Mrs. Frederic, fearing she
+had allowed her temper too much play. "He is quite an admirer of yours."
+
+"I am much obliged to him. Would you like to come to the theatre
+to-night? Mr. and Mrs. Wray have a box at the Adelphi, and have offered
+us two places. My mother thought you might like to go."
+
+"With the Wrays? No, thank you. I never seem to get on with them; and if
+Colonel Ormonde happens to be there (and he might, for he is in town
+to-day), I should not care to be seen with them; they are not at all in
+society, you know."
+
+"True," said Katherine, with perfect equanimity. "Then, dear mother, do
+come. Nothing takes you out of yourself so much as a good play. I shall
+enjoy it more if you are with us."
+
+After a little discussion Mrs. Liddell agreed to go, and Mrs. Frederic
+retired to unpack, and to see what repairs were necessary, in a somewhat
+sulky mood.
+
+The following morning Mrs. Liddell's head was aching so severely that
+her daughter would not allow her to get up. She therefore gave her
+sister-in-law an early luncheon, and saw her set forth on her visit to
+Mr. Newton. She was a little nervous about it; she wished Katherine to
+go with her, and yet she did not wish it.
+
+She attired herself completely in black, and managed to give a mournful
+"distressed widow" aspect to her toilette: the little woman was an
+artist in her way, so long as her subject was self and its advantages.
+Then Katherine devoted herself to her mother, who had taken a chill. It
+grieved her to see how the slightest indisposition preyed upon her
+strength.
+
+The period of waiting was terribly long and wearing. Had she, after all,
+committed herself to an ever-gnawing loss of self-respect to enrich
+another? Katherine asked herself this question more than once.
+
+She had refrained from troubling Mr. Newton with fruitless questions or
+impatient expressions, and her mother admired her forbearance. But in
+truth Catherine hated to approach the subject of her possible
+inheritance, though she never faltered in her purpose of keeping the
+existence of her uncle's will a profound secret.
+
+Mrs. Frederic Liddell returned from her visit to the friendly lawyer
+rather sooner than Katherine expected.
+
+The moment she entered the drawing-room, where the latter was dusting
+the few china and other ornaments, her countenance evinced unusual
+disturbance.
+
+"I am sure," she began, in a very high key, "if I had known what I was
+going to encounter, I should have stayed at home. There's no justice in
+this world for the widow and the fatherless."
+
+"I cannot believe that Mr. Newton could be rude or unkind!" exclaimed
+Katherine, much startled.
+
+"I do not say he was," returned Mrs. Fred, snappishly. "But either he is
+a stupid old idiot, or he has been telling me abominable stories. I
+don't--I can't believe them! Do you know he says he, they, all the old
+rogues together, believe that wretched miser had destroyed his will and
+died intestate, and that every penny will be yours; not a sou comes to
+the widow and children of the nephew. It is preposterous. It is the most
+monstrous injustice. If it is law, an act of Parliament ought to be
+passed to--to do away with it. Fancy your having everything, and me, my
+boys and myself, dependent on _you_!"--scornful emphasis on "you."
+
+"Is this possible?" exclaimed Katherine, dropping her duster in dismay.
+"I thought that the property would be divided between the boys and
+myself."
+
+"Why, that is only common-sense! If you _do_ get everything you will be
+well rewarded for your three months' penal servitude. You knew what you
+were about, though you _do_ despise rank and riches."
+
+"But, Ada, I suppose my uncle would have destroyed his will whether I
+had been there or not."
+
+"No. Mr. Newton's idea is that he intended to make a new will, probably
+leaving you a large sum, and so destroyed the old one. Mr. Newton thinks
+he grew to like you. Oh! you played your cards well! But it is too hard
+to think you cut out my dar-arling boys," she ended, with a sob.
+
+Katherine grew very white; this outburst of fury roused her conscience.
+She pulled herself together in an instant of quick thought, however.
+"This is folly. What I have done will benefit the boys more than
+myself," she reflected.
+
+"I do not wonder at your being vexed, Ada," she said, gently. "But
+fortunately one is not compelled to act according to law. If the whole
+of the fortune, whatever it may be, becomes mine, do you think I would
+keep it all to myself?"
+
+"I am sure I don't know" said Mrs. Frederic, who had now subsided into
+the sulks. "When people get hold of money they seldom like to part with
+it; and I know you do not like _me_?"
+
+"Why should you think so, Ada? We may not agree in our tastes, but that
+is no reason for dislike; and you know how glad I am to be of use to
+you, both for your own sake and poor Fred's."
+
+"Well, I would rather not be dependent on you or any one. But there! I
+do not believe what that stupid old man says--I do not believe such a
+horrible law exists. I shall write and consult Colonel Ormonde, and find
+out if I could not dispute the will--no, not the will--the property. I
+should not like to give up my rights."
+
+"Please, Ada, do not speak so loudly. My mother had just fallen asleep
+before you came in; and she had such a bad night!"
+
+"Loud? I am not talking loudly. You mean to insinuate I am in a
+passion? I am nothing of the kind. I am perfectly cool, but
+determined--determined to have justice, and my fair share of this man's
+wealth!"
+
+"It may not be wealth; it may be only competence, and it is not ours to
+share yet."
+
+"Not yours, you mean; that is what you _thought_, Katherine. And as to
+wealth, I believe that cruel old miser was _enor_mously rich! Where are
+the boys?"
+
+"Out walking with Lottie. I am _so_ glad they were not in to hear all
+this! Do not talk to them of being rich, dear Ada; it puts unhealthy
+ideas into their minds, and--"
+
+"Upon my word! I like to hear _you_, a mere girl, not quite nineteen
+yet, advising me, a mother, a married woman, about my own children. You
+need not presume on your expected riches. _I'll_ never play the part of
+a poor relation, and submit to be lectured by _you_."
+
+Her sister-in-law's stings and passing fits of ill-humor never irritated
+Katherine unless they worried her mother, nor did this most unwonted
+outburst of irrepressible indignation, but it distressed her. "Come,
+Ada, don't be cross," she said. "It was perhaps want of tact in me to
+suggest anything, though my idea is right enough. It is quite natural
+that you should be awfully vexed. Perhaps Mr. Newton _is_ wrong; at all
+events, if the law is unjust, _I_ need not act unjustly, and believe me,
+I _will_ not."
+
+"I hope not," returned the young widow, a little mollified. "I always
+believe you haven't a bad heart, Katherine, though you have a
+disagreeble sullen temper. Now _I_ am too open; you see the worst of me
+at once; but I do not remember unkindness; and if you do what is right
+in this, I--I shall always speak of you as you deserve. Do get me
+something to eat; I am awfully hungry, and though I hate beer, I will
+take some; it is better than nothing. How _you_ go on on water I cannot
+imagine; it will ruin your digestion."
+
+So they went amicably enough into the dining-room together, one to be
+ministered to, the other to minister.
+
+Here the boys joined them; but for a wonder their mother was silent
+respecting her visit to the lawyer, and soon went away to write to
+Colonel Ormonde, on whom she had conferred, unasked, the office of prime
+counsellor and referee. This opened up a splendid field for letters full
+of flattering appeals to his wisdom and judgment, and touching little
+confessions of her own weakness, folly, and need for guidance.
+
+
+"DEAR MISS LIDDELL,--I should be glad if you could call on
+Tuesday next about one o'clock. I have various documents to show you,
+or I should not give you the trouble to come here. If Mrs. Liddell is
+disengaged and could come also it would be well. I am yours faithfully,
+                                                            A. NEWTON."
+
+
+Such was the letter which the first post brought to Katherine about six
+weeks after the death of John Liddell.
+
+Katherine, who always rose and dressed first, found it on the table when
+she went down to give the boys their breakfast, to coax the fire to burn
+brightly if it was inclined to be sulky, and to make the coffee for her
+mother and Mrs. Fred.
+
+As soon as she had seen the two little men at work on their bread and
+milk she flew back to her mother.
+
+"Do read this! Do you think that Mr. Newton wants me because I am to
+have my uncle's money at last?"
+
+"Yes, I do. There can be no other reason for his wishing to see you,
+dearest child. What a wonderful change it will make if this is the case!
+I can then cease, to mourn the failure of my poor powers, and let the
+publishers go free. My love, I did not think anything could affect you
+so much. You are white and trembling."
+
+"I have been more anxious than you knew," returned Katherine, who felt
+strangely overcome, curiously terrified, at the near approach of
+success--the success she had ventured on so daring an act to secure. "I
+greatly feared some other claimant--some other will, I mean--might be
+found."
+
+"Yes, I feared too. Yet there could be no claimant, apart from another
+will. Poor George, your uncle's only son, was killed, I remember. Take a
+little water, dear, and sit down. No, I did not fear another claimant
+when I thought, but I feared to hope too much."
+
+"I feel all right now, mother. Such a prospect does not kill. Suppose we
+say nothing to Ada--she will worry our lives out--not at least till we
+know our fate certainly?"
+
+"Perhaps it will be better not."
+
+"And whatever I get we will share with the dear children, and give Ada
+some too. Oh, darling mother, think of our being alone together again,
+and tolerably at ease!"
+
+It would be wearisome to the reader were the details of the interview
+with Mr. Newton minutely recorded.
+
+He was evidently relieved and delighted to announce that all attempts to
+find the will had failed, and explained at some length to his very
+attentive listeners the steps to be taken and the particulars of the
+property bequeathed; how it devolved on Katherine to take out letters of
+administration; how at her age she had the power of choosing her own
+guardian for the two years which must elapse before she was of age; and
+finally that the large amount of which she had become mistress was so
+judiciously invested that he (Mr. Newton) could advise no change save
+the transference of stock to her name.
+
+As it dawned upon Katherine that the sum she inherited amounted to
+something over eighty thousand pounds, she felt dizzy with surprise and
+fear. She had no idea she had been playing for such stakes. The sense of
+sudden responsibility pressed upon her; her hands trembled and her cheek
+paled.
+
+"My dear young lady, you look as if you had met a loss instead of
+gaining a fortune," said Mr. Newton, looking kindly at her. "I have no
+doubt you will make a good use of your money, and I trust will enjoy
+many happy days."
+
+"But my nephews, my sister-in-law, do they get nothing?"
+
+"Not a penny. Of course you can, when of age, settle some portion upon
+them."
+
+"I certainly will; but in the mean time--"
+
+"In the mean time I will take care that you have a proper allowance."
+
+"Thank you, dear Mr. Newton. Do get me something big enough to make us
+all comfortable, and I can share with Ada--with Mrs. Frederic. I do so
+want to take my mother abroad, and I could not leave Ada and the boys
+unless they were well provided for."
+
+"Make your mind easy; the court will allow you a handsome income. So you
+must cheer up, in spite of the infliction of a large fortune," added Mr.
+Newton, with unwonted jocularity.
+
+"Both Katherine and myself are warmly grateful for your kind sympathy,"
+said Mrs. Liddell, softly. Then, after a short pause, she asked, "Do you
+know what became of Mr. Liddell's unfortunate wife?"
+
+"She died eleven or twelve years ago. The family of--of the man she
+lived with had the audacity to apply for money, on account of her
+funeral, I think, and so I came to know she was dead. It was a sad
+business. The poor woman had a wretched life, but I don't think she was
+in any want."
+
+"I only asked, because if she was in poverty--"
+
+"Oh," interrupted the lawyer, "if she were alive, she would have her
+share of the estate, as her marriage was never dissolved."
+
+A short pause ensued, and then Newton asked if Miss Liddell would like
+some money, as he would be happy to draw a check for any sum she
+required. Then, indeed, Katherine felt that her days of difficulty were
+over.
+
+
+Mrs. Liddell and her daughter were in no hurry to leave their humble
+home. In truth Katherine was more frightened than elated at the amount
+of property she had inherited, and would have felt a little less guilty
+had she only succeeded in obtaining a moderate competence.
+
+A curious stunned feeling made her incapable of her usual activity for
+the first few days, and averse even to plan for the future.
+
+She kept her sister-in-law quiet by a handsome present of money
+wherewith to buy a fresh outfit for herself and her boys. Finally she
+roused up sufficiently to persuade Mrs. Liddell to see an eminent
+physician, for she did not seem to gather strength as rapidly as her
+daughter expected.
+
+The great man, after a careful examination, said there was nothing very
+wrong; the nervous system seemed to be a good deal exhausted, and the
+bronchial attack of the previous year had left the lungs delicate, but
+that with care she might live to old age.
+
+He directed, however, that Mrs. Liddell should go as soon as possible to
+a southern climate. He recommended Cannes or San Remo--indeed it would
+be advisable that several winters in future should be spent in a more
+genial atmosphere than that of England.
+
+This advice exactly suited the wishes both of Katherine and her mother.
+
+How easy it was to make arrangements in their altered circumstances! How
+magical are the effects of money! How quickly Katherine grew accustomed
+to the unwonted ease of her present lot! _If_--oh, if--she were ever
+found out, how should she bear it? How could she endure the pinch of
+poverty, added to the poison of shame? But the idea that all this wealth
+was really _hers_ gained on her, while her fears were lulled to sleep by
+a pleasant sense of comfort and security.
+
+Mrs. Frederic Liddell was a good deal disturbed on hearing that her
+mother-in-law was ordered abroad.
+
+"Pray what is to become of _me_?" was her first question when Katherine
+announced the doctor's verdict. They were sitting over the fire in the
+drawing-room, after the boys had said good-night.
+
+"Would you prefer staying in England?" asked Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"For some reasons I should, but you know I _must_ have something to live
+on."
+
+"I know that," returned Katherine. "As I cannot execute any any deed of
+gift for two years, I think I had better give you an allowance for
+yourself and the boys, and let you do as you like. I have talked with
+Mr. Newton about it."
+
+"Well, dear, I think it _would_ be the best plan," said Mrs. Frederic,
+amiably. "I have not the least scruple in taking the money, because you
+know it ought really to be ours."
+
+"Exactly," returned Katherine, with a slight smile, and she named so
+liberal a sum that even Mrs. Fred was satisfied.
+
+"Well, I am sure that is very nice, dear," she said; "and when you are
+of age will you settle it on my precious boys?"
+
+"I will," replied Katherine, deliberately; "and I hope always to see a
+great deal of them."
+
+"Of course you will, but you will not long be Katherine Liddell. When
+Mr. Wright comes, my boys will get leave to stay with their mother as
+much as they like."
+
+"I do not think I shall easily forget them, even if Mr. Wright appears,"
+said Katherine, good-humoredly.
+
+"What a strange girl Katie is!" pursued her sister-in-law. "Was she
+never in love, Mrs. Liddell? Had she never any admirers?"
+
+"Not that I know of, Ada."
+
+"Oh! I have been in love many times!" cried Katherine, laughing. "Don't
+you remember, mother, the Russian prince I used to dance with at Madame
+du Lac's juvenile parties?--I made quite a romance about him; and that
+young Austrian--I forget his name--whom we met at Stuttgart, Baron
+Holdenberg's nephew; he was charming, to say nothing of Lohengrin and
+Tannhauser. I have quite a long list of loves, Ada. Oh, I _should_ like
+to dance again! To float round to the music of a delightful Austrian
+band would be charming."
+
+"My dear Katherine, that is all nonsense, as you will find out one day."
+Then, after some moments of evidently severe reflection, her brows knit,
+and her soft baby-like lips pressed together she said: "I think I should
+like to move nearer town, and get a nice nursery governess for Cis and
+Charlie, and--Don't you think it would be a good plan?"
+
+"The governess, yes, as they will lose their present one when Katherine
+goes. But why not stay on here till next autumn, when the lease or
+agreement expires? You will have it all to yourself in about ten days,
+and it will be quite large enough," said Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"Stay on here!" began her daughter-in-law, in a high key, and with a
+look of great disgust. She stopped herself suddenly, however, smoothed
+her brow, and added, "Well, I will think about it," after which, with
+unusual self-control, she changed the subject, and talked gravely about
+governesses, their salaries and qualifications, till it was time to go
+to bed.
+
+A few days after this conversation the house was invaded by a host of
+applicants for the post of instructress to the two little boys. Every
+shade of complexion, all possible accomplishments, the most varied and
+splendid testimonials, were presented to the bewildered little widow, in
+consequence of her application to a governesses' institution. She was
+fain to ask Katherine to help her in choosing, much to the latter's
+satisfaction, as she did not like to offer assistance, though she wished
+to influence the choice of a preceptress. Together they fixed on a
+quiet, kindly looking young woman, to whom both took rather a fancy, and
+Katherine felt very much relieved to know that this important point was
+settled.
+
+But Mrs. Frederic did not seem at ease; there was a restlessness about
+her, a disinclination to leave the house, that attracted Katherine's
+notice, although she was much occupied with preparations for their
+departure. At last the mystery was solved.
+
+One afternoon Mrs. Liddell and Katherine had been a good deal later than
+usual in returning home, having determined to finish their shopping and
+take a few days' complete rest before starting on their travels.
+
+Mrs. Frederic met them with a heightened color and a curious embarrassed
+look. The drawing room was lit by a splendid fire, and sweet with the
+perfume of abundant hot-house flowers; there was something vaguely
+prophetic in the air.
+
+"Do come to the fire, dear Mrs. Liddell; you must be so cold! I have
+been quite uneasy about you," she exclaimed, effusively.
+
+"Have you had a visitor, Ada?" asked Katherine, whose suspicions were
+aroused.
+
+"I have, and I want to tell you all about it. I am far too candid to
+keep anything from those I love. My visitor was Colonel Ormonde. He
+asked me to marry him, and--and, dear Mrs. Liddell--Katherine--I hope
+you will not be offended, but I--I said I would," burst forth Mrs.
+Frederic; and then she burst into tears.
+
+There was a minute's silence. Katherine flushed crimson, and did not
+speak, but Mrs. Liddell said, kindly: "My dear Ada, if you think Colonel
+Ormonde will make you happy and be kind to the boys, you are quite
+right. I never expected a young creature like you to live alone for the
+rest of your existence, and I believe Colonel Ormonde is a man of
+character and position."
+
+"He is indeed," cried Ada, falling on her mother-in-law's neck. "You are
+the wisest, kindest woman in the world. And you, Katherine?"
+
+"I _do_ hope you will be _very, very_ happy," responded Katherine; "but
+I must say I think he is rather too old for you. That, however, is your
+affair."
+
+"Yes, of course it is"--leaving Mrs. Liddell to hug Katherine. "I am
+quite fond of him; that is, I esteem and like him. Of course I shall
+never love any one as I did my dear darling Fred; but I do want some one
+to help me with the boys, and Marmaduke (that's his name) is quite fond
+of them. So now, dear Mrs. Liddell, I will stay on here till--till I am
+married, if you don't mind."
+
+"It is the best thing you can do, Ada. I wish we could stay and be
+present at your marriage."
+
+"But that is impossible," cried Katherine.
+
+"And not at all necessary," added Mrs. Frederic, hastily. "My friend
+Mrs. Burnett will help me in every way, and I have been trouble enough
+already."
+
+"I do not think so," said Mrs. Liddell, quietly. "But I am very weary. I
+will go to my room. Katie dear, bring me some tea presently."
+
+And the widow escaped to rest, perhaps to weep over the bright boy so
+dear to her, so soon forgotten by the wife of his bosom.
+
+Not many days after, Katherine and her mother set forth upon their
+travels, leaving nothing they regretted save the two little boys,
+respecting whose fate Katherine felt anything but satisfied. Of this she
+said nothing to her mother. And so, with temporary forgetfulness of the
+deed which was destined to color her whole life, she saw the curtain
+fall on the first act of her story.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+"A NEW PHASE."
+
+
+"An interval of three weeks--six months--ten years," as the case may
+be--"is supposed to have elapsed since the last act." This is a very
+commonly used expression in play-bills, and there seems no just cause or
+impediment why a story-teller should not avail himself of the same
+device to waft the patient reader over an uneventful period, during
+which the hero or heroine has been granted a "breathing space" between
+the ebb and flow of harrowing adventures and moving incidents.
+
+It was, then, more than two years since the last chapter, and a still
+cold day at the end of February--still and somewhat damp--in one of the
+midland shires--say Clayshire. The dank hedges and sodden fields had a
+melancholy aspect, which seemed to affect a couple of horsemen who were
+walking their jaded, much-splashed horses along a narrow road, or
+rather lane, which led between a stretch of pasture-land on one side and
+a ploughed field on the other. The red coats and top-boots of both were
+liberally besprinkled with mud; even their hats had not quite escaped.
+Their steeds hung their heads and moved languidly; both horses and
+riders had evidently had a hard day's work. Presently the road sloped
+somewhat steeply to a hollow sheltered at one side by a steep bank
+overgrown with brushwood and large trees. The country behind the
+huntsmen was rather flat and very open, but from this point it became
+broken and wooded, sloping gradually up toward a distant range of low
+blue hills.
+
+"Ha, you blundering idiot!" exclaimed the elder of the two men, pulling
+up his horse, a powerful roan, as he stumbled at the beginning of the
+descent. He was a big, heavy man with a red face, thick gray mustache,
+and small, angry-looking eyes. "He'll break my neck some day."
+
+"Don't take away his character," returned his companion, laughing.
+"Remember he has had a hard run, and you are not a feather-weight." The
+speaker was tall (judging from the length of the well-shaped leg which
+lay close against his horse's side), large-framed, and bony; his plain
+strong face was tanned to swarthiness by exposure to wind and weather;
+moreover, a pair of deep-set dark eyes and long, nearly black mustache
+showed that he had been no fair, ruddy youth to begin with.
+
+"No, by Jove!" exclaimed the first speaker. "I don't understand how it
+is that I grow so infernally stout. I am sure I take exercise enough,
+and live most temperately."
+
+"Exercise! Yes, for five or six months; the rest of the twelve you do
+nothing. And as to living temperately, what with a solid breakfast, a
+heavy luncheon, and a serious dinner, you manage to consume a great deal
+in the twenty-four hours."
+
+"Come, De Burgh! Hang it, I rarely eat lunch."
+
+"Only when you can get it. Say two hundred and ninety times out of the
+three hundred and sixty-five days of the year."
+
+"I admit nothing of the sort. The fact is, what I eat goes into a good
+skin. Now you might _cram_ the year round and be a bag of bones at the
+end of it."
+
+"Thank God for all his mercies," replied De Burgh. "The fact is, you are
+a spoiled favorite of fortune, and in addition to all the good things
+you have inherited you pick up a charming wife who spoils you and
+coddles you in a way to make the mouth of an unfortunate devil like
+myself water with envy."
+
+"None of that nonsense, De Burgh," complacently. "The heart of a
+benedict knoweth its own bitterness, though I can't complain much. If
+you hadn't been the reckless _roue_ you are, you might have been as well
+off as myself."
+
+De Burgh laughed. "You see, I never cared for domestic bliss. I hate
+fetters of every description, and I lay the ruin of my morals to the
+score of that immortal old relative of mine who persists in keeping me
+out of my heritage. The conviction that you are always sure of an
+estate, and possibly thirty thousand a year, has a terrible effect on
+one's character."
+
+"If you had stuck to the Service you'd have been high up by this time,
+with the reputation you made in the Mutiny time, for you were little
+more than a boy then."
+
+"Ay, or low down! Not that I should have much to regret if I were. I
+have had a lot of enjoyment out of life, however, but at present I am
+coming to the end of my tether. I am afraid I'll have to sell the few
+acres that are left to me, and if that gets to the Baron's ears, good-by
+to my chance of his bequeathing me the fortune he has managed to scrape
+together between windfalls and lucky investments. The late Baroness had
+a pot of money, you know."
+
+"I know there's not much property to go with the title."
+
+"A beggarly five thousand a year. I say, Ormonde, are you disposed for a
+good thing? Lend me three thousand on good security? Six per cent., old
+man!"
+
+"I am not so disposed, my dear fellow! I have a wife and my boy to think
+of now."
+
+"Exactly," returned the other, with a sneer. "You have a new edition of
+Colonel Ormonde's precious self."
+
+"Oh, your sneers don't touch me! You always had your humors; still I am
+willing to help a kinsman, and I will give you a chance if you like.
+What do you say to a rich young wife--none of your crooked sticks?"
+
+"It's an awful remedy for one's financial disease, to mortgage one's
+self instead of one's property; still I suppose I'll have to come to it.
+Who is the proposed mortgagee?"
+
+"My wife's sister."
+
+"Oh!"
+
+The tone of this "Oh!" was in some unaccountable way offensive to
+Colonel Ormonde. "Miss Liddell comes of a very good old county family I
+can tell you," he said, quickly; "a branch of the Somerset Liddells; and
+when I saw her last she was the making of an uncommon fine woman."
+
+"But your wife was a Mrs. Liddell, was she not?"
+
+"Yes. This girl is her sister-in-law, really, but Mrs. Ormonde looks on
+her as a sister."
+
+"Hum! She _has_ the cash? I suppose you know all about it?"
+
+"Well, yes, you may be sure of sixty or seventy thousand, which would
+keep you going till Lord de Burgh joins the majority."
+
+"Yes, that might do; so 'trot her out.'"
+
+"She is coming to stay with us in a week or two, before the hunting is
+quite over, so you will be down here still."
+
+"I suspect I shall. The lease of the lodge won't be out till next
+September, and I may as well stay there as anywhere."
+
+"Katherine Liddell is quite unencumbered; she has neither father nor
+mother, nor near relation of any kind; in fact Mrs. Ormonde and myself
+are her next friends, and in a few weeks she will be of age."
+
+"All very favorable for her," said De Burgh, in his careless, commanding
+way. His tones were deep and harsh, and though unmistakably one of the
+"upper ten," there was a degree of roughness in his style, which,
+however, did not prevent him from being rather a favorite with women,
+who always seemed to find his attentions peculiarly flattering.
+
+"Come," cried Ormonde, "let us push on. I am getting chilled to the
+bone, and we are late enough already."
+
+He touched his horse with the spur, and both riders urged their steeds
+to a trot. Turning a bend of the road, they came suddenly upon a young
+lady accompanied by two little boys, in smart velvet suits. They were
+walking in the direction of Castleford--walking so smartly that the
+smaller of the two boys went at a trot. "Hullo!" cried Colonel Ormonde,
+pulling up for an instant. "What are you doing here? I hope the baby has
+not been out so late?"
+
+"Baby has gone to drive with mother," chorussed the boys eagerly, as if
+a little awed.
+
+"All right! Time you were home too," and he spurred after De Burgh.
+
+"Mrs. Ormonde's boys?" asked the latter.
+
+"Yes; have you never seen them?"
+
+"I knew they existed, but I cannot say I ever beheld them before."
+
+"Oh, Mrs. Ormonde never bores people with her brats."
+
+"After they are out of infancy," returned the other, dryly.
+
+A remark which helped to "rile" Colonel Ormonde, and he said little more
+till they reached their destination, and both retired to enjoy the
+luxury of a bath before dressing for dinner.
+
+John de Burgh was a distant relation of Ormonde's, but having been
+thrown together a good deal, they seemed nearer of kin than they really
+were. De Burgh was somewhat overbearing, and dominated Colonel Ormonde
+considerably. He was also somewhat lawless by nature, hating restraint
+and intent upon his own pleasure. The discipline of military life, light
+as it is to an officer, became intolerable to him when the excitement
+and danger of real warfare were past, and he resigned his commission to
+follow his own sweet will.
+
+Ultimately he became renowned as a crack rider, and one of the best
+steeple-chase jockeys on the turf in all competitions between gentlemen.
+
+Mrs. Ormonde considered him quite an important personage, heir to an old
+title, and first or second cousin to a host of peers. It took many a day
+to accustom her to think of her husband's connections without a sense of
+pride and exultation, at which Ormonde laughed heartily whenever he
+perceived it. On his side De Burgh thought her a very pretty little toy,
+quite amusing with her small airs and graces and assumption of
+fine-ladyism, and he showed her a good deal of indolent attention, at
+which her husband was rather flattered.
+
+The rector of the parish and one or two officers of Colonel Ormonde's
+old regiment, which happened to be quartered at a manufacturing town a
+few miles distant, made up the party at dinner that evening, and
+afterward they dropped off one by one to the billiard-room, till Mrs.
+Ormonde and De Burgh found themselves _tete-a-tete_.
+
+"Do you wear black every night because it suits you down to the ground?"
+he asked, after very deliberately examining her from head to foot, when
+he had thrown down a newspaper he had been scanning.
+
+"No; I am in mourning. Don't you see I have only black lace and jet, and
+a little crape?"
+
+"Ah! and that constitutes mourning, eh? Well, there is very little
+mourning in your laughing eyes. Who is dead?"
+
+"My mother-in-law."
+
+"Your mother-in-law! I didn't know Ormonde----"
+
+"I mean Mrs. Liddell; and I am quite sorry for her; she was wonderfully
+fond of me, and very kind."
+
+"Why, what an angel you must be to fascinate a _belle-mere_! Then the
+dear departed must be the mother of that Miss Liddell whom Ormonde was
+recommending to me this afternoon?"
+
+"Who--my husband? How silly! She would not suit you a bit."
+
+"Well, Ormonde thought her fortune might."
+
+"Oh, her fortune! that is another thing. But she will not be so very
+rich if she fulfils her promise to settle part of her fortune on my
+boys. You see, if their poor father had lived, he would have shared
+their uncle's money with his sister. Now it is too hideously unjust that
+my poor dear boys should have nothing, and Katherine is very properly
+going to make it up to them."
+
+"A young woman with a very high sense of justice. A good deal under the
+influence of her charming sister-in-law, I presume."
+
+"Well, rather," returned Mrs. Ormonde, with an air of superiority.
+"Katherine is a mere enthusiastic school-girl, easily imposed upon. Both
+Colonel Ormonde and myself feel bound to look after her."
+
+"Will she let you?" asked De Burgh, dryly.
+
+"Of course she will. She knows nothing of the world, or at least very
+little, for she did not go much into society while they were abroad."
+
+"Has she been abroad?"
+
+"Yes; Mrs. Liddell was out of health when Katherine came into this
+money, and they have been away in Italy and Germany and Paris for quite
+two years. They were on their way home when Mrs. Liddell was taken ill.
+She died in Paris, of typhoid fever, just before Christmas."
+
+"Two years in Italy, Germany, and Paris," repeated De Burgh; "she can't
+be quite a novice, then."
+
+"Oh, she thinks she knows a great deal; and she _is_ a nice girl, though
+curious and fanciful. I like her very much indeed, but I do not fancy
+_you_ would. She is certainly obstinate. Instead of coming direct to us,
+and making her home here, as we were quite willing she should, she has
+gone to Miss Payne, a woman who, I believe, exists by acting chaperon to
+rich girls with no relations. Fancy, she has absolutely agreed to live
+with this Miss Payne for a year before consulting us, or asking our
+consent--or--or anything!"
+
+"Is she not a minor?"
+
+"She will be of age in a week or two, and it makes me quite nervous to
+think that other influences may prevent her keeping her promise to my
+boys. It is a mercy she did not marry some greedy foreigner while she
+was under age. Fortunately, men never seemed to take a fancy to
+Katherine."
+
+"They will be pretty sure to take a fancy to her money."
+
+"I think she lived so quietly people did not suspect her of having any.
+She is awfully cut up about the death of her mother, and does not go
+anywhere. I hope she will come down here next week. The only person I am
+afraid of is a horrid stiff old lawyer who seems to be her right hand
+man. He went over to Paris when Mrs. Liddell died, and did everything,
+instead of sending for Colonel Ormonde! I felt quite hurt about it."
+
+"Ha! a shrewd old lawyer is bad to beat," said De Burgh, looking at his
+lively informant with half-closed eyes and an amused expression. "I
+wouldn't be too sure of your sister if I were you. Under such guidance
+the young lady may alter her generous intentions."
+
+"Pray do not say such horrible things, Mr. De Burgh!" cried Mrs.
+Ormonde, growing very grave, even pathetic, and looking inclined to cry.
+"What would become of me--I mean us--if she changed her mind? 'Duke
+would be furious; he would never forgive me."
+
+"Pooh! nonsense! a man would forgive a woman like you anything."
+
+"A woman, perhaps, but not his wife," she returned, shaking her head.
+"But I won't think of anything so dreadful. I am quite sure Katie will
+never break her word; she is awfully true."
+
+"That is rather an alarming character. You make me quite curious. What
+is she like--anything like you?"
+
+"Not a bit. You know, she is only my sister-in-law. She is tall and
+large, and much more decided"--looking up in his face with a caressing
+smile.
+
+"I understand. Not a delicate little darling, made for laughter and
+kisses, and sugar, and spice, and all that's nice, like _you_." This
+with an insolent, admiring look. "Not a woman to fall in love with, but
+useful as a wife to keep one's household up to the collar."
+
+"Really, Mr. De Burgh, you are very shocking! You must not say such
+things to me."
+
+"Mustn't I? How shall you prevent me? I am a relative, you know. You
+can't treat me as a stranger."
+
+"You are quite too audacious--" she was beginning, when a slim young
+cornet came back from the billiard-room.
+
+"The Colonel wants you, Mrs. Ormonde," he said; "and you too, De Burgh.
+We are not enough for pool, and you play a capital game, Mrs. Ormonde."
+
+"What are the stakes?" asked De Burgh, rising readily enough.
+
+"Oh, I can't play well at all," said Mrs. Ormonde, following him with
+evident reluctance. "Certainly not when Colonel Ormonde is looking on."
+
+"Oh, never mind him. I'll screen you from his hypercritical eyes,"
+returned De Burgh, as he held the door open for her to pass out.
+
+So it was, after a spell of heavenly tranquility, as Katherine and her
+mother were on their way to England, intending to make a home in or near
+London, Mrs. Liddell had been struck down with fever, and Katherine was
+left unspeakably desolate. Then she turned to her old friend Mr. Newton,
+and found him of infinite use and comfort.
+
+A short space of numb inaction followed, during which she fully realized
+the loneliness of her position, and from which she roused herself to
+plan her future.
+
+At the time Mrs. Liddell was first attacked with fever they had just
+renewed their acquaintance with a Miss Payne, whom they had met in Rome
+and at Berlin. She was not unknown in society, for she came of a good
+old county family, and was half-sister of the Bertie whose name has
+already appeared in these pages.
+
+Their father, with an old man's pride in a handsome only son, had left
+the bulk of his fortune to Bertie, while Hannah, who had ministered to
+his comfort and borne his ill-humor, inherited only a paltry couple of
+hundred a year, with a fairly well furnished house in Wilton Street,
+Hyde Park. Her brother would have willingly added to this pittance, but
+she sternly refused to accept what did not of right belong to her.
+Bertie went with his regiment to India, whence he returned a wiser, a
+poorer, and a physically weaker man.
+
+His sister, whose business instincts were much too strong to permit her
+wrapping up such a "talent" as a freehold house in the napkin of
+unfruitful occupation, looked round to see how she could best turn it to
+account. Accident threw in her way a girl of large fortune with no
+relations, whose guardians, thankful to find a respectable home for her,
+readily agreed to pay Miss Payne handsomely for taking charge of the
+orphan. Her first _protegee_ married well, under her auspices, and from
+henceforth her house was rarely empty. Sometimes she accepted a roving
+commission and travelled with her charge, meanwhile letting her house in
+town, so making a double profit. It was on one of these expeditions that
+she was introduced to Mrs. and Miss Liddell. There was an air of
+sincerity and common-sense about the composed elderly gentlewoman which
+rather attracted the former, and, when they met again in Paris, Miss
+Payne came to Katie in her trouble and proved a brave and capable nurse;
+nor was she unsympathetic, though far from effusive. So, finding that
+Miss Payne's last young lady had left her, Katherine, with the approval
+of Mr. Newton, proposed to become her inmate for a year--an arrangement
+entirely in accordance with Miss Payne's wishes.
+
+"I did not know you were acquainted with Miss Liddell," she said one
+evening when she was sitting with her brother, Katherine having retired
+early, as she often did. "It is quite a surprise to me."
+
+"I can hardly say I am acquainted with her; I happened to be of some
+slight use to her once, and I met her after by accident, when we spoke;
+that is all."
+
+"I wonder she did not mention it to me."
+
+"I imagine she hardly knew my name." Miss Payne uttered an inarticulate
+sound between a h'm and a groan, by which she generally expressed
+indefinite dissent and disapprobation. Then she rose and walked to the
+dwarf bookcase at the end of the room to fetch her tatting. She was tall
+and slight. Following her, you might imagine her young, for her figure
+was good and her step brisk. Meeting her face to face, her pale,
+slightly puckered cheeks, closely compressed lips, keen light eyes, and
+crisp pepper-and-salt hair--Cayenne pepper, for it had once been
+red--suggested at least twenty or twenty-five additional years as
+compared with the back view.
+
+Returning to her seat, she began to tat, slowing drawing each knot home
+with a reflective air.
+
+"That woman is hunting her up," she exclaimed suddenly, after a few
+minutes' silence, during which Bertie looked thoughtfully at the
+fire--his quiet face, with its look of unutterable peace, the strongest
+possible contrast to his sister's hard, shrewd aspect.
+
+"What woman?" asked, as if recalled from a dream.
+
+"Mrs. Ormonde. There was a telegram from her this afternoon. She has
+been worrying Miss Liddell to go to them ever since she set foot in
+England; and as that won't do, she is coming up to-morrow to see what
+personal persuasion will do."
+
+"I dare say Mrs. Ormonde is fond of her sister-in-law. She is too well
+off to have any mercenary designs."
+
+"Is that all your experience has taught you?" (contemptuously). "If
+there is any truth in hand-writing, that Mrs. Ormonde is a fool. Her
+letter after Mrs. Liddell's death, which Katherine showed me because it
+touched her, was the production of an effusive idiot. I don't trust
+sentimentalists; they seldom have much honesty or justice. Katherine
+Liddell is a little soft too, but she is by no means so asinine as the
+others I have had. Wait, however--wait till some man takes her fancy;
+that is the divining-rod to show where the springs of folly lie."
+
+"Miss Liddell is a good deal changed," returned Bertie, slowly. "She
+looks considerably older. No, that is not the right expression: I mean
+she seems more mature than when I saw her before. What she says is said
+deliberately; what she does is with the full consciousness of what she
+is doing; but she looks as if she had suffered."
+
+"She has," said Miss Payne, with an air of conviction. "Her grief for
+her mother was, is, deep and real. I don't believe in floods of
+tears--they are a relief."
+
+"Yes; and though she looks so pale and sad, she is not a whit less
+beautiful than she was."
+
+"Beautiful!" repeated Miss Payne. "I rather admire her myself, but I
+don't think any one could call her beautiful."
+
+"Perhaps not. There is so much expression in her face, such feeling in
+her eyes, that not many really beautiful women would stand comparison
+with her."
+
+Miss Payne sniffed, and then she smiled. "She is not a commonplace young
+woman, though I fear she is easily imposed upon. I am afraid she may be
+snapped up by some plausible fortune-hunter."
+
+Bertie frowned slightly. "I trust she may be guided to happiness with
+some good, God-fearing man," he said, and then, he bid his sister
+good-night somewhat abruptly.
+
+Meantime, Katherine sat plunged in thought beside the fire in her
+bedroom. She was not given to weeping, but she was profoundly sad. To
+find herself again in London without her mother seemed to renew the
+intense grief which had indeed lost but little of its keenness. Never
+had a mother been more terribly missed. They had been such sympathetic
+friends, such close companions; they had had such a hearty respect for
+and appreciation of each other's qualities, such a pleasant
+comprehension of each other's different tastes, that it would be hard to
+fill the place of the dear, lost comrade with whom she had hitherto
+walked hand in hand. It soothed her to think of the delightful
+tranquility Mrs. Liddell had enjoyed for the last two years, of the
+untroubled sweetness of their intercourse, of her mother's last
+contented words: "I am quite happy, dear. Your future is secure, and you
+have never given me a moment's pain. We have had such delightful days
+together!"
+
+How could she have borne to have seen a pained, anxious look--such a
+look as was once familiar to them--in those dear eyes, as they closed
+forever on this mortal scene! Oh, thank God for the heavenly security of
+those last days whatever the price she had paid for them!
+
+Motherless, she was utterly desolate. It would be long, long before she
+could find any one to fill her mother's place, if she ever did. For the
+present she was satisfied to stay with Miss Payne, but she did not think
+she could ever love her. The idea of residing with Colonel Ormonde and
+his wife was distasteful. The most attractive scheme was to beg her
+little nephews from their mother, and take them to live with her. She
+was almost of age, and _felt_ old enough to set up for herself. As she
+pondered on these things she felt bitterly that, rich or poor, a
+homeless woman is a wretched creature.
+
+At last she went to bed, and lay for a while watching the fire-light as
+it cast flickering shadows, thinking of the tender, watchful love which
+had dropped away out of her life; and with the murmured words, "Dear,
+dear mother!" on her lips she fell asleep.
+
+
+The next day broke bright and clear, though cold, and having kept
+Katherine at home all day, Mrs. Ormonde made her appearance in time for
+afternoon tea.
+
+"My dear, dearest Katherine!" cried the little woman, fluttering in, all
+fur and feathers, in the richest and most becoming morning toilette,
+looking prettier and younger than ever, "I am _so_ delighted to see you
+once more! Why have you staid in town, instead of coming straight to
+us?" and she embraced her tall sister-in-law effusively.
+
+Katherine returned her embrace. For a moment or two she could not
+command her voice; the sight of the known childish face, the sound of
+the shrill familiar voice, brought a flood of sudden sorrow over her
+heart; but Mrs. Ormonde was not the sort of woman to whom she could
+express it.
+
+"And _I_ am very glad to see _you_, Ada! How well you are looking--even
+younger and fairer than you used!"
+
+"Yes, I am uncommonly well; and you, dear, you are looking pale and ill
+and older! You will forgive me, but I am quite distressed. You must come
+down to Castleford at once."
+
+"Thank you. Where are the boys? I hoped you would bring them."
+
+"Oh, Colonel Ormonde thought they would be too troublesome for me in a
+hotel, so I left them behind. They were awfully disappointed, poor
+dears; but it is better _you_ should come down and see them. Cecil is
+going to school after Easter, and I believe Charlie must go soon."
+
+"I long to see them," said Katherine, assisting her visitor to take off
+her cloak.
+
+"And _I_ long to show you my new little boy," cried Mrs. Ormonde,
+drawing a chair to the fire, and putting her small, daintily shod feet
+on the fender. "He is a splendid child, amazingly forward for six
+months."
+
+"I am glad you are so happy, Ada; I shall be pleased to make the
+acquaintance of my new nephew. I suppose I may consider him a sort of
+nephew?"
+
+"My dear, of _course_! Colonel Ormonde, as well as myself, is proud to
+consider you his aunt. Yes, I am very happy--though Ormonde _is_ rather
+provoking sometimes; still, he is not half bad, and I know how to manage
+him. You are _such_ a favorite with my husband, Katie. He admires you so
+much, I sometimes threaten to be jealous--why, what is the matter,
+dear?"
+
+Katherine had suddenly covered her face with her handkerchief and burst
+into tears.
+
+"Do not mind me, Ada!" she said, when she could speak. "It was just that
+name; no one has called me Katie except my mother and you, and the idea
+that I should never hear her speak again overpowered me for a moment."
+
+Mrs. Ormonde was puzzled. Not knowing what to do in face of a great
+grief, she took out her own pocket-handkerchief politely.
+
+"Of course, dear," she said; "it is quite natural. I was awfully cut up
+when I heard of your sad loss--and mine too, for I am sure Mrs. Liddell
+loved me like her own child; it was quite wonderful for a mother-in-law.
+I was afraid to speak to you about her, but I am sure she would like you
+to live with us; it is your natural home. And--and she would, I am sure,
+be pleased if she can know what is going on here below, to see that you
+fulfilled your kind intentions to her poor little grandsons." These last
+words with some hesitation.
+
+Katherine kept silence, and still held her handkerchief to her eyes. So
+Mrs. Ormonde resumed: "A good, religious girl like you, Katherine, must
+feel that it is right to submit to the will of--"
+
+"Yes, yes; I know all about that," interrupted Katherine, who was rather
+irritated than soothed by her sister-in-law's attempt at preaching; and
+recovering herself, she added: "I will not worry you with my tears. Tell
+me how the boys get on with Colonel Ormonde."
+
+"Very well indeed, especially Cecil. 'Duke is very kind. They have a
+pony, and quite enjoy the country; but now that we have a boy of our
+own, we feel doubly anxious that Cis and Charlie should be permanently
+provided for; so do, dear, come back with me, and talk it all over with
+my husband. He is _such_ a good man of business."
+
+Katherine smiled faintly; she had not seen the drift of Mrs. Ormonde's
+remarks at first; there was no mistaking them now. A slightly
+mischievous sense of power kept her from setting her sister-in-law's
+mind at rest immediately.
+
+"I do not think it necessary to consult with Colonel Ormonde, Ada, for I
+have quite made up my mind what to do. I think you may trust your boys
+to me. I must see Mr. Newton and arrange many matters, so I do not think
+I can go to you just yet. Then, I do not like to be in the way, and I
+could _not_ mix in society just yet. Oh, I am not morbid or sentimental,
+but some months of seclusion I _must_ have."
+
+Mrs. Ormonde played with the tassel of the screen with which she
+sheltered her face from the fire while she thought: "What can she really
+mean to do? I wonder if she is engaged to any one, and waiting for him
+here? Once she is married, good-by to a settlement. She is awfully
+deep!" Then she said aloud, coaxingly, "Oh, we are very quiet
+home-staying people. We have a few men to stay now and again, but we
+never give big dinners. Tell me the truth, dear, are you not engaged? It
+would be but natural. A charming girl like you, with a large fortune,
+could not escape a multitude of lovers."
+
+"You are wrong, Ada. I am not engaged, and I have no lovers. Of course a
+prince or two and a German graf did me the honor of proposing to annex
+my property, taking myself with it. Any well-dowered girl may expect
+such offers in Continental society; but they did not affect me."
+
+"No, no; certainly not! It will be an Englishman. Quite right. And 'Duke
+must find out all about him. You know, dear, you would marry ever so
+much better from _my_ house than you possibly could _here_, with a
+person who, after all, merely keeps a _pension_."
+
+"If Miss Payne could hear you!" said Katherine.
+
+"Oh, I should never say it to her. But, Katherine, now is your time,
+when you are of age, and before you marry--now is the time to settle
+whatever you intend to settle on my poor little boys. I am sure you will
+excuse me for mentioning it, won't you? Between you and me, I don't
+think 'Duke would have married if he had not believed you would provide
+for Cis and Charlie. I don't know what would become of us if they were
+thrown on his hands."
+
+"You need not fear," cried Katherine, quickly. "My nephews shall never
+cost Colonel Ormonde a sou."
+
+"No, I was sure you wouldn't, dear, you are such a kind, generous
+creature, so unselfish. I do hate selfishness, and though the allowance
+you now give is very handsome--"
+
+"I am to make it a little larger," put in Katherine, good-humoredly, as
+Mrs. Ormonde paused, not knowing how to finish her sentence. "Be
+content, Ada; you shall have due notice when I have made all my plans. I
+have a good deal to do, for I ought to make my will too."
+
+"Your will! Oh yes, to be sure. I never thought of that. But if you
+marry it will be of no use."
+
+"Until I _am_ married it will be of use."
+
+"And when do you intend to come to us?"
+
+"Oh, some time next month."
+
+"I hope so. I want to come up for a while after Easter, and am trying to
+get the Colonel to take a house; _that_ depends on you a good deal. If
+you would join me in taking a house for three months he would agree at
+once."
+
+"But I have just agreed to stay with Miss Payne for a year."
+
+"How foolish! how short-sighted!" cried Mrs. Ormonde. "You will be just
+lost in a second-rate place like this."
+
+"It will suit me perfectly. I only want rest and peace at present. I
+dare say it will not be so always."
+
+"Well, I know there is no use in talking to you. You will go your own
+way. Only, as I am in town, _do_ come to my dressmaker's. Though you had
+your mourning in Paris, do you know, you look quite dowdy. You'll not
+mind my saying so?"
+
+"I dare say I do. Miss Payne got everything for me."
+
+"Oh, are you going to give yourself into her hands blindfold? I am
+afraid she is a designing woman. You really must get some stylish
+dresses. You must do yourself justice."
+
+"I have as many as I want, and there is no need of wasting money, even
+if you have a good deal. How many poor souls need food and clothes!"
+
+"Oh, Katherine, if you begin to talk in that way, you will be robbed and
+plundered to no end."
+
+"I hope not. Here is tea, and Miss Payne. I will come and see you
+to-morrow early, and bring some little presents for the boys."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+"I WAS A STRANGER AND YE TOOK ME IN."
+
+
+Mrs. Ormonde lingered as long as she could. Bond Street was paradise to
+her, Regent Street an Elysian Field. While she staid she gave her
+sister-in-law little peace, and until she had departed Katherine did not
+attempt to go into business matters with Mr. Newton. She was half
+amused, half disgusted, at Mrs. Ormonde's perpetual reminders, hints,
+and innuendoes touching the settlement on her boys. Ada was the same as
+ever, yet Katherine liked her for the sake of the memories she evoked
+and shared.
+
+It was quite a relief when she left town, and Katherine felt once more
+her own mistress. Her heart yearned for her little nephews, but she felt
+it was wiser to wait and see them at home rather than send for them at
+present. She greatly feared that the new baby, the son of a living,
+prosperous father, was pushing the sons of the first husband--who had
+taken his unlucky self out of the world, where he had been anything but
+a success--from their place in her affections.
+
+Meantime she held frequent consultations with Mr. Newton, who was very
+devoted to her service, and anxious to do his best for her. He
+remonstrated earnestly with her on her over-generosity to her nephews.
+"Provide for them if you will, my dear young lady, but believe me you
+are by no means called upon to _divide_ your property with them. Do not
+make them too independent of you; hold something in your hand. Besides,
+you do not know what considerations may arise to make you regret too
+great liberality."
+
+"I have very little use for money now," said Katherine, sadly.
+
+"You have always been remarkably moderate in your expenditure," returned
+the lawyer, who had the entire management of her affairs. "But now you
+will probably like to establish yourself in London, say, for
+headquarters."
+
+"Not for the present. I shall stay where I am until some plan of life
+suggests itself."
+
+"Perhaps you are right, and certainly you are a very prudent young
+lady."
+
+This conversation took place in Mr. Newton's office, and after some
+further discussion Katherine was persuaded to settle a third instead of
+the half of her property on her nephews, out of which a jointure was to
+be paid to Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"I wish I could have the boys with me," said Katherine, as she rose to
+leave Mr. Newton.
+
+"My dear Miss Liddell, take care how you saddle yourself with the
+difficult task of standing _in loco parentis_; leave the very serious
+responsibilities of bringing up boys to the mother whose they are. At
+your age, and with the almost certainty of forming new ties, such a step
+would be very imprudent."
+
+"At all events I shall see how they all get on at Castleford before I
+commit myself to anything. You will lose no time, dear Mr. Newton, in
+getting this deed ready for my signature. I do not want to say anything
+about it till it is 'signed, sealed, and delivered.'"
+
+"It shall be put in hand at once. When shall you be going out of town?"
+
+"Not for ten days or a fortnight."
+
+"The sooner the better. I do not like to see you look so pale and sad.
+Excuse me if I presume in saying so. Well, I don't think your uncle ever
+did a wiser act than in destroying that will of his before he made
+another. The extraordinary instinct he had about money must have warned
+him that his precious fortune would be best bestowed on so prudent yet
+so generous a young lady as yourself."
+
+"Don't praise me, Mr. Newton," said Katherine, sharply. "Could you see
+me as I see myself, you would know how little I deserve it."
+
+"I am sure I should know nothing of the kind," returned the old lawyer,
+smiling. Katherine was a prime favorite with him--quite his ideal of a
+charming and admirable woman. All he hoped was that when the sharp edge
+of her grief had worn off she would mix in society and marry some highly
+placed man worthy of her, a Q.C., if one young enough could be found,
+who was on the direct road to the woolsack.
+
+The evening of this day Bertie Payne came in, as he often did after
+dinner. Katherine was always pleased to see him. He brought a breath of
+genial life into the rather glacial atmosphere of Miss Payne's
+drawing-room. Yet there was something soothing to Katherine in the
+orderly quiet of the house, in the conviction, springing from she knew
+not what, that Miss Payne liked her heartily in her steady,
+undemonstrative fashion. She never interfered with Katherine in any way;
+she was ready to go with her when asked, or to let her young guest go on
+her own business alone and unquestioned, while she saw to her comfort,
+and proved much more companionable than Katherine expected.
+
+On this particular evening which marked a new mental epoch for Katherine
+Liddell, the two companions were sitting by the fire in Miss Payne's
+comfortable though rather old-fashioned drawing-room, the curtains
+drawn, the hearth aglow, Miss Payne engaged on a large piece of
+patchwork which she had been employed upon for years, while Katherine
+read aloud to her. This was a favorite mode of passing the evening; it
+saved the trouble of inventing conversation--for Miss Payne was not
+loquacious--and it was more sympathetic than reading to one's self. Miss
+Payne, it need scarcely be said, had no patience with novels; biography
+and travels were her favorite studies; nor did she disdain history,
+though given to be sceptical concerning accounts of what had happened
+long ago. She had never been so happy and comfortable with any of her
+_protegees_ as with Katherine, though, as she observed to her brother,
+she did not expect it to last. "Stay till she is a little known, and the
+mothers of marriageable sons get about her; then it will be the old
+thing over again--dress, drive, dance, hurry-scurry from morning till
+night. However, I'll make the most of the present."
+
+Miss Payne, then, and her "favored guest" were cozily settled for the
+evening when Bertie entered.
+
+"May I present myself in a frock coat?" he asked, as he shook hands with
+Katherine. "I have had rather a busy day, and found myself in your
+neighborhood just now, so could not resist looking in."
+
+"At your usual work, I suppose," said Miss Payne, severely. "Pray have
+you had anything to eat?"
+
+"Yes, I assure you. I dined quite luxuriously at Bethnal Green about an
+hour and a half ago."
+
+"Ha! at a coffee-stall, I suppose; a cup of coffee and a ha'p'orth of
+bread. I must insist on your having some proper food." Miss Payne put
+forth her hand toward the bell as she spoke.
+
+"Do not give yourself the trouble; I really do not want anything, nor
+will I take anything beyond a cup of tea." Bertie drew a chair beside
+Katherine, asked what she was reading, and talked a little about the
+news of the day. Then he fell into silence, his eyes fixed on the fire,
+a very grave expression stilling his face.
+
+"What are you thinking of?" asked his sister. "What misery have you been
+steeping yourself in to-day?"
+
+"Misery indeed," he echoed. Then, meeting Katherine's eyes fixed upon
+him, he smiled. "Of course I see misery every day," he continued, "but I
+don't like to trouble you with too much of it. To-day I met with an
+unusually hard case, and I am going to ask you for some help toward
+righting it."
+
+"Tell me what you want," said Katherine.
+
+"Are you sure the story is genuine?" asked Miss Payne.
+
+"I am quite sure. I went into Bow Street Police Court to-day, intending
+to speak to the sitting magistrate about some children respecting whom
+he had asked for information, when I was attracted by the face of a
+woman who was being examined; she was poorly clad, but evidently
+respectable--like a better class of needle-woman. I never saw a face
+express such despair. It seemed she had been caught in the act of
+stealing two loaves from the shop of a baker. The poor creature did not
+deny it. Her story was that she had been for some years a widow; that
+she had supported herself and two children by needle-work and
+machine-work. Illness had impoverished her and diminished her
+connection, other workers having been taken on in her absence. In short
+she had been caught in that terrible maelstrom of misfortune from which
+_no_ one can escape without a helping hand. Her sewing machine was
+seized for rent; one article after another of furniture and clothes went
+for food; at last nothing was left. She roamed the city, reduced to beg
+at last, and striving to make up her mind to go to the workhouse, the
+cry of the hungry children she had left in her ears. At several bakers'
+shops she had petitioned for food and had been refused. At last,
+entering one while the shop-girl's back was turned, she snatched a
+couple of small loaves and rushed out into the arms of a policeman, who
+had seen the theft through the window."
+
+"And would the magistrate punish her for this?" asked Katherine,
+eagerly.
+
+"He must. Theft is theft, whatever the circumstances that seem to
+extenuate it. Nothing, no need, gives a right to take what does not
+belong to you. But, for all that, I am certain the poor creature has
+been honest hitherto, and deserves help. She is committed to prison for
+stealing, and I promised her I would look to her children; so I have
+been to see them, and took them to the Children's Refuge that you were
+kind enough to subscribe to, Miss Liddell. To-morrow we must do what we
+can for the mother. I imagine it is worse than death to her to be put in
+prison."
+
+"I do not wonder at it," ejaculated Miss Payne. "And in spite of what
+you say, Bertie, I should not like to give any materials to be made up
+by a woman who deliberately stole in broad daylight."
+
+"I do not see that the light made any difference," returned Bertie; and
+they plunged into a warm discussion. Katherine soon lost the sense of
+what they were saying. Her heart was throbbing as if a sudden stunning
+blow had been dealt her, and the words, "Theft is theft, whatever the
+circumstances that seem to extenuate it," beat as if with a
+sledge-hammer on her brain.
+
+If for a theft, value perhaps sixpence, this poor woman, who had been
+driven to it by the direst necessity, was exposed to trial, to the gaze
+of careless lookers-on, to loss of character, to the exposure of her
+sore want, to the degradation of imprisonment, what should be awarded to
+her, Katherine Liddell, an educated gentlewoman, for stealing a large
+fortune from its rightful owner, and that, too, under no pressure of
+immediate distress? True, she firmly believed that had her uncle not
+been struck down by death he would have left her a large portion of it;
+that she had a better right to it than a stranger. Still that did not
+alter the fact that she was a thief. If every one thus dared to infringe
+the rights of others, what law, what security would remain?
+
+These ideas had never quite left her since the day she had written
+"Manuscript to be destroyed" on the fatal little parcel, which had been
+ever with her during her various journeyings since. More than once she
+had made up her mind to destroy it, but some influence--some terror of
+destroying this expression of what her uncle once wished--had stayed her
+hand; her courage stopped there. Perhaps a faint foreshadowing of some
+future act of restitution caused this reluctance, unknown to herself,
+but certainly at present no such possibility dawned upon her. She felt
+that she held her property chiefly in trust for others, especially her
+nephews. Often she had forgotten her secret during her mother's
+lifetime, but the consciousness of it always returned with a sense of
+being out of moral harmony, which made her somewhat fitful in her
+conduct, particularly as regarded her expenditure, being sometimes
+tempted to costly purchases, and anon shrinking from outlay as though
+not entitled to spend the money which was nominally hers. Nathan's
+parable did not strike more humiliating conviction to Israel's erring
+king than Bertie Payne's "ower true tale." At length she mastered these
+painful thoughts, and sought relief from them in speech.
+
+"What do you think of doing for this poor woman?" she asked, taking a
+screen to shelter her face from the fire and observation.
+
+"I have not settled details in my own mind yet," he said; "but as soon
+as she is released I must get her into a new neighborhood and redeem her
+sewing-machine. Then, if we can get her work and help her till she
+begins to earn a little, she may get on."
+
+"Pray let me help in this," said Katherine, earnestly. "I live quite a
+selfish life, and I should be thankful if you will let me furnish what
+money you require."
+
+"That I shall with great thankfulness. But, Miss Liddell, if you are
+anxious to find interesting work, why not come and see our Children's
+Refuge and the schools connected with it? Then there is an association
+for advancing small sums to workmen in time of sickness, or to redeem
+their tools, which is affiliated to a ladies' visiting club, the members
+of which make themselves acquainted personally with the men and their
+families."
+
+"I shall be most delighted to go with you to both, but I do not think I
+could do any good myself. I am so reluctant to preach to poor people,
+who have so much more experience, so much more real knowledge of life,
+than I have, merely because they _are_ poor."
+
+"I do not want you to do so, but I think personal contact with the
+people you relieve is good both for those benefited and their
+benefactor."
+
+"I suppose it is; and those poor old people who cannot read or are
+blind, I am quite willing to read to them if they like it."
+
+"I can find plenty for you to do, Miss Liddell," Bertie was beginning
+when his sister broke in with:
+
+"This is quite too bad, Bertie. You know I will not have you dragging my
+young friends to catch all sorts of disorders in the slums. You must be
+content with Miss Liddell's money."
+
+"Miss Payne, I really do wish to see something of the work on which your
+brother is engaged, and--forgive me if I seem obstinate--I am resolved
+to help him if I can."
+
+The result of the conversation was that the greater portion of the
+contents of Miss Liddell's purse was transferred to Bertie's, and he
+left them in high spirits, having arranged to call for Katherine the
+next day in order to escort her to the Children's Refuge and some other
+institutions in which he took an interest.
+
+From this time for several weeks Katherine was greatly occupied in the
+benevolent undertakings of her new friend. The endless need, the
+degradations of extreme poverty, the hopeless condition of such masses
+of her fellow-creatures, depressed her beyond description. She would
+gladly have given to her uttermost farthing, but it would be a mere drop
+in the ocean of misery around.
+
+"Even if we could supply their every want, and give each family a decent
+home," she said to Bertie one evening as she walked back with him, "they
+would not know how to keep it or to enjoy it. If the men, and the women
+too, have not the tremendous necessity to labor that they may live, they
+relax and become mere brutes. We must, above all things, educate them."
+
+"Yes, education is certainly necessary; but the most ignorant being who
+has laid hold on the Rock of Ages, who has received the spirit of
+adoption whereby he can cry, 'Abba, Father!' has a means of elevation
+and refinement beyond all that books and art can teach," cried Bertie,
+with more warmth than he usually allowed himself to show.
+
+"You believe that? I cannot say I do. We need other means of moral and
+intellectual life besides spiritualism. At least I have tried to be
+religious, but I always get weary."
+
+"That is only because you have not found the straight and true road,"
+said Bertie, earnestly. "Pray, my dear Miss Liddell--pray, and light
+will be given you."
+
+"Thank you--you are very good," murmured Katherine "At all events,
+though we can do but little, it is a comfort to help some of these poor
+creatures, especially the children and old people."
+
+"It is," he returned. "And if it be consolatory to minister to their
+physical wants, how much more to feed their immortal souls!"
+
+Katherine was silent for a few minutes, and then said: "It is impossible
+they can think much about their souls when they suffer so keenly in
+their bodies. Poverty and privation which destroy self-respect cannot
+allow of spiritual aspiration. Is it to be always like this--one class
+steeped in luxury, the other grovelling in cruel want?"
+
+"Our Lord says, 'Ye have the poor always with you,'" returned Bertie.
+"Nor can we hope to see the curse of original sin lifted from life here
+below until the great manifestation; in short, till Shiloh come."
+
+"Do you think so? I do not like to think that Satan is too strong for
+God," said Katherine, thoughtfully.
+
+Bertie replied by exhorting her earnestly not to trust to mere human
+reason, to accept the infallible word of God, "and so find safety and
+rest." Katherine did not reply.
+
+"I think you could help me in a difficult case," said Bertie, a few days
+after this conversation.
+
+"Indeed!" said Katherine, looking up from the book she was reading by
+the fire after dinner. "What help can I possibly give?"
+
+"Hear my story, and you will see."
+
+"I shall be most happy if I can help you. Pray go on."
+
+"You know Dodd, the porter and factotum at the Children's Refuge? Well,
+Dodd has a mother, a very respectable old dame, who keeps a very mild
+sweety shop, and also sells newspapers, etc. Mrs. Dodd, besides these
+sources of wealth, lets lodgings, and seems to get on pretty well. Now
+Dodd came to me in some distress, and said, 'Would you be so good, sir,
+as to see mother? she wants a word with you bad, very bad.' I of course
+said I was very ready to hear what she had to say. So I called at the
+little shop, which I often pass. I found the old lady in great trouble
+about a young woman who had been lodging with her for some time. She,
+Mrs. Dodd, did not know that her lodger was absolutely ill, but she
+scarcely eats anything, she never went out, she sometimes sat up half
+the night. Hitherto she had paid her rent regularly, but on last
+rent-day she had said she could only pay two weeks more, after which she
+supposed she had better go to the workhouse. When first she came she
+used to go out looking for work, but that ceased, and she seemed in a
+half-conscious state. As I was a charitable gentleman, would I go and
+speak to her? Well, rather reluctantly, I did. I went upstairs to a
+dreary back room, and found a decidedly lady-like young woman, neatly
+dressed enough, but ghastly white with dull eyes. She seemed to be
+dusting some books, but looked too weary to do much. She was not
+surprised or moved in any way at seeing me. When I apologized for
+intruding upon her, she murmured that I was very good. Then I asked if I
+could help her in any way. She thanked me, but suggested nothing. When I
+pressed her to express her needs, she said that life was not worth
+working for, but that she supposed they would give her something to do
+in the workhouse, and she would do it. As for seeking work, she could
+not, that she was a failure, and only cared not to trouble others. I was
+quite baffled. She was so quiet and gentle, and spoke with such
+refinement, that I was deeply interested. I called again this morning,
+and she would hardly answer me. As she is young (not a great deal older
+than yourself), perhaps a lady--a woman--might win her confidence. She
+seems to have been a dressmaker. Could you not offer her some
+employment, and draw her from the extraordinary lethargy which seems to
+dull her faculties? No mind can hold out against it; she will die or
+become insane."
+
+"It is very strange. I should be very glad to help her, but I feel
+afraid to attempt anything. I shall be so awkward. What can I say to
+begin with?"
+
+"Your offering her work would make an opening. Do try. I am sure her
+case needs a woman's delicate touch."
+
+"I will do my best," said Katherine. "It all sounds terribly
+interesting. Shall I go to-morrow?"
+
+"Yes, by all means. I am so very much obliged to you. I feel you will
+succeed."
+
+"Don't be too sure."
+
+The next day, a drizzling damp morning, Katherine, feeling unusually
+nervous, was quite ready when Bertie called for her. The drive to Camden
+Town seemed very long, but it came to an end at last, all the sooner
+because Bertie stopped the cab some little way way from the sweety shop.
+
+"I have brought a young lady to see your invalid," said Bertie,
+introducing Katherine to Mrs. Dodd, a short broad old lady, with a shawl
+neatly pinned over her shoulders, a snowy white cap with black ribbons,
+and a huge pair of spectacles, over which she seemed always trying to
+look.
+
+"I'm sure it's that kind of you, sir. And I _am_ glad you have come. The
+poor thing has been offering me a nice black dress this morning to let
+her stay on. It's the last decent thing she has. I expect she has been
+just living on her clothes. I'll go and tell her. Maybe miss will come
+after me, so as not to give her time to say no?"
+
+Katherine cast a troubled look at Bertie. "Don't wait for me," she said;
+"your time is always so precious. I dare say I can get a cab for
+myself." And she followed Mrs. Dodd up a steep narrow dark stair.
+
+"Here is a nice lady come to see you," said Mrs. Dodd, in a soothing
+tone suited to an infant or a lunatic.
+
+"No, no; I don't want any lady; I would rather not see any lady," cried
+a voice naturally sweet-toned, but now touched with shrill terror.
+Curiously enough, this token of fear gave Katherine courage. Here was
+some poor soul wanting comfort sorely.
+
+"Do not forbid me to come in," she said, walking boldly into the room,
+and addressing the inmate with a kind bright smile. "I very much want
+some needle-work done, and I shall be glad if you will undertake it."
+While she spoke, Mrs. Dodd retired and softly closed the door. Katherine
+found herself face to face with a ladylike-looking young woman, small
+and slight--slight even to extreme thinness--fair-skinned, with large
+blue eyes, delicate features, a quantity of fair hair carelessly coiled
+up, and with white cheeks. The strange pallor of her trembling lips, the
+despair in her eyes, the shrinking, hunted look of face and figure,
+almost frightened her visitor. "I hope you are not vexed with me for
+coming in," faltered Katherine, deferentially; "but they said you wanted
+employment, and I should like to give you some. You must be ill, you
+look so pale. Can I not be of some use to you?"
+
+The girl's pale cheek flushed as, partially recovering herself, she
+stood up holding the back of her chair, her eyes fixed on the floor; she
+seemed endeavoring to speak, but the words did not come. At last, in a
+low, hesitating voice: "You are too good. I have tried to find work
+vainly; now I do not think I have the force to do any." The color faded
+away from the poor sunken cheeks, and the eyes hid themselves
+persistently under the downcast lids.
+
+"I am sure you are very weak," returned Katherine, tenderly, for there
+was something inexpressibly touching in the hopelessness of the
+stranger's aspect. "But some good food and the prospect of employment
+will set you up, When you are a little stronger and know me better you
+will perhaps tell me how Mr. Payne and I can best help you. We all want
+each other's help at times; and life must not be thrown away, you know.
+I do not wish to intrude upon you, but you see we are nearly of an age,
+and we ought to understand and help each other. It is my turn now; it
+may be yours by-and-by."
+
+"Mine!" with unspeakable bitterness.
+
+"Do sit down," said Katherine, who felt her tears very near her eyes,
+"and I will sit by you for a little while. Why, you are unfit to stand,
+and you are so cold!" She pulled off her gloves, and taking one of the
+poor girl's hands in both her own soft warm ones, chafed it gently. No
+doubt practically charitable people would smile indulgently at
+Katherine's enthusiastic sympathy; but she was new to such work, and
+felt that she had to deal with no common subject. Whether it was the
+tender tone or the kindly touch, but the hard desperate look softened,
+and big tears began to roll down, and soon she was weeping freely,
+quietly, while she left her hand in Katherine's, who held it in silence,
+feeling how the whole slight frame shook with the effort to control
+herself.
+
+At length Katherine rose and went downstairs to take counsel with Mrs.
+Dodd. "She seems quite unable to recover herself. Ought she not to have
+a little wine or something?"
+
+"Yes, miss; it's just _that_ she wants. She is nigh starved to death."
+
+"Have you any wine?"
+
+"Well, no, miss; but there's a tavern round the corner where you can get
+very good port from the wood. I'll send the girl for a pint."
+
+"Pray do, and quickly, and some biscuits or something; here is some
+money. What is her name?"
+
+"Trant--Miss Trant," returned Mrs. Dodd, knowing who her interrogator
+meant. "Leastways we always called her miss, for she is quite the lady."
+
+Katherine hurried back, and found Miss Trant lying back in her chair
+greatly exhausted. With instinctive tact Katherine assumed an air of
+authority, and insisted on her patient eating some biscuits soaked in
+wine.
+
+Presently Miss Trant sat up, and, as if with an effort raised her eyes
+to Katherine's. "I am not worth so much trouble," she said. "You deserve
+that I should obey you. It is all I can do to show gratitude. If, then,
+you will be content with very slow work, I will thankfully do what you
+wish; but I must have time."
+
+"So you shall," cried Katherine, delightedly. "You shall have plenty of
+time to make me a dress; that will be more amusing than plain work. I
+will bring you the material to-morrow, and if you fit me well, you know,
+it may lead to a great business;" and she smiled pleasantly.
+
+"What is your name?" asked the patient, feebly. Katherine told her. "You
+are so good, you make me resigned to live."
+
+"Do you care to read?"
+
+"I used to love it; but I have no books, nor could I attend to the sense
+of a page if I had."
+
+"If you sit here without book or work, I do not wonder at your being
+half dead."
+
+"Not nearly half dead yet; dying by inches is a terribly long process. I
+am dreadfully strong."
+
+"I will not listen to you if you talk like that. Well, I will bring you
+some books--indeed, I will send you some at once if you will promise to
+read and divert your thoughts. To-morrow afternoon I will come, you
+shall take my measure (I like to be made to look nice), and you shall
+begin again."
+
+"Begin again! Me! That would be a miracle."
+
+"Now try and get a little sleep," said Katherine, "your eyes look so
+weary. You want to stop thinking, and only sleep can still thought. When
+you wake you shall find some of the new magazines, and you must try and
+attend to them."
+
+"I will, for your sake."
+
+"Good-by, then, till to-morrow;" and having pressed her hand kindly,
+Katherine departed.
+
+It was quite a triumph for Katherine to report her success to Bertie
+that evening. Miss Payne rather shook her head over the whole affair.
+
+"I must say it puts me on edge altogether to hear you two rejoicing over
+this young woman's condescension in accepting the work you lay at her
+feet, while such crowds of starving wretches are begging and praying for
+something to do; and here is a mysterious young woman with lady-like
+manners and remarkable eyes, taken up all at once because she won't eat
+and refuses to speak. It isn't just. I suspect there is something in her
+past she does not like to tell."
+
+"Your _resume_ of the facts makes Mr. Payne and me seem rather foolish,"
+said Katherine. "Yet I am convinced she is worth helping, and that no
+common methods will do to restore to her any relish for life. She
+interests me. I may be throwing away my time and money, but I will risk
+it."
+
+"It is hard to say, of course, whether she is a deserving object or
+not," added Bertie, thoughtfully; "and I have been taken in more than
+once."
+
+"More than once?" echoed his sister in a peculiar tone.
+
+"Still, I feel with Miss Liddell that this girl's, Rachel Trant's, is
+not a common case," continued Bertie.
+
+"Her very name is suggestive of grief," said Katherine, "and she, too,
+refuses to be comforted. I am sure she will tell me her story later. Her
+landlady says she never receives or sends a letter, and does not seem to
+have a creature belonging to her. Such desolation is appalling."
+
+"And shows there is something radically wrong," added Miss Payne.
+
+"I acknowledge that it has a dubious appearance," said Bertie, and
+turned the conversation.
+
+Katherine was completely taken out of herself by the interest and
+curiosity excited by her meeting with Rachel Trant. She visited her
+daily, and saw that she was slowly reviving. She took a wonderful
+interest in the dress which Katherine had given her to make, and,
+moreover, succeeded in fitting her admirably. She was evidently weak and
+unequal to exertion, yet she worked with surprising diligence. Her
+manner was very grave and collected--respectful, yet always ready to
+respond to Katherine's effort to draw her out.
+
+The subject on which she spoke most readily was the books Katherine lent
+her. Her taste was decidedly intelligent and rather solid. To the
+surprise of her young benefactress, she expressed a distaste for
+novels--stories, as she called them. "I used to care for nothing else,"
+she said; "but they pain me now." She expressed herself like an
+educated, even refined, woman; and though she said very little about
+gratitude, it showed in every glance, in the very tone of her voice, and
+in her ready obedience to whatever wish Katherine expressed. The
+greatest sacrifice was evidently compliance with her new friend's
+suggestion that she should take exercise and breathe fresh air.
+
+Miss Payne, after critically examining Katherine's new garment, declared
+it really well made, inquired the cost, and finally decided that she
+would have an every-day dress for herself, and that "Miss Trant" should
+make it up. Then Katherine presented the elegant young woman who waited
+on her with a gown, promising to pay for the making if she employed her
+protegee.
+
+"Miss Trant" could not conceal her reluctance to come so far from the
+wilds of Camden Town; but she came, closely muffled in a thick gauze
+veil, doubtless to guard against cold in the chill March evening.
+Katherine was immensely pleased to find that both gowns gave
+satisfaction, though the "elegant young woman's" praise was cautious and
+qualified.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+RECOGNITION.
+
+
+"After all, life is inexhaustible," said Katherine.
+
+She was speaking to Rachel Trant, who had laid aside her work to speak
+with the good friend who had come, as she often did, to see how she was
+going on and to cheer her.
+
+"Life is very cruel," she returned. "Neither sorrow nor repentance can
+alter its pitiless law.
+
+"Still, there are compensations." Katherine did not exactly think what
+she was saying; her mind was filled with the desire of knowing her
+interlocutor's story.
+
+"Compensations!" echoed Rachel. "Not for those who deserve to suffer,
+nor, indeed, often for the innocent. I don't think we often find vice
+punished and virtue rewarded in history and lives--true stories, I
+mean--as we do in novels."
+
+Katherine did not reply at once; she thought for a moment, and then,
+looking full into Rachel's eyes, said: "I wonder how you came to be a
+dressmaker? You have read a great deal for a girl who must have had her
+hands full all day. I am not asking this from idle curiosity, but from
+real interest."
+
+"I may well believe you. I should like to tell you much; but--" She
+paused and grew very white for a second, her lips trembling, and a
+troubled look coming into her eyes. "I always loved reading," she
+resumed; "it has been almost my only pleasure, though I was apprenticed
+to a milliner and dressmaker when little more than sixteen. Then I went
+to work with another, a very great person in her way, and I like the
+work. Still I used to think I was a sort of lady; my poor mother
+certainly was."
+
+"I am sure of it," cried Katherine, impulsively. "I quite feel that
+_you_ are."
+
+"Thank you," said Rachel, in a very low voice, the color rising to her
+pale cheek. "My mother was so sweet and pretty," she continued, "but so
+sad! I was an orphan at ten years old, and then a very stiff,
+severe-looking woman, the sister of my father, had charge of me. I was
+sent to a school, a kind of institution, not exactly a charity school,
+for I know something was paid for me. It was a very cold sort of place,
+but I was not unhappy there. I had playfellows--some kind, some
+spiteful. One of the governesses was very good to me, and used to give
+me books to read. Had she remained, things might have been very
+different; but she left long before I did. The rare holidays when I was
+permitted to visit my father's sister were terrible days to me. She
+could not bear to see me. I felt it. She seemed to think my very
+existence was an offence. I was ashamed of living in _her_ presence. Of
+my father I have a very faint recollection. He died abroad, and I
+remember being on board ship for a long time with my mother. When I was
+sixteen my father's sister sent for me, and told me that the money my
+mother left was nearly exhausted, and what remained ought to provide me
+with some trade or calling by which I could earn my own bread; that she
+did not think I was clever enough to be a governess, so she advised my
+to apprentice myself to a dressmaker. I had seen enough of teaching in
+school, so I took her advice. At the same time she gave me some papers
+my mother had left for me. _They_ fully explained why my existence was
+an offence--why I belonged to nobody. It was a bitter hour when I read
+my dear mother's miserable story. I felt old from that day. Well, I
+thanked my father's sister--mind you, she was not my aunt--for what she
+had done, and promised she should never more be troubled with me. I have
+kept my word."
+
+Katherine, infinitely touched by the picture of sorrow and loneliness
+this brief story conjured up, took and pressed the thin quivering hand
+that played nervously with a thimble. Rachel glanced at her quickly,
+compressed her lips for an instant, and went on:
+
+"I will try and tell you all. You ought to know. As far as work went, I
+did very well. I loved to handle and drape beautiful stuffs--I enjoy
+color--and it pleased me to fit the pretty girls and fine ladies who
+came to our show-rooms. It was even a satisfaction to make the plain
+ones look better. I should have made friends more easily with my
+companions but for the knowledge of what I was. Even this I might have
+got over--I am not naturally morbid--but I could not share their chatter
+and jests, or care for their love affairs. They were not bad, poor
+things! but simply ordinary girls of a class to which it would have
+been, perhaps, better for me to belong. With my employers I did fairly
+well. They were sometimes just, sometimes very unjust; but when I was
+out of my time, and receiving a salary, I found I was a valued
+_employee_. Then it came into my mind that I should like to found a
+business--a great business. It seemed rather a 'vaulting ambition' for
+so humble a waif as myself. But I began to save even shillings and
+sixpences. I tried to kill my heart with these duller, lower aims, it
+ached so always for what it could not find. I began to think I was
+growing so useful to madame that she might make me a partner; for even
+in millinery mental training is of use." She stopped, and clasping her
+hands, she rested them on her knee for a few moments of silence, while
+her brow contracted as if with pain. "It is dreadfully hard to go on!"
+she exclaimed at length, and her voice sounded as if her mouth were
+parched.
+
+"Then do not mind now; some other time," said Katherine, softly.
+
+"No," cried Rachel, with almost fierce energy; "I _must_ finish. I
+cannot leave _you_ ignorant of my true story." She paused again, and
+then went on quickly, in a low tone: "I don't think I was exactly
+popular--certainly not with the men employed in the same house. I was
+thought cold and hard, and to me they were all utterly uninteresting.
+One or two of the girls I liked, and they were fond of me." Another
+pause. Then she pushed on again: "One evening I went out with another
+girl and her brother--at least she said he was her brother--to see the
+illuminations for the Queen's birthday. In Pall Mall we got into a crowd
+caused by a quarrel between two drunken men. I was separated from my
+companions, and one of the crowd, also tipsy, reeled against me. I
+should have been knocked down but for a gentleman who caught me; he had
+just come down the steps from one of the clubs. I thanked him. He kindly
+helped me to find my companions. He came on with us almost to the door
+of Madame Celine's house. He talked frankly and pleasantly. Two days
+after I was going to the City on madame's business. He met me. He said
+he had watched for me. There! I cannot go into details. We met
+repeatedly. For the first time in my life I was sought, and, as I
+believed, warmly loved. I knew the unspeakable gulf that opened for me,
+but I loved him. At last there was light and color in my
+poverty-stricken existence." She stopped, and a glow came into her sad
+eyes. "I was bewildered, distracted, between the passion of my heart and
+the resistance of my reason. I ceased to be the efficient assistant I
+had been. I was rebuked, and looked upon coldly. Six months after I had
+met _him_ first, I gave madame warning. I said I was going into the
+country. So I was, but not alone. No one asked me any questions; no one
+had a right. I belonged to no one, was responsible to no one, could
+wound no one. I was quite alone, and, oh, so hungry for a little love
+and joy!" She paused, and then resumed rapidly, "I was that man's
+unwedded wife for nearly two years." She rested her arm on the table,
+and hid her face with her hand.
+
+Katherine listened with unspeakable emotion. The eloquent blood flushed
+cheek and throat with a keen sense of shame. She had read and heard of
+such painful stories, but to be face to face with a creature who had
+crossed the Rubicon, overpassed the great gulf, which separates the
+sheep from the goats was something so unexpected, so terrible, that she
+could not restrain a passionate burst of tears. "Ah," she murmured at
+last, "you were cruelly deceived, no doubt. You are too hard upon
+yourself. You----"
+
+"No, Miss Liddell; I am trying to tell you the whole truth. The man I
+loved never deceived me--never held put any hope that we could marry. He
+was not rich; there were impediments--what, I never knew. But I thought
+such love as he professed, and at the time felt for me, would last; and
+so long as he was mine, I wanted nothing more. Have you patience to hear
+more, or have I fallen too low to retain your interest?"
+
+"Ah, no! tell me everything."
+
+"I was very happy--oh, intensely happy for a while. Then a tiny cloud of
+indifference, thin and shifting like morning mist, rose between us. It
+darkened and lowered. He was a hasty, masterful man, but he was never
+rough to me. Gradually I came to see that time had changed me from a joy
+to a burden. How was it I lived? How was it I shut my eyes and hoped? At
+last he told me he was obliged to go abroad, but that he could not take
+me with him; and then proposed to establish me in some such undertaking
+as my late employer's. When he said _that,_ I knew all was over; that
+nothing I could do or say would avail; that I had been but a toy; that
+he could not conceive what my nature was, nor the agony of shame, the
+torture of rejected love, he was inflicting. I contrived to keep silent
+and composed. I knew I had no right to complain: I had risked all and
+lost. I managed to say we might arrange things later, and he praised me
+for being a sensible, capital girl. I had seen this coming, or I don't
+suppose I could have so controlled myself. But I could not accept his
+terms. I had a little money and some jewels; I thought I might take
+these. So I wrote a few lines, saying that I needed nothing, that he
+should hear of me no more, and I went away out into the dark. If I could
+only have died then! I was too great a coward to put an end to my life.
+Why do I try to speak of what cannot be put into words? Despair is a
+grim thing, and all life had turned to dust and ashes for me. I could
+not even love him, though I pined for the creature I _had_ loved, who
+once understood me, but from whose heart and mind I had vanished when
+time dulled his first impression, and to whom I became even as other
+women were. But as I could not die, I was obliged to work, and there was
+but one way. I dreaded to be found starving and unable to give an
+account of myself, so I applied to one of those large general shops
+where they neither give nor expect references. There I staid for some
+months, so silent, so steeled against everything, that no one cared to
+speak to me. I dare not even think of that time. I do not understand how
+I managed to do anything. At last I grew dazed, made blunders, and was
+dismissed. I wandered here. I failed to find employment, and felt I
+could do no more. Still death would _not_ come, I think my mind was
+giving way when _you_ came. Now am I worth helping, now that you know
+all?"
+
+"Yes. I will do my best for you. Suffering such as yours must be
+expiation enough," cried Katherine, her eyes still wet. "Put the past
+behind you, and hope for the better days which _will_ come if you strive
+for them. But, oh! tell me, did _he_ never try to find you?"
+
+"Yes. I saw advertisements in the paper which were meant for me; but
+after a while they ceased, and no doubt I was forgotten. I reaped what I
+had sown. Few men, I imagine, can understand that there are hearts as
+true, as strong, as tenacious, among women such as I am as among the
+irreproachable, the really good. I have no real right to complain; only
+it is _so_ hard to live on without hope or--" She stopped abruptly.
+
+"Hope will come," said Katherine, gently; "and time will restore your
+self-respect. I should be so glad to see you build up a new and better
+life on the ruins of the past! I am sure there is independence and
+repose before you, if you will but fold down this terrible page of your
+life and never open it again."
+
+"And can you endure to touch me--to be to me as you have been?" asked
+Rachel, her voice broken and trembling.
+
+Katherine's answer was to stretch out her hand and take that of her
+_protegee_, which she held tenderly. "Let us never speak of this again,"
+she said. "Bury your dead out of sight. All you have told me is sacred;
+none shall ever know anything from me. Let us begin anew. I am certain
+you are good and true; and how can one who has never known temptation
+judge you?"
+
+Rachel bent her head to kiss the fair firm hand which held hers; then
+she wept silently, quietly, and said, softly, in an altered voice, "I
+will do _whatever_ you bid me; and while you are so wonderfully good to
+me I will not despair."
+
+There was an expressive silence of a few moments. Then Katherine began
+to draw on her gloves, and trying to steady her voice and speak in her
+ordinary tone, said:
+
+"Mr. Payne is going to make you known to a lady who may be of great use
+to you in obtaining customers. I have not met her myself, but should you
+receive a note from Mrs. Needham, pray go to her at once. There is no
+reason why you should not make a great business yet. I should be quite
+proud of it. Now I must leave you. Promise me to resist unhappy
+thoughts. Try to regain strength, both mental and physical. Should you
+see Mrs. Needham before I come again, pray ask quite two-thirds more for
+making a dress than I paid, for both your work and your fit are
+excellent."
+
+With these practical words Katherine rose to depart. Rachel followed her
+to the door, and timidly took her hand. "Do you understand," she said,
+"all you have done for me? You have given me back my human heart,
+instead of the iron vise that was pressing my soul to death. I will live
+to be worthy of you, of your infinite pity."
+
+Katherine had hardly recovered composure when she reached home. The sad
+and shameful story to which she had listened had not arrested the flow
+of her sympathy to Rachel. There was something striking in the strength
+that enabled her to tell such a tale with stern justice toward herself,
+without any whining self-exculpation. What a long agony she must have
+endured! Katherine's tears were ready to flow afresh at the picture her
+warm imagination conjured up. Weak and guilty as Rachel was to yield to
+such a temptation, what was her wrong-doing to that of the man who,
+knowing what would be the end thereof, tempted her?
+
+
+Castleford was an ordinary comfortable country house, standing in not
+very extensive grounds. The scenery immediately around it was flat and
+uninteresting, but a few miles to the south it became undulating, and
+broken with pretty wooded hollows, but north of it was a rich level
+district, and as a hunting country second only to Leicestershire.
+
+Colonel Ormonde was a keen sportsman, and when he had reached his
+present grade had gladly taken up his abode in the old place, which had
+been let at a high rent during his term of military service. Castleford
+was an old place, though the house was comparatively new. It had been
+bought by Ormonde's grandfather, a rich manufacturer, who had built the
+house and made many improvements, and his representative of the third
+generation was considered quite one of the country gentry.
+
+Colonel Ormonde was fairly popular. He was not obtrusively hard about
+money matters, but he never neglected his own interests. Then he
+appreciated a good glass of wine, and above all he rode straight. Mrs.
+Ormonde was adored by the men and liked by the women of Clayshire
+society, Colonel Ormonde being considered a lucky man to have picked up
+a charming woman whose children were provided for.
+
+That fortunate individual was sitting at breakfast _tete-a-tete_ with
+his wife one dull foggy morning about a month after Katherine Liddell
+had returned to England. "Another cup, please," he said, handing his in.
+Mrs. Ormonde was deep in her letters. "What an infernal nuisance it is!"
+he continued, looking out of the window nearest him. "The off days are
+always soft and the 'meet' days hard and frosty. The scent would be
+breast-high to-day." Mrs. Ormonde made no reply. "Your correspondence
+seems uncommonly interesting!" he exclaimed, surprised at her silence.
+
+"It is indeed," she cried, looking up with a joyful and exultant
+expression of countenance. "Katherine writes that she has signed a deed
+settling twenty thousand on Cis and Charlie, the income of which is to
+be paid to me until they attain the age of twenty-one, for their
+maintenance, education, and so forth; after which any sum necessary for
+their establishment in life can be raised or taken from their capital,
+the whole coming into their own hands at the age of twenty-five. Dear
+me! I hope they will make me a handsome allowance when they are
+twenty-five. I really think Katherine might have remembered _me_." She
+handed the letter to her husband.
+
+"Well, little woman, you have your innings now, and you must save a pot
+of money," he returned, in high glee. "What a trump that girl is! and,
+by Jove! what lucky little beggars your boys are! I can tell you I was
+desperately uneasy for fear she might marry some fellow before she
+fulfilled her promise to you. Then you might have whistled for any
+provision for your boys; no man would agree to give up such a slice of
+his wife's fortune as this. I know I would not. Women never have any
+real sense of the value of money; they are either stingy or extravagant.
+I am deuced glad I haven't to pay all _your_ milliner's bills, my dear.
+I am exceedingly glad Katherine has been so generous, but I'll be hanged
+if it is the act of a sensible woman."
+
+"Never mind; there is quite a load off my heart. I think I'll have a new
+habit from Woolmerhausen now."
+
+"Why, I gave you one only two years ago."
+
+"Two years ago! Why, that is an age. And _you_ need not pay for this
+one."
+
+"I see she says she will pay us a visit if convenient. Of course it is
+convenient. I'll run up to town on Sunday, and escort her down next day.
+The meet is for Tuesday. And mind you make things pleasant and
+comfortable for her, Ada. She would be an important addition to our
+family. A handsome, spirited girl with a good fortune to dispose of
+would be a feather in one's cap, I can tell you."
+
+"You'll find her awfully fallen off, Ormonde, and her spirits seem quite
+gone. Still I shall be very glad to have her here. But I do not see why
+you should go fetch her. You know Lady Alice Mordaunt is coming on
+Saturday."
+
+"What does that matter? I shall only be away one evening; and between
+you and me, though Lady Alice is everything that is nice and correct,
+she is enough to put the liveliest fellow on earth to sleep in half an
+hour."
+
+"How strange men are!" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde, gathering up her letters
+and putting them into the pocket of her dainty lace and muslin apron.
+"Nice, gentle, good women never attract you; you only care for bold----"
+
+"Vivacious, coquettish, attractive little widows, like one I once knew,"
+said the Colonel, laughing, as he carefully wiped his gray moustache.
+
+"You are really too absurd!" she exclaimed, sharply. "Do you mean to say
+I was ever bold?"
+
+"No; I only mean to say you are an angel, and a deuced lucky angel in
+every sense into the bargain! Now, have you any commissions? I am going
+to Monckton this morning, and I fancy the dog-cart will be at the door.
+Where's the boy? I'll take him and nurse down to the gate with me if
+they'll wrap up. The little fellow is so fond of a drive."
+
+"My dear 'Duke!--such a morning as this! Do you think I would let the
+precious child out?"
+
+"Nonsense! Do not make a molly-coddle of him. He is as strong as a
+horse. Send for him anyway. I haven't seen him this morning. And be sure
+you write a proper letter to Katherine Liddell; you had better let me
+see it before it goes."
+
+"Indeed I shall do nothing of the kind. Do you think I never wrote a
+letter in my life before I knew you?"
+
+"Oh, go your own way," retorted the Colonel, beating a retreat to save a
+total rout.
+
+In due course Katherine received an effusive letter of thanks, and a
+pressing invitation to come down to Castleford on the following Monday,
+and saying that as the hunting season was almost over, they would be
+very quiet till after Easter, when Mrs. Ormonde was going to town for a
+couple of months, ending with an assurance that the dear boys were dying
+to see her, and that Colonel Ormonde was going to London for the express
+purpose of escorting her on her journey.
+
+"It is certainly not necessary," observed Katherine, with a smile,
+"considering how accustomed I am to take care of myself. Still it is
+kindly meant, and I shall accept the offer." This to Miss Payne, as they
+rose from luncheon where Katherine had told her the contents of her
+letter.
+
+"Ahem! No doubt they are anxious to show you every attention. Would you
+like to take Turner with you? I could spare her very well." Turner was
+the maid expressly engaged to wait upon Miss Liddell.
+
+"Oh no, thank you, I want so little waiting on. Lady Alice Mordaunt will
+be with Mrs. Ormonde, and will be sure to have a maid, so another might
+be inconvenient."
+
+"My dear Miss Liddell, if you will excuse me for thrusting advice upon
+you, I would say that 'considering' people is the very best way to
+prevent their showing you consideration."
+
+"Do you really think so? Well, it is really no great matter."
+
+"Then you shall not want Turner? Then I shall give her a holiday. Her
+mother or her brother is ill, and she wants to go home. Servants'
+relations always seem to be ill. It must cost them a good deal."
+
+"No doubt. Will you come out with me? I have some shopping to do, and
+your advice is always valuable."
+
+"I shall be very pleased, and I will say I shall miss you when you
+leave--miss you very much."
+
+"Thank you," said Katherine, gently. "I believe you will as you say so."
+
+Without fully believing Ada's rather exaggerated expressions of
+gratitude and affection, Katherine was soothed and pleased by them. She
+was so truthful herself that she was disposed to trust others, and the
+hearty welcome offered her took off from the sense of loneliness which
+had long oppressed her. Hers was too healthy a nature to encourage
+morbid grief. To the last day of her life she remembered her mother with
+tender, loving-regret; but the consolation of knowing that her later
+days had been so happy, that she had passed away so peacefully, did much
+toward healing the wounds which were still bleeding.
+
+On the appointed Monday Colonel Ormonde made his appearance in the early
+afternoon, and found Katherine quite ready to start. He was stouter,
+louder, bluffer, than ever. When Miss Payne was introduced to him he
+honored her with an almost imperceptible bow and a very perceptible
+stare. Turning at once to Katherine, he exclaimed:
+
+"What! in complete marching order already? I protest I never knew a
+woman punctual before. But I always saw you were a sensible girl. No
+nonsense about you. Why, my wife told me you were looking ill. I don't
+see it. At any rate Castleford air will soon bring back your roses."
+
+"I am feeling and looking better than when I came over, and Miss Payne
+has taken such good care of me," said Katherine, who did not like to see
+the lady of the house so completely over-looked.
+
+"Ah! that's well. You know you are too precious a piece of goods to be
+tampered with. I believe Bertie Payne is a nephew of yours," he added,
+addressing Miss Payne--"a young fellow who was in my regiment three or
+four years ago, the Twenty-first Dragoon Guards?"
+
+"He is my brother," returned Miss Payne, stiffly.
+
+"Ah! Hope he is all right. Have scarcely seen him since he has gone, not
+to the dogs, but to the saints, which is much the same thing. Ha! ha!
+ha!"
+
+"Indeed it is not, Colonel Ormonde!" cried Katherine. "If every one was
+as good as Mr. Payne, the world would be a different and a better
+place."
+
+"Hey! Have you constituted yourself his champion? Lucky dog! Come, my
+dear girl, we must be going. Are you well wrapped up? It is deuced cold,
+and we have nearly three miles to drive from the station."
+
+He himself looked liked a mountain in a huge fur-lined coat.
+
+"Good-by, then, dear Miss Payne. I suppose I shall not see you again for
+a fortnight or three weeks."
+
+"By George! we sha'n't let you off with so short a visit as that! Say
+three years. Come, march; we haven't too much time." Throwing a brief
+"good-morning" at the "old maid" of uncertain position, the Colonel
+walked heavily downstairs in the wake of his admired young guest.
+
+Monckton was scarcely four hours from London, but when the drive to
+Castleford was accomplished there was not too much time left to dress
+for dinner.
+
+Mrs. Ormonde was awaiting Katherine in the hall, which was bright with
+lamps and fire-light; behind her were her two boys.
+
+When Katherine had been duly welcomed. Mrs. Ormonde stood aside, and the
+children hesitated a moment. Cecil was so much grown, Katherine hardly
+knew him. He came forward with his natural assurance, and said,
+confidently: "How d'ye do, auntie? You have been a long time coming."
+
+Charlie was more like what he had been, and less grown. He hesitated a
+moment, then darted to Katherine, and throwing his arms round her neck,
+clung to her lovingly. She was infinitely touched and delighted. How
+vividly the past came back to her!--the little dusty house at Bayswater,
+the homely establishment kept afloat by her dear mother's industry, the
+small study, and the dear weary face associated with it. How ardently
+she held the child to her heart! How thankfully she recognized that here
+was something to cherish and to live for!
+
+"They may come with me to my room?" she said to her hostess.
+
+"Oh, certainly!--only if you begin that sort of thing you will never be
+able to get rid of them."
+
+"I will risk it," said Katherine, as she followed Mrs. Ormonde upstairs
+to a very comfortable room, where a cheerful fire blazed on the hearth.
+
+"I am afraid you find it rather small, but I was obliged to give the
+best bedroom to Lady Alice--_noblesse oblige_, you know. I am sure you
+will like her, she is so gentle; I think her father was very glad to let
+her come, as she can see more of her _fiance_. They are not to be
+married till the autumn, so--Oh dear! there is the second bell. Cis, run
+away and tell Madeline to come and help your auntie to dress; and you
+too, Charlie; you had better go too."
+
+"He may stay and help me to unpack."
+
+"Why did you not bring your maid, dear? It is just like you to leave her
+behind; but we could have put her up; and you will miss her dreadfully."
+
+"I do not think either of us has been so accustomed to the attentions of
+a maid as not to be able to do without one," returned Katherine,
+smiling.
+
+"You know _I_ always had a maid in India," said Mrs. Ormonde, with an
+air of superiority. "Don't be long over your toilet; Ormonde's cardinal
+virtue is punctuality."
+
+In spite of the hindrance of her nephew's help, Katherine managed to
+reach the drawing-room before Lady Alice or the master of the house.
+Mrs. Ormonde was talking to an elderly gentleman in clerical attire
+beside the fireplace, and at some distance a tall, dignified-looking man
+was reading a newspaper. Mrs. Ormonde was most becomingly dressed in
+black satin, richly trimmed with lace and jet--a brilliant contrast to
+Katherine, in thick dull silk and crape, her snowy neck looking all the
+more softly white for its dark setting: the only relief to her general
+blackness was the glinting light on her glossy, wavy, chestnut brown
+hair.
+
+"You have been very quick, dear," said the hostess. "I am going to send
+you in to dinner," she added, in a low tone, "with Mr. Errington, our
+neighbor. He is the head of the great house of Errington in Calcutta,
+and the _fiance_, of Lady Alice; but Colonel Ormonde must take her in.
+Mr. Errington!" raising her voice. The gentleman thus summoned laid down
+his paper and came forward. "Let me introduce you to my sister, Miss
+Liddell." Mr. Errington bowed, rather a stately bow, as he gazed with
+surprised interest at the large soft eyes suddenly raised to his, then
+quickly averted, the swift blush which swept over the speaking face
+turned toward him, the indescribable shrinking of the graceful figure,
+as if this stranger dreaded and would fain avoid him. It was but for a
+moment; then she was herself again, and the door opening to admit Lady
+Alice, Errington hastened to greet her with chivalrous respect, and
+remained beside her chair until Colonel Ormonde entered with the butler,
+who announced that dinner was ready.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+IN THE TOILS.
+
+
+The drawing and dining rooms at Castleford were at opposite sides of a
+large square hall, and even in the short transit between them Errington
+felt instinctively that Miss Liddell shrank from him. The tips merely of
+her black-gloved fingers rested on his arm, while she kept as far from
+him as the length of her own permitted. At table her host was on her
+right, and Lady Alice opposite, next to the rector, who was the only
+invited guest; Errington was always expected, and had returned from a
+distant canvassing expedition, for the present member for West Clayshire
+was believed to be on the point of retiring on account of ill health,
+and Mr. Errington of Garston Hall, intended to offer himself for
+election to the free and independent.
+
+He had had a fatiguing day, but scarcely admitted to himself how much
+more restful a solitary dinner would have been, with a cigar and some
+keen-edged article or luminous pamphlet in his own comfortable library
+afterward, than making conversation at Colonel Ormonde's table. However,
+to slight the lady who had promised to be his wife was impossible, so he
+exerted himself to be agreeable.
+
+The rector discussed some parish difficulties with his hostess, while
+Colonel Ormonde, though profoundly occupied with his dinner, managed to
+throw an observation from time to time to his young neighbors.
+
+"Rode round by Brinkworth Heath in two hours and a half," he was saying
+to Lady Alice, when Katherine listened. "That was fair going. I did not
+think you would have got Mrs. Ormonde to start without an escort."
+
+"We had an escort. Lord Francis Carew and Mr. De Burgh came over to
+luncheon, and they rode with us."
+
+"Ha, Errington! you see the result of leaving this fair lady's side all
+unguarded! These fellows come and usurp your duties."
+
+"Do you think I should wish Lady Alice to forego any amusement because I
+am so unlucky as to be prevented from joining her?" returned Errington,
+in a deep mellow voice.
+
+Katherine looked across the table to see how Lady Alice took the remark,
+but she was rearranging some geraniums and a spray of fern in her
+waistband, and did not seem to hear. She was a slight colorless girl of
+nineteen, with regular features, an unformed though rather graceful
+figure, and a distinguished air.
+
+Errington caught the expression of his neighbor's face as she glanced at
+his _fiancee_, a sympathetic smile parting her lips. It was rarely that
+a countenance had struck him so much, which was probably due to his odd
+but strong impression that his new acquaintance, was both startled and
+displeased at being introduced to him--an impression very strange to
+Errington, as he was generally welcomed by all sorts and conditions of
+men, and especially of women.
+
+The silence of Lady Alice did not seem to disturb her lover; he turned
+to Katherine and asked, "Were you of the riding party to-day!"
+
+"No," she replied, meeting his eyes fully for an instant, and then
+averting her own, while the color came and went on her cheek; "I only
+arrived in time for dinner."
+
+"Have I ever met this young lady before?" thought Errington, much
+puzzled. "Have I ever unconsciously offended or annoyed her? I don't
+think so; yet her face is not quite strange to me." And he applied
+himself to his dinner.
+
+"I fancy you have had rather a dull time of it in town?" said Colonel
+Ormonde, leaning back, while the servants removed the dishes.
+
+"No, I was not dull," replied Katherine, glad to turn to him. "I was
+very comfortable, and of course not in a mood to see many strangers or
+to go anywhere. Then I was interested in Mr. Payne's undertakings; they
+are quite as amusing as amusements."
+
+"Bertie Payne! to be sure; the nephew or brother of your doughty
+chaperon. He is always up to some benevolent games. Queer fellow."
+
+"He is very, _very_ good," said Katherine, warmly, "and he _does_ so
+much good; only the amount of evil is overpowering."
+
+"Yes," said Errington; "I am afraid such efforts as Payne's are mere
+scratching of the surface, and will never touch the root of the evil."
+
+"I suspect he is a prey to impostors of every description," said Colonel
+Ormonde, with a fat laugh. "He is always worrying for subscriptions and
+God knows what. But I turn a deaf ear to him."
+
+"I cannot say I do always," remarked Errington. "While we devise schemes
+of more scientific amelioration, hundreds die of sharp starvation or
+misery long drawn out. Payne is a good fellow, and enthusiasts have
+their uses."
+
+"You are so liberal yourself, Mr. Errington," cried Mrs. Ormonde, "I
+dare say you are often imposed upon in spite of your wisdom."
+
+"My wisdom!" repeated Errington, laughing. "What an original idea, Mrs.
+Ormonde! Did you ever know I was accused of wisdom?" he added,
+addressing Lady Alice.
+
+"Papa says you are very sensible," she returned, seriously.
+
+"Of course," cried Mrs. Ormonde. "Why, he has written a pamphlet on 'Our
+Colonies,' and something wonderful about the state of Europe--didn't he,
+Mr. Heywood?"
+
+"Yes," returned the rector. "I suspect our future member will be a
+cabinet minister before the world is many years older."
+
+Lady Alice looked up with more of pleasure and animation than she had
+yet shown. Errington bent his head.
+
+"Many thanks for your prophecy;" and he immediately turned the
+conversation to the ever-genial topics of hunting and horses. Then Mrs.
+Ormonde gave the signal of retreat to the drawing-room.
+
+Here Katherine looked in vain for her nephews.
+
+"I suppose the boys have gone to bed, Ada?"
+
+"To bed! oh yes, of course. Why, it is more than half past eight; it
+would never do to keep them up so late. Would you like to see baby boy
+asleep? he looks quite beautiful."
+
+"Yes, I should, very much," returned Katherine, anxious to gratify the
+mother.
+
+"Come, then," cried Mrs. Ormonde, starting up with alacrity. As the
+invitation was general, Lady Alice said, in her gentle way.
+
+"Thank you; I saw the baby yesterday."
+
+"She has really very little feeling," observed Mrs. Ormonde, as she went
+upstairs with her sister-in-law. "She never notices baby."
+
+"I am afraid I should not notice children much if they did not belong to
+me."
+
+"My dear Katherine, you are quite different. Of course Lady Alice is
+sweet and elegant, but not clever. Indeed, I cannot see the use of
+cleverness to women. There is a fine aristocratic air about her. After
+all, there is nothing like high birth. I assure you it is a high
+compliment her being allowed to stay here. Her aunt, Lady Mary Vincent,
+is a very fine lady indeed, and chaperons Lady Alice. But her father,
+Lord Melford, is a curious, reckless sort of man, always wandering
+about--yachting and that kind of thing; he is rather in difficulties
+too. They are glad enough to send her down here to see something of
+Errington. You know Errington is a very good match; he has bought a
+great deal of the Melford property, and when old Errington dies he will
+be immensely rich. The poor old man is in miserable health; he has not
+been down here all the winter. I believe the wedding is to take place in
+June; we will be invited, of course; you see Colonel Ormonde is so
+highly connected that I am in a very different position from what I was
+accustomed to. And you, dear, you _must_ marry some person of rank;
+there is nothing like it."
+
+"Yes," said Katherine, with a sigh, "everything is changed."
+
+"Fortunately!" cried the exultant Mrs. Ormonde, opening the door of a
+luxuriously appointed nursery.
+
+"Here, nurse, I have brought Miss Liddell to see Master Ormonde."
+
+A middle-aged woman, well dressed, and of authoritative aspect, rose
+from where she sat at needle-work, and came forward.
+
+"I have only just got him to sleep, ma'am," she said, almost in a
+whisper, "and if he is awoke now, I'll not get him off again before
+midnight."
+
+"We'll be very careful, nurse. Is he not a fine little fellow,
+Katherine?" and she softly turned back the bedclothes from the sturdy,
+chubby child, who had a somewhat bull dog style of countenance and a
+beautifully fair skin.
+
+"How ridiculously like Colonel Ormonde he is!" whispered Katherine. "I
+do not see any trace of you."
+
+"No; he is quite an Ormonde. He is twice as big as either Cis or Charlie
+was at his age."
+
+After a few civil comments Katherine suggested their visiting the other
+children.
+
+"Perhaps it would be wiser not to go," said the mother; "they will not
+be so sound asleep as baby, and----"
+
+"You must indulge me this once, Ada. I long to look at them."
+
+"Oh! of course, dear; ring for Eliza, nurse; she will show Miss Liddell
+the way. I must go back; it would never do to leave Lady Alice so long
+alone."
+
+"Do not apologize," said Katherine, with a curious jealous pang, as she
+noted Mrs. Ormonde's indifference to the children of her first poor
+love-match.
+
+A demure, flat-faced girl answered the bell, and led Katherine down
+passages and up a crooked stair to another part of the house.
+
+Here she was shown into a room sparsely supplied with old furniture.
+There was a good fire, and a shaded lamp stood on a large table, where a
+girl sat writing.
+
+"Here is a lady to see the young gentlemen," said the nurse-maid. The
+young scribe started up, looking confused.
+
+"If it would not disturb them," said Katherine, gently, "I should like
+to see my nephews in their sleep."
+
+"Oh, Miss Liddell!" exclaimed the governess, a younger, commoner-looking
+person than Katherine had chosen before she left England. "This is their
+bedroom," and she led Katherine through a door opposite the fireplace
+into an inner room. There in their little beds lay the boys who were all
+of kith or kin left to Katherine Liddell.
+
+How lovingly she bent over and gazed at them!
+
+Cecil had grown much. He looked sunburnt and healthy. One arm was thrown
+up behind his head, the other stretched straight and stiff beside him,
+ending in a closely clinched little brown fist. His lips, slightly
+apart, emitted the softly drawn regular breath of profound slumber, and
+the smile which some pleasant thought had conjured up before he closed
+his eyes still lingered round his mouth. Katherine longed to kiss him,
+but feared to break his profound and restful slumbers. She passed to
+Charlie. His attitude was quite different. He had thrown the clothes
+from his chest, and his pinky white throat was bare; one little hand lay
+open on the page of a picture-book at which he had been looking when
+sleep overtook him; the other was under his soft round cheek; his sweet
+and still baby face was grave if not sad. He looked like a little angel
+who had brought a message to earth, and was grieved and wearied by the
+sin and sorrow here below. Katherine's heart swelled with tenderest love
+as she gazed upon him, and unconsciously she bent closer till her lips
+touched his brow. Then a little hand stole into hers, and, without
+moving, as though he had expected her, he opened his eyes and whispered,
+"Will you come and kiss me every night, as grannie did?"
+
+"I will, my darling, every night."
+
+"Will grannie _never_ come and kiss me again?"
+
+"Never, Charlie! She will never come to either of us in this life." A
+big tear fell on the boy's forehead.
+
+"Don't cry, auntie; she loves us all the same." And he kissed the fair
+cheek which now lay against his own as his aunt knelt beside his bed.
+
+"Go to sleep, dear love; to-morrow you shall take me to see your garden
+and the pony."
+
+"You will be sure to come?"
+
+"Yes, quite sure."
+
+In a few minutes the clasp of the warm little hand relaxed, and
+Katherine gently disengaged herself.
+
+"The boys are no longer first in their mother's heart," thought
+Katherine, as she returned to the drawing-room. "Were they ever first?
+They are--they might become all the world to me. They might fill my life
+and give it a fresh aspect. The new ties at which Mr. Newton hinted can
+never exist for me. Could I accept an honorable man and live with a
+perpetual secret between us? Could I ever confess? No. My most hopeful
+scheme is to be a mother to these children. And oh! I do want to be
+happy, to feel the joy in life that used to lift up my spirit in the old
+days when we were struggling with poverty! I _will_ throw off this load
+of self-contempt. I have not really injured any one."
+
+In the drawing-room Colonel Ormonde was seated beside Lady Alice, making
+conversation to the best of his ability. She looked serenely content,
+and held a piece of crochet, the kind of fancy-work which occupied the
+young ladies in the "sixties." The rector and Mr. Errington were in deep
+conversation on the hearth-rug, and Mrs. Ormonde was reading the paper.
+
+"So you have been visiting the nursery?" said the Colonel, rising and
+offering Katherine a chair. "Your first introduction to our young man, I
+suppose?"
+
+"Yes. What a great boy he is!--the picture of health!"
+
+"Ay, he is a Trojan," complacently. "The other little fellows are
+looking well, eh?"
+
+"Very well indeed. Cis is wonderfully grown; but Charlie is much what he
+was."
+
+"He'll overtake his brother, though, before long," said Colonel Ormonde,
+encouragingly, as he rang and ordered the card-table to be set.
+
+"You play whist, I suppose? We want a fourth."
+
+"I am quite ignorant of that fascinating game," returned Katherine, "and
+very sorry to be so useless."
+
+"It _is_ lamentable ignorance! Lady Alice, will you take compassion on
+us? No?--then we _must_ have Errington."
+
+Errington did not seem at all reluctant, and the two young ladies were
+left to entertain each other.
+
+Katherine, who had gone to the other end of the room to look at some
+water-color drawings, came back and sat down beside her. Lady Alice
+looked amiable, but did not speak, and Katherine felt greatly at a loss
+what to say.
+
+"What very fine work!" she said at length, watching the small,
+weak-looking hands so steadily employed.
+
+"Yes, it is a very difficult pattern. My aunt, Lady Mary, never could
+manage it, and she does a great deal of crochet, and is very clever."
+
+"It seems most complicated. I am sure I could never do it."
+
+"Do you crochet much?"
+
+"Not at all."
+
+"Then," with some appearance of interest, "what _do_ you do?"
+
+"Oh! various things; but I am afraid I am not industrious. I would
+rather mend my clothes than do fancy work."
+
+"Mend your clothes!" repeated Lady Alice, in unfeigned amazement.
+
+"Yes. I assure you there is great pleasure in a symmetrical patch."
+
+"But does not your maid do that?"
+
+"Now that I have one, she does. However, you must show me how to
+crochet, if you will be so kind; my only approach to fancy-work is
+knitting. I can knit stockings. Isn't that an achievement?"
+
+"But is it not tiresome?"
+
+"Oh! I can knit like the Germans, and talk or read."
+
+"Is it possible?" A long pause.
+
+"Mrs. Ormonde says you are very learned and studious," said Lady Alice,
+languidly.
+
+"How cruel of her to malign me!" returned Katherine, laughing. "Learned
+I certainly am not; but I am fond of indiscriminate reading, though not
+studious."
+
+"I like a nice novel, with dreadful people in it, like Miss St. Maur's.
+Have you read any of hers?"
+
+"I don't think so. I do not know the name."
+
+"The St. Maurs are Devonshire people--a very old country family, I
+believe. Still, when she writes about the season in London, I don't
+think it is very like." Another pause.
+
+"You have been in Italy, I think, Lady Alice?" recommenced Katherine.
+
+"Oh yes, often. Papa is always cruising about, you know, and we stop at
+places. But I have never been in Rome."
+
+"Yachting must be delightful."
+
+"I do not like it; I am always ill. Aunt Mary took me to Florence for a
+winter."
+
+"Then you enjoyed that, I dare say," said Katherine.
+
+"I got tired of it. I do not care for living abroad; there is nothing to
+do but to go to picture-galleries and theatres."
+
+"Well, that is a good deal," returned Katherine, smiling. "Where do you
+like to live, Lady Alice?"
+
+"Oh, in the country. I am almost sorry Mr. Errington has a house in
+town. I am so fond of a garden, and riding on quiet roads! I am afraid
+to ride in London. The country is so peaceful! no one is in a hurry."
+
+"What a happy, tranquil life she will lead under the ægis of such a man
+as Mr. Errington!" thought Katherine.
+
+"Do you play or sing?" asked Lady Alice, for once taking the initiative.
+
+"Yes, in a very amateur fashion."
+
+"Then," with more animation, "perhaps you would play my accompaniments
+for me; I always like to stand when I sing. Mrs. Ormonde says she
+forgets her music. Is it not odd?"
+
+"Well, people in India do as little as possible. I shall be very pleased
+to play for you. Shall we practice to-morrow?"
+
+"Oh yes; immediately after breakfast. There is really nothing to do
+here."
+
+"Immediately after breakfast I am going out with the boys--Mrs.
+Ormonde's boys. Have you seen them? But we shall have plenty of time
+before luncheon."
+
+"Are you fond of children?" slowly, while her busy needle paused and she
+undid a stitch or two.
+
+"I am fond of these children; I do not know much about any other."
+
+"Beverley's children (my eldest brother's) are very troublesome; they
+annoy me very much." Silence while she took up her stitches again. "The
+worst of this pattern is that if you talk you are sure to go wrong."
+
+"Then I will find a book and not disturb you," said Katherine,
+good-humoredly. She felt kindly and indulgent toward this gentle
+helpless creature, who seemed so many years younger than herself, though
+barely two, in fact. That she was Errington's _fiancee_ gave her a
+curious interest in Katherine's eyes. She would willingly have done him
+all possible good; she was strangely attracted to the man she had
+cheated. There was a simple natural dignity about him that pleased her
+imagination, yet she almost dreaded to speak to him, lest the very tones
+of her voice, the encounter of their eyes, should betray her.
+
+At last Errington, looking at his watch, declared that as the rubber was
+over, he must say good-night.
+
+"What, are you not staying here to-night?" said Colonel Ormonde.
+
+"No; I have a good deal of letter-writing to get through to-morrow, so
+did not accept Mrs. Ormonde's kind invitation."
+
+"You'll have a deuced cold drive. Come over on Thursday, will you? Old
+Wray, the banker, is to dine here, and one or two Monckton worthies.
+Stay till Tuesday or Wednesday. The next meets are Friday and Monday, on
+this side of the county. There will not be many more this season."
+
+"Thank you; I shall be very happy." He crossed to where Lady Alice still
+sat placidly at work, and made his adieux in a low tone, holding her
+hand for a moment longer than mere acquaintanceship warranted, and
+having exchanged good-nights, left the room, followed by his host.
+
+There was a good fire in Katherine's bedroom, and having declined the
+assistance of Mrs. Ormonde's maid, she put on her dressing-gown and sat
+down beside it to think. She was still quivering with the nervous
+excitement she had striven so hard and so successfully to conceal.
+
+When Mrs. Ormonde had given her rapid explanation of who Errington was,
+and without a pause presented him, Katherine felt as if she must drop at
+his feet. Indeed, she would have been thankful if a merciful
+insensibility had made her impervious to his questioning eyes. _She_
+well knew who he was.
+
+He was the real owner of the property she now possessed. The will she
+had suppressed bequeathed all John Liddell's real and personal property
+to Miles Errington, only son of his old friend Arthur Errington, of
+Calton Buildings, London, E. C., and Calcutta. She, the robber, stood in
+the presence of the robbed. Did he know by intuition that she was
+guilty? How grave and questioning his eyes were! Why did he look at her
+like that? How he would despise her and forbid his affianced wife to be
+outraged by her presence if he knew!
+
+He looked like a high-minded gentleman. If he seemed almost sternly
+grave, his smile was kind and frank, and she had made herself unworthy
+to associate with such men as he.
+
+But he was rich. He did not need the money she wanted so sorely. What of
+that? Did his abundance alter the everlasting conditions of right and
+wrong? Perhaps if she had not attempted to play Providence for the sake
+of her family, and let things follow their natural course, Mr. Errington
+might have spared a few crumbs from his rich table--a reasonable
+dole--to patch up the ragged edges of their frayed fortunes. Then she
+would not be oppressed with the sense of shame, this weight of riches
+she shrank from using. She had murdered her own happiness; she had
+killed her own youth. Never again could she know the joyousness of
+light-hearted girlhood, while nothing the world might give her could
+atone for the terrible trespass which had broken the harmony of her
+moral nature by the perpetual sense of unatoned wrong-doing. How she
+wished she had never come to Castleford! True, her seeing Mr. Errington
+did not make her guilt a shade darker, but oh, how much more keenly she
+felt it under his eyes! And now she could not rush away. She must avoid
+all eccentricities lest they might possibly arouse suspicion. Suspicion?
+What was there to suspect? No one would dream of suspicion. Then that
+will! She would try and nerve herself to destroy it, though it seemed
+sacrilege to do so. Whatever she did, however, she must think of Cis and
+Charlie. Having committed such an act, her only course was to bear the
+consequences, and do her duty by the innocent children, whose fate would
+be cruel enough should she indulge in any weak repentance or seek relief
+in confession. She had burdened herself with a disgraceful secret, and
+she must bear it her life long. It gave her infinite pain to face Miles
+Errington, yet while at one moment she longed to fly from him, the next
+she felt an extraordinary desire to hear him speak, to learn the
+prevailing tone of his mind, to know his opinions. There was an
+earnestness in his look and manner that appealed to her sympathies. He
+was a just, upright gentleman. What would he think of the dastardly deed
+by which she had robbed him?
+
+"I must not think of it. I must try and forget I ever did it, and be as
+good and true as I can in all else. And the will! I must destroy it. I
+am sure my poor old uncle meant to do away with it. Perhaps if it were
+clean gone I might feel more at rest. How strange it is that instead of
+growing accustomed to the contemplation of my own dishonesty I become
+more keenly alive to the shame of my act as time rolls on! Perhaps if I
+am brave and resolute I may conquer the scorpion stings of
+self-reproach. How dear those two sweet peaceful years have cost me!
+Would I undo it all to save myself these pangs? No. Then I suppose to
+bear is to conquer one's fate."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+CROSS PURPOSES.
+
+
+The first ten days at Castleford would have been dull indeed to
+Katherine but for the society of Cis and Charlie in the mornings, and
+the interest she took in watching Errington (who was of course a
+frequent visitor) in the evenings.
+
+Though she avoided conversing with him as much as possible, he was a
+constant study to her. He was different from all the men she had
+previously met. She often wondered if anything could disturb him or
+hurry him. Had he ever climbed trees and torn his clothes, or thrashed
+an adversary? Had he any weaknesses, or vivid joys, or passionate
+longings? Yet he did not seem a prig. His manner, though dignified, was
+easy and natural; his eyes, though steady and penetrating, were kindly;
+his bearing had the repose of strength. It was too awful to contemplate
+what his estimate of herself would be if he knew; but then he must
+_never_ know!
+
+As it was, he seemed inclined to be friendly and communicative, pleased
+when he met her strolling in the garden with Lady Alice, and gratified
+to find that she could accompany his _fiancee's_ songs. Indeed he said
+he had never heard Lady Alice sing so well as when Miss Liddell played
+for her.
+
+Apart from the boys and Errington, Katherine found time hang very
+heavily on her hands. The aimless lingering over useless fancy-work or
+second-rate novels, the discussion of such gossip as their
+correspondence supplied, by means of which Mrs. Ormonde and Lady Alice
+got through the day, were infinitely wearisome to her.
+
+Miles Errington was one of those happy individuals said to be born with
+a silver spoon in his mouth. The only son of a wealthy father, who,
+though enriched by trade, had come of an old Border race, he had had the
+best education money could procure. More fortunate still in the
+endowments of nature, he was well formed, strong, active, and blessed
+with perfect health; while mentally he was intelligent and reflective,
+thoughtful rather than brilliant, and by temperament profoundly calm. He
+had never got into scrapes or committed extravagance. He was the despair
+of managing mammas and fascinating young married women; yet he was not
+unpopular with either sex. Men respected his strong, steady character,
+his high standard, his sound judgment in matters affecting the stable
+and the race-course; women were attracted by his obligingness and
+generosity. Still he was the sort of man with whom few became intimate,
+and none dared take a liberty. Preserved by his fortunate surroundings
+and strong tranquil nature from difficulties or temptations, he could
+hardly understand the passionate outbreaks of weaker and more fiery men.
+
+His greatest physical pleasure was an exciting run with the hounds; his
+deepest interest centred in politics; though never indulging in
+sentiment, he was an earnest patriot. Whether he could be moved by more
+personal feelings remained to be proved. At present the sources of
+tenderer affection, if they existed, lay so deep below the strata of
+reason and common-sense that only some artesian process could pierce to
+the imprisoned spring's and set the "water of life" free, perhaps to
+bound, geyser-like, into the outer air.
+
+Having travelled by sea and land, and looked into the social and
+political condition of many countries, having mixed much with men and
+women at home and abroad, Errington thought it time to take his place in
+the great commonwealth--to marry, and to try for a seat in the House of
+Commons. He therefore selected Lady Alice Mordaunt. She was rather
+pretty, graceful, gentle, and quite at his service. He really like her
+in a sort of fatherly way; he looked forward with quiet pleasure to
+making her very happy, and did not doubt she would in his hands mature
+into a sufficient companion, for though Errington was not naturally a
+selfish man, his life and training disposed him to look on those
+connected with him as on the whole created for him.
+
+He had been absent for two or three days, having gone up to town to
+visit his father, who had been somewhat seriously unwell, and as he rode
+toward Castleford he gave more thought than usual to his young
+_fiancee_. In truth, a visit to Colonel Ormonde was a great bore to him.
+He had nothing in common with the Colonel, whose pig-headed conservatism
+jarred on Errington's broader views, while his stories and reminiscences
+were exceedingly uninteresting, and sometimes worse. Mrs. Ormonde's
+small coquetries, her airs and graces, were equally unattractive to him.
+Still it was well to have Lady Alice at Castleford, within easy reach,
+while there was so much to occupy his time and attention in the country.
+As soon as he was sure of his election he would hasten his marriage, and
+perhaps get the honey-moon over in time to take his seat while there was
+still a month or two of the session unexpired.
+
+From Lady Alice it was an easy transition of thought to the new guest at
+Castleford. Where had he seen her face? and with what was he associated
+in her mind? Nothing agreeable; of that he was quite sure. The vivid
+blush and indescribable shrinking he had noticed more than once (and
+Errington, like most quiet men, was a close observer) seemed
+unaccountable. Miss Liddell was far from shy; she was well-bred and
+evidently accustomed to society; her avoidance had therefore made the
+more impression. His experience of life had hitherto been exceedingly
+unemotional, and Katherine's unexpected betrayal of feeling puzzled him
+not a little.
+
+At this point in his reflections he had reached that part of the road
+where it dipped into a hollow, on one side of which the Melford woods
+began. A steep bank rose on the right, thickly studded with beech and
+oak trees, still leafless, but the scanty, yellowish grass which grew
+beneath them was tufted with primroses and violets.
+
+As Errington came round a bend in the little valley the sound of shrill,
+childish laughter came pleasantly to his ear, and the next minute
+brought him in sight of a lady in mourning whom he recognized
+immediately, and two little boys, who were high up the back, busily
+engaged filling a basket with sweet spring blossoms.
+
+Errington paused, dismounted, and raising his hat, approached her.
+
+"I did not expect so meet _you_ so far afield," he said. "You are not
+afraid of a long walk."
+
+"My nephews have led me on from flower to flower," she returned, again
+coloring brightly, but not shrinking from his eyes. "Now I think it is
+time to go home."
+
+"It is not late," he returned. "How is every one at Castleford?"
+
+"Quite well. Lady Alice has lost her cold, and regained her voice--she
+was singing this morning," said Katherine, smiling as if she knew the
+real drift of his question.
+
+"I am glad to hear it," he returned, soberly.
+
+Errington and Lady Alice did not write to each other every day.
+
+"Auntie," cried Cis, "the basket is quite full. If you open your
+sunshade and hold it upside-down, I can fill that too."
+
+"No dear; you have quite enough. We must go back now."
+
+"Oh, not yet, please?" The little fellow came tumbling down the bank,
+followed by Charlie, who immediately caught his aunt's hand and
+repeated, "Not yet, auntie!"
+
+"These are Mrs. Ormonde's boys, I suppose?" said Errington.
+
+"Yes; have you never seen them before?"
+
+"Never. And have you not had enough climbing?" he added, good-humoredly,
+to Charlie.
+
+"No, not half enough!" cried Cis. "There's _such_ a bunch of violets
+just under that biggest beech-tree, nearly up at the top! Do let me
+gather them--just those; do--do--do!"
+
+"Very well; do not go too fast, or you will break your neck."
+
+Both boys started off, leaving their basket at Katherine's feet.
+
+"I remember now," said Errington, looking at her, "where I saw I saw you
+before. Is was two--nearly three--years ago, at Hyde Park corner, when
+that elder boy had a narrow escape from being run over."
+
+"Were _you_ there?" she exclaimed, so evidently surprised that Errington
+saw the impulse was genuine. "I recollect Mr. Payne and Colonel Ormonde;
+but I did not see _you_."
+
+"Then where _have_ you met me?" was at his lips, but he did not utter
+the words.
+
+"Well, Payne was of real service; I did nothing. The little fellow had a
+close shave."
+
+"He had indeed," said Katherine, thoughtfully, with downcast eyes; then,
+suddenly raising them to his, she said, as if to herself, "And you were
+there too! How strange it all is!"
+
+"I see nothing so strange in it, Miss Liddell," smiling good-humoredly.
+"Have you any superstition on the subject?"
+
+"No; I am not superstitious; yet it was curious--I mean, to meet by
+accident on that day just before--" She stopped. "And now I am connected
+with Colonel Ormonde, living with Mr. Payne's sister and--and talking
+here with--_you_."
+
+"These coincidences occur perpetually when people move in the same set,"
+returned Errington, feeling absurdly curious, and yet not knowing how to
+get at the train of recollection or association which underlay her
+words--words evidently unstudied and impulsive.
+
+"I suppose so. And, you know--Mr. Payne," Katherine continued,
+quickly--"how good he is! He lives completely for others."
+
+"Yes, I believe him to be thoroughly, honestly good. How hard he toils,
+and with what a pitiful result!"
+
+"I wish he would go. Why does he stand there making conversation?"
+thought Katherine, while she said aloud: "I don't see that. If every one
+helped two or three poor creatures whom they knew, we should not have
+all this poverty and suffering which are distracting to think about."
+
+"I doubt it; it would be more likely to pauperize the whole nation."
+
+Here Charlie and Cis, with earth-stained knees and hands--the latter
+full of violets--reluctantly descended. Adding these to the basket
+already overflowing, they had a short wrangle as to who should carry it,
+and then Katherine turned her steps homeward. Errington passed the
+bridle over his arm, and to her great annoyance, walked beside her.
+
+"Are you, then, disposed to give yourself to faith and to good works?"
+
+"I do not know. I should like to help those who want, but I fear I am
+too fond of pleasure to sacrifice myself--at least I was and I suppose
+the love will return. Of course it is easy to give money; it is hard to
+give one's self."
+
+"You seem very philosophic for so young a lady."
+
+"I am not young," said Katherine, sadly; "I am years older than Lady
+Alice."
+
+"How many--one or two?" asked Errington, in his kind, fatherly, somewhat
+superior tone, which rather irritated her.
+
+"The years I mean are not to be measured by the ordinary standard; even
+_you_ must know that some years last longer--no, that is not the
+expression--press heavier than others."
+
+"Even I? Do you think I am specially matter-of-fact?"
+
+"I have no right to think you anything, for I do not know you; but you
+give me that impression."
+
+"I dare say I am; nor do I see why I should object to be so considered."
+
+Here Cecil, who got tired of a conversation from which he could gather
+nothing, put in his oar: "Are you Mr. Errington?"
+
+"I am. How do you know my name?"
+
+"I saw you going out with the Colonel to the meet--oh, a long while ago!
+And Miss Richards and nurse were talking about you."
+
+"They said you had a real St. Bernard dog--one that gets the people out
+of the snow," cried Charlie. "Will you let him come here? I want to see
+him."
+
+"_You_ had better come and pay him a visit."
+
+"Oh yes, thank you!" exclaimed Cis. "Auntie will take us, perhaps.
+Auntie will take us to the sea-side, and then we shall bathe, and go in
+boats, and learn to row."
+
+"Cis, run with me to that big tree at the foot of the hill. Auntie will
+carry the basket," cried Charlie, and the next moment they were off.
+
+"Fine little fellows," said Errington. "I like children."
+
+"I am going to ask Mrs. Ormonde to lend them to me for a few months, for
+they are all I have of kith or kin."
+
+"They are not at all like you," returned Errington, letting his quiet,
+but to her most embarrassing, eyes rest upon her face.
+
+"Yet they are my only brother's children." Here Katherine paused with a
+sense of relief; they had reached a stile where a footway led across
+some fields and a piece of common overgrown with bracken and gorse. It
+was the short-cut to Castleford, by which Cecil had led her to the
+Melford Woods.
+
+"Oh, do come round by the road, auntie," he exclaimed; "perhaps Mr.
+Errington will let me ride his horse."
+
+"I do not know if _he_ will, Cis, but I certainly will not. I am tired
+too, dear, and want to get home the shortest way I can, so bid Mr.
+Errington good-by, and come with me. No, don't shake hands; yours are
+much too dirty."
+
+"Never mind; when you are a big boy I'll give you a mount. Good by,
+Master Charlie--_you_ are Charlie, are you not? Till we meet at dinner,
+Miss Liddell." He raised his hat, and divining that she wished him to
+let her get over the stile unassisted, he mounted his horse and rode
+swiftly away.
+
+"I am sure he would have given me a ride if you had gone by the road,
+auntie," said Cecil, reproachfully.
+
+"I could not have allowed, you, dear; so do not think about it."
+Errington meanwhile rode on, unconsciously slackening his pace as he
+mused. "No, she certainly has never seen me before, yet she knows me.
+How? She was very glad to get rid of me just now. Why? I am inoffensive
+enough. There is something uncommon about her; she gives me the idea of
+having a history, which is anything but desirable for a young woman.
+What fine eyes she has! She is something like that Sibyl of Guercino's
+in the Capitol. Why does she object to me? It is rather absurd. I must
+make her talk, then I shall find out."
+
+Here his horse started, and broke the thread of his reflections. By the
+time the steed had pranced and curvetted a little, Errington's thoughts
+had turned into some of their usual graver channels, and Katherine
+Liddell was--well, not absolutely forgotten.
+
+The object of his reflections reached the house rather late for the
+boys' tea, and expecting to find her hostess and Lady Alice enjoying the
+same refreshment, she gave her warm out-door jacket to Cecil, who
+immediately put it on as the best mode of taking it upstairs, and went
+into Mrs. Ormonde's morning-room, where afternoon tea was always served.
+It was a pleasant room in warm summer weather, as its aspect was east,
+and the afternoons were cool and shady there; but of a chill evening at
+the end of March it was cold and dim, and needed the glow of a good fire
+to make it attractive.
+
+Daylight still lingered to the sky, but was fast fading, and the dancing
+light of a cheerful fire was a pleasant contrast to the gray shadows
+without. The room was very nondescript; its furniture was of the spidery
+fashion which ruled when the "first gentleman" held the reins; thin hard
+sofas and scanty draperies were supplemented by Persian rugs and showy
+cushions, while various specimens of doubtful china crowded the
+mantel-piece and consoles. Mrs. Ormonde was quite innocent of original
+taste, but was a quick, industrious imitator, while of comfortable
+chairs she was a most competent judge.
+
+Quite sure of finding Mrs. Ormonde, Lady Alice, and Miss
+Brereton--another visitor--refreshing themselves after their out-door
+exercise, and intending to announce the pleasant news of Errington's
+return, Katherine exclaimed, "Lady Alice!" as she crossed the threshold,
+then seeing no one, stopped.
+
+"Lady Alice is not here," said a strong, harsh voice, and a tall figure
+in a shooting-coat and gaiters rose from the depths of a large
+arm-chair, the back of which was toward the door and stood before her.
+
+Katherine was slightly startled, but guessed it was one of two guests
+expected to arrive that day. She advanced, therefore, and said, "Mrs.
+Ormonde is unusually late, but I am sure she will soon be here."
+
+"Meantime tea is quite ready. It has stood twice the regulation five
+minutes; and is there any just cause or impediment why it should not be
+poured out?"
+
+"Not that I am aware of," returned Katherine, taking off her hat and
+smoothing back her hair, which showed golden tints in the fitful
+fire-light.
+
+The low tea-table was set before the fire, she drew a chair beside it
+and removed the cozy from the teapot.
+
+Recognizing De Burgh from Mrs. Ormonde's description, she felt that he
+was even more at home at Castleford than herself, and she also came to
+the conclusion that he knew who she was. She had been prepared by Mrs.
+Ormonde's evident admiration to dislike De Burgh, having made up her
+mind that he would prove an empty-headed, insolent grandee, whose
+pretensions imposed upon her sister-in-law's somewhat slender
+experience, and whose life was probably given up to physical enjoyment.
+He had not, however, the aspect of a mere pleasure-seeker. His dark,
+strong face and bony frame looked as if he could work as well as play.
+
+"Do you take sugar?"
+
+"No, thank you; neither sugar nor cream."
+
+"Neither? That is very self-denying!"
+
+"Not self-denying! Were I foolish enough to do what I did not like, I
+should take the sugar and cream. They do not happen to please my
+palate."
+
+"It is well we do not all like the same things."
+
+"It is indeed!" He held his cup untasted for a moment, looking
+thoughtfully into the fire. "Tea is the best drink you can have in
+difficult, fatiguing journeys. Even the gold-diggers of Australia know
+that. They drink hard enough when they are on the spree, but when at
+work in earnest they stick to the teapot," he said, turning his eyes
+full upon her with a cool, critical gaze, which half amused, half
+irritated her. It was curious to sit there talking easily with a total
+stranger. Perhaps she ought to have left him to himself, but it was not
+much matter. Looking toward the window to avoid her companion's eyes,
+she exclaimed:
+
+"It is raining quite fast! I am glad I brought the children home before
+this shower."
+
+"An avant-courier of April. You were walking with Mrs. Ormonde's boys,
+then?"
+
+"Yes; I take them out every day."
+
+"An uncommonly good-looking governess," thought De Burgh. "You have not
+been here long, I think?" he said.
+
+"About three weeks. The boys are quite used to me now, and enjoy their
+walks, for I take them outside the grounds," said Katherine, feeling
+sure that De Burgh must guess who she was.
+
+"Indeed! You are a daring innovator. I suppose they were kept on the
+premises till you came?"
+
+"They were; and it is always tiresome to be kept within bounds."
+
+"I quite agree with you. The sentiment is extremely natural, only young
+ladies rarely confess it."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Oh, you ought to know better than I do. You give me the idea of being a
+plucky woman."
+
+"You must be quick in gathering ideas," said Katherine, dryly.
+
+"Yes; some subjects inspire me," he returned, handing in his cup.
+"Another, please. I am a bit of a physiognomist. I think I could give a
+rough sketch of your character." He stirred the fire to a brighter blaze
+and added, "It is so deuced dark since that shower came on I can hardly
+see you, but I will tell you my ideas, if you care to hear them."
+
+"Yes, I should," she returned, laughing. "It will be curious to hear the
+result of an instantaneous estimate. Why, five minutes ago you had never
+seen me."
+
+"Five minutes? No; ten at least. Well, then, I should say you are a
+remarkably plucky girl, though perhaps not impervious to panic. And, let
+me see," fixing his keen, fierce eyes on hers, "gifted with no small
+power of enjoyment. With a strong dash of the rebel in you, and--well, I
+could tell you more, but I won't."
+
+Katherine laughed good-humoredly.
+
+"Have I hit it off?" he asked, after waiting for her to speak.
+
+"I cannot tell. Do we ever know ourselves?"
+
+"That's true; but few admit their ignorance. I begin to think that you
+are dangerous, in addition to your other qualities, as you can refrain
+from discussing yourself; that is a bait which draws out most women."
+
+"And most men," added Katherine. "We haven't much to reproach each other
+with on that score."
+
+"No, I must admit that. Self is a fascinating topic."
+
+"Some more tea?" asked Katherine, demurely.
+
+"No, thank you. I am not absolutely insatiable. Tell me," he went on,
+with a quaint familiarity which was not offensive, "how can a girl with
+your nature--mind, I have not told half I guess--how can you stand your
+life here--walking about with those brats, making tea while the others
+are out amusing themselves, hammering away at the same round day after
+day? You are made for different things."
+
+"I should not care to live at Castleford all the days of my life," said
+Katherine, a little surprised by his question, and feeling there was a
+mistake somewhere; "but I do not intend to stay long."
+
+"Oh, indeed! How do you get on with Mrs. Ormonde? She doesn't worry you
+about the boys? She is a jolly, pretty little woman; but you are not
+exactly the sort of young lady I should have fancied would be her
+choice."
+
+"Why not?" asked Katherine, beginning to see his mistake.
+
+"Because"--began De Burgh, looking full at her, and then paused. "You
+are too handsome by half!" were the words on his lips, but he did not
+utter them; he substituted, "You don't seem quite the thing for Mrs.
+Ormonde."
+
+"She finds I suit her admirably," said Katherine, gravely.
+
+"I don't quite understand"--De Burgh was beginning, when the door opened
+to admit Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"Ah, Mr. De Burgh, I did not expect you so early; but I am glad
+Katherine was here to give you your tea. It is not necessary to
+introduce you. I was afraid you would have been caught in that shower,
+Katie."
+
+"We just escaped it. I hope Lady Alice has found shelter, or she will
+renew her cold."
+
+"You are Miss Liddell, then?" said De Burgh, as he placed a chair for
+Mrs. Ormonde and took her cloak.
+
+"To be sure. Didn't you guess who she was?"
+
+"Mr. De Burgh guessed a good deal, but he did not guess my identity,"
+said Katherine, handing her a cup of tea.
+
+"What! Were you playing at cross questions and crooked answers?"
+
+"Something of that sort," he returned, and changed the subject by asking
+if they had heard how Errington's father was.
+
+"Better, I suppose, for Mr. Errington has returned. He met us when we
+were in Melford Woods."
+
+"I dare say he met Alice and Miss Brereton, then," said Mrs. Ormonde;
+"they were riding in that direction."
+
+"Lady Alice will be taken care of, then," said Katherine, and taking her
+hat she went away, seeing that Mrs. Ormonde was quite ready to absorb
+the conversation.
+
+"So that is Katherine Liddell," said De Burgh, looking after her,
+regardless of Mrs. Ormonde's declaration that she was going to scold
+him.
+
+"Yes. Is she not like what you expected?"
+
+"Expected? I did not expect anything; but she isn't a bit like what you
+described."
+
+"How so? Did I say too much?"
+
+"Yes, a great deal too much, but the wrong way."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Why, you talked as if she was a regular gushing school-girl, ready to
+swallow any double-barrelled compliment one chose to offer, whereas she
+is a finely developed woman, by Jove! with brains too, or I am much
+mistaken. Why, my charming little friend, she is older in some ways than
+you are."
+
+"Oh, nonsense. You need not flatter _me_."
+
+"It's not flattery, it's--"
+
+The arrival of the riding party with the addition of Errington prevented
+him from finishing his sentence.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+HANDLING THE RIBBONS.
+
+
+De Burgh was told off to take Katherine in to dinner that day and the
+next, and bestowed a good deal of his attention on her during the
+evening. He rather amused her, for he was a new type to her. The men she
+had met during her sojourn on the Continent were chiefly polished French
+and Italians, whose softness and respectful manner to women were perhaps
+exaggerated, and a sprinkling of diplomatic and dilettante Englishmen.
+De Burgh's style was curiously--almost roughly--frank, yet there was an
+unmistakable air of distinction about him. He seemed not to think it
+worth while to take trouble about anything, yet he could talk well when
+by chance a topic interested him, Katherine would have been very dull
+had she not perceived that he was attracted by her. She was by no means
+so exalted a character as to be indifferent to his tribute; nevertheless
+she was half afraid of the cynical, outspoken, high-born Bohemian, who
+seemed to have small respect for people or opinions. She showed little
+of this feeling, however, having held her own with spirit in their
+various arguments, as, it need scarcely be said, they rarely agreed.
+
+"What is this mysterious piece of work I see constantly in your hands?"
+asked De Burgh, taking his place beside Katherine when the men came in
+after dinner a few days after his arrival.
+
+"It is a black silk stocking for Cecil."
+
+"One of the nephews, eh? So you are capable of knitting! It must be a
+dreary occupation."
+
+"No; it becomes mechanical, and it is better than sitting with folded
+hands."
+
+"I am not sure it is. I have great faith in natures that can take
+complete rest--men who can do nothing, absolutely nothing--and so create
+a reserve fund of fresh energy for the next hour of need. There is no
+strength in fidgety feverishness."
+
+"There is not much feverishness in knitting," returned Katherine,
+beginning a new row.
+
+"There is very little feverishness about _you_, yet you are not placid.
+I am extending and verifying my original estimate of your character, you
+see."
+
+"A most interesting occupation," said Katherine, carelessly.
+
+"_Yes_, most interesting. I wish I had more frequent opportunities of
+studying it; but one never sees you all day. Where do you hide
+yourself?"
+
+"I take long rambles with the children, and--" She paused.
+
+"Does it amuse you to play nurse-maid?"
+
+"Yes, at present. Then my nephews and I were playfellows long ago."
+
+"I imagine it is a taste that will not last."
+
+"Perhaps not."
+
+"Miss Brereton and Lady Alice, with Errington and myself, are going to
+ride over to Melford Abbey to-morrow. You will, I hope, be of the
+party?"
+
+"Thank you. I do not ride."
+
+"It is rather refreshing to meet a young lady who is not horsy, but it
+is a loss to yourself not to ride."
+
+"I dare say it is. Yet what one has never known cannot be a loss. I am
+sorry I was not accustomed to ride in my youth."
+
+"It is not too late to learn, remote as that period must be," said De
+Burgh, smiling. "You are in the headquarters of horsemen and horsewomen
+at present. Appoint me your riding-master, and in a couple of months I
+shall be proud of my pupil."
+
+"I am not particularly brave," she returned, "and the experiment would
+produce more pain than pleasure."
+
+"Pain! nothing of the kind. I have a capital lady's horse, steady as a
+rock, splendid pacer, temper of an angel. He is quite at your service.
+Let me telegraph for him, and begin your lessons the day after
+to-morrow." De Burgh raised himself from his lounging position, and
+leaned forward to urge his pleading more earnestly. "Let me persuade
+you. You will thank me hereafter."
+
+"Thank you," said Katherine, shaking her head. "It is too late. I shall
+never learn how to ride, but I should like to know how to drive."
+
+"There I can be of use to you too. You will want an instructor. Pray
+take me!"
+
+The last words, spoken a little louder than the rest, caught Mrs.
+Ormonde's ear as she was crossing the room, and she paused beside her
+sister-in-law to ask, "Take him for what?--for better or worse,
+Katherine?"
+
+"Blundering little idiot!" thought De Burgh; while Katherine answered,
+with remarkable composure.
+
+"Nothing so formidable; only to be my instructor in the art of driving."
+
+"Well, and do you accept?"
+
+"Yes; I shall be very pleased to learn. I should like to be able to
+'conduct' a pair of ponies, as the French would say."
+
+"Ah yes! and cut a dash in the Park," said Mrs. Ormonde, taking the seat
+De Burgh reluctantly vacated for her. "I don't see why she should not,
+Mr. De Burgh; do you?"
+
+"Certainly not, provided only Miss Liddell can handle the ribbons."
+
+"Very well, Katherine: you devote yourself to acquire the art here, and
+then join us in a house in town this spring. I was reading the
+advertisements in the _Times_ to-day. I always look at the houses to
+let, and there is one to let in Chester Square which would suit us
+exactly; that is, if you will join. She ought to have a season in town,
+ought she not, Mr. De Burgh?"
+
+He looked keenly at Katherine, and smiled. "Yes, Miss Liddell ought to
+taste the incomparable delights of the season by all means. Life is
+incomplete without it."
+
+"I should like to experience it certainly, for once, but I shall be more
+in the mood for such excitements next year--_perhaps_," returned
+Katherine, gravely.
+
+"Oh, my dear Katie, never put things off! At all events, be presented.
+That would be a sort of beginning; and I am to be presented too, so we
+might go together."
+
+"I do not intend to be presented," said Katherine; "it would be needless
+trouble. I have not the least ambition to go to court."
+
+"But, Katherine, it is absolutely necessary to take your proper position
+in society. It is not, Mr. De Burgh?"
+
+"What is your objection?" asked De Burgh, disregarding his hostess. "Are
+you too radical, or too transcendental, or what?"
+
+"Neither. I simply do not care to go, and do not see the necessity of
+going."
+
+"You were always the strangest girl!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, a good deal
+annoyed. "But still, if you were with _us_, you might see a good deal--"
+
+"You know, Ada, I am fixed for this year, and would not change even if I
+could."
+
+"Forgive me for interrupting you," said Errington, coming from the next
+room. "But if you are disengaged, Lady Alice would be greatly obliged by
+your playing for her."
+
+"Certainly," cried Katherine. She had a sort of pleasure in obliging
+Errington, and Lady Alice for his sake; and putting her knitting into
+its little case, she rose and accompanied him to what was called the
+music-room, because it contained a grand piano and an old, nearly
+stringless violin.
+
+"I don't think," said De Burgh, looking after her, "that your
+sister-in-law is quite as much under your influence as you fancy."
+
+"Oh, don't you?" cried Mrs. Ormonde, feeling a flash of dislike to
+Katherine thrill through her. It was terribly trying to find an admirer,
+of whom she was so proud, drawn from her by that "tiresome, obstinate
+girl"; it was also enough to vex a saint to see her turn a deaf ear to
+her more experienced and highly placed sister's suggestion. "When you
+know a little more of her you will see how obstinate and headstrong she
+is."
+
+"Ah! troublesome qualities those, especially in a rich woman, and a
+handsome one to boot. There is something very taking about that
+sister-in-law of yours, Mrs. Ormonde. If I were Lady Alice I wouldn't
+trust Errington with her: she would be a dangerous rival."
+
+"Oh, nonsense! Do you think our Admirable Crichton could go wrong?"
+
+"I don't know. If he ever does, he'll go a tremendous cropper."
+
+"Well, Mr. De Burgh, if you would like to go in and win, you had better
+make the running now. Once she 'comes out' in town, you will find a host
+of competitors."
+
+"Ha! I suppose you think a rugged fellow like me would have little or no
+chance with the curled darlings of May Fair and South Kensington?" Mrs.
+Ormonde looked down on her fan, but did not speak. De Burgh laughed.
+"Who is going to bring her out?" he asked.
+
+"I am," with dignity.
+
+De Burgh's reply was short and simple. He said, "Oh!" and the
+interjection (is there an interjection now?--I am not young enough to
+know) brought the color to Mrs. Ormonde's cheek and a frown to her fair
+brow. "The young lady is, on the whole, original," he continued. "She
+does not care to be presented."
+
+"Do you believe her? I don't. She only said so from love of
+contradicting."
+
+"Yes, I believe her; she does not care about it now; but she will
+probably get the court fever after a plunge into London life. Who is
+singing?--that is something different from the penny whistling Lady
+Alice gives us."
+
+"Why it must be Katherine! It is the first time she has sung since she
+came. She is always afraid of breaking down, she says. I don't believe
+she has sung since the death of her mother." De Burgh's only reply was
+to walk into the next room. Leaving Mrs. Ormonde in a state of
+irritation against him, Katherine, and the world in general.
+
+Katherine was singing a gay Neapolitan air. She had a rich, sympathetic
+voice, and sang with arch expression.
+
+Errington stood beside her, and Lady Alice, the rector's wife and one or
+two other guests, were grouped round.
+
+"Thank you. That is thoroughly Italian. You must have studied a good
+deal," said Errington, who rather liked music, and was accustomed to the
+best.
+
+"Very nice indeed," added Lady Alice. "Very nice" was her highest
+praise. "I should like to learn the song."
+
+"I do not think it would suit you," observed Errington.
+
+"Why, Katherine, I had no notion you could 'tune up' in this way," cried
+Colonel Ormonde. "Give us another, like a good girl; something
+English--'Robin Adair.' There was a fellow in 'ours' used to sing it
+capitally."
+
+"I cannot sing it, Colonel Ormonde. I am very sorry."
+
+"Oh, Katherine! I have heard you sing it a hundred times," cried Mrs.
+Ormonde, joining them. "Why, it was a great favorite with poor dear Mrs.
+Liddell."
+
+"I cannot sing it, Ada," repeated Katherine, quick and low. As she spoke
+she caught Errington's eyes.
+
+"No one ought to dictate to a songstress," he said, very decidedly.
+"Give us anything you like, so long as you sing."
+
+Kate bent her head, feeling that he understood her, and her hands
+wandered over the keys for a minute; then, with a glance at Colonel
+Ormonde, she began "Jock o' Hazeldean."
+
+Katherine was not the kind of girl to nurse her grief, to dwell upon it
+with morbid insistence: but she remembered, warmly, lovingly. At times
+gusts of passionate regret swept over her and shook her self-control,
+and she dared not attempt her mother's favorite song; the mere request
+for it called up a cloud of memories. She saw the dear face, the sweet
+faded blue eyes that used to dwell upon her so tenderly, with such
+unutterable content. No other eyes would ever look upon her thus; never
+again could she hope for such perfect sympathy as she had once known.
+
+"Does that make up for 'Robin Adair,' Colonel Ormonde?" she said when
+the song was ended.
+
+"A very good song and very well sung, but it's not equal to 'Robin
+Adair.'"
+
+"Lady Alice, will you try that duet of Helmer's?" asked Katherine; and
+Lady Alice graciously assented.
+
+"I shall miss your accompaniment dreadfully when I leave," she said,
+when the duet was accomplished. "I feel so sure when you play, and you
+help me. I hope you will come and see me. Lady Mary, my aunt, would be
+very pleased; don't you think she would?" to Errington, appealingly.
+
+"Certainly. I hope, Miss Liddell, you will not desert Alice. If you will
+permit it, Lady Mary Vincent will have the pleasure of calling on you."
+
+"That will be very kind," returned Katherine, softly. If this man were
+safely married and settled, she thought, she would like to be friends
+with his wife, and serve him in any way she could. If his eyes did not
+always confuse and distress her, how much she could like him!
+
+As she rose from the piano, De Burgh, who had been speaking aside with
+Colonel Ormonde, left him to join her. "I have settled it all with
+Ormonde," he said. "I am to have the pony-carriage and the dun ponies
+(not those Mrs. Ormonde generally drives) to-morrow; so, if it does not
+rain, I'll give you your first lesson; that is, _if_ you will allow me."
+
+"You are very prompt," returned Katherine, "and very good to take so
+much trouble. If it is fine, then, to-morrow. Pray arm yourself with
+patience. Are not the dun ponies rather frisky?"
+
+"Spirited, but free from vice. Ormonde had them from _my_ stables. It's
+no use learning to drive with dull, inanimate brutes. You'll consider
+yourself engaged?"
+
+"I do, if Mrs. Ormonde does not want me to go anywhere with her."
+
+"She will not," said De Burgh, confidently.
+
+"Good-night," returned Katherine. "Tell Mrs. Ormonde I have stolen away,
+for I have a slight headache."
+
+"What? going already?" cried De Burgh. "No more songs? The evening,
+then, is over."
+
+
+The following day was soft and bright. March had evidently made up his
+martial mind to go out in a lamb-like fashion, and De Burgh was
+unusually amiable and communicative. "When shall you be ready to start?"
+he asked, following Katherine from the breakfast-table.
+
+"To start where?" she asked.
+
+"What! have you forgotten our plans of last night?" was his
+counter-question. "I am to give you your first lesson in driving this
+morning. I only wait your orders before going to see the ponies put in.
+We had better take advantage of the fine morning."
+
+"Ay, that's right, De Burgh; make hay while the sun shines," said
+Ormonde, with his usual tact and jocularity. "But it would be better to
+have tried a quieter pair than Dick and Dandie."
+
+"I think you may trust Miss Liddell to me," returned De Burgh,
+impatiently. "Well, when shall I bring round the trap?"
+
+"Whenever you like. I am afraid you have set yourself a tiresome task."
+
+De Burgh laughed. "If you prove careless or disobedient, why, I'll not
+repeat the dose. In half an hour, then, I'll have the carriage at the
+door."
+
+That half-hour was spent by Katherine in explaining to Cis and Charlie
+that she could not go out with them that day, for the morning was
+promised to De Burgh, and after luncheon she had undertaken to try over
+the song which had pleased her with Lady Alice, who was to leave the
+next day. The little fellows thought themselves very ill-used. But Miss
+Richards, who had greatly prized her deliverance from long muddy rambles
+since Katherine's advent, promised to take them to fish in a stream
+which ran between the Castleford and Melford properties.
+
+"Do you suppose I shall dare to touch the reins of these terrible
+creatures?" said Katherine when De Burgh dashed up to the door, and held
+the spirited, impatient animals steady with some difficulty.
+
+"We'll get rid of some of the steam first, and you will get accustomed
+to their playfulness," he returned. "Here, Ormonde, haven't you a rug
+for Miss Liddell? It may come on to rain."
+
+"Yes; here you are;" and Colonel Ormonde, who was examining the
+turn-out, tucked up his fair guest carefully, and warned them to be back
+in good time, as he wanted De Burgh to ride over with him to see some
+horses which were for sale a mile or two at the other side of Monckton.
+
+"What a frightful pace;" said Katherine, after they had whirled out of
+the gates, yet feeling comforted by De Burgh's evident mastery of the
+ponies.
+
+"You are not frightened? Don't you think I can manage them?"
+
+"I am not comfortable, because I am not accustomed to horses and furious
+driving."
+
+"Oh, they will settle down presently. Where shall we go--through
+Garston? It's a fine place. Perhaps you have seen it?"
+
+"I have not, and I should like to see it very much." She was delighted
+with the suggestion. It would be a help to her, a consolation, to see so
+visible a token of Errington's wealth.
+
+"Curious fellow, Errington," resumed De Burgh. "I suppose he is about
+the only man who isn't spoiled by the most unbroken prosperity. Still, a
+fellow who never did anything wrong in his life is rather uninteresting;
+don't you think so?"
+
+"Has he never done anything wrong? That seems rather incredible."
+
+"If he has, he has kept it deucedly close. But you are right; it is very
+incredible."
+
+They drove on for a while in silence. It was a delicious morning--a blue
+sky flecked with fleecy white clouds, bright sunlight, birds singing,
+hedges budding, all nature welcoming the first sweet intoxication of
+renewed youth stirring in her veins. Katherine loved the spring-time,
+and felt its influence profoundly, but it was the first spring in which
+she had been alone; this time last year she--they--had been at
+Bordighera. How heavenly fair it had been! But De Burgh was speaking:
+
+"You did not hear, or rather heed, what I said, Miss Liddell; that's not
+civil."
+
+"Indeed it is not--forgive me. What did you say?"
+
+"I suppose you like country life best, as you demolished Mrs. Ormonde's
+scheme respecting a house in town so promptly?"
+
+"I enjoy looking at the country, but I know nothing of country life. I
+am not sure I should like it."
+
+"What's your objection to drawing-rooms and balls--the season
+generally?"
+
+"I do not object; but is my deep mourning suited to these gayeties, Mr.
+De Burgh?"
+
+"Well, no. I beg your pardon. Mrs. Ormonde started it, you know. I fancy
+it would take double-distilled mourning to keep her out of the swim."
+
+"It is impossible for one nature to judge another which is totally
+different, fairly."
+
+"Very true and very prudent. I have not got to the bottom of your
+character yet, but I am pursuing my studies," said De Burgh, with a grim
+sort of smile. "You see they are settling down to their work now,"
+pointing his whip to the ponies. "I'll give you the reins in a minute or
+two."
+
+"I think I ought to begin with something quieter," said Katherine,
+looking at them uneasily.
+
+De Burgh laughed. "There is a nice stretch of level road before
+us--nothing to interfere with you. Change places with me, if you please.
+Here, put the reins between your fingers--so; now a turn of the wrist
+guides them. I'll hold your hand for a bit. You had better not let the
+whip touch them--so. There you are. I'll show you how to handle the
+ribbons before you are a fortnight older; that is if you will come out
+every day with me."
+
+"Would you take that trouble?" exclaimed Katherine.
+
+"I can take a good deal of trouble if I like my work. Now hold them
+steady, and keep your eye on them. When we come to the trees, on there,
+turn to the left."
+
+"So far there doesn't seem to be much difficulty; they seem to go all
+right of their own accord," she said, after a few minutes.
+
+"They are a capital pair; but there is nothing to disturb them."
+
+For the rest of the way to Garston, De Burgh only spoke to give the
+lesson he had undertaken, and Katherine found herself growing interested
+and pleased. When they entered the gates, however, she asked him to take
+the reins. She wanted to look about her, to remark the surroundings of
+Errington's house.
+
+It was a fine place, somewhat flat, perhaps, but beautiful with splendid
+trees, and a small lake, through which ran the stream in another part of
+which Cis and Charlie were going to fish. The house stood well, the
+grounds were admirably laid out and perfectly kept; evidences of wealth
+were on all sides.
+
+"I suppose it costs a great deal of money to keep up a place like this,"
+said Katherine, breaking a silence which had lasted some minutes: De
+Burgh never troubled himself to speak unless he really had something to
+say.
+
+"I shouldn't care to live here on less than ten thousand a year," he
+returned, glancing round.
+
+"And has Mr. Errington all that money?"
+
+"His father has a good deal more. He bought this place for him, I
+believe. Old Errington is very wealthy, and on his last legs, from what
+I hear."
+
+"Ten thousand a year! What a quantity of money!"
+
+"Hem! I think I could get through it without much trouble."
+
+"Then you have always been rich?"
+
+"Rich! I have been on the verge of bankruptcy all my life. I never knew
+what it was to have enough money."
+
+"But you seem to have gone everywhere and done everything."
+
+"Yes, by discounting my future at a ruinous rate," he returned, with a
+sort of reckless candor that amused his hearer. "You scarcely understand
+me, I suppose."
+
+"I think I do. I know how uncomfortable it is to want money."
+
+"Indeed! Still, it's not so hard on women as on men."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"We want so much more."
+
+"Then you have so many more chances of earning it."
+
+"Earning it! Oh, that is a new view of the case!"
+
+"I should not mind doing it; that is, if I could succeed."
+
+"Do you know, I took you for your nephews' governess. It never crossed
+my mind you were an heiress. As a rule, heiresses are revolting to the
+last degree."
+
+"I feel the compliment."
+
+"Remember, I like their money, only I object to its being encumbered."
+
+"You are wonderfully frank, Mr. De Burgh."
+
+"I dare say you said 'brutally frank' in your thoughts, Miss Liddell,
+and you are right. I am rather a bad lot, and a little too old to mend.
+But let it be a saving clause in your mind, if I ever recur to it, that
+the fact of your being nice enough for the governess impelled me to
+offer driving lessons to the heiress. Will you take the reins? You might
+hold them forever if you choose."
+
+"Not yet, thank you--when we get out on the road again," returned
+Katherine, not seeing or seeming to see his covert meaning. "You are
+surely not a democrat?"
+
+"A democrat? No. I have no particular view as regards politics; but if
+the devil ever got so completely the upper hand in this world as to
+leave it without a class to serve and obey _us_, their natural
+superiors, I'd decline to stay here any longer, and descend by the help
+of a bullet to lower regions, where I should have better society."
+
+"More congenial society, I am sure," said Katherine, laughing, though
+revolted by his tone. She felt it would never do to show she was. "You
+are quite different from any one _I_ ever met. Do you know, you give me
+the idea of a wicked Norman Baron in the Middle Ages."
+
+De Burgh laughed, as if he rather enjoyed the observation. "I know," he
+said; "a regular melodramatic villain, 'away with him to the lowest
+dungeon beneath the castle moat' sort of fellow, who would draw a Jew's
+teeth before breakfast and roast a restive burgher after. I wonder,
+considering you possess the two strongest attractions for men of this
+description--money and (may I say it?) beauty--that you trust yourself
+with me."
+
+"Ah! you concealed your vile opinions successfully; so you see I could
+not know my danger," returned Katherine, laughing. "You are not at all a
+modern man."
+
+"I accept the compliment."
+
+"Which I did not intend for one. When we get through the gates I will
+take the reins again."
+
+"Certainly; but the ponies' heads will be turned homeward, and I am
+afraid they will pull. They have steadied down wonderfully." The rest of
+the drive was spent in careful instruction, and Katherine was surprised
+to find how quickly the time had gone when they reached the house.
+
+De Burgh interested her in spite of her dislike of the opinions and
+sentiments he expressed. There was something picturesque about the man,
+and she felt that he was attracted to her in a curious and almost
+alarming manner. Yet she was conscious of an inclination to play with
+fire. It was some time since she felt so light-hearted. The sight of
+Errington's luxurious surroundings seemed to take something from the
+load upon her conscience, and this sense of partial relief gave
+brilliancy to her eyes, as the fresh balmy air gave her something of her
+former rich coloring.
+
+"By Jove!" cried Colonel Ormonde, as Katherine took her place at
+luncheon, "your drive has agreed with you. I've never seen you look so
+well. You must pursue the treatment. How did she get on, De Burgh?"
+
+"Not so badly. But Miss Liddell is more timid than I expected. She'll
+get accustomed to the look of the cattle in a little while. Courage is
+largely made up of a habit. I'll take some of that cold lamb, Ormonde."
+And De Burgh spoke no more till he had finished his luncheon.
+
+"Do you know, Miss Liddell, that my father was an old friend of your
+uncle's?" said Errington that evening, as he placed himself beside her
+on a retired sofa, while Miss Brereton was executing some gymnastics on
+the piano. "I have just been taking to Ormonde about him. I remember
+having been sent to call upon him--long ago, when I was at college, I
+think. He lived in some wild north-land; I remember it was a great way
+off. Then my father went for a trip to Calcutta, and I fancy lost sight
+of his old chum."
+
+Katherine grew red and white as he spoke; she could only murmur, "Yes, I
+was told they had been friends."
+
+"Then you must accept me as a hereditary friend," said Errington,
+kindly. "I shall tell my father that I have made your acquaintance,
+though he does not take much interest in anything now, I am sorry to
+say."
+
+"I am sorry--" faltered Katherine.
+
+"Both Lady Alice and I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you in town,"
+continued Errington, having waited in vain for her to finish her
+sentence. "I am going to see her safely in her aunt's charge to-morrow,
+and shall not return, I fancy, till you have left."
+
+"You are both very good. I shall be most happy to see you again,"
+returned Katherine, mastering her forces, though she felt ready to fly
+and hide her guilty head in any corner. Errington felt that she was
+unusually uneasy and uncomfortable with him, so made way the more
+readily for De Burgh, who monopolized her for rest of the evening.
+
+The next day was wet, and for a week the weather was unsettled, so that
+Katherine had only one more lesson in driving before the party broke up,
+and De Burgh too was obliged to leave.
+
+But Katherine prolonged her stay. Charlie, in ardor for fishing, had
+slipped into the river and caught a severe, feverish cold.
+
+The way in which he clung to his auntie, the evident comfort he derived
+from her presence, the delight he had in holding her cool soft hand in
+his own burning little fingers, made him impossible for her to leave
+him. By the time he was able to sit up and play with his brother, poor
+Charlie was a pallid little skeleton, and his auntie bade him a tender
+adieu, determined to lose no time in finding sea-side quarters for the
+precious invalid.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+TAKING COUNSEL.
+
+
+Miss Payne was busy looking over several cards which lay in a small
+china dish on her work-table. It was early in the forenoon, and she
+still wore a simple muslin cap and a morning gown of gray cashmere. Her
+mouth looked very rigid and her eyes gloomy. To her enters her brother,
+fresh and bright, a smile on his lips and a flower in his button-hole.
+
+Miss Payne vouchsafed no greeting. Looking at him sternly, she asked,
+"Well! what do you want?"
+
+"To ask at what hour Miss Liddell arrives, and if I am to meet her at
+the station."
+
+"She is not coming to-day," snapped Miss Payne; "she is not coming till
+Saturday."
+
+"Indeed!" In a changed tone, "I hope she is all right?"
+
+"It's hard to answer that. It seems one of the nephews has had a
+feverish cold, and she did not like to leave him. I do not feel sure
+there is not some real reason under this, for she adds that she is
+anxious to see and consult me about some matter she has much at heart.
+Perhaps there is a man at the bottom of it."
+
+"I hope not," said Bertie, quietly, "unless she has found some former
+friend at Castleford. I do not think Miss Liddell is the sort of girl to
+accept a man on five or six weeks' acquaintance, and she has scarcely
+been at Castleford so long."
+
+"It is impossible to fathom the folly of women when a lover is in the
+case."
+
+"You are hard, Hannah."
+
+"I do not care whether I am or not. I don't want to lose Miss Liddell
+before the time agreed for."
+
+"No doubt she is a profitable--"
+
+"It is no question of profit," interrupted Miss Payne, grimly. "Whether
+she goes or whether she stays she is bound to me financially for twelve
+months. But I am interested in Katherine, and it will be far better for
+her to stay on here and feel her way before she launches into the whirl
+of what they call society. I want to save her for a while from the wild
+rush of dressing, driving, dining, dancing, that has swept away all my
+girls sooner or later. Look here: the mothers are flocking round her
+already." She began to take the cards out of the dish and read the
+names: "Lady Mary Vincent, 23 Waldegrave Crescent; she is a sister of
+that Lord Melford who ran such a rig years ago. _Her_ boys are still at
+Eton. I suppose she comes because her niece and Miss Liddell have struck
+up a friendship at Castleford. Then here are Mrs. and Miss Alford; we
+all knew them in Rome; there's a son _there_; they are respectable
+people, well off, and fighting their way up judiciously enough. Lady
+Barrington; _she_ has a nephew, but she will be useful. Mr. and Mrs.
+Tracey; they were at Florence, and have a couple of daughters; there may
+be a nephew or a cousin, but I never heard of one; they are pleasant,
+sensible, artistic people, who just enjoy themselves and don't trouble.
+Lady Mildred Reptan, Miss Brereton, John de Burgh; I don't know these.
+All these people evidently think she is in town, or have only just come
+themselves, but you see the outlook."
+
+"John de Burgh," repeated Bertie, thoughtfully. "I remember something
+about him; nothing particularly good. I believe he is on the turf. Yes,
+he is a famous steeple-chase rider, and rather fast--not too desirable a
+follower for Miss Liddell."
+
+"She met him at Castleford, and I rather think he is related to Colonel
+Ormonde." Miss Payne put back the cards in the dish as she spoke, and
+remained silent for some instants.
+
+"You will be glad when Miss Liddell returns," said Bertie.
+
+"So will you," she returned, tartly. "But I hope you won't dip into her
+purse so freely as you used for your reformed drunkards and ragged
+orphans. It was _too_ bad."
+
+"Miss Liddell never waits to be asked. She seems on the lookout for
+cases on which to bestow money. As she has plenty, why should I hesitate
+to accept it?"
+
+Miss Payne slowly rubbed her nose with the handle of a small hook she
+used for pulling out the loops of her tatting. "Katherine Liddell is an
+uncommon sort of girl," she said, "but I like her. I have an idea that
+she likes me better than any of the others did, yet there are not many
+things on which we agree. She is a little flighty in some ways, but she
+has some sense too, some notion of the value of money; she does not lose
+her dead about dress, nor does she buy costly baubles at the jewellers'.
+She, certainly wastes a good many pounds on books, when a three-guinea
+subscription to Mudie's would answer the purpose quite as well. Then
+she is honestly deeply grieved at the loss of her mother, but she does
+not parade it, or nurse it either, and I think she has some opinion of
+_my_ judgment. Still she is a little unsettled, and not quite happy."
+
+"I think she deserves to be happy," observed Bertie, with an air of
+conviction--"if any erring mortal can deserve anything."
+
+"We seldom get our deserts, either way, _here_; indeed, this world is so
+upside down I am inclined to believe there must be another to put it
+straight."
+
+"We have fortunately better proof than that," returned her brother,
+gravely.
+
+"I must say I feel very curious to know what Katherine's plan is; I am
+terrible afraid there is a man in it."
+
+"Nothing more probable;" and Bertie fell into a fit of thought. "You
+know Mrs. Needham!" he asked suddenly.
+
+"Well, I just know her."
+
+"She is a most earnest, energetic woman, though we are not quite of one
+mind on all subjects. She wants to secure Miss Liddell's assistance in
+getting up a bazar for the Stray Children's Home. I shall bring her to
+call on you."
+
+"Don't!"--very emphatically. "I know more than enough people already,
+and I don't want any well-dressed beggars added to the number."
+
+"Well, I will not interfere; but that is of little consequence. If Mrs.
+Needham wants to come, she'll come."
+
+"I hate these fussy subscription-hunting women!" cried Miss Payne.
+
+"She does _not_ hunt for subscriptions, nor does she take any special
+interest in religious matters, but she approves of this particular
+charity. She is an immensely busy woman, and writes in I don't know now
+many newspapers."
+
+"Newspapers! And are our opinions made up for us by rambling hussies of
+_that_ description?"
+
+Bertie burst out laughing. "If Mrs. Needham heard you!" he exclaimed.
+"She considers herself 'the glass of fashion and the mould of form,' the
+most successful and important woman in the world--the English world."
+
+Miss Payne's only reply was a contemptuous upward toss of the head. "If
+you will be at Euston Square on Saturday to meet the five-fifty train
+from Monckton," she resumed, "I should be obliged to you--Miss Liddell
+travels alone--and you can dine with us if you like after, unless you
+are going to preach the gospel somewhere."
+
+"Thank you. Why do you object to my preaching?"
+
+"Because I like things done decently and in order. You are not ordained,
+and there are plenty of churches and chapels, God knows, for people to
+go to, if they would wash their faces and be decent. Now I can't stay
+here any longer, so good-by for the present." She took up a little
+basket containing an old pair of gloves, large scissors, and a ball of
+twine, and walked briskly away to attend to the plants in her diminutive
+conservatory.
+
+De Burgh did not prolong his absence; he returned to Castleford while
+Katherine was still in attendance on the little invalid; but he found
+his stay neither pleasant nor profitable. Katherine was far too much
+occupied nursing her nephew to give any time or attention to her
+impatient admirer.
+
+"Miss Liddell is a peculiar specimen of her sex," he growled, in his
+usual candid and unaffected manner, as he and Colonel Ormonde sat alone
+over their wine. "She never leaves those brats. She must know that it's
+not every girl _I_ should take the trouble of teaching, and yet she
+throws over each appointment I make. Does she intend to adopt your
+wife's boys? Adopted sons are an appendage no man would like to accept
+with a bride, be she ever so well endowed."
+
+"Oh, she will forget them as soon as she falls in love! You must carry
+on the siege more vigorously."
+
+"How the deuce are you to do it when you never get within hail of the
+fortress? There is something peculiar about Katherine Liddell I can't
+quite make out. If she were a commonplace woman, angular, squinting, or
+generally plain, I could go in and win and collar the cash without
+hesitation, but somehow or other I can't go into the affair in this
+spirit. I want the woman as well as the money."
+
+"Well, I see no reason why you shouldn't have both. Your faintness of
+heart never lost _you_ any fair lady, I am sure, Jack."
+
+"Perhaps not." And he smoked meditatively for a minute or two.
+
+"Then you will not leave us to-morrow?" said Ormonde.
+
+"When does _she_ go up to town?" asked De Burgh.
+
+"On Monday, I believe."
+
+"Then I'll run up the day after to-morrow. Old De Burgh has just come
+back from the Riviera. I'll go and do the dutiful, and tell him I have
+found a suitable partner for my joys and sorrows; it will score to my
+credit. He doesn't half like me, you know. Then I'll have a dozen better
+chances to cultivate Miss Liddell in town, and away from your nursery,
+than I have here. Give me her address. She is a frank, unconventional
+creature, and won't mind coming out with me alone."
+
+"Very true. Mrs. Ormonde has persuaded me to take her to town for a
+couple of months; so we'll be there to back you up."
+
+"Good! Meanwhile I will do my best for my own hand. If she starts on
+Monday, I'll pay my respects to the peerless one by the time she has
+swallowed her luncheon on Tuesday," said De Burgh, with a harsh laugh.
+
+Thus it came to pass that De Burgh's card was amongst those preserved
+for Katherine's inspection; but she postponed her departure first to
+Wednesday, next to Saturday, and De Burgh grew savagely impatient when
+Colonel Ormonde informed him of these changes in a private note.
+
+When at last she did arrive, Miss Payne was struck by the look of
+renewed hope and cheerfulness in her young friend's face. Her movements
+even were more alert, and her voice had lost its languid tone.
+
+"I thought you would find it difficult to get away," said Miss Payne,
+as she assisted her to remove her travelling dress. "But I am very
+pleased to see you again, and to see you looking more like yourself."
+
+"I _feel_ more like my old self," returned Katherine, actually kissing
+Miss Payne--a kind of treatment exceedingly new to her.
+
+"In fact, I am full of a project which will, I hope, make me much
+happier. I will tell you all about it after dinner, if we are alone.
+Your advice will be of great value to me."
+
+"Such as it is, I shall be glad to give it; though I do not suppose
+you'll take it unless it suits your wishes."
+
+"Perhaps not," said Katherine, laughing; "but I think it will."
+
+"She is going to marry some fortune-hunting scamp," thought Miss Payne.
+"I was afraid no good would come of her visit to that little dressy
+dolly sister-in-law of hers." She only said, "Dinner will be ready in
+half an hour, and we shall be quite alone."
+
+Then she went quickly down stairs to her brother, who was gazing out of
+the window, but not seeing what he looked at.
+
+"You can't dine here to-day, Bertie," said Miss Payne, abruptly, as she
+entered the room.
+
+"And why not?"
+
+"Because she wants to have some confidential conversation with me after
+dinner, and we must be alone."
+
+"Have you any idea what it will be about?"
+
+"No; and I am astonished at your putting the question. You may come in
+after church to-morrow if you like."
+
+"Thank you. I shall be rather late, as I am going to an open-air service
+beyond Whitechapel."
+
+"Well, I do hope you'll get something to eat after. Are _you_ going to
+preach?"
+
+"No. I seldom preach. I haven't the gift of eloquence."
+
+"Which means you have a little common-sense left. Really, Gilbert, for a
+man of thirty-five, or nearly thirty-five, you are too credulous."
+
+"It is my nature to be so," he returned, laughing. "Well, good-by to
+you. It is really unkind to turn me out in this unceremonious fashion."
+So saying, with his usual sweet-tempered compliance he departed.
+
+"What a good boy he is!" said Miss Payne to herself, looking at the
+grate, while by a dual brain action she made a brief calculation as to
+how much longer she must burn coal. "He ought to have been a girl. Why
+don't rich young women see that he is the very stuff to make a pleasant
+husband, instead of those monsters of strength and determination that
+fools of women make gods of, and themselves door mats for, and often
+find to be only big pumpkins after all?"
+
+Miss Payne's anticipations were of the gloomiest when, after their
+quickly despatched dinner, she settled herself between the fire and
+window with her favorite tatting, drawing up the knots with vicious
+energy. She opened proceedings by an interrogative "Well?" and closed
+her mouth with a snap.
+
+"Well, my dear Miss Payne," began Katherine, who had settled herself
+comfortably in a corner of the sofa, "I have an important plan in my
+mind, and I want your co-operation. I should have written to you about
+it, only I waited to get Colonel Ormonde's consent."
+
+"It's a man!" ejaculated Miss Payne to herself.
+
+"To begin: I was not at all satisfied with the boys when I first went to
+Castleford. They were not exactly neglected, but they were quite
+secluded. Mrs. Ormonde scarcely saw them, and their governess or
+attendant was not at all lady-like; she speaks with a London accent and
+misplaces her _h'_s; altogether she is not the sort of person I should
+have placed with the boys. Then the poor little fellows clung to me and
+monopolized me as if I had been their mother; they made me feel like
+one. Moreover, I seemed to see my own dear mother and hear her voice
+when they spoke to me. She loved them so much!"
+
+Katherine paused suddenly, but almost immediately resumed: "The
+youngest, Charlie, is not yet seven, and is very delicate. He has had
+rather a sharp attack of bronchitis. I am very anxious about him. How I
+want to take them to the sea-side next month, and to keep them there all
+the summer, and I want your help to find a nice place. I know nothing of
+the English coast. More than this: I feel I could not get on without
+you, so you must come with us. Suppose, dear Miss Payne, we take a house
+with a garden near the sea, and you let this one? I will gladly pay all
+extra cost, while our original agreement, as far as I myself am
+concerned, shall hold good."
+
+Miss Payne listened attentively to this long speech, the expression of
+her countenance relaxing; but she did not reply at once.
+
+"I think," she said, after a moment's thought, "that you are exceedingly
+liberal, but I am not sure you are wise. As far as I am concerned, I
+should like your plan very much. I do not profess to be fond of
+children, but I dare say these little boys would not interfere with me.
+As regards yourself, if you keep the children for the whole summer, it
+is possible Mrs. Ormonde might be inclined to leave them with you
+altogether, and this would create a burden for you--a burden you are by
+no means called upon to bear. It is a dangerous experiment."
+
+"Not to me," returned Katherine, thoughtfully. "In fact it is a
+consummation for which I devoutly wish. I should like to adopt my
+nephews."
+
+"That would certainly be foolish. It would not be kind to the children,
+Katherine (as you wish me to call you). In the course of a year or two
+you will marry, and then the creatures who had learned to love you and
+look on you as a mother would be again motherless. Do not take them from
+their natural guardian."
+
+"What you say is very reasonable. You cannot know how certain I feel
+that I shall _not_ marry. However, let us leave all that to arrange
+itself in the future; let us think of the present. Colonel and Mrs.
+Ormonde are coming up to town, for two or three months, in May, and I do
+not like the idea of Cis and Charlie being left behind; so will you help
+me, my dear Miss Payne? Shall you mind a spring and summer in some quiet
+sea-side place?"
+
+Again Miss Payne reflected before she spoke. "I should rather like it:
+and your idea of letting this house is a good one. Yes, I shall be happy
+to assist you as far as I can. The first question is, where shall we
+go?"
+
+"That, I am sure, _you_ know best."
+
+An interesting disquisition ensued. Miss Payne rejected Bournemouth,
+Weymouth, Worthing, Brighton, and Folkestone, for what seemed to
+Katherine sufficient reason, and finally recommended Sandbourne, a quiet
+and little-known nook on the Dorsetshire coast, as being mild but not
+relaxing, not too near nor too far from town, and possessing fine sands,
+while the country round was less bare and flat than what usually lies
+near the coast.
+
+Finally the "friends in council" decided to go down and look at the
+place. "For," observed Miss Payne, "if we are to go away the beginning
+of next month, we have little more than a fortnight before us."
+
+"By all means," cried Katherine, starting up. "Let us go to-morrow; we
+might 'do' the place in a day, and come back the next. You are really a
+dear, to fall into my views so readily."
+
+"To-morrow? Oh! that's a little too fast; the day after, if you like.
+Now I wish you would look at these cards; they have all been left for
+you in the last few days."
+
+Katherine took and looked over them with some running comments. "Mrs.
+Tracy! I shall be quite glad to see them again; they were always so kind
+and pleasant. Lady Mary Vincent! I did not think she would call so soon;
+I think I must go and see her to-morrow. I rather like her niece, Lady
+Alice Mordaunt; she is a nice, gentle girl. She is to be married very
+soon to a man who interested me a good deal; such a thoughtful, clever
+man, but rather provokingly composed and perfect--a sort of person who
+never makes a mistake."
+
+"He must be a remarkable person," said Miss Payne.
+
+"He will soon be in Parliament, and has some of the qualities which make
+a statesman, I imagine. I shall watch his progress." Here Katherine took
+up a card, and while she read the inscription, "John Fitzstephen de
+Burgh," a slight smile crept round her lips. "I had no idea _he_ was in
+town, or that he would take the trouble of calling on me so soon. I
+thought he was too utterly offended."
+
+"Why?" asked Miss Payne, looking at her curiously.
+
+"He is rather ill-tempered, I fancy, and he was vexed because I
+preferred staying with Charlie to going out with him: he offered to
+teach me how to drive; so I believe, like the rich young man in the
+gospel, he went away in desperation."
+
+"Hum! Is _he_ a rich young man?"
+
+"He is not young, and I am not sure about his being rich. He has a
+hunting-lodge and horses, yet I don't fancy he is rich. He is a sort of
+relation of the Ormondes."
+
+"I suspect he is a spendthrift, and would like _your_ money."
+
+"Oh, very likely; but, my dear Miss Payne, you need not warn me; I am
+quite sufficiently inclined to believe that the men who show me
+attention are thinking more of what I have than what _I_ am. Believe me
+it is not an agreeable frame of mind. Mr. De Burgh is a strange sort of
+character. He amuses me; he is not a bit like a modern man. He doesn't
+seem to think it worth while to conceal what he feels or thinks. There
+is an odd well-bred roughness about him, if I may use such an
+expression; but I greatly prefer him to Colonel Ormonde."
+
+"Oh, you do? Colonel Ormonde is just an average man," added Miss Payne.
+
+"I should hope the general average is higher; but I must not be
+ill-natured. He has always been very kind to me."
+
+This was a pleasant interlude to Katherine. She had succeeded in hushing
+her heart to rest for a while, in banishing the thoughts which had long
+tormented her. Nothing had comforted and satisfied her as did this
+project of adopting her nephews. It is true she had not yet announced
+it, but in her own mind she resolved that once they were under her wing,
+she would not let them go again, unless indeed something quite
+unforeseen occurred; nor did she anticipate any difficulties with their
+mother. She would thus secure a natural legitimate interest in life, and
+make a home, which to a girl of her disposition was essential. Yet she
+knew well that in renouncing the idea of marriage she was denying one of
+the strongest necessities of her nature. The love and companionship of a
+man in whom she believed, for whom she could be ambitious, who would
+link her with the life and movement of the outer world, who would be the
+complement of her own being, was a dream of delight. Not that she felt
+in the least unable to stand alone, or fancied she was too delicate to
+take care of herself, but life without the love of another self could
+never be full and perfect. She was too true a woman not to value deeply
+the tenderness of a man; yet she had firmly resolved in justice to
+herself, in fairness to any possible husband, to renounce that crown of
+woman's existence. It was the only atonement she could make. Well, at
+least her loving care of these dear little boys, who were in point of
+fact motherless, would in some degree expiate her evil deed, and would
+keep her heart warm and her mind healthy.
+
+[**extra space]
+
+Possessed of the true magic, "money," obstacles faded away. The
+expedition to Sandbourne was most successful. Katherine was brighter
+than Miss Payne had ever seen her before. The day was sunny, the place
+looked cheerful and picturesque. It lay under a wooded hill, ending in a
+bold rocky point, which sheltered it and a wide bay from the easterly
+winds. A splendid stretch of golden sands offered a playground for the
+racing waves, and an old tower crowned an islet near the opposite point
+of the land, which there lay low, and was covered with gorse and
+heather.
+
+There was an objectionable row of lodging-houses, against which must be
+entered a low, red-brick, ivy-grown inn, old-fashioned, picturesque, and
+comfortable. One or two villas stood in their own grounds but were
+occupied, and one, evidently older was shut up.
+
+Perhaps because it was inaccessible, perhaps because it had a pleasant
+outlook across the bay to the island and tower at its western extremity,
+Katherine at once determined it was the very place to suit them, and
+made her way to the local house agent to see what could be done toward
+securing it. Cliff Cottage was not on his books, said the agent; but if
+the lady wished "he would apply to the owner, who had gone with his wife
+in search of health to the Riviera. In the meantime there is Amanda
+Villa, at the other end of Beach Terrace, very comfortable and elegantly
+furnished"--pointing to a glaring white edifice with a Belvedere tower
+in would-be Italian style. "I don't think you could find anything
+better." But the aspect of Amanda Villa did not please either lady, so
+they returned to Cliff Cottage: and remarking a thin curl of blue smoke
+from one of the chimneys, they ventured to make their way to a side
+entrance, where their knocking was answered by an old deaf caretaker,
+who, for a consideration, permitted them to inspect the house. It proved
+to be all Katherine wished. Though the furniture was scanty and worn, it
+was clean and well kept, and "We can easily get what is necessary," she
+concluded, with the sense of power which always goes with a full purse.
+
+"Let us go back to the agent and get the address of the owner."
+
+"Better make your offer through him," returned Miss Payne, and Katherine
+complied.
+
+The days which succeeded seemed very long. Katherine had taken a fancy
+to the quaint pretty abode, and was impatient to be settled there with
+her boys. There was a "preparatory school for young gentlemen," which
+was an additional attraction to Sandbourne, both children being
+extremely ignorant even for their tender years; and Katherine was
+greatly opposed to Colonel Ormonde's intention of sending Cecil away to
+a boarding-school. She wished him to have some preliminary training
+before he was plunged into the difficulties of a large boarding-school.
+To Colonel Ormonde her will was law, and if only she could get the house
+she wanted, all would go well.
+
+Of course Katherine lost no time in visiting her _protegee_ Rachel. She
+had written to her during her absence to let her feel that she was not
+forgotten; and the replies were not only well written and expressed, but
+showed a degree of intelligence above the average.
+
+When Katherine entered the room where Rachel sat at work she was touched
+and delighted at the sudden brightening of Rachel's sunken eyes, the
+joyous flush that rose to her cheek.
+
+"Oh!" she exclaimed, "I did not expect you so soon. How good of you to
+come!" She placed a chair, and in reply to Katherine's friendly
+question, "How have you been going on?" Rachel gave an encouraging
+account of herself. Mrs. Needham had introduced her to two families,
+both of whom wished her to work in the house, which, though infinitely
+disagreeable to her, she did not like to refuse.
+
+"Perhaps," she added, "the counter-irritation was good for me, for I
+feel more braced up. And of all your many benefits, dear Miss Liddell,
+nothing has done me so much good as the books you sent me, except the
+sight of yourself. Do not think I am exaggerating, but I am a mere
+machine, resigned to work because I must not die, save when I see you
+and speak to you; then I feel I can live--that I have something to live
+for, to show I am not unworthy of your trust in me. Perhaps time will
+heal even such wounds as mine. Is it not terrible to try and live
+without hope?"
+
+"But you must hope, Rachel. You are not alone. I feel truly, deeply
+interested in you; believe me, I will always be your friend. You are
+looking better, but I want to see your eyes less hollow and your mouth
+less sad. We are both young, and life has many lights and shades for us
+both, so far as we can anticipate."
+
+A long and confidential conversation ensued, in the course of which
+Katherine quite forgot there was any difference of position between
+herself and the humble dressmaker whom her bounty of purse and heart had
+restored.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+"MRS. NEEDHAM."
+
+
+When Katherine returned that afternoon she found Miss Payne was not
+alone. On the sofa opposite to her sat a lady--a large, well-dressed
+lady--with bright black eager eyes, and a high color. She held open on
+her lap a neat black leather bag, from which she had taken some papers,
+and was speaking quickly, in loud dictatorial tones, when Katherine came
+in.
+
+"Here is Miss Liddell," said Miss Payne.
+
+"Ah! I am very glad," cried the large lady, starting up and letting the
+bag fall, much of its contents scattering right and left.
+
+"Mrs. Needham, Miss Liddell," said Miss Payne, with the sort of rigid
+accent which Katherine knew expressed disapprobation.
+
+"Oh, thank you--don't trouble!" exclaimed Mrs. Needham, as Katherine
+politely bent down to collect the letters, note-book, memorandum, etc.
+"So sorry! I am too careless in small matters. Now, my dear Miss
+Liddell, I must explain myself. Mr. Payne and I are deeply interested in
+the success of a bazar which I am trying to organize, and he suggested
+that I should see you and make our objects thoroughly clear."
+
+With much fluency and distinctness she proceeded to describe the origin
+and progress of the work she advocated, showing the necessity for a new
+wing to the "Children's Refuge," and entreating Katherine's assistance
+at the bazar.
+
+This Katherine gently but firmly declined. "I shall be most happy to
+send you a check, but more I cannot undertake," she said.
+
+"Well, that is very good of you; and in any case I am very pleased to
+have made your acquaintance. Mr. Payne has told me how ready you are to
+help in all charitable undertakings. Now in an ordinary way I don't do
+much in this line; my energies have been directed to another channel. I
+am not what is generally called a religious woman; I am too broad in my
+views to please the orthodox; but, at the same time, religion is in our
+present stage essential."
+
+"I am sure religion is much obliged to you," observed Miss Payne. "How
+do you and my brother get on?"
+
+"Remarkably well. _I_ think him rather a fanatic; he thinks me a pagan.
+But we both have common-sense enough to see that each honestly wishes to
+help suffering humanity, and on that broad platform we meet. Mr. Payne
+tells me you don't know much of London, Miss Liddell. I can help you to
+see some of its more interesting sides. I shall be most happy, though I
+am a very busy woman. I am a journalist, and my time is not my own."
+
+"Indeed?" cried Katherine. "You mean you write for newspapers?"
+
+"Yes; that is, I get what crumbs fall from the press_men's_ table. They
+get the best work and the best pay; but I can work as well as most of
+them, and sometimes mine goes in in place of what some idle,
+pleasure-loving scamp has neglected. Let me see"--pulling out her
+watch--"five minutes to four. I must not stay. I have to look in at Mrs.
+Rayner's studio; she has a reception, and will want a mention of it.
+Then there are Sir Charles Goodman's training schools for deaf-mutes and
+the new Art Photography Company's rooms to run through before I go to
+the House of Commons to do my 'Bird's-eye View' letter for the
+Australian mail to-morrow."
+
+"My dear Mrs. Needham, you take my breath away!" exclaimed Katherine. "I
+am sure you could show me more of London--I mean what I should like to
+see--than any one else."
+
+"Very well. Let me know when you come back to town, and you shall hear a
+debate if you like. I am not a society woman, but I have the _entree_ to
+most places. Now good-morning--good-morning. You see your agreeable
+conversation has made me forget the time." And shaking hands cordially,
+she hastened away.
+
+"_Our_ agreeable conversation," repeated Miss Payne, with a somewhat
+cynical accent. "I wonder how many words you and I uttered! Why she
+makes me stupid. Really Gilbert ought not to inflict such a tornado on
+us."
+
+"I like her," said Katherine; "there is something kind and true about
+her. I should like to see some of the places she goes to and the work
+she does. She seems happy enough, too. I must not forget to write to her
+and send that check I promised."
+
+"Hem! If you give right and left you'll not have much left for
+yourself," growled Miss Payne. Katherine laughed.
+
+"Oh, by-the-way," resumed her chaperon, "I forgot to tell you that
+Colonel Ormonde arrived, shortly after you went out, with a large basket
+of flowers. He was vexed at missing you. He came up about some business,
+and wanted to take you to see some one. However, he could not come back.
+I can't say that I think he is well mannered. He was quite rough and
+brusque, and asked with such an ill-bred sneer if you were off on any
+private business with my brother."
+
+"I can't help thinking that he was annoyed because I appointed Mr. Payne
+co-trustee with Mr. Newton to my deed of gift," said Katherine,
+thoughtfully. "But I know I could not have chosen a better man."
+
+"Well, I believe so," returned his sister, graciously. "He is coming to
+dinner, so you can give him your check."
+
+It was a great day for Cis and Charlie when they arrived in London to
+stay with "auntie," who was at the station to receive and convey them to
+Wilton Street.
+
+Charlie still looked pale and thin enough to warrant a general treatment
+of cuddling and coddling calculated to satisfy any affectionate young
+woman's heart. They were to sleep at Miss Payne's residence, in order to
+be rested and fresh for their journey to the sea-side next day.
+
+Miss Payne herself was unusually amiable, for she had let her house
+satisfactorily for the greater part of the season, and this as Katherine
+paid for the Sandbourne villa, was clear gain.
+
+When the boys and their auntie drove up to Miss Payne's abode she was a
+good deal annoyed to find De Burgh at the door in the act of leaving a
+card. He hastened to hand her out of the carriage, exclaiming:
+
+"This is the first bit of luck I have had for weeks. You always manage
+to be out when I call. Come along, my boys. What lucky little fellows
+you are to come to town for the season!"
+
+"Ah, but we are not going to stay in town. We are going to the sea-side
+to bathe, and to sail in boats, and--"
+
+"Run in, Charlie, like a good boy," interrupted Katherine. "Your tea
+will be quite ready."
+
+"I suppose you will think me horribly intrusive if I ask you to let me
+come in?" said De Burgh. There was something unusually earnest in his
+tone.
+
+"Oh, not at all," returned Katherine, politely, though she would have
+much preferred bidding him good-morning. "Here, Sarah, pray take the
+boys to their room and get their things off. I am sure they want their
+tea."
+
+Miss Payne's sedate elderly house-maid looked quite elated as she took
+Charlie's hand and, preceded by Cecil, led him upstairs.
+
+"Are you really 'out' when I come?" asked De Burgh when they reached the
+drawing-room.
+
+Katherine took off her hat and pushed her hair off her brow as she
+seated herself in a low chair.
+
+"Yes, I think so. I do not usually deny myself to any visitor." She
+looked up, half amused, half interested, by the almost imploring
+expression of his usually hard face.
+
+"I rather suspect I am not a favored guest?"
+
+"Why do you say that, Mr. De Burgh? am I uncivil?"
+
+"No. What a fool I am making of myself! Tell me, are you really going
+away to-morrow to bury yourself alive?"
+
+"I am _really_."
+
+"After all, I believe you are right. _I_ am always bored in London.
+Women think it a paradise."
+
+"I like London so well that I shall probably make it my headquarters."
+
+"It's rather premature for you to make plans, isn't it?"
+
+"Whether it is or not, I have arranged my future much to my own
+satisfaction."
+
+"The deuce you have! What, at nineteen?"
+
+"Is that an attempt to find out my age?" asked Katherine, laughing.
+
+"No! for I fancy I know it. How far is this place you are going to from
+town, and how do you get to it?"
+
+"The journey takes about three hours and a half, and you travel by the
+Southwestern line."
+
+"Well, I intend to have the pleasure of running down to see you
+presently, if you will permit me."
+
+"Oh, of course, we shall be very happy to see you."
+
+"I hope so," said De Burgh, with a smile. "I don't think you are very
+encouraging. If there are any decent roads about this place, shall we
+resume the driving lessons?"
+
+"Thank you"--evasively. "I think of buying a donkey and
+chaise--certainly a pony for the boys."
+
+De Burgh laughed. "I suppose there is some boating to be had there. I
+shall certainly have a look at the place, even if I be not admitted to
+the shrine." There was a pause, during which De Burgh seemed in profound
+but not agreeable thought; then he suddenly exclaimed: "By-the-way, have
+you heard the news? Old Errington died, rather sudden at last, some time
+last night."
+
+"Indeed!" cried Katherine, roused to immediate attention. "I am very
+sorry to hear it. The marriage will then be put off. You know they were
+going to have it nearly a month sooner than was at first intended,
+because Mr. Errington feared the end was near. He was with his father, I
+hope?"
+
+"Yes, I believe he hardly left him for the last few days. Now the
+wedding cannot take place for a considerable time."
+
+"It will be a great disappointment," observed Katherine.
+
+"To which of the happy pair?"
+
+"To both, I suppose," she returned.
+
+"Do you think they cared a rap about each other?"
+
+"Yes, I do indeed. Every one has a different way of showing their
+feelings, and Mr. Errington is _quite_ different from _you_."
+
+"Different--and immensely superior, eh?"
+
+"I did not say so, Mr. De Burgh."
+
+"No, certainly you did not, and I have no right to guess at what you
+think. You are right. I am very different from Errington; and _you_ are
+very different from Lady Alice. I fancy, were you in her place, even the
+irreproachable bridegroom-elect would find he had a little more of our
+common humanity about him than he suspects," said De Burgh, his dark
+eyes seeking hers with a bold admiring glance.
+
+Katherine's cheek glowed, her heart beat fast with sudden distress and
+anger. De Burgh's suggestion stirred some strange and painful emotion.
+
+"You are in a remarkably imaginative mood, Mr. De Burgh," she said,
+haughtily. "I cannot see any connection between myself and your ideas."
+
+"Can't you? Well, my ideas gather round you very often."
+
+"I wish he would go away; he is too audacious," thought Katherine. While
+she said, "I think Mr. Errington will be sorry for his father; I believe
+he has good feeling, though he is so cold and quiet."
+
+"Oh, he has every virtue under the sun! At any rate he ought to be fond
+of him, for I fancy the old man has toiled all his life to be able to
+leave his son a big fortune."
+
+"Has he no brothers or sisters?"
+
+"Two sisters, I believe, older than himself; both married."
+
+There was another pause. Katherine would not break it. She felt
+peculiarly irritated against De Burgh. His observations had greatly
+disturbed her. She could not, however, tell him to go, and he stood
+there looking perfectly at ease. This awkward silence was broken by the
+welcome appearance of Cecil, who burst into the room, exclaiming:
+"Auntie, tea is quite ready! There is beautiful chicken pie and buttered
+cakes, and _such_ a beautiful cat!"
+
+"What! for tea, Cis?" said Katherine, letting him catch her hand and try
+to drag her away.
+
+"No--o. Why, what a silly you are! Puss is asleep in an arm-chair. Do
+come, auntie. The lady said I was tell you that tea was _quite_ ready."
+
+"Which means that the audience is over," said De Burgh; "and I rather
+think you are not sorry." He smiled--not a pleasant smile. "Well, young
+man, did you never see me before?"--to Cecil, who was staring at him in
+the deliberate, persistent way in which children gaze at objects which
+fascinate yet partly frighten them.
+
+"I was thinking you were like--" The little fellow paused.
+
+"Like whom?"
+
+Cis tightened his hold on his auntie's hand, and still hesitated.
+
+"Whom is Mr. De Burgh like?" asked Katherine, amused by the boy's
+earnestness.
+
+"Like the wicked uncle in the 'Babes in the Wood.' Auntie gave it to me.
+Such a beautiful picture book!"
+
+De Burgh laughed heartily and good-humoredly. "I can tell you, my boy,
+you would not find me a bad sort of uncle if it were ever my good
+fortune to call you nephew."
+
+"But I have no uncle--only auntie," returned Cis.
+
+"Ay, a very pearl of an auntie. Try and be a good boy. Above all, do
+what you are bid. I never did what I was bid, and you see what I have
+come to."
+
+"I don't think there is much the matter with you," said Cis, eying him
+steadily. Then, with a sudden change in the current of his thoughts, he
+cried, "Do come, auntie; the cakes will be quite cold."
+
+"I will keep you no longer from the banquet," said De Burgh. "I know you
+are wishing me at--well, my probable destination; so good-by for the
+present." Then, to Cecil: "Shall I come and see you at--what is the name
+of the place?--Sandbourne, and take you out for a sail in a boat--a big
+boat?"
+
+"Oh, yes, please."
+
+"Will you come with me, though I _am_ like the wicked uncle?"
+
+"Yes, if auntie may come too."
+
+"If she begs very hard she may. Well, good-morning, Miss Liddell. I'll
+not forget Sandbourne, _via_ Southwestern Railway." So saying, De Burgh
+shook hands and departed.
+
+The next day Miss Payne escorted her suddenly increased party to their
+marine retreat, returning the following afternoon to attend to the
+details of letting her house, for which she had had a good offer.
+
+Then came a breathing space of welcome repose to Katherine. The
+interest--nay, the trouble--of the children drew her out of herself, and
+dwarfed the past with the more urgent demands of the present. Cliff
+Cottage was a pretty, pleasant abode. The living rooms, which were of a
+good size, two of them opening with bay-windows on the pleasure-ground
+which surrounded the house on three sides, were, with the bedrooms over
+them, additions to a very small abode.
+
+These Katherine succeeded in making pretty and comfortable. To wake in
+the morning and hear the pleasant murmur of the waves; to open her
+window to the soft sweet briny air, and look out on the waters
+glittering in the early golden light; to listen to the laughter and
+shrill cries of Cis and Charlie chasing each other in the garden, and
+feel that they were her charge--all this contributed to restore her to a
+healthy state of mind, to strengthen and to cheer her.
+
+Cecil, to his dismay at first, was dispatched every morning to school,
+where he soon made friends and began to feel at home. Charlie Katherine
+taught herself, as he was still delicate. Then a pony was added to the
+establishment, and old Francois, ex-courier and factotum, used to take
+the young gentlemen for long excursions each riding turn about on the
+quiet, sensible little Shetland.
+
+The pale cheeks which helped to make Charlie so dear to his aunt began
+to show something of a healthy color before the end of May, and
+Katherine sometimes laughed to find herself boasting of Cecil's parts
+and progress to Miss Payne. But the metamorphosis wrought by the young
+magicians in this important personage was the most remarkable of the
+effects they produced. Had Miss Liddell been less pleasant and
+profitable, it is doubtful if Miss Payne would have consented to allow
+children--boys--to desecrate the precincts of her spotless dwelling;
+they were in her estimation extremely objectionable. Katherine was,
+however, a prime favorite; she had touched Miss Payne as none of her
+former inmates ever did.
+
+Years of battling with the world had coated her heart with a tolerably
+hard husk; but there was a heart beneath the stony sheath, and by some
+occult sympathy Katherine had pierced to the hidden fount of feeling,
+and her chaperon found there was more flavor and warmth in life than she
+once thought.
+
+When, therefore, she had completed her business in London and was
+settled at Cliff Cottage, she was surprised to find that the boys did
+_not_ worry her; nay, when they came racing to meet her in wild delight
+to show a tangled dripping mass of shells and sea-weed which they had
+collected in their wading, scrambling wanderings on the shore and among
+the rocks, she found herself unbending, almost involuntarily, and
+examining their treasures with unfeigned interest. Then Cecil's very
+fluent descriptions of his experiences at school, his escapades, his
+torn garments, the occasional quarrels between the two boys, their
+appropriation of Francois, and their breakages--all seemed to grow
+natural and pardonable when the young culprits ran to take her by the
+hand, and looked in her face with their innocent, trusting eyes. On the
+whole, Miss Payne had never been so happy before, and Katherine forgot
+the shifting sands on which she was uprearing the graceful fabric of her
+tranquil life.
+
+Sometimes they lured Bertie to spend a couple of days with them--days
+which were always marked with a white stone. What arguments and rambles
+Katherine enjoyed with him, and what goodly checks she drew to further
+his numerous undertakings!
+
+De Burgh did not fail to carry out his threat of inspecting Sandbourne.
+He found a valid excuse in a commission from Colonel Ormonde to advise
+Miss Liddell respecting a pair of ponies she had asked him to buy for
+her.
+
+His visit was not altogether displeasing. No woman is quite indifferent
+to a man who admires her in the hearty, wholesale way which De Burgh did
+not try to conceal. Katherine was much too feminine not to like the
+incense of his devotion, especially when he kept it within certain
+limits. She did not credit him with any deep feeling; but in spite of
+her strong conviction that he was attracted by her money, she recognized
+a certain sincerity in his liking for herself. She enjoyed the idea of
+humbling his immense assurance, believing that any pain she might
+inflict would be short-lived, while he was amazed to find how swiftly
+the hours flew past when he allowed himself to spend a couple of days at
+Sandbourne--surprised to feel so little of the contemptuous bitterness
+with which he generally regarded his fellow-creatures, and sometimes
+wondered if it were possible that something more simple than even his
+boyish self had come back to him.
+
+Still, Bertie Payne was a more welcome guest than De Burgh, in spite of
+his unspoken but evident devotion. With Bertie she could speak openly of
+matters on which she would not touch when with the other. To Bertie she
+could talk of the mysteries of life, and argue on questions of belief.
+She was touched by the eagerness he showed to convert her to his own
+extremely evangelical views, and though differing from him on many
+points, she deeply respected the sincerity of his convictions.
+
+The degree of favor shown by her to "that psalm-singing Puritan," as De
+Burgh termed him, was gall and wormwood to the latter, and indeed so
+irritated his spirit that he was driven to speak of the annoyance it
+caused him to Mrs. Ormonde, of whose discretion and judgment he had but
+a poor opinion.
+
+Meantime no one heard or saw anything of Errington, who was supposed to
+be deep in the settlement of his father's affairs, and winding up the
+estate, as the well-known house of Errington ceased to exist when the
+head and founder was no more. Lady Alice had gone to stay with her
+brother and sister-in-law, who lived abroad, as it was impossible for
+her to enter into the gayeties of the season under existing
+circumstances, and the marriage was postponed until the end of July.
+
+In short, a lull had stilled the actors in this little drama. The stream
+of events had entered one of the quiet pools which here and there hold
+the most rapid current tranquil for a time.
+
+With Mrs. Ormonde all went well. She had the newest and most charming
+gowns and bonnets, mantles and hats. She found herself very well
+received by society, and quite a favorite with Lady Mary Vincent, who
+was a very popular person. So much occupied was the pretty little woman
+that May was nearly over before she could find time to accept her
+sister-in-law's repeated invitation to Cliff Cottage.
+
+"I am going down to Sandbourne on Friday," she said to De Burgh one
+evening as she was waiting for her carriage after a musical party at
+Lady Mary Vincent's.
+
+"Indeed! I thought you were going last Monday."
+
+"Oh, I could not go on Monday. But if I don't go on Friday I do not
+think I shall manage my visit at all. Tell me, what does Katherine find
+to keep her down there? Is it Bertie Payne?"
+
+"How can I tell? She seems contented enough. For that matter, she might
+find my society equally attractive. Payne does not go down as often as I
+do."
+
+"No?--but then Katherine has a leaning to sanctity, and you are no
+saint."
+
+"True. By-the-way, talking of saints, there is a report that old
+Errington's affairs were not left in as flourishing a condition as was
+expected."
+
+"Oh, nonsense! It is some mere ill-natured gossip."
+
+"I hope so. I think I will come down on Saturday and escort you back to
+town."
+
+"Pray do; it will enliven us a little." A shout of "Mrs. Ormonde's
+carriage!" cut short the conversation, and Mrs. Ormonde did not see De
+Burgh again until they met at Cliff Cottage.
+
+Mrs. Ormonde's visit, long anticipated, did not prove an unmixed
+pleasure. She objected to what she considered the terribly long drive of
+some five miles from the railway station to Katherine's secluded
+residence; she turned up her pretty little nose at the smallness of the
+cottage and its general homeliness; she evinced an unfriendly spirit
+toward Miss Payne, who was perfectly unmoved thereby; and when the boys,
+well washed and spruced up, approached her, not too eagerly, she
+scarcely noticed them. This, of course, reacted on the little fellows,
+who showed a decided inclination to avoid her.
+
+She was tired after a warm journey and previous late hours, and
+dreadfully afraid that sea air and sun together would have a ruinous
+effect on her complexion. When, however, she had had tea and made a
+fresh toilette, she took a less gloomy view of life at Sandbourne, and
+having recovered her temper, she remembered it would be wiser not to
+chafe her sister-in-law.
+
+"To be sure," thought the astute little woman, "the boys' settlement is
+out of her power to revoke; but it would be rather good if she came to
+live with us, instead of filling the pockets of this prim, presumptuous,
+self-satisfied old maid. I am sure she is awfully selfish, and I do hate
+selfishness."
+
+So reflecting, she descended serene and smiling. Half an hour after, she
+had so completely recovered herself as to declare she had never seen the
+boys look so well, that they were quite grown, etc., etc.
+
+After dinner Cecil displayed his exercise and copy books, and received a
+due meed of praise, not unmixed with a little sarcastic remark or two
+respecting the wonderful effect of his aunt's influence, which did not
+escape the notice of her son, who felt, though he did not understand
+why, that she was not quite so well pleased as she affected to be.
+
+"And don't you feel dreadfully dull here?" asked Mrs. Ormonde, as the
+sisters-in-law strolled along the beach under the shelter of the east
+cliff, which hid them from the bright morning sunlight.
+
+"No, not as yet. I should not like to live here always; but at present I
+like the place. You must confess it is very pretty."
+
+"Yes, just now, when the weather is fine. When you have rain and a gale,
+it must be fearfully dreary."
+
+"We have had some rough days, but the bay has a beauty of its own even
+in a storm, and we shall not be here in the winter."
+
+"De Burgh runs down to see you pretty often?" asked Mrs. Ormonde, after
+a short pause. The old regimental habit of calling men by their surnames
+still returned when she was off guard.
+
+"Yes," replied Katherine, calmly; "he seems to enjoy a day by the
+sea-side."
+
+Mrs. Ormonde laughed--a hard laugh. "I dare say _you_ enjoy it too."
+
+"Mr. De Burgh is not particularly sympathetic to me, but I like him
+better than I did."
+
+"Oh, I dare say he makes himself very pleasant to you, and I never knew
+him show attention to an unmarried woman before, nor to many married
+women either. Of course it would be absurd to suppose that if you had
+not a good fortune you would see quite so much of him."
+
+"Naturally," returned Katherine. "I fancy my money would be of great use
+to him; so it would to most men. That does not affect me. If it is an
+incentive to make them agreeable and useful, why, so be it."
+
+"I did not expect to hear _you_ talk like that. Now I hate and despise
+mercenary men."
+
+"Well, you see, the man or the woman _must_ have money or there can be
+no marriage."
+
+"How worldly you have grown, Kate!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, in a superior
+tone. She did not perceive anything but sober seriousness in her
+sister-in-law's tone, and was infinitely annoyed at her taking the
+insinuations against De Burgh's disinterestedness with such
+indifference. "I suppose you think it would be a very fine thing to be
+Baroness De Burgh, and go to court with all the family jewels on."
+
+"I shall certainly not go as Katherine Liddell."
+
+"Pray, why not? Ah, yes; it would all be very fine! But I am too deeply
+interested in you, dear, not to warn you that De Burgh would make a very
+bad husband; he has such a horrid, sneering way sometimes; and as to
+being faithful--constancy is a thing unknown to him."
+
+"What would Colonel Ormonde say if he knew you gave his favorite kinsman
+so bad a character?"
+
+"Oh, my dear Katherine, you must not betray me! Duke would be furious.
+But of course your happiness is my first consideration."
+
+"Thank you," returned Katherine, gravely.
+
+"And Mr. Payne, how does he like Mr. De Burgh's visits here?"
+
+"I don't think he minds"--seriously. "I should be sorry if he were
+annoyed. I am very fond of Bertie Payne."
+
+This declaration somewhat bewildered Mrs. Ormonde. But before she could
+find suitable words to reply, Charlie came running to meet them, jumping
+up to kiss his aunt first, and cried; "Mr. De Burgh has come. I saw him
+driving up to the hotel outside the omlibus."
+
+"The omnibus!" repeated Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"He would find no other conveyance from the train unless he ordered one
+previously," said Katherine, laughing.
+
+"Dear me! I suppose he will be here directly. How early he must have
+started!" in a tone of annoyance. "I feel so hot and uncomfortable after
+this dreadfully long walk, I _must_ change my dress before I see any
+one." And she hastened on.
+
+After holding his aunt's hand for a while, Charlie darted away to
+overtake Francois, whom he perceived at a little distance.
+
+"I declare, Katherine, you are quite supplanting me with those boys!"
+exclaimed their mother, querulously.
+
+"Ada, I would not for the world wean them from you, if--I
+mean"--stopping the words which rushed to her lips. "I should be sorry.
+But you have new ties--another boy. Could you not spare Cis and Charlie
+to me--for I have no one?"
+
+"I am sure that is your own fault. However, if after three or four
+months' experience you are not tired of them, I shall be very much
+surprised."
+
+On reaching the house, Mrs. Ormonde went straight to her own apartment
+to "refit," and Katherine sat down in the smaller drawing or morning
+room, which looked west and was cool. She had not been there many
+minutes before De Burgh was announced.
+
+"Alone!" he exclaimed. "Where is Mrs. Ormonde?"
+
+"She will be here immediately."
+
+"Has she persuaded you to return with her? I wish you would. Lady G----
+gives a dinner at Richmond on Thursday; it will be rather amusing. I
+know most of the fellows who are going, and I think you would enjoy it.
+You like good talkers, I know."
+
+"Thank you; I have refused."
+
+"Absolutely?"
+
+"Absolutely."
+
+De Burgh came over and leaned his shoulder against the side of the
+window opposite to where Katherine sat.
+
+"What are you thinking of, if I may ask, Miss Liddell?" he said. "You
+have scarcely heard what I said. They are not pleasant thoughts, I
+fancy."
+
+"No," she returned, glad to put them into words that she might exorcise
+them. "Ada has just reproached me with supplanting her with her boys,
+and it made me feel, as Americans say 'bad.'"
+
+"Why?" he asked. "Why should you not? I would lay long odds that you
+love them more than she does. You are more a real mother to them. Why
+are you always straining at gnats? You really lose a lot of time, which
+might be more agreeably occupied, worrying over the rights and wrongs of
+things. Follow my example: go straight ahead for whatever you desire,
+provided it's not robbery, and let things balance themselves."
+
+"Has that system made you supremely happy?"
+
+"Happy! Oh, that is a big word. I have had some splendid spurts of
+enjoyment; and now I have an object to win. It will give me a lot of
+trouble; it's the heaviest stake I ever played for; but it will go hard
+with me if I don't succeed."
+
+De Burgh had been looking out at the stretch of water before him as he
+spoke, but at his last words his eyes sought Katherine's with a look she
+could not misunderstand. She shivered slightly, an odd passing sense of
+fear chilling her for a moment as she turned to lay her hat upon the
+table near, saying, in a cold, collected tone.
+
+"You must always remember that the firmest resolution cannot insure
+success."
+
+"It goes a long way toward it, however," he replied.
+
+"Ah, there is Cis!" cried Katherine, glad to turn the conversation,
+"come back from school. Are you not earlier than usual, Cis?"--as the
+boy came bounding over the grass to the open window.
+
+"No, auntie; it is one o'clock."
+
+"Well, young man," said De Burgh, who was not sorry to be interrupted,
+as he felt he was treading dangerous ground, and with instinctive tact
+endeavored always to keep friends with Katherine's pets, "I have brought
+you a present, if auntie will allow you to keep it."
+
+"What is it?--a box of tools, real tools? I do so want a box of tools!
+But auntie is afraid I will cut myself."
+
+"No; it's a St. Bernard puppy that promises to turn out a fine dog."
+
+"Oh, thank you! thank you! that _is_ nice. I don't think you are a bit
+like the wicked uncle now. May I go and fetch it now, this moment?"
+
+"Not till after dinner, dear."
+
+"Oh, isn't it jolly! A real St. Bernard dog!"--capering about. "You
+_are_ a nice man!"
+
+"What _are_ you making such a noise for, Cis?" exclaimed his mother
+coming in, looking admirably well, fresh, becomingly dressed. "Go away,
+dear, and be made tidy for your dinner. Well, Mr. De Burgh, I never
+dreamed of your arriving so early. Did you get up in the middle of the
+night?"
+
+"Not exactly. The fact is, I must drive over to Revelstoke late this
+evening and catch the mail train. I have a command to dine with the
+Baron to-morrow, to talk over some business of importance, and dared not
+refuse, as you can imagine. The everlasting old tyrant has been quite
+amiable to me of late."
+
+"Then you'll not be here to escort me back to town, and I hate
+travelling alone!" cried Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"Unfortunately no," said De Burgh. "But I have a piece of news for you
+that will freeze the marrow in your bones: Errington is completely
+ruined."
+
+"Impossible!" cried both his hearers at once.
+
+"It's too true, I assure you. When, after the old man's death, he began
+to look into things with his solicitor, he was startled to find certain
+deficiencies. Then the head clerk, the manager, who had everything in
+his hands--bossed the show, in short--disappeared, and on further
+examination it proved that the whole concern was a mere shell, out of
+which this scoundrel had sucked the capital. There was an awful amount
+of debt to other houses, several of which would have come down, and
+ruined the unfortunates connected with them, if Errington had not come
+forward and sacrificed almost all he possessed to retrieve the credit of
+his name. He says he ought to have undertaken the risks as well as
+reaped the profit of the concern. Garston Hall is advertised for sale;
+so is the house in Berkley Square; his stud is brought to the
+hammer--everything is given up. What he'll do I haven't an idea. But I
+must say I think his sense of honor is a little overstrained."
+
+"And Lady Alice!" ejaculated Katherine.
+
+"Of course Melford will soon settle that, if it is not settled already,
+for a good deal was done before the matter got wind. There hasn't been
+such a crash for a long time. In short, Errington is utterly, completely
+ruined."
+
+"I never heard of such a fool!" cried Mrs. Ormonde. "It was bad enough
+to be disappointed of the wealth old Errington was supposed to have left
+behind him, but to give up everything! Why, he is only fit for a lunatic
+asylum. What an awful disappointment for poor Lady Alice!"
+
+Katherine did not, could not speak. The rush of sorrow for the heavy
+blow which had fallen on the man she had robbed, the shame and
+self-reproach, which had been lulled asleep for a while, which now woke
+up with renewed power to torment and irritate--these were too much for
+her self-control, and while Mrs. Ormonde and De Burgh eagerly discussed
+the catastrophe, she kept silence and struggled to be composed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+CONFESSION.
+
+
+"Errington is completely ruined!" De Burgh's words repeated themselves
+over and over again in Katherine's ears through the darkness and silence
+of her sleepless night. What would become of him--that grave, stately
+man who had never known the touch of anything common or unclean? How
+would he live? And what an additional blow the rupture of his engagement
+with Lady Alice! He was certainly very fond of her. It was like him to
+give up all he possessed to save the honor of his name, but how would it
+be if he were penniless? Had _she_ not robbed him, he might have enough
+to live comfortably after satisfying every one. As she thought, a
+resolution to restore what she had taken formed itself in her mind.
+Perhaps if he could show that he had still a solid capital, his
+engagement to Lady Alice need not be broken off. If she could restore
+him to competence, he would not refuse some provision for the poor dear
+boys. Were she secure on _this_ point, she would be happier without the
+money than with it. But the humiliation of confession--and to _such_ a
+father confessor? How could she do it? Yet it must be done.
+
+"Good gracious, Katherine, you look like a ghost!" was Mrs. Ormonde's
+salutation when the little party met at breakfast next morning. "Pray
+have you seen one?"
+
+"Yes; I have been surrounded by a whole gallery of ghosts all
+night--which means that a bad conscience would not let me sleep."
+
+"What nonsense! Why, you are a perfect saint, Kate, in some ways; but in
+others I must say you are foolish; yes, dear, I must say it--_very_
+foolish."
+
+"I dare say I am," returned Katherine; "but whether I am or not, I have
+an intense headache, so you must excuse me if I am very stupid."
+
+"I am sure you want change, Katherine. Do come back with me to town.
+There is quite time enough to put up all you want before 11, and the
+train goes at 11.10. There is a little dance, 'small and early' at Lady
+Mary Vincent's this evening, and I know she would be delighted to see
+you."
+
+"I do not think hot rooms the best cure for a headache," observed Miss
+Payne; "and till yesterday Katherine had been looking remarkably well.
+She was out boating too long in the sun."
+
+"You are very good to trouble about me, Ada. My best cure is quiet. I
+will go and lie down as soon as I see you off, and I dare say shall be
+myself again in the evening. I may come up to town for a day or two
+before you return to Castleford, but I will let you know."
+
+Nothing more was said on the subject then, but when Katherine returned
+from the station after bidding her sister-in-law good-by, Miss Payne met
+her with a strong recommendation to take some "sal volatile and water,
+and to lie down at once."
+
+"I did not, of course, second Mrs. Ormonde's suggestions--the idea of
+your going for rest or health to _her_ house!--but I am really vexed to
+see you look so ill. How do you feel?"
+
+"Very well disposed to follow your good advice. If I could get some
+sleep, I should be quite well." Katherine smiled pleasantly as she
+spoke. She was extremely thankful to secure an hour or two of silence
+and solitude.
+
+During the night her heart, her brain, were in such a tumult she could
+not think consecutively. Alone in her room, and grown calmer, she could
+plan her future proceedings and screw her courage to the desperate
+sticking-point of action such as her conscience dictated.
+
+She fastened her door and set her window wide open. After gazing for
+some time at the sea, golden and glittering in the noonday sun, and
+inhaling the soft breeze which came in laden with briny freshness, she
+lay down and closed her eyes. But though keeping profoundly still, no
+restful look of sleep stole over her set face; no, she was thinking
+hard, for how long she could not tell. When, however, she came
+downstairs to join Miss Payne at tea, the anxious, nervous, alarmed
+expression of her eyes had changed to one of gloomy composure.
+
+"Though I do not care to stay with Ada, I want to go to town to-morrow
+for a little shopping, and to see Mr. Newton if I can. I will take the
+quick train at half-past eight and return in the evening. You might send
+to meet the nine o'clock express. Should anything occur to keep me, I
+will telegraph."
+
+"Very well"--Miss Payne's usual reply to Katherine's propositions. "But
+are you quite sure you feel equal to the journey?"
+
+"Yes, quite equal," returned Katherine, with a short deep sigh. "I
+believe it will do me good."
+
+
+That Errington had been stunned by the blow which had fallen so suddenly
+upon him cannot be disputed. His first and bitterest concern was dread
+lest the character of his father's house, which had always stood so
+high, lest the honor of his own name, should suffer the smallest
+tarnish. It was this that made him so eager to ascertain the full
+liabilities of the firm, so ready to sacrifice all he possessed so that
+no one save himself should be the loser. "If I accepted a handsome
+fortune from transactions over which I exercised no supervision, I must
+hold myself doubly responsible for the result," he argued, and at once
+set to work to turn all he possessed into money.
+
+In truth the prospect of poverty did not dismay him.
+
+His tastes were very simple. It was the loss of power and position,
+which wealth always bestows, which he would feel most, and the necessity
+of renouncing Lady Alice.
+
+This was imperative. Yet it surprised him to perceive how little he felt
+the prospect of parting with her on his own account. Indeed he was
+rather ashamed of his indifference. It was for Lady Alice he felt. It
+would be such a terrible disappointment--not that Errington had much
+personal vanity. He hoped and thought Lady Alice Mordaunt liked him in a
+calm and reasonable manner, which is the best guarantee for married
+happiness. But it was the loss of a tranquil home, a luxurious life, an
+escape from the genteel poverty of a deeply embarrassed earl's daughter
+to the ease and comfort of a rich man's wife, that he deplored for her.
+Poor helpless child! she would probably find a rich husband ere long who
+would give her all possible luxuries, for a noble's daughter of high
+degree is generally a marketable article. But he, Miles Errington, would
+have been kind and patient. Would that other possible fellow be kind and
+patient too? Knowing his own sex, Errington doubted it. He had a certain
+amount of the generosity which belongs to strength. To children, and the
+kind of pretty, undecided women who rank as children, he was wonderfully
+considerate. But it was quite possible that were he married to a
+sensible, companionable wife he might be exacting.
+
+At present it seemed highly improbable that he should ever reach a
+position which would enable him to commit matrimony. Thirty-four is
+rather an advanced age at which to begin life afresh.
+
+The prospect of bachelorhood, however, by no means dismayed him. Indeed
+it was more a sense of his social duties as a man of fortune and a
+future senator that had impelled him to seek a wife, not an irresistible
+desire for the companionship of a ministering spirit. He was truly
+thankful that his marriage had bean delayed, and that he was not
+hampered by any sense of duty toward a wife in his design of sacrificing
+his all to save his credit.
+
+After the first few days of stunning surprise, Errington set vigorously
+to work to clear the wreck. Garston was advertised; his stud, his
+furniture--everything--put up for sale, and his own days divided between
+his solicitor and his stock-broker. His first step was to explain
+matters to his intended father-in-law, who, being an impulsive,
+self-indulgent man, swore a good deal about the ill-luck of all
+concerned, but at once declared the engagement must be at an end.
+
+As Lady Alice was still in Switzerland with her brother and his wife, it
+was considered wise to spare her the pain of an interview. Lord Melford
+explained matters to his daughter in an extremely outspoken letter,
+enclosing one from Errington, in which, with much good feeling, he bade
+her a kindly farewell. To this she replied promptly, and a week saw the
+extinction of the whole affair. Errington could not help smiling at this
+"rapid act." It was then about three weeks after the blow had fallen--a
+warm glowing June morning. Errington's man of business had just left
+him, and he had returned to his writing-table, which was strewn, or
+rather covered, with papers (nothing Errington ever handled was
+"strewn"), and continued his task of making out a list of his
+private liabilities, which were comparatively light, when his
+valet--not yet discharged, though already warned to look for another
+master--approached, with his usually impassive countenance, and
+presented a small note.
+
+Errington opened it, and to his inexpressible surprise read as follows:
+
+
+  "TO MR. ERRINGTON,--Allow me to speak to you alone.
+                                         "KATHERINE LIDDELL."
+
+
+"Who brought this?" asked Errington, suppressing all expression as well
+as he could.
+
+"A young person in black, sir--leastways I think she's young."
+
+"Show her in; and, Harris, I am engaged if any one calls."
+
+Errington went to the door to meet his most unexpected visitor. The next
+moment she stood before him. He bowed with much deference. She bent her
+head in silence, but did not offer to shake hands. She wore a black
+dress and a very simple black straw hat, round which a white gauze veil
+was tied, which effectually concealed her face.
+
+"Pray sit down," was all Errington could think of saying, so astonished
+was he at her sudden appearance.
+
+Katherine took a seat opposite to his. She unfastened and took off her
+veil, displaying a face from which her usual rich soft color had faded,
+sombre eyes, and tremulous lips. Looking full at him, she said, without
+greeting of any kind, "Do you think me mad _to_ come here?"
+
+"I am a little surprised; but if I can be of any use--" Errington began
+calmly. She interrupted him.
+
+"I hope to be of use to _you_. No one except myself can explain how or
+why; that is the reason I have intruded upon you."
+
+"You do not intrude, Miss Liddell. I am quite at your service; only I
+hope you are not distressing yourself on my account."
+
+"On yours and my own." Her eyes sank, and her hands played nervously
+with the handle of a small dainty leather bag she carried, as she
+paused. Then, looking up steadily, and speaking in a monotonous tone, as
+if she were repeating a lesson, with parched lips she went on: "I did
+you a great wrong some years ago. I was sorry, but I had not the courage
+to atone until I learned (only yesterday) that you had lost, or rather
+given up, your fortune, and that your engagement might be broken off. (I
+_must_ speak of these things. You will forgive me before I come to an
+end.) Then I felt something stronger than myself that forced me to tell
+you all." Her heart beat so hard that her voice could not be steadied.
+She stopped to breathe.
+
+"I fear you are exciting yourself needlessly," said Errington, quite
+bewildered, and almost fearing that his visitor's brain was affected.
+
+"Oh, listen!--do listen! My uncle, John Liddell, your father's old
+friend, left all his money to you. I hid the will, and succeeded as next
+of kin. The property amounts to something more than eighty thousand
+pounds, and I have not spent half the income, so there are some savings
+besides. Can you not live comfortably on that, and marry Lady Alice?"
+
+Errington gazed at her for a moment speechless. A sigh of relief broke
+from Katherine. The color rose to her cheeks, her throat, her small
+white ears, and then slowly faded.
+
+"I can hardly understand you, Miss Liddell. I fear you are under the
+effect of some nervous hallucination."
+
+"I am not. I can prove I am not." She drew forth the packet inscribed
+"MS. to be destroyed," and laid it before him. "There is the will. Thank
+God I never could bring myself to destroy it. Here, pray read it." She
+opened the document and handed it to him.
+
+There were a few moments' dead silence while Errington hastily skimmed
+the will. "_I_ am most reluctantly obliged to believe you," he said at
+length. "But what an extraordinary circumstance! How"--looking earnestly
+at her--"how did it ever occur to you to--to--"
+
+"To commit a felony?" put in Katherine, as he paused.
+
+"No; I was not going to use such a word," he said, gravely, but not
+unkindly.
+
+"If you have time to listen I will tell you everything. Now that I have
+told the ugly secret that has made a discord in my life, I can speak
+more easily." But her sweet mouth still quivered.
+
+"Yes, tell me all," said Errington, more eagerly than perhaps he had
+ever spoken before.
+
+In a low but more composed voice Katherine gave a rapid account of the
+circumstances which led to her residence with her uncle: of her intense
+desire to help the dear mother whose burden was almost more than she
+could bear; then of the change which came to the old miser--his
+increasing interest in herself, and finally of his expressed intention
+to change his will--as she hoped, in her favor; of her leaving it, by
+his direction, in the writing-table drawer; of his terribly sudden
+death.
+
+Then came the great temptation. "When Mr. Newton said that if the will
+existed it would be in the bureau, but that as he had been on the point
+of making another, so he (Mr. Newton) hoped he had destroyed the last,"
+continued Katherine, "a thought darted through my brain. Why should it
+be found? _He_ no longer wished its provisions to be carried out. I
+should not, in destroying or suppressing it, defeat the wishes of the
+dead. I determined, if Mr. Newton asked me a direct question, I would
+tell him the truth; if not, I would simply be silent. In short, I
+mentally _tossed_ for the guidance of my conduct. Silence won. Mr.
+Newton asked nothing; he was too glad that everything was mine. He has
+been very, very good to me. I imagined that half my uncle's money would
+go to my brother's children, but it did not; so when I came of age I
+settled a third upon them. Of course the deed of gift is now but so much
+waste paper, and for them I would earnestly implore you to spare a
+little yearly allowance for education, to prepare them to earn their own
+bread. I feel sure you will do this, and I do deeply dread their being
+thrown on Colonel Ormonde's charity; their lot would be very miserable.
+My poor little boys!" Her voice broke, and she stopped abruptly.
+
+Errington's eyes dwelt upon her, almost sternly, with the deepest
+attention, while she spoke. Nor did he break silence at once; he leaned
+back in his chair, resting one closed hand on the table before him. At
+last he exclaimed: "I wish you had not told me this! I could not have
+imagined you capable of such an act."
+
+"And more," said Katherine; "although I wish to make what reparation I
+can, had that act to be done again--even with the anticipation of this
+bitter hour--I'd do it."
+
+She looked straight into Errington's eyes, her own aflame with sudden
+passion. He was silent, his brow slightly knit, a puzzled expression in
+his face. The natural motion of his mind was to condemn severely such a
+lawless sentiment, yet he could not resist thinking of those brilliant
+speaking eyes, nor help the conviction that he had never met a real live
+woman before. It was like a scene on the stage; for demonstrative
+emotion always appeared theatrical to him, only it was terribly earnest
+this time.
+
+"You would not say so were you calmer," said Errington, in a curious
+hesitating manner. "Why--why did you not come and tell me your need for
+your uncle's money? Do you think I am so avaricious as to retain the
+fortune, or all the fortune, that ought to have been yours, when I had
+enough of my own?"
+
+"How could I tell?" she cried. "If I knew you then as I do now I
+_should_ have asked you, and saved my soul alive; but what did the name
+of Errington convey to me? Only the idea of a greedy enemy! Are men so
+ready to cast the wealth they can claim into the lap of another? When
+you spoke to me that day at Castleford I thought I should have dropped
+at your feet with the overpowering sense of shame. But withal, when I
+remember my disappointment, my utter inability to help my dear
+overtasked mother, round whom the net of difficulty, of debt, of
+fruitless work, was drawing closer and closer, I again feel the
+irresistible force of the temptation. You, who are wise and strong and
+just, might have resisted; but"--with a slight graceful gesture of
+humility--"you see what I am."
+
+"If you had stopped to think!" Errington was beginning with unusual
+severity, for he was irritated by the confusion in his own mind, which
+was so different from his ordinary unhesitating decision between right
+and wrong.
+
+"But when you love any one very much--so entirely that you know every
+change of the dear face, the meaning even of the drooping hand or the
+bend of the weary head; when you know that a true brave heart is
+breaking under a load of care--care for you, for your future, when it
+will no longer be near to watch over and uphold you--and that no thought
+or tenderness or personal exertion can lift that load, only the magic of
+gold, why, you would do almost anything to get it. Would you not if you
+loved like _this_?" concluded Katherine. She had spoken rapidly and with
+fire.
+
+"But I never have," returned Errington, startled.
+
+"Then," said she, with some deliberation, "wisdom for you is from one
+entrance quite shut out." She pressed her handkerchief to her eyes, and
+was very still during a pause, which Errington hesitated to break.
+
+"It is no doubt lost breath to excuse myself to a man of your character,
+only do believe I was not meanly greedy! Now I have told you everything,
+I readily resign into your hands what I ought never to have taken.
+And--and you will spare my nephews wherewithal to educate them? Do what
+I can, this is beyond my powers, but I trust to your generosity not to
+let them be a burden on Colonel Ormonde. I leave the will with you." She
+made a movement as if to put on her veil.
+
+"Listen to me, Miss Liddell," said Errington, speaking very earnestly
+and with an effort. "You are in a state of exaltation, of mental
+excitement. The consciousness of the terrible mistake into which you
+were tempted has thrown your judgment off its balance. I do not for an
+instant doubt the sincerity of your proposition, but a little reflection
+will show you I could not entertain it."
+
+"Why not? I am quite willing to bear the blame, the shame, I deserve,
+rather than see you parted from the woman who was so nearly your wife,
+who would no doubt suffer keenly, and who--"
+
+"Pray hear me," interrupted Errington. "To part with Lady Alice is a
+great aggravation of my present troubles; but considering the kind of
+life to which we were both accustomed, and which she had a right to
+expect, I am sincerely thankful she was preserved from sharing my lot.
+Alone I can battle with life; distracted by knowing I had dragged _her_
+down, I should be paralyzed. I shall always remember with grateful
+regard the lady who honored me by promising to be my wife, but I shall
+be glad to know that she is in a safe position under the care of a
+worthier man than myself. _That_ matter is at rest forever. Now as to
+using the information you have placed in my power, you ask what is
+impossible. First, it is evident that the late Mr. Liddell fully
+intended to alter his will in your favor. It would have been most unjust
+to have bestowed his fortune to me. I am extremely glad it is yours."
+
+"But," again interrupted Katherine, "why should you not share it at
+least? Why should you be penniless while I am rich with what is not
+mine?"
+
+"I shall not be absolutely penniless," said Errington, smiling gravely.
+"Even if I were," he continued, with unusual animation, "do you think me
+capable of rebuilding my fortune on your disgrace? or of inventing some
+elaborate lie to account for the possession of that unlucky will? No
+amount of riches could repay me for either. I dare say the temptation
+you describe was irresistible to a nature like yours, and I dare say too
+the punishment of your self-condemnation is bitter enough. Now you must
+reflect that your duty is to keep the secret to which you have bound
+yourself. If you raise the veil which must always hide the true facts of
+your succession, you would create great unhappiness and confusion in
+Colonel Ormonde's family, and injure the innocent woman whom he would
+never have married had he not been sure you would provide for the boys.
+It would so cruel to break up a home merely to indulge a morbid desire
+for atonement. No, Miss Liddell. Be guided by me; accept the life you
+have brought upon yourself. _I_, the only one who has a right to do it,
+willingly resign what ought to have been yours without your
+unfortunately illegal act. Your secret is perfectly safe with me. Time
+will heal the wounds you have inflicted on yourself and enable you to
+forget. Leave this ill-omened document with me; it is safer than in your
+hands. Indeed there is no use in keeping it."
+
+"But what--what will become of _you?_" she asked, with strange
+familiarity, the outcome of strong excitement which carried her over all
+conventional limits.
+
+"Oh, I have had some training in the world both of men and books, and I
+hope to be able to keep the wolf from the door."
+
+"Would you not accept part at least--a sum of money, you know, to begin
+something?" asked Katherine, her voice quivering, her nerves relaxing
+from their high tension, and feeling utterly beaten, her high resolves
+of sacrifice and renunciation tumbling about her, like a house of cards,
+at the touch of common-sense.
+
+"I do not think any arrangements of the kind practicable," returned
+Errington, with a kind smile. "I understand your eagerness to relieve
+your conscience by an act of restitution, but now you are exonerated. I
+ask nothing but that you should forgive yourself, and knit up the
+ravelled web of your life. The fortune ought to be yours--is
+yours--shall be yours."
+
+"Will you promise that if you ever want help--money help--you will ask
+me? I shall have more money every year, for I shall never spend my
+income."
+
+"I shall not want help," he returned, quietly. "But though it is not
+likely we shall meet again, believe me I shall always be glad to know
+you are well and happy. Let this painful conversation be the last we
+have on this subject. For my part, I grant you plenary absolution."
+
+"You are good and generous; you are wise too; your judgment constrains
+me. Yet I hope I shall _never_ see you again. It is too humiliating to
+meet your eyes." She spoke brokenly as she tied the white veil closely
+over her face.
+
+"Nevertheless we part friends," said Errington, and held out his hand.
+She put hers in it. He felt how it trembled, and held it an instant with
+a friendly pressure. Then he opened the door and followed her to the
+entrance, where he bowed low as she passed out.
+
+Errington returned at once to his writing-table and his calculations. He
+took up his pen, but he did not begin to write. He leaned back in his
+chair and fell into an interesting train of thought. What an
+extraordinary mad proceeding it was of that girl to conceal the will! It
+was strangely unprincipled. "How impossible it is to trust a person who
+acts from impulse! The difference between masculine and feminine
+character is immense. No man with a grain of honor in him would have
+done what she did; only some dastardly hound who could cheat at cards.
+And she--somehow she seems a pure good woman in spite of all. I suppose
+in a woman's sensitive and weaker nature good and evil are less
+distinct, more shaded into each other. After all, I think I would trust
+my life to the word of this daring law-breaker." And Errington recalled
+the expressive tones of her voice, surprised to feel again the strange
+thrill which shivered through him when she had looked straight into his
+eyes, her own aglow with momentary defiance, and said, "Had it to be
+done again, I'd do it!" He had never been brought face to face with real
+emotion before. He knew such a thing existed; that it led like most
+things to good and to evil; that it was exceedingly useful to poets, who
+often touched him, and to actors, who did not; but in real every-day
+life he had rarely, if ever, seen it. The people with whom he associated
+were rich, well born, well trained; a crumpled rose leaf here and there
+was the worst trouble in their easy, conventional, luxurious lives. Of
+course he had met men on the road to ruin who swore and drank and
+gambled and generally disgraced themselves. Such cases, however, did not
+affect him much; he only touched such characters with moral tongs. Now
+this delicate, refined girl had humbled herself before him. Her sweet
+varying tones, her moist glowing eyes, the indescribable tremulous
+earnestness which was the undertone of all she said, her determined
+efforts for self-command, made a deep impression on him. Was she right
+when she said that from him "wisdom by one entrance was quite shut out?"
+At all events he felt, though he did not consciously acknowledge it even
+to himself, that this impulsive, inexperienced girl, whom he strove to
+look down upon from the unsullied heights of his own integrity, had
+revealed to him something of life's inner core which had hitherto been
+hidden from his sight.
+
+But all this dreaming was unpardonable waste of time when so much
+serious work lay before him. So Errington resolutely turned from his
+unusual and disturbing reverie, dipped his pen in the ink, and began to
+write steadily.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+PLENARY ABSOLUTION.
+
+
+Katherine never could distinctly remember what she did after leaving
+Errington. She was humbled in the dust--crushed, dazed. She felt that
+every one must perceive the stamp of "felon" upon her.
+
+The passionate desire to restore his rightful possessions to Errington,
+to confess all, had carried her through the dreadful interview. She was
+infinitely grateful to him for the kind tact with which he concealed the
+profound contempt her confession must have evoked, but no doubt that
+sentiment was now in full possession of his mind. It showed in his
+unhesitating, even scornful, rejection of her offered restitution. She
+almost regretted having made the attempt, and yet she had a kind of
+miserable satisfaction in having told the truth, the whole truth, to
+Errington; anything was better than wearing false colors in his sight.
+
+It was this sense of deception that had embittered her intercourse with
+him at Castleford; otherwise she would have been gratified by his grave
+friendly preference.
+
+How calm, how unmoved, he seemed amid the wreck of his fortunes. Yes,
+his was true strength--the strength of self-mastery. How different, how
+far nobler than the vehemence of De Burgh's will, which was too strong
+for his guidance! But Lady Alice could never have loved
+Errington--never--or she would have loved on and waited for him till the
+time came when union might be possible. Had _she_ been in her place! But
+at the thought her heart throbbed wildly with the sudden perception that
+_she_ could have loved him well, with all her soul, and rested on him,
+confident in his superior wisdom and strength--a woman's ideal love. And
+before this man she had been obliged to lay down her self-respect, to
+confess she had cheated him basely, to resign his esteem for ever! It
+was a bitter punishment, but even had she been stainless and he a free
+man, she, Katherine, was not the sort of girl _he_ would like. She was
+too impulsive, too much at the mercy of her emotions, too quick in
+forming and expressing opinions. No; the feminine reserve and
+tranquility of Lady Alice were much more likely to attract his
+affections and call forth his respect. This was an additional ingredient
+of bitterness, and Katherine felt herself an outcast, undeserving of
+tenderness or esteem.
+
+The weather was oppressively warm and sunless. A dim instinctive
+recollection of her excuse for coming to town forced Katherine to visit
+some of the shops where she was in the habit of dealing, and then she
+sat for more than a weary hour in the Ladies' Room at Waterloo Station,
+affecting to read a newspaper which she did not see, waiting for the
+train that would take her home to the darkness and stillness in which
+friendly night would hide her for a while. The journey back was a
+continuation of the same tormenting dream-like semi-consciousness, and
+by the time she reached Cliff Cottage she felt physically ill.
+
+"It was dreadfully foolish to go up to town in this heat," said Miss
+Payne, severely, when she brought up some tea to Katherine's room, where
+she retreated on her arrival. "I dare say you could have written for
+what you wanted."
+
+"Not exactly"--with a faint smile.
+
+"I never saw you look so ill. You must take some sal volatile, and lie
+down. If there had been much sun, I should have said you had had a
+sunstroke. I hope, however, a good night's rest will set you up."
+
+"No doubt it will; so I will try and sleep now."
+
+"Quite right. I will leave you, and tell the boys you cannot see them
+till to-morrow." So Miss Payne, who had a grand power of minding her own
+affairs and abstaining from troublesome questions, softly closed the
+door behind her.
+
+
+It took some time to rally from the overwhelming humiliation of this
+crisis. Katherine came slowly back to herself, yet not quite herself.
+Miss Payne had been so much disturbed by her loss of appetite, of
+energy, of color, that she had insisted on consulting the local doctor,
+who pronounced her to be suffering from low fever and nervous
+depression. He prescribed tonics and warm sea-water baths, which advice
+Katherine meekly followed. Soon, to the pride of the Sandbourne
+Æsculapius, a young practitioner, she showed signs of improvement, and
+declared herself perfectly well.
+
+Perhaps the tonic which had assisted her to complete recovery was a
+letter which reached her about a week after the interview that had
+affected her so deeply. It was addressed in large, firm, clear writing,
+which was strange to her.
+
+
+
+"I venture to trouble you with a few words," (it ran) "because when last
+I saw you I was profoundly impressed by the suffering you could not
+hide. I cannot refrain from writing to entreat you will accept the
+position in which you are placed. Having done your best to rectify what
+is now irrevocable, be at peace with your conscience. I am the only
+individual entitled to complain or interfere with your succession, and I
+fully, freely make over to you any rights I possess. Had your uncle's
+fortune passed to me, it would have been an injustice for which I should
+have felt bound to atone: nor would you have refused my proposition to
+this effect. Consider this page of your life blotted out, casting it
+from your mind. Use and enjoy your future as a woman of your nature, so
+far as I understand it, can do. It will probably be long before I see
+you again--which I regret the less because it might pain you to meet me
+before time has blunted the keen edge of your self-reproach. Absent or
+present, however, I shall always be glad to know that you are well and
+happy.
+         "Will you let me have a line in reply?
+               "Yours faithfully,              MILES ERRINGTON."
+
+
+
+The perusal of this letter brought Katherine the infinite relief of
+tears. How good and generous he was! How heartily she admired him! How
+gladly she confessed her own inferiority to him! Forgiven by him, she
+could face life again with a sort of humble courage. But oh! it would
+be impossible to meet his eyes. No; years would not suffice to blunt the
+keen self-reproach which the thought of him must always call up--the
+shame, the pride, the dread, the tender gratitude. Long and passionately
+she wept before she could recover sufficiently to write him the reply he
+asked. Then it seemed to her that the bitterness and cruel remorse had
+been melted and washed away by these warm grateful tears. He forgave
+her, and she could endure the pressure of her shameful secret more
+easily in future. At last she took her pen, and feeling that the lines
+she was about to trace would be a final farewell, wrote:
+
+
+"My words must be few, for none I can find will express my sense of the
+service _yours_ have done me. I accept your gift. I will try and follow
+your advice. Shall the day ever come when you will honor me by accepting
+part of what is your own? Thank you for your kind suggestion not to meet
+me; it would be more than I could bear. Yours,   KATHERINE."
+
+
+Then with deepest regret she tore up his precious letter into tiny
+morsels, and striking a match, consumed them. It would not do to incur
+the possibility of such a letter being read by any third pair of eyes.
+Moreover, she was careful to post her reply herself. And so, as
+Errington said, that page of her story was blotted out, at least, from
+the exterior world, but to her own mind it would be ever present: round
+this crisis her deepest, most painful, ay, and sweetest memories would
+cling. It was past, however, and she must take up her life again.
+
+She felt something of the weakness, the softness, which convalescents
+experience when first they begin to go about after a long illness, the
+dreamy, quiet pleasure of coming back to life. The boys continued to be
+her deepest interest. So time went on, and no one seemed to perceive the
+subtle change which had sobered her spirit.
+
+The season was over, and Mrs. Ormonde descended on Cliff Cottage for a
+parting visit. She had only given notice of her approach by a telegram.
+
+"You know you are quite too obstinate, Katherine," she said, as the
+sisters-in-law sat together in the drawing-room, waiting for the cool of
+the evening before venturing out. "You never came to me all through the
+season except once, when you wanted to shop, and now you refuse to join
+us at Castleford in September, when we are to have really quite a nice
+party: Mr. De Burgh and Lord Riversdale and--oh! several really good
+men."
+
+"I dare say I do seem stupid to you, but then, you see, I know what I
+want. You are very good to wish for me. Next year I shall be very
+pleased to pay you a visit."
+
+"Then what in the world will you do in the winter?"
+
+"Remain where I am--I mean with Miss Payne--and look out for a house for
+myself."
+
+"But, my dear, you are much too young to live alone."
+
+"I am twenty-one now; I shall be twenty-two by the time I am settled in
+a house of my own. And, Ada, I am going to ask you a favor. Lend me your
+boys to complete my respectability."
+
+"What! for altogether? Why, Katherine, you will marry, and--"
+
+"Well, suppose I do, that need not prevent my having the comfort of my
+nephews' company until the fatal knot is tied."
+
+"Now, dear Katherine, _do_ tell me--_are_ you engaged to any one? Not a
+foreigner?--anything but a foreigner!"
+
+"At present," said Katherine, with some solemnity, "I am engaged to two
+young men."
+
+"My dear! You of all young girls! I am astonished. There is nothing so
+deep, after all, as a demure young woman. I suppose you are in a scrape,
+and want Colonel Ormonde to help you out of it?"
+
+"I think I can manage my own affairs."
+
+"Don't be too sure. A girl with money like you is just the subject for a
+breach-of-promise case. Do I know either of these men?"
+
+"Yes, both."
+
+"Who are they?" cried Mrs. Ormonde, with deepening interest.
+
+"Cis and Charlie," returned Katherine, laughing.
+
+"I really cannot see anything amusing in this sort of stupid
+mystification," cried Mrs. Ormonde, in a huff.
+
+"Pray forgive me; but your determination to marry me out of hand tempts
+me to such naughtiness. However, be forgiving, and lend me the boys till
+next spring. They might go to Castleford for Christmas."
+
+"Oh no," interrupted Mrs. Ormonde, hastily. "I forgot to mention that
+Ormonde has almost promised to spend next Christmas in Paris. It is such
+a nuisance to be in one's own place at Christmas; there is such work
+distributing blankets and coals and things. If one is away, a check to
+the rector settles everything. I assure you the life of a country
+gentleman is not all pleasure."
+
+"Then you will let me have the boys?"
+
+"Well, dear, if you really like it, I do not see, when you have such a
+fancy, why you should not be indulged."
+
+"Thank you. And I may choose a school for Cis?"
+
+"I am sure the neither Ormonde nor I would interfere; just now it is of
+no great importance. But--of course--that is--I should like some
+allowance for myself out of their money."
+
+"Of course you should have whatever you are in the habit of receiving."
+
+After this, Mrs. Ormonde was most cordial in her approbation of
+everything suggested by her sister-in-law. The friendly conversation was
+interrupted by the entrance of Cecil with his satchel over his shoulder.
+He went straight to his young aunt and hugged her.
+
+"Well, Cis, I see you don't care for mother now," exclaimed Mrs.
+Ormonde, easily moved to jealousy, as she always was.
+
+"Oh yes, I do! only you don't like me to jump on you, and auntie doesn't
+mind about her clothes." And he kissed her heartily.
+
+"Do you want to come back to Castleford?"
+
+"What, now? when the holidays begin next week?"--this with a rueful
+expression. "Why, we were to have a sailing boat, and old Norris the
+sailor and his boy are to come out every evening."
+
+"Then you don't want to come?"
+
+"Oh, mayn't we stay a little longer, mother? It _is_ so nice here!"
+
+"You may stay as long as your aunt cares to keep you, for all I care,"
+cried Mrs. Ormonde, somewhat spitefully.
+
+"Oh, thank you, mother dear--thank you!" throwing his arms round her
+neck. "I'll be such a good boy when I come back; but it _is_ nice here.
+Then you have baby, and he does not worry you as much as we do."
+Katherine thought this a very significant reply.
+
+"There! there!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, disengaging herself from the warm
+clinging arms. "Go and wash your hands; they are frightfully dirty."
+
+"It's clean dirt, mother. I stopped on the beach to help Tom Damer to
+build up a sand fort."
+
+"Why did Miss North let you?"
+
+"Oh, I was by myself! I don't want _any_ one to take care of me," said
+Cecil, proudly.
+
+"Good heavens! do you let the child walk about alone?" cried Mrs.
+Ormonde, with an air of surprise and indignation.
+
+"Run away to Miss North," said Katherine, and as Cecil left the room she
+replied: "As Cecil is nine years old, Ada, and a very bright boy, I
+think he may very well be let to take care of himself. The school is not
+far, and he cannot learn independence too soon."
+
+"Perhaps so. But of course you know better than I do. You were always
+more learned, and all that; besides, you are not over anxious, as a
+mother would be."
+
+"Nor careless either," said Katherine thinking of the nights at
+Castleford when she used to steal to the bedside, of little feverish,
+restless Charlie, while his mother kept within the bounds of her own
+luxurious chamber.
+
+"No, no; certainly not," returned Mrs. Ormonde, remembering it was as
+well not to offend so strong a person as she felt Katherine to be. "Only
+Cecil is a tiresome, self-willed boy, and very likely to get into
+mischief."
+
+"If you wish it, Ada, I shall, of course, have him escorted to and fro
+to school."
+
+"Oh, just as you like. I suppose you know the place better than I do."
+
+"Colonel Ormonde has never come down to see me," resumed Katherine,
+after a pause. "You must tell him I am quite hurt."
+
+"Well, dear, you must know that Duke is rather vexed with you."
+
+"Vexed with me! Why?" asked Katherine, opening her eyes.
+
+"You see, he thinks you ought to have come to us for a while; and then
+De Burgh came back from this last time in such a bad temper that my
+husband thought you were not behaving well to him--making a fool of him,
+in short; inviting him down here to amuse yourself, and then refusing
+him, if you _did_ refuse."
+
+"No, I did not; for Mr. De Burgh never gave me an opportunity," cried
+Katherine, indignantly. "Nor did I ever ask him here. I cannot prevent
+his coming and lodging at the hotel. I am quite ready to talk to him,
+because he amuses me, but I am not bound to marry every man who does.
+Tell Colonel Ormonde so, with my compliments."
+
+"I am sure _I_ don't want you to marry De Burgh! Indeed, I am surprised
+at Duke; but you see, being chums and relations (and men stick together
+so), that he only thinks of De Burgh, who, _entre nous_, has been
+awfully fast. He _is_ amusing, and very _distingue_, but I am afraid he
+only cares for your money, dear."
+
+"Very likely," returned Katherine, with much composure.
+
+"Then another reason why the Colonel does not care to come down is that
+he has a great dislike to that Miss Payne. _She_ is really hostess here,
+and it worries Duke to have to be civil to her."
+
+"Why?" asked Katherine. "I can imagine her being an object of perfect
+indifference; but dislike--no!"
+
+"Well, dear, men never like that sort of women;--people, you know, who
+eke out their living by--doing things, when they are plain and old.
+Handsome adventuresses are quite another affair--they are amusing and
+attractive."
+
+"How absurd and unreasonable!"
+
+"Yes, of course; they are all like that. Then he thinks Miss Payne has a
+bad and dangerous influence on you. He disapproves of your living on
+with her, for you don't take the position you ought, and--"
+
+Katherine laughed good-humoredly as Mrs. Ormonde paused, not knowing
+very well how to finish her speech. "Colonel Ormonde will hide the light
+of his countenance from me, then, I am afraid, for a long time; for I
+like Miss Payne, and I am going to stay with her for the period agreed
+upon; and I will _not_ marry Mr. De Burgh, nor will I let him ask me to
+do so, for there is a degree of honesty about him which I like. You may
+repeat all this to your husband, Ada, and add that but for a lucky
+chance his wife and myself would have been among the sort of women who
+eke out their living by doing things. I don't think I should be afraid
+of attempting self-support if all my money were swept away."
+
+"Don't talk of such a thing!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, turning pale. "Thank
+God what you have settled on the boys is safe!"
+
+Katherine's half-contemptuous good humor carried her serenely through
+this rather irritating visit, but the totally different train of thought
+which it evoked assisted her to recover her ordinary mental tone. It
+was, however, touched by a minor key of sadness, of humility (save when
+roused by any moving cause to indignation), which gave the charm of soft
+pensiveness to her manner.
+
+Mrs. Ormonde was rather in a hurry to go back to town, as she had
+important interviews impending with milliner and dressmaker prior to a
+visit to Lady Mary Vincent at Cowes, from which she expected the most
+brilliant results, for the little woman's social ambition grew with what
+it fed upon. Nor did the rational repose of Katherine's life suit her.
+Books, music, out-door existence, were a weariness, and in spite of her
+loudly declared affection for her sister-in-law she found a curious
+restraint in conversing with her.
+
+They parted, therefore, with many kind expressions and much
+satisfaction.
+
+"I will write you an account of all our doings at Cowes. I expect it
+will be very gay and pleasant there. How I wish you were to be of the
+party, instead of moping here!" said Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"Thank you. I should like it all, no doubt, but not just now. I will
+keep you informed of our small doings."
+
+So Mrs. Ormonde steamed on her way rejoicing, and Katherine re-entered a
+pretty low pony-carriage in which she drove a pair of quiet, well-broken
+ponies, selected for her by Bertie Payne, whose conversion had not
+obliterated his carnal knowledge of horseflesh. A small groom always
+accompanied her, for though improved by the practice of driving, she did
+not like to be alone with her steeds.
+
+She had nearly reached the chief street of Sandbourne, when a tall
+gentleman in yachting dress strolled slowly round the corner of a lane
+which led to the beach. He paused and raised his hat. She recognized De
+Burgh and drew up.
+
+"And so you are driving in capital style," was his greeting; "all by
+yourself, too. Will you give me a lift back?"
+
+"Certainly. Where have you come from?"
+
+"Melford's yacht. I escorted my revered relative, old De Burgh, down to
+Cowes. He has a little villa there. As he has grown quite civil of late,
+I think it right to encourage him. Melford was there, and invited me to
+take a short cruise. So I made him land me here just now. The yacht is
+still in the offing. Lady Alice was on board."
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed Katherine, with much interest. "How is she?"
+
+"So far as one can judge from the exterior, remarkably well, and exactly
+the same as ever. It is rather funny, but they had Renshaw on board too,
+the son of the big brewer who has bought, or is going to buy,
+Errington's house in Berkeley Square. I fancy it is not impossible he
+may come in for Errington's ex-_fiancee_ as well as his ex-residence."
+
+"It cannot be, surely!" cried Katherine, flushing with a curious
+feeling.
+
+"Why not? I don't say immediately. I have no doubt everything will be
+done decently and in order."
+
+"Well, it is incomprehensible."
+
+"Not to me. What can--(Make that little brute on the off side keep up to
+the collar. You want a few lessons from me still.) What can a girl like
+Lady Alice do? She is an earl's daughter. She cannot dig; to beg she is
+ashamed; she must therefore take to herself a husband from the mammon of
+unaristocratic money-grubbers."
+
+"I should like to meet her again--poor Lady Alice!" said Katherine, more
+to herself than to her companion.
+
+"I think you are wasting your commiseration," he returned. "She seems
+quite happy."
+
+"She may be successful in hiding her feelings."
+
+De Burgh laughed. "Tell me," he asked, "do you really think Errington is
+the sort of fellow women break their hearts about?"
+
+"I cannot tell. He seems to me very good and very nice."
+
+"That is a goody-goody description. Well done!"--as Katherine guided
+her ponies successfully through the gate of her abode and turned them
+round the gravel sweep. "I must say you have a pretty little nook here."
+
+"Had you arrived an hour sooner you would have seen Mrs. Ormonde. I have
+just seen her off by the 12.30 train. She has been paying us a farewell
+visit, and is gone to Lady Mary Vincent."
+
+"Indeed! She will have her cup of pleasure running over there; they live
+in a flutter of gayety all day long."
+
+Here De Burgh sprang to the ground and assisted Katherine to alight.
+
+"Will you lunch with us?" she asked, an additional tinge of color
+mounting to her cheek; for she knew De Burgh was no favorite of Miss
+Payne, who was no doubt rejoicing at the prospect of repose and
+deliverance from their late guest, who generally managed to rub her
+hostess the wrong way.
+
+"You are very kind. I shall be delighted."
+
+While Katherine went ostensibly to put aside her hat--really to warn
+Miss Payne--De Burgh strolled into the drawing-room. How cool and fresh
+and sweet with abundant flowers it was! An air of refined homeliness
+about it, the work and books and music on the open piano, spoke of
+well-occupied repose. Its simplicity was graceful, and indicated the
+presence of a cultured woman.
+
+De Burgh wandered to the window--a wide bay--and took from a table which
+stood in it a cabinet photograph of Katherine, taken about a year
+before. He was absorbed in contemplating it when she came in, and he
+made a step to meet her. "This is very good," he said. "Where was it
+taken?"
+
+"In Florence."
+
+"It is like"--looking intently at her, and then at the picture. "But you
+are changed in some indescribable way, changed since I saw you last,
+years ago--that is, a month--isn't it a month since you drove me from
+paradise?--but _you_ don't remember."
+
+"But, Mr. De Burgh, I did not drive you away. You got bored, and went
+away of your own free-will."
+
+"I shall not argue the point with you--not now; but tell me," with a
+very steady gaze into her eyes, "has anything happened since I left to
+waken up your soul? It was by no means asleep when I saw you last, but
+it has met with an eye-opener of some kind, I am convinced."
+
+"I should not have given you credit for so much imagination, Mr. De
+Burgh."
+
+Here Miss Payne made her appearance, and the boys followed. They were
+treated with unusual good-humor and _bonhomie_ by De Burgh, who actually
+took Charlie on his knee and asked him some questions about boating,
+which occupied them till lunch was announced.
+
+Miss Payne was too much accustomed to yield to circumstances not to
+accept De Burgh's attempts to be amiable and agreeable. He could be
+amusing when he chose; there was an odd abruptness, a candid avowal of
+his views and opinions, when he was in the mood, that attracted
+Katherine.
+
+"You _are_ a funny man!" said Cecil, after gazing at him in silence as
+he finished his repast. "I wish you would come out in the boat with us.
+Auntie said we might go."
+
+"Very well; ask her if I may come."
+
+"He may, mayn't he?"--chorus from both boys.
+
+"Yes, if you really care to come: but do not let the children tease
+you."
+
+"Do you give me credit for being ready to do what I don't like?"
+
+"I can't say I do."
+
+"When do you start on this expedition?"
+
+"About seven, which will interfere with your dinner, for Miss Payne and
+I have adopted primitive habits, and do not dine late; we indulge in
+high tea instead."
+
+"Nevertheless, I shall meet you at the jetty. Till then adieu."
+
+"May we come with you?" cried the boys together--"just as far as the
+hotel?"
+
+"No, dears; you must stay at home," said Katherine, decidedly.
+
+"Then do let him come and see how the puppy is. He has grown quite big."
+
+"Yes, I'll come round to the kennel if you'll show me the way," replied
+De Burgh, with a smiling glance at Katherine. "Till this evening, then,"
+he added, and bowing to Miss Payne, left the room, the boys capering
+beside him.
+
+"I should say that man has breakfasted on honey this morning," observed
+Miss Payne, with a sardonic smile. "Does he think that he has only to
+come, to see, and to conquer?"
+
+"He has been quite pleasant," said Katherine. "I wonder why he is not
+always nice? He used to be almost rude at Castleford sometimes." She
+paused, while Miss Payne rose from the table and began to lock away the
+wine. "I wonder what has become of Mr. Payne? He has not been here for a
+long time."
+
+"What made you think of him?" asked his sister, sharply.
+
+"I suppose the force of contrast reminded me of him. What a difference
+between Bertie and Mr. De Burgh!--your brother living only to help
+others, and utterly forgetful of self; he regardless of everything but
+the gratification of his own fancies--at least so far as we can see."
+
+"Yes; Mr. De Burgh can hardly be termed a true Christian. Still, Gilbert
+is rather too weak and credulous. I suspect he is very often taken in."
+
+"Is it not better he should be sometimes, dear Miss Payne, than that
+some poor deserving creature should perish for want of help?"
+
+"Well, I don't know. Self-preservation is the first law of nature, and
+if that law were more carefully obeyed, fewer would need help."
+
+"Life is an unsolvable problem," said Katherine, and the remark reminded
+her of her humble friend Rachel. She therefore sat down and wrote her a
+kind, sympathetic letter, feeling some compunction for having allowed so
+long an interval to elapse since her last.
+
+Her own troubles had occupied her too much. Now that time was beginning
+to accustom her to their weight, her deep interest in Rachel revived
+even with more than its original force. Katherine did not make intimates
+readily. Let there be ever so small a nook in the mind, ever so tiny an
+incident in the past, which must be hidden from all eyes, and there can
+be no free pass for outsiders, however dear or valued, to the sanctum of
+the heart, which must remain sealed, a whispering gallery for its own
+memories and aspirations. But Rachel Trant never dreamed of receiving
+confidence, nor, after once having strung herself up to tell her sad
+story, did she allude to her bitter past, save by an occasional word
+expressing her profound sense of the new life she owed to Katherine; nor
+did the latter, when talking with her face to face, ever realize that
+there was any social difference between them. Rachel's voice, manner,
+diction, and natural refinement were what might be expected from a
+gentlewoman, only that through all sounded a strain of harsh strength,
+the echo of that fierce despair from whose grip the tender consideration
+of her new friend had delivered her. The evening's sail was very
+tranquil and soothing. De Burgh was agreeable in the best way; that is,
+he was sympathetically silent, except when Katherine spoke to him. The
+boys and their governess sat together in the bow of the boat, where they
+talked merrily together, occasionally running aft to ask more profound
+questions of De Burgh and auntie. Fear of rheumatism and discomfort
+generally kept Miss Payne at home on these occasions.
+
+De Burgh walked with Miss Liddell to her own door, but wisely refused to
+enter. "No," he mused, as he proceeded to his hotel; "I have had enough
+of a _solitude a trois_. It's an uncomfortable, tantalizing thing, and
+though I have been positively angelic for the last seven or eight hours,
+I can't stand any more intercourse under Miss Payne's paralyzing optics.
+I wonder if any fellow can keep up a heavenly calm for more than
+twenty-four hours? Depends on the circulation of the blood. I wonder
+still more if it is possible that Katherine is more disposed to like me
+than she was? She is somehow different than when I was here last. So
+divinely soft and kind! I have known a score or two of fascinating
+women, and gone wild about a good many, but _this_ is different, why the
+deuce should she _not_ love me? Most of the others did. Why? God knows.
+I'll try my luck; she seems in a propitious mood."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+"NO."
+
+
+Next morning's post brought a letter from Bertie, which was a kind of
+complement to Katherine's reflections of the night before. After
+explaining that he had hitherto been unable to take a holiday from his
+various avocations, he promised to spend the following week with his
+sister and Miss Liddell. He then described the success of Mrs. Needham's
+bazar, and proceeded thus:
+
+"Meeting my old friend Mrs. Dodd a few days ago, I was sorry to find
+from her that your favorite, Rachel Trant, had been very unwell. She had
+had a great deal of work, thanks to your kind efforts on her behalf, and
+sat at it early and late; then she took cold. I went to see her, and
+found her in a state of extreme depression, like that from which you
+succeeded in rousing her. I think it would be well if she could have a
+little change. Are there any cheap, humble lodgings at Sandbourne, where
+she might pass a week or two? I shall pass this matter in your hands."
+
+"I am sure old Norris's wife would take her in. They have a nice
+cottage, almost on the beach, close to the point."
+
+"No doubt. Really that Rachel of yours is in great luck. I wonder how
+many poor girls in London are dying for a breath of sea-air?"
+
+"Ah, hundreds, I fear. But then, you see, they have not been brought
+under my notice, and Rachel has; so I will do the best I can for her. I
+am sure she is no common woman."
+
+"At all events she has no common luck."
+
+Katherine lost no time in visiting Mrs. Norris, and found that she was
+in the habit of letting a large, low, but comfortable room upstairs,
+where the bed was gorgeous with a patchwork quilt of many colors, and
+permitting her lodgers to dine in a small parlor, which was her own
+sitting-room.
+
+The old woman had not had any "chance" that season, as she termed it,
+and gladly agreed to take the young person recommended by her husband's
+liberal employer. So Katherine walked back to write both to Bertie and
+their _protegee_.
+
+During her absence De Burgh had called, but left no message. And
+Katherine felt a little sorry to have missed him, as she thought it
+probable he would go on to town that afternoon, and she wanted to hear
+some tidings of Errington, yet could hardly nerve herself to ask.
+
+The evening was gloriously fine, and as Miss Payne did not like boating,
+the pony-carriage was given up to her, the boys, and Miss North the
+governess, for a long drive to a farm-house where the boys enjoyed
+rambling about, and Miss Payne bought new-laid eggs.
+
+When they had set out, Katherine took a white woolen shawl over her
+arm--for even in July the breeze was sometimes chill at sundown--and
+strolled along the road, or rather cart track, which led between the
+cliffs and the sea to the boatman's cottage. She passed this, nodding
+pleasantly to the sturdy old man, who was busy in his cabbage garden,
+and pursued a path which led as far as a footing could be found, to
+where the sea washed against the point. It was a favorite spot with
+Katherine, who was tolerably sure of being undisturbed here. The view
+across the bay was tranquilly beautiful; the older part of Sandbourne
+only, with the pretty old inn, was visible from her rocky seat among the
+bowlders and debris which had fallen from above, while the old tower at
+the opposite point of the bay stood out black and solid against the
+flood of golden light behind it. She sat there very still, enjoying the
+air, the scene, the sweet salt breath of the sea, thinking intently of
+Rachel Trant's experience, of her fatal weakness, of the unpitying
+severity of that rule of law under which we social atoms are
+constrained to live; of the evident fact that were we but wise and good
+we might always be the beneficent arbiters of our own fate; that there
+are few pleasures which have not their price; and after all, though she,
+Katherine, had paid high for hers, it had not cost too much, considering
+she had been groping in the dimness of imperfect knowledge. Oh, hew she
+wished she had never attempted to act providence to her mother and
+herself, but trusted to Errington's sense of generosity and justice! Of
+course it would have been humiliating to beg from a stranger, yet before
+that stranger she had been compelled to lower herself to the dust, and--
+
+The unwonted sound of approaching feet startled her. She turned, to see
+De Burgh within speaking distance. "I am like Robinson Crusoe in my
+solitude here," she said, smiling. "I turn pale at the sound of an
+unexpected step, as he did at the print of Friday's foot."
+
+"And to continue the smile," he returned, leaning against a rock near
+her, "the footprint or step, as in Crusoe's case, only announces the
+advent of a devoted slave." He spoke lightly, and Katherine scarce
+noticed what seemed to her an idle compliment.
+
+"I fancied you had gone to town," she said.
+
+"No; I am not going to town; I don't know or care where I am going. Some
+kind friends might say I am on my way to the dogs."
+
+"I hope not," said Katherine, gravely. "I imagine, Mr. De Burgh, that if
+you had some object of ambition--"
+
+"I should become an Admirable Crichton? I don't think so. There are such
+dreary pauses in the current of all careers!"
+
+"Of course. You would not live in a tornado!"
+
+"I am not so sure"--laughing. "At all events I shall never be satisfied
+with still life like our friend Errington."
+
+"Do you know anything of him? Mrs. Ormonde never mentions his name."
+
+"Of course not; when a fellow can't keep pace with his peers, away with
+him, crucify him."
+
+"As long as a few special friends are true----"
+
+"If they are," interrupted De Burgh; and Katherine did not resume,
+hoping he would continue the theme, which he did, saying: "He has left
+his big house, gone into chambers somewhere, and has I believe, taken up
+literature, politics, and social subjects. So Lady Mary Vincent says. I
+fancy he is a clever fellow in a cast-iron style."
+
+"What a change for him!"
+
+"I believe there was something coming to him out of the wreck, and I
+think he is a sort of man who will float. I never liked him myself,
+chiefly, I fancy, because I know he doesn't like me. Indeed, I don't
+care for people in general." There was a pause, during which Katherine
+glanced at her companion, and was struck by his sombre expression, the
+stern compression of his lips.
+
+"Did you call at the cottage?" she asked.
+
+"No; you were out this morning, and I did not like to intrude again," he
+laughed. "Growing modest in my sere and yellow days, you see; so I
+thought I should perhaps find you here, as I saw your numerous party
+drive past the hotel."
+
+"I like this corner, and often come here. But, Mr. De Burgh, you look as
+if the times were out of joint."
+
+"So they are"--suddenly seating himself on a flat stone nearly at
+Katherine's feet, leaning his elbow on another, and resting his head on
+his hand, so as to look up easily in her face.
+
+"What gloomy dark eyes he has!" she thought.
+
+"I should like to tell you why," he went on.
+
+"Very well," returned Katherine, who felt a little uneasy.
+
+"I am pretty considerably in debt, to begin with. If I paid up I should
+have about three half-pence a year to live on. Besides my debts I have
+an unconscionably ancient relative whose title and a beggarly five
+thousand a year must come to me when he dies, if he ever dies. This
+venerable impediment has some hundred or more thousands which he can
+bequeath to whom he likes. Hitherto he has not considered me a credit to
+the family. Well, I went to him the other day, on his own invitation,
+and to my amazement he offered to pay my debts--on one condition."
+
+"I do hope he will," cried Katherine, as De Burgh paused. She was quite
+interested and relieved by the tone of his narrative.
+
+"Ay, but there's the rub. I can't fulfil the condition, I fear. It is
+that I should marry a woman rich enough to replace the money my debts
+will absorb; a particular woman who doesn't care for me, and whom,
+knowing the hideous tangle of motives that hangs round the central idea
+of winning her, I am almost ashamed to ask; but a woman that any man
+might court; a woman I have loved from the first moment my eyes met
+hers, who has haunted and distracted me ever since, and who is, I dare
+say, a great deal too good for me; but a creature I will strive to win,
+no matter what the cost of success. This girl or rather (for there is a
+richness and ripeness of nature about her which deserves the term) this
+fair, sweet woman--I need not name her to you." He stopped, and his
+passionate pleading eyes held hers. Katherine grew white, half with
+fear, half with sincere compassion. She tried to speak. At last the
+words came.
+
+"You make me terribly sad, Mr. De Burgh," she said, with trembling lips.
+"You make me _so_ sorry that I cannot marry you; but I cannot--indeed I
+cannot. Will Lord De Burgh not pay your debts if he knows you have done
+your best to persuade me to marry you?"
+
+De Burgh laughed a cynical laugh. "You are infinitely practical,
+Katherine. (I am going to call you Katherine for the next few minutes.
+Because I think of you as Katherine, I love to speak your name to
+yourself; it seems to bring me a little nearer to you.) Listen to me.
+Don't you think you could endure me as a husband? I am a better fellow
+than I seem, and mine is no foolish boy's fancy. I am a better man when
+I am near you. Then this old cousin of mine will leave me all he
+possesses if you are my wife, and the Baroness de Burgh, with money
+enough to keep her place among her peers, would have no mean position;
+nor is a husband passionately devoted to you unworthy of
+consideration."
+
+"It is not indeed. But, Mr. De Burgh, do you honestly think that
+devotion would last? These violent feelings often work their own
+destruction."
+
+"Ay: God knows they do, amazingly fast," he returned, with a sigh and a
+far-away look. "But what you say applies to all men. If you ever marry
+you must run the risk of inconstancy in the man you accept. I am at
+least old enough and experienced enough to value a good woman when I
+have found one, especially when she does not make her goodness a bore.
+And you--you have inspired me with something different from anything I
+have ever felt before. Yes, yes," he went on, angrily, as he noticed a
+slight smile on her lips. "I see you try to treat this as only the
+stereotype talk of a lover who wants your money more than yourself; but
+if you listen to the judgment of your own heart, it is true and honest
+enough to recognize truth in another, and it will tell you that,
+whatever my faults (and they are legion), sneaking and duplicity are not
+among them. It is quite true that when first I heard of you I thought
+your fortune would be just the thing to put me right, as I have no doubt
+my dear friend Mrs. Ormonde has impressed upon you, but from the moment
+I first spoke to you I felt, I knew, there was something about you
+different from other women. I also knew that in the effort to win the
+heiress I was heavily handicapped by the sudden strong passion for the
+woman which seized me."
+
+"That surely ought to have been a means of success?" said Katherine, a
+good deal interested in his account of himself.
+
+"No: it made me, for the first time in my life, hesitating,
+self-distrustful, and awfully disgusted at having to take your money
+into consideration. Had you been an ordinary woman, ready to exchange
+your fortune for the social position I could give my wife, and perhaps
+with a certain degree of liking for the kind of free-lance reputation I
+am told I possess, I should have carried my point, and presented the
+future Baroness de Burgh to my venerable kinsman months ago."
+
+"And suppose the unfortunate heiress had been a soft-hearted, simple
+girl?" said Katherine, with a slight faltering in her tones. "Suppose
+she were credulous, loving, attracted by you--you are probably
+attractive to some women--and married you believing in your
+disinterested affection?"
+
+De Burgh, who had risen from half-recumbent position, and stood leaning
+against a larger fragment of rock, paused before he replied: "I think
+that I am a gentleman enough not to be a brute, but I rather believe a
+woman of the type you describe would not have a blissful existence with
+me."
+
+"I am sure of it. You are quite capable of making the life of such a
+woman too dreadful to think of." She shuddered slightly.
+
+De Burgh looked curiously at her. "If you will have the goodness to
+undertake my punishment," he said, "by marrying me without love, and
+letting me prove how earnestly I could serve you and strive to win it,
+I'll strike the bargain this moment. I have been reckless and
+unfortunate. Now give me a chance; for I _do_ love you, Katherine. I'd
+love you if you were the humblest of undowered women."
+
+The tears stood in her eyes, for the passion and feeling in his voice
+struck home to her.
+
+"I believe it," she said, softly, "and I am almost sorry I cannot love
+you. But I do not, nor do I think I ever could. You will find others
+quite as likely to draw forth your affection as I am. But there are some
+natural barriers of disposition, and--oh, I cannot define what--which
+hold us apart. Yet I am interested in you, and would like to know you
+were happy. Yet, Mr. De Burgh, I must not sacrifice my life to you. If I
+did, the result might not be satisfactory even to yourself."
+
+"Sacrifice your life! What an unflattering expression!" cried De Burgh,
+with a hard laugh. "So there is no hope for me?"
+
+Katherine shook her head.
+
+"I felt there was but little when I began," he said, as if to himself.
+"Tell me, are you free? Has some more fortunate fellow than myself
+touched that impregnable heart of yours? I know I have no right to ask
+such a question."
+
+"You have not indeed, Mr. De Burgh. And if I could not with truth say
+'no,' I should be vexed with you for asking it. Weighted as I am with
+money enough to excite the greed of ordinary struggling men, I shall not
+be in a hurry to renounce my comfortable independence."
+
+De Burgh's eyes again held hers with a look of entreaty. "That
+independence will last just as long as your heart escapes the influence
+of the man whom you will love one day; for though love lies sleeping, it
+is in you, and will spring to life some time, all the stronger and more
+irresistible because his birth has not come early. _Then_ you will feel
+more for _me_ than you do now."
+
+"I do feel for you, Mr. De Burgh"--raising her moist eyes to his.
+
+"Thank you"--taking her hand and kissing it. "Will you, then be my
+friend, and promise not to banish me? I'll be sensible, and give you no
+trouble."
+
+"Oh yes, certainly," said Katherine, glad to be able to comfort him in
+any way; and she withdrew her hand.
+
+"I am not going to worry you with my presence now," he continued. "I
+shall say good-by for the present. I am going away north. I have entered
+a horse for a big steeple-chase at Barton Towers, and will ride him
+myself. If I win I can hold out awhile longer. You must wish me
+success."
+
+"I am sure I do, heartily. After this, _do_ give up racing."
+
+"Very well. But"--pressing her hand hard--"I'll tell you what I will
+_not_ give up, my hope of winning _you_, until you are married to some
+one else and out of my reach."
+
+He kissed her hand again, and then, without any further adieu, turned
+away, walking with long swift steps toward the town, not once looking
+back.
+
+"Thank God he is gone!" was Katherine's mental exclamation as the sound
+of his foot-fall died away. She was troubled by his intensity and
+determination, and touched by his unmistakable sincerity. "If I loved
+him I should not be afraid to marry him. I think he might possibly make
+a good husband to a woman he was really attached to; but I have not the
+least spark of affection for him, though there is something very
+distinguished in his figure and bearing; even his ruggedness is
+perfectly free from vulgarity. Yes, he is a sort of man who might
+fascinate some women; but he is terribly wrong-headed. If he keeps
+hoping on until I marry, he has a long spell of celibacy before him. I
+dare say he will be married himself before two years are over."
+
+She sat awhile longer thinking, her face growing softer and sadder. Then
+she rose, wrapped her shawl round her, and walked slowly back to the
+cottage, where she found the rest of the party just returned, joyous and
+hungry.
+
+
+Bertie came down late on the following Saturday, and brought a note from
+Rachel Trant to Katherine, accepting her offer of quarters at Sandbourne
+with grateful readiness. Katherine was always pleased with her letters;
+they expressed so much in a few words; a spirit of affectionate
+gratitude breathed through their quiet diction.
+
+Katherine was very glad to receive it, for Bertie's accounts of their
+_protegee_ made her uneasy. She had at first refused to move, saying it
+was really of no use spending money upon her, and seemed to be sinking
+back into the lethargic condition from which Katherine had woke her.
+
+Her kind protectress therefore set off early on Monday to tell Mrs.
+Norris she was coming, and to make her room look pretty and cheerful. By
+her orders the boatman's son was despatched to meet their expected
+tenant on her arrival. Miss Payne having arranged a picnic for that day,
+at which Katherine's company could not be dispensed with.
+
+When they returned it was already evening; still Katherine could not
+refrain from visiting her friend. "She will be so strange and lonely
+with people she has never seen before," she said to Bertie. "As soon as
+tea is over I shall go and see her."
+
+"It will be rather late, yet it will be a great kindness. I will go with
+you, and wait for you among the rocks on the beach."
+
+Miss Payne expressed her opinion that it was unwise to set beggars on
+horseback, but offered no further opposition.
+
+The sun had not quite sunk as Katherine and her companion walked
+leisurely by the road which skirted the beach toward the boatman's
+dwelling.
+
+"I wish we could find some occupation that could so fill Rachel Trant's
+mind as to prevent these dreadful fits of depression," began Katherine.
+
+"She had plenty of work, and seemed successful in her performance of
+it," he returned; "but it does not seem to have kept her from a
+recurrence of these morbid moods. Loneliness does not appear to suit
+her."
+
+"Sitting from morning till night, unremittingly at work, in silence,
+alone with memories which must be very sad, is not the best method of
+recovering cheerfulness, and unfortunately, Rachel is too much above her
+station to make many friends in it. She wants movement as well as work,"
+remarked Katherine.
+
+"As you consider her so good a dressmaker, it might be well to establish
+her on a larger scale, and give her some of the older girls from our
+Home as apprentices. Looking after and teaching them would amuse as well
+as occupy her."
+
+"It is an idea worth developing!" exclaimed Katherine; and they walked
+on a few paces in silence.
+
+"So De Burgh has been paying you a visit?" said Bertie at length.
+
+"He has been paying Sandbourne a visit. He did not stay with us."
+
+"It is wonderful that he could tame his energies even to stay here a few
+days."
+
+"He was here only two days the last time."
+
+"_You_ cannot have much in common with such a man."
+
+"Not much, certainly; still, he interests me. He has had such a narrow
+escape of being a _good_ man."
+
+"Narrow escape! I should say he never was in much danger of _that_
+destiny."
+
+"Perhaps if the door of every heart were opened to us we should see more
+good in all than we could expect." A few words more brought them to the
+boatman's house, where they parted.
+
+Miss Trant was at home, Mrs. Norris said. Katherine ascended the steep
+ladder-like stair, and having knocked at the door, entered the room.
+Rachel was seated in the window, which was wide open. Her elbows rested
+on a small table, and her chin on her clasped hands, while her large
+blue eyes looked steadily out over the bay, which slept blue and
+peaceful below; the lines of her slightly bent figure looked graceful
+and refined, but there was infinite sadness in her pose.
+
+"I am very glad to see you again," said Katherine. Rachel, who was too
+deep in thought to hear her enter, started up to clasp her offered hand.
+Her pale thin face was lit with pleasure, and her grave, almost stern
+eyes softened.
+
+"And so am I. You do not know _how_ glad. Do you know, I began to think
+I never should see you again," and she kissed the hand she held.
+
+"Do not!" said Katherine, bending forward to kiss her brow. "Were you so
+ill, then?"
+
+"Not physically ill, except for my cough; but for all that I felt dying,
+and really I often wonder why you try to keep me alive. I am a trouble
+to you, and I do very little good. Had I not been a coward I should have
+left the world, where I have no particular place, long ago."
+
+"Well, you see, I have a sort of superstition that life is a goodly gift
+which must not be cast aside for a whim; and why should you despair of
+finding peace? There is so much that is delightful in life!"
+
+"And so much that is tragic!"
+
+"Ah, yes! but if we only seek for the sorrowful we destroy our own
+lives, without helping any one. You must let the dead past bury its
+dead."
+
+"How if the dead past comes and crosses your path, and looks you in the
+face?"
+
+"What do you mean, Rachel?"
+
+"You will think me weak and contemptible, but I must confess to you the
+cause of my late prostration."
+
+"Yes, do; it may be a relief."
+
+"About a month ago," said Rachel, sitting down by the table opposite
+Katherine, and again resting her elbow on it, while she half hid her
+face by placing her open hand over her eyes, "I was walking to Mrs.
+Needham's with some work I had finished, when, turning into Lowndes
+Square, I came face to face with--him. It is true I had a thick veil on,
+and my large parcel must have partially disguised me, but he did not
+recognize me. He passed me with the most unconscious composure, and he
+was looking better, brighter, than I had ever seen him. The sight of him
+brought back all the torturing pangs of helpless sorrow for the
+sweetness, the intense happiness I can never know again; the stinging
+shame, the poison of crushed hopes, the profound contempt for myself,
+the sense of being of no value to any one on earth. I think if I could
+have spoken to _you_, I might have shaken off these fiends of thought;
+but I was alone, always alone: why should I live?"
+
+"Rachel, you _must_ put this cruel man out of your mind. He has been the
+destroyer of your life. Try and cast the idea of the past from you. Life
+is too abundant to be exhausted by one sorrow. You have years before you
+in which to build up a new existence and find consolation. I will not
+listen to another word about your former life; let us only look forward.
+I have a plan for you--at least Mr. Payne has suggested the idea--in
+which you can help us and others, and which will need all your time and
+energy. But I will not even talk of this business. We must try lighter
+and pleasanter topics. Not another word about by-gone days will I speak.
+You have started afresh under my auspices, and I mean you to float. Now
+that you are here, Rachel, you must read amusing books, and be out in
+the open air all day. You will be a new creature in a week. You must
+come and see my cottage and my nephews; they are dear little fellows.
+Are you fond of children?"
+
+"I don't think I am. I never had anything to do with them. But I would
+rather not go to your house, dear Miss Liddell. I feel as if I could not
+brave Miss Payne's eyes."
+
+"That is mere morbidness. There is no reason why you should fear any
+one. You must discount your future rights. A few years hence, when you
+are a new woman, you will, I am sure, look back with wonder and pity as
+if reading the memoir of another. I _know_ that spells of
+self-forgiveness come to us mercifully."
+
+"When I listen to you, and hear in the tones of your voice more even
+than in your words that you are my friend, that you really care for me,
+that it will be a real joy to you to see me rise above myself, I feel
+that I can live and strive and be something more than a galvanized
+corpse. You give me strength. I wonder if I shall ever be able to prove
+to you what you have done for me. Stand by me, and I _will_ try to put
+the past under my feet. I do not wish to presume on the great goodness
+you have shown me nor to forget the difference between us socially, but
+oh! let me believe you love me--even me--with the kindly affection that
+can forgive even while it blames."
+
+"Be assured of that, Rachel," cried Katherine, her eyes moist and
+beautiful with the divine light of kindness and sympathy, as she
+stretched out her hand to clasp Rachel's. "I have from the first been
+drawn to you strangely--it is something instinctive--and I have firm
+belief in your future, if you will but believe in yourself. You are a
+strong, brave woman, who can dare to look truth in the face. You will be
+useful and successful yet."
+
+Rachel held her hand tightly for a minute in silence; then she said, in
+a low but firm voice: "I will try to realize your belief. I should be
+too unworthy if I failed to do my very best. There! I have discarded the
+past; you shall hear of it no more."
+
+They were silent for a while; then a solemn old eight-day clock with a
+fine tone struck loudly and deliberatedly in the room below. Katherine,
+with a smile, counted each stroke. "Nine!" she exclaimed, when the last
+had sounded; "and though it is 9 P.M., let it be the first hour of your
+new life." She rose, and passing her arm over Rachel's shoulder, kissed
+her once more with sisterly warmth. "Mr. Payne is waiting for me, so I
+must leave you. I have sent you some books; I have but few here. One
+will amuse you, I am sure, though it is old enough--a translation of the
+_Memoirs of Madam d'Abrantes_. It is full of such quaint pictures of the
+great Napoleon's court, and does not display much dignity or nobility,
+yet it is an honest sort of book."
+
+"Thank you. I don't want novels now; they generally pain me. But my
+greatest solace is to forget myself in a book."
+
+Bertie Payne's visit was a very happy one. The boys adored him, and
+subjects of discussion and difference of opinion never failed between
+Katherine and himself. She consulted him as to what school would be best
+for Cecil, and he advised that he should be left as a boarder at the one
+which he now attended, and where he had made fair progress, when Miss
+Payne and Katherine returned to town.
+
+Bertie looked a new man when he bade them good-by, promising to come
+again soon.
+
+Beyond sending a newspaper which recorded his victory in the Barton
+Towers steeple-chase De Burgh made no sign, and life ran smoothly in its
+ordinary grooves at Sandbourne.
+
+Rachel Trant revived marvellously. The change of scene, the fresh
+salt-air, above all the society of Katherine, who frequently visited and
+walked with her, all combined to give her new life--even emboldening her
+to look at the future. Her manner, always grave and respectful, won
+reluctant approval from Miss Payne. And the boys were always pleased to
+run to the boatman's cottage with flowers or fruit, and talk to, or
+rather question, their new friend. Rachel seemed always glad to see
+them, though she evidently shrank from returning their visits. She was
+never quite herself, or off guard, except when alone with Katherine.
+Then she spoke out of her heart, and uttered thoughts and opinions which
+often surprised Katherine, and set her thinking more seriously than she
+had ever done before. Finally, hearing from her good old landlady that
+some of her customers had returned to town and were inquiring for her,
+Rachel said it was time her holiday came to an end.
+
+"I feel now that I can bear to live and try to be independent. Indeed
+my life is yours; you have given it back to me, and I will yet prove to
+you that I am not unworthy of your wonderful generosity," she said, the
+morning of the day she was to start for London, as she sat with
+Katherine among the rocks at the point. "The idea of an establishment
+such as Mr. Payne suggests is excellent. It ought to be your property,
+and good property--I need only be your steward--while it may be of great
+use to others."
+
+"I feel quite impatient to carry out the project, and we will set about
+it as soon as I return to town," returned Katherine.
+
+"Will you write to me sometimes?" asked Rachel, humbly. "I feel as if I
+dare not let you go: all of hope or promise that can come into my
+wrecked life centres in you. While you are my friend I can face the
+world."
+
+"Yes, Rachel, write to me as often as you like, and I will answer your
+letters. Trust me: I will always be your true friend."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+"WARP AND WOOF."
+
+
+When the rough weather of a stormy autumn obliged Katherine to keep
+in-doors she began to feel the monotony of existence by the sad sea
+waves, and to wish for the sociability of London. The end of October,
+then, saw Miss Payne and party re-established in Wilton Street, having
+left Cecil at school. With Charlie, Katherine could not part just yet.
+She intended to keep him till after Christmas, when he was to go to
+school with his brother.
+
+Though town was empty as regarded "society," there was plenty of life
+and movement in the streets, and Katherine, always thankful for
+occupation which drew her thoughts away from her profound regret for the
+barrier which existed between Errington and herself, was glad to be back
+in the great capital. She threw herself into the scheme of establishing
+Rachel Trant as a "court dressmaker" most heartily, and Bertie Payne
+spared time from his multifarious avocations to give important
+assistance. Rachel herself, too, proved to be a wise counsellor, her
+previous training having given her some experience in business.
+Katherine therefore found interesting employment in looking for a small
+house suited to the undertaking.
+
+Mr. Newton was writing busily in his private room one foggy afternoon
+when he was informed that Miss Liddell wished to speak to him.
+
+"Show her in at once," he said, cheerfully, as if pleased, and he rose
+to receive her. "Glad to see you, Miss Liddell, looking all the better
+for your sojourn by the sea-side. Why, it must be nearly six months
+since I saw you."
+
+"Yes, quite six months, Mr. Newton. I suppose you have been refreshing
+yourself too, after the fatigues of the season. You must try Sandbourne
+next year. It is a very nice little place."
+
+"Sandbourne? I don't think I know it. But now what do you want, my dear
+young lady? I don't suppose you come here merely for pleasure."
+
+"I assure you it always gives me great pleasure," said Katherine, with a
+sweet, sunny smile. "You have always been my very good friend."
+
+"Well, a sincere one, at all events," returned the dry old lawyer, whose
+aridity was not proof against the charm of his young client.
+
+"I must not waste your time," she resumed, drawing her chair a little
+nearer the table behind which he was ensconced. "I want to buy a house
+which I have seen, and I want you to attend to all details connected
+with it."
+
+"Oh--ah! Well, a good house would not be a bad investment; it would be
+very convenient to have a residence in London."
+
+"It is not for myself; it is a speculation."
+
+"A speculation? What put that into your head?"
+
+Whereupon Katherine told him her story.
+
+"I think it rather a mad undertaking," was Mr. Newton's verdict. "These
+projects seldom succeed. I don't care for clever interesting young women
+who have no one belonging to them and cannot corroborate their stories.
+How do you know she was not dismissed from Blackie & Co.'s for theft?"
+
+Katherine laughed. "I certainly do not know," she said, "but I _feel_ it
+is quite as impossible for her to steal as it is for myself."
+
+"Feel!--feel!" (impatiently). "Just so: impostors thrive on the good
+feelings of--of the simple."
+
+"You were going to say fools," said Katherine. "Don't let us waste time,
+my dear Mr. Newton," she went on, with good-humored decision. "We shall
+never agree on such a topic; and I am going to buy this house, or
+another of the same kind if this proves not to be desirable; and I
+should be very sorry to employ any one but you to arrange the purchase."
+
+"Oh, you know your own mind, and how to threaten--eh, Miss Liddell?" he
+returned, with a smile. "I must know more about the tenement before I
+can consent to act for you."
+
+"It is an ordinary three-storied house, with a couple of rooms built out
+at the back, in a small street where there are a few shops; but it is
+near Westbourne Terrace, and therefore in a region of good customers.
+The late owner has been succeeded by a son, who seems very anxious to
+get rid of it. The price asked is seven hundred and fifty pounds, and I
+believe the taxes are under ten pounds. Do, dear Mr. Newton, look into
+the matter, and get it settled as soon as possible, and on the best
+terms you can."
+
+"Hum! and the furniture? Do you undertake that too?"
+
+"Of course. Don't you see, I can do it all out of the money I have not
+been able to use. There is quite three thousand pounds on deposit in the
+bank. You know you wrote to me only a month ago about letting the money
+lie idle. I shall employ it now, for my _protegee_, Miss Trant, will be
+my only manager. I will pay her wages, and whatever profit after comes
+to me."
+
+"A very unknown quantity," said the lawyer, drily. "Still, the house
+can't run away, and I suppose will aways let for fifty or sixty pounds a
+year."
+
+"Fifty, I think."
+
+"Then I will look into the matter. Is it in habitable repair?"
+
+"It seems so. Do your best to have the purchase completed as soon as
+possible, dear Mr. Newton. I want to start my modiste in good time to
+catch the home-coming people."
+
+"Believe me, it is an unwise project," said Newton, thoughtfully.
+
+"I know you think so, and you are right to counsel me according to your
+conscience; but as I am quite determined, you must not let me go to a
+stranger for help."
+
+"Very well; give me the address."
+
+"Seven Malden Street, Paddington. Bell & Co., house agents, in Harrow
+Road, have it on their books."
+
+"Good! I'll get a surveyor to see to sanitary arrangements, etc. Now
+that, as usual, you have conquered again and again, tell me something of
+yourself. Are you tired of the little nephews yet?"
+
+"No, indeed. I have been happier with them than I dared hope to be when
+I was left alone nearly a year ago, yet"--Her voice faltered and her
+soft dark eyes filled.
+
+"Yes, yes," hastily, with a man's dread of tears; "you couldn't get over
+that all at once. But you know it is a very Quixotic business taking
+those boys; and Mrs. Ormonde is not the woman to relieve you should any
+difficulty arise."
+
+"But when boys are well provided for there never can be a difficulty.
+Ah, Mr. Newton, what a wonderful magician money is! What would become of
+me without it? It is almost worth risking anything to get it."
+
+"Or, apparently, to get rid of it," remarked Mr. Newton. "By-the-way,
+that was a tremendous smash of Errington's. Did you hear anything about
+him?"
+
+"Yes," rather faintly.
+
+"The reason I mention him is that, curiously enough, _he_ was the man
+your uncle left everything to in that will he very fortunately
+destroyed. Of course I should only mention it to you: though now all is
+passed and gone, it is of no importance. He has behaved very well. I am
+told he has turned to literature. It's a pity he did not follow his
+profession; but it would be rather late in the day for that. I think you
+must find these rooms rather stuffy and warm after the sea-breezes, for
+you are looking pale and fagged again."
+
+"I feel a headache coming on," said Katherine, pulling herself together.
+"I hope you will pay me a visit someday. I should like to show you my
+dear little Charlie. He has a great look of my mother, especially his
+eyes; they are _just_ like hers."
+
+"If you will allow me to come some Sunday----"
+
+"Certainly. You will sympathise with Miss Payne. She shares your
+deep-rooted distrust of your fellow-creatures. Yet even _she_ has some
+faint faith in Rachel Trant."
+
+"That is the best symptom about the affair I have yet heard of.
+By-the-bye, this Miss Payne has made you comfortable? she has been a
+successful experiment?"
+
+"Very successful indeed. I quite like her, and respect her; but I shall
+not stay longer than the time I agreed for. I want to make a home for
+the boys and myself."
+
+"What! Will Mrs. Ormonde give them up?"
+
+"Not avowedly, but they will ultimately glide into my hands."
+
+"I trust you will not regret the charge you are taking on yourself."
+
+"I do not fear failure. These children are a great source of pleasure to
+me."
+
+A few more words, a promise on Mr. Newton's part to hurry matters, and
+Katherine, bidding him adieu for the present, descended to the brougham
+which she usually hired for distant expeditions. Ordering the coachman
+to stop at Howell& James', Katherine leaned back and reflected on the
+interview with Mr. Newton. No doubt he thought he had given her a good
+deal of curious information. If he only knew what a living lie she was!
+Her duplicity met her at every turn, and cried shame upon her. However,
+she had the pardon and permission of him against whom she had chiefly
+offended; that counted for much. Still, it was too hard a punishment
+that the ghost of her transgression should thus cry out against her, and
+she had done her best to rectify it. She felt profoundly depressed. It
+was an effort to execute the commissions intrusted to her by Miss Payne.
+These performed, she was leaving the shop, when a gentleman who was
+passing rapidly almost ran against her. He paused and raised his hat as
+if to apologize. It was Errington.
+
+"Miss Liddell!" he exclaimed, a startled, pleased look animating his
+eyes. "I understood you were out of town. I hardly hoped to meet you
+again."
+
+Katherine flushed up, and then grew white. "I have been out of town ever
+since--" Since what?--that turning-point in her life when she confessed
+all to him?
+
+"And I have been _in_ town," rejoined Errington. "It is not nearly so
+bad as some people imagine. Where are you staying?"
+
+"Oh, I am always with Miss Payne, in Wilton Street."
+
+"I remember. But I am keeping you standing. May I come and see you?"
+
+"Oh no; I would rather not," cried Katherine, with an irresistible
+impulse which she regretted the next moment.
+
+"You are always frank," said Errington, with a kind smile, yet in a
+disappointed tone. "I will not intrude, then. How are your nephews, and
+Mrs. Ormonde? I seem to have lost sight of every one, for I have become
+a very busy man."
+
+"Yes, I know," she returned, her color going and coming, her heart
+beating so fast she could hardly speak. "I must seem so rude! But I have
+read some of your papers in _The Age_. It must, indeed, take time and
+study to produce such articles."
+
+"And patience on the part of a young lady to wade through them."
+
+"No; they always interest me, even when a little over my head. Though I
+do not want you to come and see me, I am always so glad to hear about
+you, to know you are well."
+
+"Then why avoid me?"
+
+"How can I help it?"--looking at him with dewy eyes and quivering lips.
+
+"Well, I must accept your decision. I wish--But I will not detain you."
+He opened the carriage door and handed her in.
+
+For an instant her eyes sought his with a wistful, deprecating look,
+then she said, "Tell him 'home,' please," and she drove off.
+
+The encounter unhinged her for the day. Why had he crossed her path, and
+why had she allowed herself to reject his friendly offer to come and see
+her? Yet it would have made her miserable to bear the quiet scrutiny of
+his eyes through a whole visit. He had evidently quite forgiven her, but
+that could not restore her self-respect or render her less keenly alive
+to the silent reproach of his presence. And yet it was pleasant to hear
+him speak, his voice was so clear, so well modulated, so intelligent.
+And how well he looked!--better and brighter than she had ever seen him.
+It was evident that he was not breaking his heart about Lady Alice. How
+could she have given him up?
+
+Though nothing was more natural or probable than that they should meet
+when both lived in the same town, huge as it is, it was an immense
+surprise to Katherine, who had somehow come to the conclusion that they
+were never to set eyes on each other again. This impression upset her.
+She was constantly on the outlook for Errington wherever she drove or
+walked, and the composure which she had been diligently, and with a sort
+of sad resignation to Errington's wishes, building up, was replaced by a
+feverish, restless anticipation of she knew not what.
+
+The result was increased eagerness to see the completion of her
+dressmaking scheme, and she made Mr. Newton's life a burden to him till
+all was accomplished.
+
+In this she found a shrewd assistant in Mrs. Needham, who took up the
+cause furiously, and drove hither and thither, exhorting, entreating,
+commanding, and really bringing in customers, somewhat to Katherine's
+surprise, as she did not expect much wool from so great a cry.
+
+Shortly before Christmas Miss Trant's establishment was in full working
+order, a couple of clever assistants had been engaged, and Rachel
+herself seemed to wake up to the full energy of her nature under the
+spur of responsibility.
+
+The affair was not brought to a conclusion, however, without a struggle
+on the part of Mr. Newton against Katherine's resolution not to appear
+in the matter. The house was bought in Rachel Trant's name, the sale was
+made to her, and Miss Liddell's name never appeared. Newton declared it
+to be sheer madness; even Bertie Payne considered it unwise; but
+Katherine was immovable.
+
+"I am Miss Trant's creditor," she said. "If successful, she will pay me:
+if not, why, she will give up the house to me. I have full faith in her,
+and I wish her to be perfectly unshackled in the undertaking. As the
+owner of a house she will more readily obtain any credit she may need."
+
+"Which means," said Mr. Newton, crossly, "that you will have to pay her
+debts if you ever intend to get possession of the house."
+
+"Well, I have made up my mind to the risk," returned Katherine, with
+smiling determination; "so we will say no more about it."
+
+
+The unexpected meeting with Errington haunted Katherine for many a day,
+and many a night was broken by unpleasant dreams. She was filled with
+regret for having so hastily refused his proffered visit. Yet had he
+come she would have been uneasy in his presence. She longed to see him
+again; she came home from driving or walking each day with aching eyes
+and dulled heart because she had been disappointed in encountering him.
+Yet she dreaded to meet him, and trembled at the idea of speaking to
+him. She was dismayed at the restless dissatisfaction of her own mind.
+Was she never to find peace? never to know real enjoyment in her
+ill-gotten fortune? Why was it that the image of this man was
+perpetually before her, the sound of his voice in her ears? Then the
+answer of her inner consciousness came to overwhelm her with shame and
+confusion: "Because you love him with all the strength and fervor of a
+heart that has never frittered away its force in senseless flirtations
+or passing fancies." This was the climax of misfortune. To know that the
+one of all others she most looked up to must, in spite of his kind
+forbearance, despise her as a cheat. Surely it was a sufficient
+punishment for a delicately proud woman to know that she had given her
+love unasked. All that remained for her was to hide her deep wounds,
+that by stifling the new and vivid feelings which troubled her they
+would die out, and so leave her in a state of monotonous repose. She
+would endeavor by all possible means to win forgetfulness.
+
+When Cis came back for the Christmas holidays, therefore, he found his
+auntie ready to go out with Charlie and himself to circus and pantomime,
+Polytechnic and wax-works, to his heart's content. It was not a brisk
+frosty Christmas, or she would no doubt have been with them on the ice,
+and the round of boyish dissipations called forth an oracular sentence
+from Miss Payne. "It's just as well those boys are going back to school,
+Katherine. You are more foolish about them than you used to be, and if
+they staid on you would completely ruin them."
+
+Just before the holidays were over, Mrs. Ormonde visited London, or
+rather paused in passing through from the distinguished Christmas
+gathering to which, to her pride and satisfaction, she had been invited
+at Lady Mary Vincent's. The little boys were indifferently glad to see
+her, and with the jealousy inherent in a disposition such as hers she
+was vexed at not being first with her own boys, yet delighted to hand
+over the care and trouble of them to any one who would undertake it.
+These mixed feelings ruffled the bright surface of her self-content,
+inflated as it was by her increasing social success.
+
+She chose to put up at a quiet hotel in Dover Street rather than accept
+Katherine's and Miss Payne's joint invitation to Wilton Street.
+
+"I know you will not mind, Katie dear," she said, as she sat at tea (to
+which refreshment she had invited her sister-in-law). "You see if it
+were your own house, quite your own, I should prefer staying with you to
+going anywhere else. As it is----"
+
+"You are quite right to please yourself," put in Katherine.
+
+"Yes, you are always kind and considerate. But, do you know, both
+Colonel Ormonde and I are very anxious you should establish yourself on
+a proper footing. Believe me, you do not take the social position you
+ought, living with an obscure old maid like Miss Payne"--this in a tone
+of strong common-sense. "The proper place for you is with us at
+Castleford in the autumn and winter, and a house in town with us in the
+spring. Then you and I might go abroad sometimes together, and leave
+Ormonde to his turnips and hunting. You would be sure to marry
+well--quite sure."
+
+"But I am going to settle myself in a house of my own this spring," said
+Katherine, smiling.
+
+Against this project Mrs. Ormonde exhausted herself in eloquent if
+contradictory argument: but finding she made no impression, suddenly
+changed the subject. "That is a very expensive school you have chosen
+for the boys, Katherine. 'Duke thinks it ridiculous. Sixty pounds a year
+for such a little fellow as Cis! and now Charlie will cost as much."
+
+"It is not cheap, certainly; but it is, I think, worth the money. Cecil
+has improved marvellously, and Sandbourne agrees so well with them
+both."
+
+"You will do as you think best, of course. We have the highest regard
+for your opinion. But you must remember that what with clothes and
+travelling and--oh, and doctors!--it all comes to more than three
+hundred a year, and at Castleford I could keep them for next to nothing,
+while the stingy trustees you have chosen only allow me four hundred and
+fifty."
+
+"So you have only about a hundred and fifty out of the total for your
+personal expenses, eh?" said Katherine, laughing. "Then you have a
+husband behind you."
+
+"Oh, I assure you that does not count for much. 'Duke doesn't care to
+spend money, and my having something of my own makes matters wonderfully
+smooth. I am sure you would not like to make any unhappiness between
+us."
+
+"No, certainly not. I think it quite right, as my brother's widow, you
+should have something for yourself as long as you live."
+
+"You really have a great sense of justice, Katherine, I must say! Living
+as you do, dear, you can form no idea what it costs to present an
+appearance when you are in a certain set."
+
+"I don't suppose I ever shall, though I like nice clothes too."
+
+"And look so well in them!" added Mrs. Ormonde, who was always ready,
+when she deemed it necessary, to burn the incense of flattery on her
+sister-in-law's shrine. "By-the-way, that is a very pretty, well-made
+costume you have on. I think you are slighter than you used to be."
+
+"The effect of a good fit. I wish you would employ my dressmaker. She is
+very moderate."
+
+"Is she?"
+
+A short discussion of prices followed, and Mrs. Ormonde declared she
+would call on Miss Trant that very afternoon and bespeak two dresses,
+for all she had were quite familiar to the eyes of her associates.
+
+"I suppose you have heard or seen nothing of De Burgh lately?" exclaimed
+Mrs. Ormonde, suddenly.
+
+"No, not for a long time."
+
+"He has been away--somewhere in Hungary, hunting or shooting--and then
+he has been staying with old Lord de Burgh. They used hardly to speak,
+and now he seems taken into favor. He is a curious sort of man, and he
+can be _so_ insolent! How he will put his foot on people's necks when he
+gets the old man's title and wealth!"
+
+"If they let him," said Katherine, quietly.
+
+"As he is in town, I thought he might have called on you. He was always
+running down to that stupid place in the summer, so I----"
+
+"Mr. De Burgh!" said a waiter, opening the door with a burst.
+
+"Talk of an angel!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, rising to receive him with a
+welcoming smile. "My sister was just saying it was a long time since she
+had seen you."
+
+Katherine felt annoyed at the thoughtless speech--if it _was_
+thoughtless. However, she kept a composed air, though the varying color
+which she never could regulate told De Burgh that she was not unmoved.
+
+"And probably hoped it would be longer," he replied, as he shook hands
+with Mrs. Ormonde, but only bowed to Miss Liddell.
+
+"Don't answer him," cried the former; "such decided fishing does not
+deserve success."
+
+"I will not," said Katherine, with a kind smile. She was too thorough a
+woman not to have a soft corner in her heart for the man who had
+professed, with so convincing an air of sincerity, to love her with all
+his heart.
+
+It did not, however, seem to please or displease him, for he sat down
+beside the tea-table with his usual unaffected ease, and addressed his
+conversation to Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"Just heard from Carew that you were in town, and I have only escaped
+from Pontygarvan, where I have been playing the dutiful kinsman to my
+immortal relative. I don't know which is most to be avoided, his enmity
+or his liking. He is an amusing old cynic at times, but a born despot.
+He only let me away to prosecute a scheme that he has taken up, and
+which I have gone pretty deeply into myself."
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde, handing him some tea. "Have you turned
+promoter, or--"
+
+"Well, I am going to be my own promoter; time only will show how I'll
+succeed. You must both give me your best wishes."
+
+"I am sure I do," said Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+De Burgh raised his eyes slowly to Katherine's. She had not spoken.
+"Don't _you_ wish me success? No; I thought you didn't."
+
+"I wish you all possible happiness," she said, in a low tone.
+
+"Have you quarrelled with Katherine, or offended her, that she is so
+implacable?" asked Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"Neither, I hope. Now what are you doing in the way of amusement? Have
+you seen a play since you came up? The pantomimes are still on at the
+big theatres. But I want you to come and see _Ours_ at the Prince of
+Wales on Thursday; it's very good in parts. Then if you'll sup with me
+after, at my rooms, I'll get Carew and Brereton and one or two others to
+meet you."
+
+"It would be very nice!" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"Thank you," returned Katherine. "I am, strange to say, going to a party
+on Thursday."
+
+"To a party! How extraordinary! Where, Katherine?"
+
+"To Lady Barrington's--a lady I knew in Florence, and who has invited me
+repeatedly."
+
+"I am sure I am very glad you are coming out of your shell at last.
+Where does this Lady Barrington live?"
+
+"In Lancaster Square, not far from my abode."
+
+"Well, let us say Friday for _Ours_," said De Burgh; "for I too am going
+to Lady Barrington's on Thursday."
+
+"Then why did you invite us for that evening?" cried Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"I could have gone afterwards. Lady Barrington's gatherings are always
+late."
+
+"You really know every one."
+
+"Oh, not every one, Mrs. Ormonde."
+
+"Then our 'play' is not to come off unless Katherine is to be of the
+party"--rather pettishly.
+
+"If you like I will take you on Thursday, and Miss Liddell (if she will
+allow me) on Friday."
+
+"What nonsense! We will all go together on Friday. Katie, do you think
+this friend of yours would invite me? I don't care to mope here when you
+are out enjoying yourself."
+
+"I am sure she would be very pleased to see you. I will write and ask
+her for an invitation as soon as I go home." Katherine rose as she
+spoke.
+
+"Do, like a good girl; and I will go and interview this dressmaker of
+yours. Till to-morrow, then."
+
+The little woman stood on tiptoe to kiss her tall sister-in-law, who
+left the room, followed by De Burgh.
+
+"Haven't I been a reasonable, well-behaved fellow not to have haunted or
+worried you all these months? Will you let me come and tell you how wise
+and staid and prudent I have become?" he said.
+
+He spoke half in jest, but there was a wonderfully appealing look in his
+eyes.
+
+"I am very glad to hear it, Mr. De Burgh. I hope you will go on and
+prosper."
+
+"And will you shut your doors against me if I call?"
+
+"No; why should I?"
+
+"Thanks! How heavenly it is to see you again! though you don't look
+quite as bright as you did at Sandbourne. Is this your carriage? I see
+you have not started a turn-out of your own yet."
+
+"And never shall, probably."
+
+"Not, at all events, till you have appointed your 'master of the horse.'
+Good-by till to-morrow night."
+
+He handed her carefully into the brougham, and stood looking after it as
+she drove away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+A WANDERER RETURNS.
+
+
+It was quite an event in Katherine's quiet life to go to a party. She
+had never been at one in London, and anticipated it with interest. Both
+in Florence and Paris she had mixed in society and greatly enjoyed it.
+Now she felt a little curious as to the impression she might make and
+receive. Her nature was essentially vigorous and healthy, and threw off
+morbid feelings as certain chemicals repel others inimical to them. She
+would have enjoyed life intensely but for the perpetually recurring
+sense of irritation against herself for having forfeited her own
+self-respect by her hasty action. It would have been somewhat
+humiliating to have taken charity from the hands of Errington, but this
+was as nothing to the crushing abasement of knowing that she had cheated
+him. Still, no condition of mind is constant--except with
+monomaniacs--and Katherine was often carried away from herself and her
+troubles.
+
+She was glad, on the whole, that De Burgh was to be at Lady Barrington's
+reception.
+
+She was too genial, too responsive, not to find admiration very
+acceptable. Nor could she believe that a man like De Burgh, hard,
+daring, careless, could suffer much or long through his affections. It
+flattered her woman's vanity, too, that with her he dropped his cynical,
+mocking tone, and spoke with straightforward earnestness. He might have
+ended by interesting and flattering her till she loved him--for he had a
+certain amount of attraction--if her carefully resisted feeling for
+Errington had not created an antidote to the poison he might have
+introduced into her life.
+
+Altogether she dressed with something of anticipated pleasure, and was
+not displeased with the result of her toilette.
+
+Her dress was as deeply mourning as it was good taste to wear at an
+evening party. A few folds of gauzy white lisse softened the edge of her
+thick black silk corsage, a jet necklet and comb set off her snowy,
+velvety throat and bright golden brown hair.
+
+"I had no idea you would turn out so effectively!" exclaimed Mrs.
+Ormonde, examining her with a critical eye as they took off their wraps
+in the ladies' cloak-room. "Your dress might have been cut a little
+lower, dear; with a long throat like yours it is very easy to keep
+within the bounds of decency. I wonder you do not buy yourself some
+diamonds; they are so becoming."
+
+"I shall wait for some one to give them to me," returned Katherine,
+laughing.
+
+"Quite right"--very gravely--"only if I were you I should make haste and
+decide on the 'some one.'"
+
+"Mrs. Ormonde and Miss Liddell!" shouted the waiters from landing to
+door, and the next moment Lady Barrington, a large woman in black velvet
+and a fierce white cap in which glittered an aigret of diamonds, was
+welcoming them with much cordiality.
+
+"Very happy to see any friend of yours, my dear Miss Liddell! I think I
+had the pleasure of meeting you, Mrs. Ormonde, at Lord Trevallan's
+garden-party last June?"
+
+"Oh yes; were _you_ there?" with saucy surprise.
+
+"Algernon," continued Lady Barrington, motioning with her fan to a tall,
+thin youth. "My nephew, Mrs. Ormonde, Miss Liddell. I think Algernon had
+the pleasure of meeting you at Rome?" Katherine bowed and smiled. "Take
+Mrs. Ormonde and Miss Liddell in and find them seats near the piano.
+Signor Bandolini and Madam Montebello are good enough to give us some of
+their charming duets, and are just going to begin. I was afraid you
+might be late."
+
+So Mrs. Ormonde and Miss Liddell were ushered to places of honor, and
+the music began.
+
+"I don't see a soul I know," whispered Mrs. Ormonde, presently. "Yet the
+women are well dressed and look nice enough, but the men are decidedly
+caddish."
+
+"London is a large place, with room in it for all sorts and conditions
+of men. But we must not talk, Ada."
+
+Mrs. Ormonde was silent for a while; and then opening her fan to screen
+her irrepressible desire to communicate her observations, resumed:
+
+"I am sure I saw Captain Darrell in the doorway only for a minute, and
+he went away. I hope he will come and talk to us. You were gone when he
+came back from leave--to Monckton, I mean. He is rather amu--" A warning
+"hush-sh" interrupted her.
+
+"What rude, ill-bred people!" she muttered, under her breath. And soon
+the duet--a new one, expressly composed to show off the vocal gymnastics
+of the signore and madame--came to an end; there was a rustle of relief,
+and every one burst into talk.
+
+"How glad they are it is over!" said Mrs. Ormonde. "Look at that tall
+girl in pink. You see those sparkles in the roses on her corsage and in
+her hair; they are all diamonds. I know the white glitter. What airs she
+gives herself! I suppose she is an heiress, and, I dare say, not half as
+rich as you are."
+
+"Don't be too sure. I am no millionaire," began Katherine, when she was
+interrupted by a voice she knew, which said, "I had no idea it was to be
+such a ghastly concern as this!" and turning, she found De Burgh close
+behind her.
+
+"What offends you?" she asked, smiling.
+
+"All this trilling and shrieking. There's tea or something going on
+downstairs. You had better come away before they have a fresh burst;
+they are carrying up a big fiddle."
+
+"Tea!" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde. "Oh, do take me away to have some!"
+
+"Here, Darrell," said De Burgh, coolly, turning back to speak to some
+one who stood behind him. "Here's Mrs. Ormonde dying for deliverance and
+tea. Come, do your _devoir_."
+
+Darrell hastened forward, smiling, delighted. With a little pucker of
+the brow and lifting of the eyebrows Mrs. Ormonde accepted his arm.
+
+"Now, Miss Liddell," said De Burgh, offering his; and not sorry to
+escape from the heated, crowded room, Katherine took it and accompanied
+him downstairs.
+
+"I did not think you knew Lady Barrington," said Katherine, as he handed
+her an ice.
+
+"Know her? Never heard of her till you mentioned her name the day before
+yesterday."
+
+"How did she come to ask you to her house, then?"
+
+"Let me see. Oh, I went down to the club and asked if any one knew Lady
+Barrington, and who was going to her party. At last Darrell said he was
+a sort of relation, and that he would ask for a card. He did, and here I
+am."
+
+"But you said you were coming."
+
+"So I was. I made up my mind to come as soon as you said you were."
+
+"You are very audacious, Mr. De Burgh!" said Katherine, laughing in
+spite of her intention to be rather distant with him.
+
+"Do you think so? Then I have earned the character cheaply. Are they
+going to squall and fiddle all night? I thought it might turn into a
+dance."
+
+"I did not imagine you would condescend to dance."
+
+"Why? I used to like dancing, under certain conditions. Don't fancy I
+haven't an ear for music, Miss Liddell, because I said the performance
+upstairs was ghastly. I am very fond of music--real sweet music. I liked
+_your_ songs, and I should have liked a waltz with you--_im_mensely. You
+know I never met you in society before--" He stopped abruptly and looked
+at her from head to foot, with a comprehensive glance so full of the
+admiration he did not venture to speak that Katherine felt the color
+mount to her brow and even spread over her white throat, while an odd
+sense of uneasy distress fluttered her pulses. She only said,
+indifferently: "I might not prove a good partner. I have never danced
+much."
+
+"I might give you a lesson in that too, as well as in handling the
+ribbons. And for that there will be a grand opportunity next week. Lord
+De Burgh is coming up, and I shall have the run of his stables, which I
+will take good care shall be well filled. We'll have out a smart pair of
+cobs, and you shall take them round the Park every morning, till you are
+fit to give all the other women whips the go-by."
+
+"Do you seriously believe such a scheme possible?"
+
+"It shall be if you say yes. Do you know that you have brought me luck?
+You have, 'pon my soul! I am A-1 with old De Burgh, and I won a pot of
+money up in Yorkshire, paid a lot of debts, sold my horses. Now, don't
+you think you ought to be interested in your man Friday? You remember
+our last meeting at Sandbourne--hey? Don't you think I am going to
+succeed all along the line?"
+
+"It is impossible to say," returned Katherine. "You know there is a
+French proverb--" She stopped, not liking to repeat it as she suddenly
+remembered the application.
+
+"Yes, I do know the lying Gallic invention! _Heureux au jeu, malheureux
+en amour_. I don't believe it. If luck's with you, all goes well; but
+then Fortune is such a fickle jade!"
+
+"I trust you will always be fortunate, Mr. De Burgh," said Katherine,
+gently.
+
+"I like to hear you say so. Now I don't often let my tongue run on as it
+has, but if you'll be patient and friendly, I'll be as mild and
+inoffensive as a youngster fresh from school."
+
+"Very well," said Katherine, smiling and confused. Here she was
+interrupted by the sudden approach of Mrs. Needham, her dark eyes
+gleaming with pleased recognition, and her high color heightened by the
+heat of the rooms. She was gorgeous in red satin, black lace and
+diamonds. "My dear Miss Liddell! I have been looking for you everywhere!
+I want so much to speak to you about a project I have for starting a new
+weekly paper, to be called _The Woman's Weekly_. There is an empty sofa
+in that little room at the other side of the hall. Do come, and I will
+explain it all. It is likely to do a great deal of good, and to be a
+paying concern into the bargain. You will excuse me for running away
+with Miss Liddell"--to De Burgh--"but we have some matters to discuss.
+We shall meet you upstairs afterwards." She swept Katherine away, while
+De Burgh stood scowling. Who was this audacious pirate who had cut out
+his convoy from under the fire of his angry eyes?
+
+"You see, my dear," commenced Mrs. Needham, in a low voice and speaking
+rapidly, "there is an immense field to be cultivated in the humble
+strata of the better working-class, and the paper I wish to establish
+will be quite different from _The Queen_, more useful and less than
+half-price. No stuff about fashionable marriages in print that is enough
+to blind an eagle, but useful receipts and work patterns, domestic
+information, and a story--a story is a great point--a description of any
+great events, and fashion plates, etc." And she poured forth a torrent
+of what she was pleased to term "facts and figures" till Katherine felt
+fairly bewildered.
+
+"It seems a great undertaking," she replied, when she could get a word
+in. "I shall require a great deal of explanation before I can comprehend
+it. Will you not come and see me when we shall be alone, and we can
+discuss it quietly?"
+
+"Certainly, my dear Miss Liddell--to-morrow. No; to-morrow I have about
+seven or eight engagements between two and six-thirty. Let me see. I am
+terribly pressed just now; I will write and fix some morning if you will
+come and lunch with me. If you could see your way to taking a few shares
+it would be a great help. Money--money--money. Without the filthy lucre
+nothing can be begun or ended. Now tell me how you have been. I have
+been coming to see you for _months_, but never get a moment to myself;
+but I have heard of you from Mr. Payne. What a good fellow he is! How is
+Miss Payne?" Katherine replied, and Mrs. Needham rushed on: "Nice party,
+isn't it? There are several literary people here to-night. I did not
+know Lady Barrington went in for literary society, but one picks up a
+little of all sorts when you live abroad for a while. Here is a very
+interesting man. He is coming very much to the front as a political and
+philosophic writer. It is said he is to be the editor of _The Empire_,
+that new monthly which they say is to take the lead of all the
+magazines. I met him at Professor Kean's last week. I don't think he
+sees me--Good-evening! Don't think you remember me--Mrs. Needham. Had
+the pleasure of meeting you at Professor Kean's last Monday. Mr.
+Errington, Miss Liddell!"
+
+"I have already the pleasure of knowing Miss Liddell," he returned, with
+a grave smile and stately bow, as he took the hand Katherine
+hesitatingly held out.
+
+"Oh, indeed; I was not aware of it." Errington stood talking with Mrs.
+Needham, or, rather, answering her rapid questions respecting a variety
+of subjects, until she suddenly recognized some one to whom she was
+imperatively compelled to speak. With a hasty, "Will you be so good as
+to take Miss Liddell to her friends?" she darted away with surprising
+lightness and rapidity, considering her size and solidity.
+
+"Would you like to go upstairs?" asked Errington.
+
+"If you please." Katherine was quivering with pain and pleasure at
+finding herself thus virtually alone with the man whose image haunted
+her in spite of her constant determined efforts to banish it from her
+mind.
+
+On the first landing was a conservatory prettily lit and decorated, and
+larger than those ordinarily appended to London houses. "Suppose we rest
+here," said Errington. "From the quiet which reigns above, I think some
+one is reciting and that is not an exhilarating style of amusement."
+
+"I should think not. I have never heard any one attempt to recite in
+England."
+
+"May you long be preserved from the infliction! There are very few who
+can make recitation endurable."
+
+After some enquiries for Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde, and a few
+observations on the beautiful, abundant flowers, Errington said: "Won't
+you sit down? If it is not unpleasant to you, I should like to improve
+this occasion, as I rarely have an opportunity of seeing you."
+
+Katherine complied, and sat down on a settee which was behind a central
+group of tall feathery ferns. She was another creature from the bright
+and somewhat coquettish girl who was always ready to answer De Burgh or
+Colonel Ormonde with keen prompt wit. Silent, downcast, scarcely able to
+raise her eyes to Errington's, yet too fascinated to resist his wish to
+continue their interview.
+
+"I am very glad to meet you here," began Errington in his calm,
+melodious voice. "It is so much better for you to mix with your kind; it
+has a wholesome, humanizing influence, and may I venture to say that you
+are inclined to be morbid?"
+
+"Can you wonder?" said Katherine, soft and low.
+
+"Yes, I do. There is no reason why you should not be bright and happy,
+and enjoy the goods the gods--"
+
+"No," she interrupted, playing nervously with the flowers in her
+bouquet; "not given by the gods! Stolen from you!" She did not raise her
+eyes as she spoke.
+
+"I do beg you to put that incident out of your mind. We have arranged
+the question of succession, as only I had a right to do. No one else
+need know, and you will, I am sure, make a most excellent use of what is
+now really yours. Forget the past, and allow me to be your friend."
+
+"I am always thinking of you," she said, almost in a whisper. "Yet it is
+always a trial to meet you. I think I would rather not. Tell me," with a
+sudden impulse of tenderness and contrition, looking up to him with
+humid eyes, "are you well and happy? How have you borne the terrible
+change in your life?"
+
+"I am perfectly well and quite happy," returned Errington, with a slight
+smile. "The terrible change, as you term it, has affected me very
+little. I find real work most exhilarating, and slight success is sweet.
+Since I knew that the tangle of my poor father's affairs was
+satisfactorily unravelled, I have been at ease, comparatively. Life has
+many sides. I miss most my horses."
+
+"Ah, yes, you must miss them! Well, from what I hear, you seem to be
+making a place for yourself in literature. I am so glad!"
+
+"Thank you. And you, may I ask, what are your plans?"
+
+"If you are so good as to care, I am going to take a house and make a
+home for myself and my little nephews. Without any formal agreement,
+Mrs. Ormonde leaves them very much to me. They are a great interest to
+me. And as you are so kind in wishing me to be happy and not morbid, I
+will try to forget. I think I could be happier if you would promise me
+something."
+
+"What?"
+
+"If ever--" She hesitated; her voice trembled. "If you ever want
+anything," she hurried on, nervously, "anything, even to the half of my
+kingdom, you will deign to accept it from me?"
+
+"I will," said Errington, with a kind and, as Katherine imagined, a
+condescending smile.
+
+"He thinks me a weak, impulsive child, who must be forgiven because she
+is scarcely responsible," she said to herself.
+
+"And this preliminary settled, you will admit me to the honor of your
+acquaintance?"
+
+"Oh, Mr. Errington, do not think me ungrateful. But can you not
+understand that, good and generous as you are, your presence overwhelms
+me?"
+
+"Then I will not intrude upon you. Gently and very gravely I accept your
+decree."
+
+They were silent for a moment; then Katherine said, "I was sure you
+would understand me." As she spoke, De Burgh suddenly came round the
+group of ferns and stood before them with an air of displeased surprise.
+
+"Why, Miss Liddell! I thought that desperate filibuster in red satin
+had carried you off. I have sought you high and low. How d'ye do,
+Errington? Haven't seen you this age. Mrs. Ormonde wants to go home,
+Miss Liddell."
+
+"I suppose the recitation is over," said Errington, coolly. "I will take
+Miss Liddell to Mrs. Ormonde, whom I have not seen for some time."
+
+De Burgh, therefore, had nothing for it but to walk after the man whom
+he at once decided was a dangerous rival, as indeed he would have
+considered any one in the rank of a gentleman.
+
+Mrs. Ormonde was quite charmed to see Errington. She had put him rather
+out of her mind. It was a pleasant surprise to meet him once more in
+society, for she had a sort of dim idea his ruin was so complete that he
+must have sold his dress clothes to provide food, and could never,
+therefore, hold up his head in society again.
+
+"It is quite nice to see you once more!" she exclaimed, with a sweet
+smile, after they had exchanged greetings. "Colonel Ormonde will be
+delighted to hear of you. I wish you could come down for a few days'
+hunting. Do give me your address, and Duke will write to you."
+
+"There is my address," he said, taking out his card case and giving her
+a card; "but I fear there is little chance of my getting out of town
+till long after the hunting is over."
+
+"Oh, you must try. At all events, come and see me. I am at Thorne's
+Hotel, Dover Street, and almost always at home about five. But I leave
+town next week."
+
+Here the hostess sailed up, and touching Errington's arm, said "Sir
+Arthur Haynes, the great authority on international law, you know, wants
+to be introduced to you, Mr. Errington."
+
+Mrs. Ormonde took the opportunity of saying good-night, and Katherine
+took farewell of Errington with a bow.
+
+"Twenty-four, Sycamore Court Temple. What a come-down for him!" said
+Mrs. Ormonde, looking at the card she held, when they reached the
+cloak-room.
+
+"He seems cheerful enough," said Katherine, irritated at the tone in
+which the observation was made; "and I thought the Temple was rather a
+smart place to live in."
+
+"I am sure I don't know. Come, it must be late. What a stupid party! How
+cross De Burgh looks! I am sure he has a horrid temper."
+
+In the hall Captain Darrell and De Burgh awaited them. The latter was
+too angry to speak. He handed Katherine into the carriage, and uttering
+a brief good-night, stepped back to make way for Captain Darrell, who
+expressed his pleasure at having met Mrs. Ormonde, and begged to be
+allowed to call next day.
+
+
+On the whole, Katherine felt comforted by the assurance of Errington's
+friendly feeling toward her. How cruel it was to be obliged thus to
+reject his kindly advances! But it was wiser. If she met him often, what
+would become of her determination to steel her heart against the
+extraordinary feeling he had awakened? Besides, it could only be the
+wonderful patient benevolence of his nature which made him take any
+notice of her. In his own mind contempt could be the only feeling she
+awakened. No; the less she saw of him, the better for her.
+
+By the time De Burgh called to escort Katherine and Mrs. Ormonde (who
+had dined with her) to the theatre he had conquered the extreme, though
+unreasonable, annoyance which had seized him on finding Errington and
+Katherine in apparently confidential conversation. He exerted himself
+therefore to be an agreeable host with success.
+
+A play was the amusement of all others which delighted Katherine and
+drew her out of herself. De Burgh was diverted and Mrs. Ormonde half
+ashamed of the profound interest, the entire attention, with which she
+listened to the dialogue and awaited the _denouement_.
+
+"I should have thought you had seen too much good acting abroad to be so
+delighted with this," said Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"But this is excellent, and the style is so new I have to thank you, Mr.
+De Burgh, for a delightful evening."
+
+"The same to you," he returned. "Seeing you enjoy it so much woke me up
+to the merits of the thing."
+
+The supper was bright and lively. Three men besides himself, and a
+cousin, a pretty, chatty woman of the world, completed De Burgh's party.
+There was plenty of laughing and chaffing. Katherine felt seized by a
+feverish desire to shake off dull care, to forget the past, to be as
+other women were. There was no reason why she should not. So she laughed
+and talked with unusual animation, and treated her host with kindly
+courtesy, that set his deep eyes aglow with hope and pleasure.
+
+"It is a great advantage to be rich," said Mrs. Ormonde, reflectively,
+as she leaned comfortably in the corner of the carriage which conveyed
+her and her sister-in-law home. She was always a little nettled when she
+found how completely Katherine had effaced herself from De Burgh's
+fickle mind. She had been highly pleased with the idea of having her
+husband's distinguished relative for a virtuous and despairing adorer,
+and his desertion had mortified her considerably.
+
+"Yes, money is certainly a great help," returned Katherine, scarce
+heeding what she said.
+
+"It certainly has been to you, Katie. Don't think me disagreeable for
+suggesting it, but do you suppose De Burgh would show you all this
+devotion if you were to lose your money?"
+
+"Oh no! He could not afford it. He told me he must marry a rich woman."
+
+"Did he, really? It is just like him. What audacity! I wonder you ever
+spoke to him again. Then you _are_ going in for rank, Katherine?"
+
+"How can you tell? I don't know myself. Good-night. I shall tell you
+whenever I know my own mind."
+
+"She is as close as wax, with all her frankness," thought Mrs. Ormonde
+as she went up to her room, after taking an affectionate leave of her
+sister-in-law.
+
+The boys at school, Katherine found time hung somewhat heavily on her
+hands--a condition of things only too favorable to thought and visions
+of what "might have been." So, with the earnest hope of finding the
+exhilarations which might lead, through forgetfulness, to the happiness
+she so eagerly craved, Katherine accepted almost all the invitations
+which were soon showered upon her. At the houses of acquaintances she
+had made abroad she made numerous new ones, who were quite ready to
+_fete_, the handsome, sweet-voiced, pleasant-mannered heiress, who
+seemed to think so little about herself.
+
+"Just the creature to be imposed upon, my dear!" as each mother
+whispered to the one next her, thinking, of course, of the other's son.
+
+But her most satisfactory hours were those spent with Rachel, when they
+talked of the business, and often branched off to more abstract
+subjects. To the past they never alluded. Katherine was glad to see that
+the dead, hopeless expression of Rachel Trant's eyes had changed, yet
+not altogether for good. A certain degree of alertness had brightened
+them, but with it had come a hard, steady look, as though the spirit
+within had a special work to do, and was steeled and "straitened till it
+be accomplished."
+
+"You are quite a clever accountant, Rachel," said Katherine, one
+afternoon in early April, after they had gone through the books
+together. "You have been established nearly five months, and you have
+paid expenses and a trifle over."
+
+"It is not bad. Then, you see, the warehouses will give me credit for
+the next orders, three months' credit, and my orders are increasing. I
+am sure it is of great importance to have materials for customers to
+choose from. Ladies like to be saved the trouble of shopping, and I can
+give a dress at a more moderate rate, if I provide everything, than they
+can buy it piecemeal. I hope to double the business this season, and pay
+you a good percentage. Even on credit I can venture to order a fair
+supply of goods."
+
+"Don't try credit yet, Rachel," said Katherine, earnestly. "I can give
+you a check now, and after this you can stand alone."
+
+"Are you quite sure you can do this without inconvenience?" asked
+Rachel. "If you can, I will accept it. I begin to feel sure I shall be
+able to develop a good business and what will prove valuable property to
+you. It is an ambition that has quite filled my heart, and in devoting
+myself to it I have found the first relief from despair--a despair that
+possessed my soul whenever you were out of my sight. When I am not
+thinking of gowns and garnitures, I am adding up all the money you have
+sunk in this adventure, and planning how it may ultimately pay you six
+per cent. over and above expenses. It does not sound a very heroic style
+of gratitude, but it is practical, and I believe feasible."
+
+"You are intensely real," said Katherine, "and I believe you will be
+successful."
+
+After discussing a few more points connected with the undertaking they
+parted, and before Katherine dressed for dinner she wrote and despatched
+the promised check.
+
+De Burgh had throughout this period conducted himself with prudence and
+discretion. He often called about tea-time, and frequently managed to
+meet Katherine in the evening, but he carefully maintained a frank,
+friendly tone, even when expressing in his natural brusque way his
+admiration of herself or her dress. He talked pleasantly to Miss Payne,
+and subscribed to many of Bertie's charities. Katherine was getting
+quite used to him, though they disagreed and argued a good deal. She
+sometimes tried to persuade herself that De Burgh had given up his
+original pretentions and would be satisfied with platonics. But her
+inner consciousness rejected the theory. Still, De Burgh came to be
+recognized as a favored suitor by society, and the "mothers, the
+cousins, and the aunts" of eligible young men shook their heads over the
+mistake she was making.
+
+Now, after mature consideration, Katherine determined to make the will
+she had so long postponed, and bequeath all she possessed to Errington.
+It was rather a formidable undertaking to announce this intention to Mr.
+Newton, who would be sure to be surprised and interrogative, but she
+would do it. Having, therefore, made an appointment with him, she
+screwed up her courage and set out, accompanied by Miss Payne, who had
+been laid up with a cold, and was venturing out for the first time. She
+took advantage of Katherine's brougham to have a drive. The morning was
+very fine, and they started early, early enough to allow Miss Payne to
+leave the carriage and walk a little in the sun on "the Ladies' Mile."
+
+As they proceeded slowly along, a well-appointed phaeton and pair of
+fine steppers passed them. It was occupied by two gentlemen, one old,
+gray, bent, and closely wrapped up; the other vigorous, dark, erect,
+held the reins. He lifted his hat as he passed Katherine and her
+companion with a swift, pleased smile.
+
+"Who are those women?" asked the old gentleman, in a thick growl.
+
+"Miss Liddell and her companion."
+
+"By George! she looks like a gentlewoman. Turn, and let us pass them
+again."
+
+De Burgh obeyed, and slackened speed as he went by. At the sound of the
+horses' tramp Katherine turned her head and gave De Burgh a bright smile
+and gracious bow.
+
+"She is wonderfully good-looking for an heiress," remarked Lord de
+Burgh, who was, of course, the wrapped-up old gentleman. "I should say
+something for you if you could show such a woman with sixty or seventy
+thousand behind her as your wife. Why don't you go in and win? Don't let
+the grass grow under your feet."
+
+"It is easier said than done. Miss Liddell is not an ordinary sort of
+young lady; she is not to be hurried. But I do not despair, by any
+means, of winning her yet. If I press my suit too soon, I may lose my
+chance. Trust me, it won't be my fault if I fail."
+
+"I see you are in earnest," said the old man, "and I believe you'll
+win."
+
+De Burgh nodded, and whipped up his horses.
+
+"That must be the old lord," said Miss Payne, as the phaeton passed out
+of sight. "Mr. De Burgh seems in high favor. I cannot help liking him
+myself. There is no nonsense about him, and he is quite a gentleman in
+spite of his _brusquerie_."
+
+"Yes, I think he is," said Katherine, thoughtfully, and walked on a
+little while in silence. Then Miss Payne said she felt tired; so they
+got into the carriage again and drove to Mr. Newton's office. There
+Katherine alighted, and desired the driver to take Miss Payne home and
+return for herself.
+
+"And what is your business to-day?" asked Mr. Newton, when, after a
+cordial greeting, his fair client had taken a chair beside his knee-hole
+table.
+
+"A rather serious matter, I assure you. I want to make my will."
+
+"Very right, very right; it will not bring you any nearer your last hour
+and it ought to be done."
+
+The lawyer drew a sheet of paper to him, and prepared to "take
+instructions."
+
+"I should like to leave several small legacies," began Katherine, "and
+have put down the names of those I wish to remember, with the amounts
+each is to receive. If you read over this paper" (handing it to him) "we
+can discuss----"
+
+She was interrupted by a tap at the door which faced her, but was on
+Newton's left. A high screen protected the old lawyer from draughts, and
+prevented him from seeing who entered until the visitor stood before
+him.
+
+"Come in," said Newton, peevishly; and as a clerk presented himself,
+added, "What do you want?"
+
+"Beg pardon, sir. A gentleman downstairs wants to see you so very
+particularly that he insisted on my coming up."
+
+"Well, say I can't. I am particularly engaged. He must wait."
+
+While he spoke Katherine saw a man cross the threshold, a tall, gaunt
+man, slightly stooped. His clothes hung loosely on him, but they were
+new and good. His hair was iron gray, and thin on his craggy temples.
+Something about his watchful, stern eyes, his close-shut mouth, and
+strong, clean-shaven jaw seemed not unfamiliar to Katherine, and she was
+strangely struck and interested in his aspect. Mr. Newton's last words
+evidently reached his ear, for he answered, in deep, harsh tones, "No,
+Newton, I will _not_ wait!" and walked in, pausing exactly opposite the
+lawyer, who grew grayly pale, and starting from his seat, leaned both
+hands on the table, while he trembled visibly. "My God!" he exclaimed,
+hoarsely; "George Liddell!"
+
+"Ay, George Liddell! I thought you would know me."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+A TRAVELLER'S STORY.
+
+
+When these startling sentences penetrated to Katherine's comprehension
+she saw as with a flash their far-reaching consequences. Her uncle's
+will suppressed, his son and natural heir would take everything. And her
+dear boys--how would they fare?
+
+She sat with wide-dilated eyes, gazing at the hard, displeased face of
+this unwelcome intruder. There were a few moments of profound silence;
+the old lawyer's hands, which relaxed their grasp of his chair as he
+looked with startled amazement at his late client's son, visibly
+trembled.
+
+Liddell was the first to speak. "So you thought I was dead and out of
+the way," he said, with a sneer; "that nothing would happen to disturb
+the fortunate possessor of my father's money. I was dead and done for,
+and a good riddance."
+
+"But how--how is it that you are alive!" stammered Mr. Newton.
+
+"Oh, that I can easily account for." And he looked round for a chair.
+
+"Yes, pray sit down," said Mr. Newton, recovering himself.
+
+Here Katherine, with the unconscious tact of a sensitive woman, feeling
+how terrible it must be to find one's continued existence a source of
+regret to others, rose and held out her hand. "Let me, your kinswoman,"
+she said, "welcome you back to life and home. I hope there are many
+happy years before you."
+
+Liddell was greatly surprised. He mechanically took the hand offered to
+him, and looking earnestly into her face, exclaimed, "Who are you?"
+
+"Katherine Liddell, your uncle Frederic's daughter."
+
+He dropped--indeed, almost threw--her hand from him. "What!" he cried,
+"are _you_ the supplanter, who took all without an inquiry, without an
+effort to find out if I were dead or alive?"
+
+"Sit down--sit down--sit down," repeated Newton, still confused. "Let us
+talk over everything. As to trying to find you, we never dreamed of
+finding you, considering that twelve, fourteen years ago we had an
+account of your death from an eye-witness."
+
+"Cowardly liar! It was worth a Jew's ransom to see him turn white and
+drop into a chair when I confronted him the day before yesterday."
+
+"Why did you not communicate with me on hearing of your father's death?"
+
+"When do you think I heard of it? Do you fancy I sat down in the midst
+of my busy day to pore over the births, deaths, and marriages in a
+paper, like a gossiping woman? Kith and kin were dead to me long ago.
+What did I care for English papers? What had my life or the life of my
+poor mother been that I should give those I had left behind a thought?"
+He paused, and taking a chair, looked very straight at Katherine. "Now I
+shall tell you my story, once for all, to show you that there is no use
+in disputing my rights. You know"--addressing Newton--"how my life was
+made a burden to me, and that I ran away to sea, ready to throw myself
+into it rather than return to my miserable home. After several voyages I
+found myself at Sydney. A young fellow who had been my mate on the
+voyage out, an active, clever chap, proposed that we should start for
+the gold fields; so we started. It was a desperate long tramp, but we
+reached them at last. Life was hard and rough, and for a time we worked
+and worked, and got nothing. At last we found a pocket, just as we were
+going to give up, and having secured a fair lot of gold, we divided our
+gains and determined to leave the camp, which was not too safe for a
+successful digger, before the rest knew of our treasure-trove. We
+decided to trudge it to the nearest place where we could buy horses, and
+then to make our way to Sydney as fast as we could. Somehow it must have
+got out that we _had_ gold, for as the dusk of evening was closing round
+us on the second day of our march we were attacked by some men on
+horseback--bush-rangers, I suppose. We showed fight, and I was hit in
+the shoulder. At the same time I stumbled over a stump, and pitched on
+to my head, which stunned me. Just then, it seems, the sound of horses
+approaching frightened the scoundrels, and they made off. My mate, not
+knowing whether the new-comers were friends or foes, he says, got away
+as fast as he could. His story is that as soon as all was still he crept
+back, and finding me apparently quite dead, went on to report the
+catastrophe at the first road-side inn he came to. _I_ believe that,
+thinking me dead, he took all my gold, and said precious little about
+me."
+
+"His story to me," interrupted Mr. Newton, "was that he got assistance
+and buried your remains as decently as he could."
+
+"What induced him to apply to you at all?"
+
+"I do not know. I fancy it was to hand over a few small nuggets, which
+he said was your share of the findings, and which he took from your
+waistband before committing you to the grave. As he seemed frank and
+straightforward and quite poor, I confess I believed him, and even
+requested Mr. Liddell to give him some small present. He said he was
+going afloat again, and would sail in a few days. He had an old
+clasp-knife which I myself had given you, and with it a small
+pocket-book in which your name and my address were written in your own
+hand. These were tolerably convincing proofs that he at least knew you.
+Moreover, there seemed no need whatever that he should have made any
+attempt to communicate with your people. He might have held his tongue,
+and no question would have been raised respecting you."
+
+"You are right," returned Liddell, bitterly.
+
+"And how did you escape?" asked Katherine, with eager interest.
+
+"He--this Tom Dunford--_did_ go to the next inn and told of the attack;
+he even guided some men to the spot, and left _them_ to bury me, because
+he was obliged to hurry on to Sydney; but I believe he returned, before
+going to the inn, and robbed me. Anyhow I was not killed by the bullet,
+but stunned by the fall. Some of the fellows who came with Tom fancied I
+did not seem quite dead. Finally I recovered, and instead of digging for
+gold myself, got others to dig for me. I set up an inn and a store, with
+the help of an American whose daughter I married, and now I am rich
+enough to be a formidable foe. I have a little girl, and when my wife
+died I determined to realize everything, to come to England, and have
+the child brought up as an English lady. On the voyage home I fell in
+with a man--a fellow of the rolling-stone order--to whom I used to talk
+now and again. He turned out to be the brother of one of your clerks,
+and from him I heard that my father had died intestate, that my cousin
+had taken possession of everything, and that I was looked upon as dead.
+Did you never attempt to prove the truth of Tom Dunford's story?"
+
+"We did. I communicated with the police of Sydney, and they found that
+there had been a fight between bush-rangers and diggers returning from
+Woollamaroo at the time and place specified; moreover, that one of the
+diggers was killed, while the other escaped, but further nothing was
+known. The man who kept the inn mentioned by Dunford had made money and
+moved off, so the track was broken. Then all these years you made no
+sign. Did you not see the advertisements I put in an Australian paper?"
+
+"No; I was far away from any town, and rarely saw any but the American
+papers which came to my master. Well, here I am, determined to have
+every inch of my rights, let who will stand in my way; and
+_you_"--looking fiercely into Newton's eyes--"shall be my first
+witness."
+
+"I cannot deny that I recognize you," said Newton, reluctantly.
+
+Liddell laughed scornfully. "And you?" turning to Katherine.
+
+"I have no doubt you are my cousin George."
+
+"Right! As to that fellow Tom--he would never have hurt me, but I am
+sure he robbed me, especially if he thought I was dead. His game was to
+hold himself harmless whether I lived or died, only he ought not to have
+committed himself to seeing me buried. I found him out in Liverpool, and
+gave him a fright, for he really believed me dead. Now, cousin, I hope
+you understand that I mean to take every farthing of my father's
+fortune. He never did me much good in my life, nor my poor mother
+either, and I am determined to get all I can out of what he has left
+behind him. But I never dreamed he could pass away without taking care
+that nothing should come to me. It is strange that your mother and my
+uncle should make no fresh attempt to discover me."
+
+"We had looked upon you as dead for years, and my father had died before
+the news of your supposed murder reached us." Katherine could hardly
+steady her voice; she was burning to get away. "I beg you will not
+resent the fact of my most unconscious usurpation. I would not do
+anything unjust." She stopped, remembering what she _had_ done. Surely
+the punishment was coming quick upon her.
+
+"Ay," said George Liddell, looking sternly at her. "It is a bitter pill
+for a fine lady like you to swallow, to find a ragged outcast like me
+thrusting you from the place you have no right to; where my poor little
+wild untutored girl will take her stand in spite of you all."
+
+"From what I have heard, I do not think my father or mother ever treated
+you as an outcast," said Katherine, with quiet dignity; adding, as she
+rose to leave them, "You seem so irritated against me I will leave you
+with Mr. Newton, who will, I know, act as a true friend to both of us."
+
+Mr. Newton, with a grave and troubled face, hastened after to see her
+to her carriage. "This is an awful blow!" he said in a low voice.
+
+"It is, no doubt. Do you think, as he is already rich, that he might do
+something for the boys? Then I should not care."
+
+"The boys!"--impatiently. "You need not trouble about them when he has
+the power to _rob_ you even of the trifle you inherit from your father
+by demanding the arrears of income since your uncle's death, as he has
+the right to do. Why, he can beggar you!"
+
+"Indeed! He looks like a hard man; he is like his father."
+
+"Well, trust me, I will do my best for you."
+
+"I know you will," returned Katherine, pressing the old lawyer's hand as
+he leaned against the carriage door.
+
+"Good-by! God bless you!" he returned; and Katherine was carried away
+from him. Slowly and sadly the old man ascended to his office again to
+confront the angry claimant, who awaited him impatiently.
+
+Meantime Katherine was striving to think clearly, to rouse herself from
+the stunned, bewildered condition into which the appearance of George
+Liddell had thrown her, and which Mr. Newton's words increased. What was
+to become of Cis and Charlie if she were beggared? She could not face
+the prospect. There was still a way of escape left, a glimpse of which
+had been given to her as she listened to her cousin's vindictive
+utterances. If she could prevail on Errington to produce the will and
+assert his right, he would provide for those poor innocent boys, and
+never ask _her_ for any of the money she had spent. Maybe he would share
+with George himself. She must see Errington at once, and with the
+strictest secrecy. Her thoughts cleared as, bit by bit, her plan
+unfolded itself in her busy brain. Then she made up her mind. Touching
+the check-string, she desired the driver to stop at a small fancyware
+and stationer's shop near Miss Payne's house. Arrived there, she
+dismissed the carriage, saying she would walk home.
+
+"Give me paper and an envelope: I want to write a few lines," she said
+to the smiling shopwoman, who knew her to be one of their best
+customers.
+
+Having traced a few words entreating Errington to see her early next
+day--should he happen to be out or engaged--she hailed a hansome, and
+went as quickly as she could to his lodgings in the Temple.
+
+It was quite different, this second visit, from the first. He now knew
+all, and in spite of her fears and profound uneasiness she felt a thrill
+of pleasure at the idea of the necessity for taking counsel with him,
+the prospect of half an hour's undisturbed communication, of hearing his
+voice, and feeling his kind forgiving glance. Still it was an awful
+trial too--to tell him the upshot of her dishonesty, the confusion she
+had wrought by her deviation into a crooked path. She was trembling from
+head to foot by the time she reached Errington's abode.
+
+A severe-looking woman, a caretaker apparently, was on the stair as
+Katherine ascended, feeling dreadfully puzzled what to do, as she
+feared having to knock in vain and go away without leaving her note.
+
+"Can you tell me if Mr. Errington is at home?" she asked, timidly, quite
+frightened at the sound of her own voice in so strange a place.
+
+"I am sure I don't know, miss. I dare say he's gone out. He is up the
+next flight."
+
+"May I ask you to inquire if he is in? If not, would you be so kind as
+to leave this note?"
+
+The woman took it with a rather discontented suspicious air, but finding
+it was accompanied by a coin of the realm, went on her errand with great
+alacrity. Katherine followed slowly.
+
+"You're to walk up at once; he's in," said the emissary, meeting her at
+the top of the stair.
+
+At the door stood Errington, her note in his hand, and a serious, uneasy
+expression on his countenance. Katherine was very white; her eyes were
+dilated with a look of fear and distress.
+
+"Pray come in," said Errington; and he closed the door behind her. "I
+fear you are in some difficulty. You can speak without reserve; I am
+quite alone."
+
+Katherine was aware of passing through a small room with doors right and
+left, and possessing only a couple of chairs and a small table; through
+this Errington led her to his sitting-room, which was almost lined with
+books, and comfortably furnished. He placed a chair for her, and
+returned to his own seat by a table at which he had been writing.
+
+"The last time I came it was in the hope of assisting _you_ by my
+confession; now I have come to beg for your help--" She stopped
+abruptly. "My uncle's son George, who was believed to have been killed
+by bush-rangers in Australia more than fourteen years ago, has returned,
+alive and well."
+
+"But can he prove his identity?"
+
+"I was with Mr. Newton when he came into the office, and the moment Mr.
+Newton saw him he started up, exclaiming, 'George Liddell!' and I--I saw
+the likeness to his father."
+
+"Did Newton know him formerly?"
+
+"Yes; he seems to have been almost his only friend."
+
+"How was it he did not put in an appearance and assert his rights
+before?"
+
+"I will tell you all." And she went on to describe the interview which
+had just taken place, the curious vindictive spirit which her cousin
+displayed, his very recent knowledge of his father's death, and Mr.
+Newton's words of warning, "He has the power to rob you even of the
+trifle you inherit from your father, by demanding the arrears of income
+since your uncle's death; he can beggar you."
+
+"No doubt he can, but surely he will not!" exclaimed Errington.
+
+"It seems to me that if he can he will. To give him up that which is his
+is quite right, and will not cost me a pang; but to be penniless, to
+send back my poor dear little boys, to be considered and treated as
+burdens by their mother and Colonel Ormonde--oh, I cannot bear it! I
+know now Charlie would be crushed and Cecil would be hardened. It is
+for this I come to you for help. Mr. Errington, I implore you to produce
+the will which puts this cruelty out of George Liddell's power. Surely
+you might say that not liking to disinherit me, you suppressed it? This
+is true, you know."
+
+"The will!" exclaimed Errington, starting up and pacing the room in
+great agitation. "My God! I have destroyed it. Thinking it safer for you
+that it should be out of the way, I destroyed it, and by so doing I have
+given you, bound hand and foot, into the power of this man. Can you
+forgive me?--can you ever forgive me?" He took and wrung her hand,
+holding it for a moment, while he looked imploringly into her eyes.
+
+"Oh yes, I do heartily forgive you. You only did it to save me from any
+chance of discovery. If only George Liddell will be satisfied not to
+claim the money I have spent, I may still be able to keep the boys, for
+I have nearly a hundred and fifty pounds a year quite my own," cried
+Katherine, loosing her hand. "Do not distress yourself, Mr. Errington. I
+know Mr. Newton will do his best for me, and perhaps my cousin will not
+exact the arrears. He says he is rich, and if I give him no trouble----"
+she paused, for she could not command her voice, while the tears were
+already glittering in her eyes. Another word and they would have been
+rolling down her cheeks.
+
+"Don't cry, for God's sake!" said Errington, in a low tone, resuming his
+seat. "What can be done to soften this fellow? Ah! Miss Liddell, we are
+quits now. If you robbed me, I have ruined you."
+
+"From what different motives!" said Katherine, recovering her
+self-control. "_I_ am still the wrong-doer."
+
+How heavenly sweet it was to be consoled and sympathized with by him!
+But she dared not stay. It was terribly bold of her to have come to his
+rooms, only he would never misjudge her, and she was so little known she
+scarcely feared recognition by any one she might meet.
+
+"Could I assist Mr. Newton at all in dealing with this kinsman of
+yours?" resumed Errington, gazing at her with a troubled look.
+
+"I fear you could not. How are you to know anything of my troubles? No
+one dreams that you have any knowledge of my affairs; that you and you
+only are aware what an impostor I am."
+
+"You are expiating your offence bitterly. But when the story of this
+George Liddell comes out, why should I not, as the son of his father's
+old friend, make his acquaintance, and try to persuade him to forego his
+full rights?"
+
+"You might try," said Katherine, dejectedly. "Now I have trespassed long
+enough. I must go. I have to explain matters to Miss Payne, and I feel
+curiously dazed. Oh, if I can keep the boys!"
+
+"If any effort of mine can help you, it is my duty as well as my sincere
+pleasure to do all I can."
+
+"And if the will existed would you have acted on it?"
+
+"Most certainly--in your defence."
+
+"Ah!" cried Katherine, her eyes lighting up, her tremulous lips parting
+in a smile. "Then you would have had some of the money too."
+
+"Then you quite forgive me?" again rising, and coming over to stand
+beside her.
+
+"You must feel I do, Mr. Errington. Now I will say good-by. If you can
+help me with George, I shall be most grateful."
+
+"Promise that you will look on me as one of your most devoted friends.
+He took her hand again.
+
+"Can you indeed feel friendship for one you cannot respect?" she
+returned, in a low tone, with one of the quick, vivid blushes which
+usually rose to her cheek when she was much moved.
+
+"But I do respect you. Why should I not? A generous, impulsive woman
+like you cannot be judged by the cold maxims of exact justice; you must
+be tried by the higher rules of equity."
+
+"You comfort me," said Katherine, with indescribably sweet graceful
+humility. "I thank you heartily, and will say good-by."
+
+"I will come and see you into a cab," returned Errington, feeling
+himself anxious that no one should recognize her, and not knowing when
+their _tete-a-tete_ might be interrupted.
+
+They went out together, and walked a little way in silence. "You will
+let me come and see you, to hear--" began Errington, when Katherine
+interrupted him.
+
+"Not just now. I think we had better not seem to know anything of each
+other, or perhaps George Liddell may suspect you of being my friend."
+
+"I see. But at least you will keep me informed of how things go on.
+Remember how tormented I am with remorse for my hasty act."
+
+"You need not be. But I will write. There--there is a cab."
+
+Errington hailed it, handed her in carefully, and they said good-by with
+a sudden sense of intimacy which months of ordinary communication would
+not have produced.
+
+
+It was a very serious undertaking to break the intelligence to Miss
+Payne, and poor Katherine felt quite exhausted before her exclamations,
+questions, and wonderings were half over.
+
+On one or two points Miss Payne at once made up her mind, nor had she
+ever quite altered her opinion: This man representing himself as George
+Liddell was an impostor who had known the real "Simon Pure," and got
+himself up accordingly as soon as he heard that the late John Liddell
+had died intestate; that Mr. Newton was a weak-minded, credulous idiot
+to acknowledge this impostor at first sight, _if_ he were not a
+double-dealing traitor ready to play into the hands of the new claimant.
+He ought to have thrown the onus of proof on _him_, instead of
+acknowledging his identity by that childish exclamation. Don't tell
+_her_ that he was startled out of prudence and precaution. A spirit from
+above or below would not have thrown her (Miss Payne) off her guard
+where property was concerned, and what was the use of men's superior
+strength and courage if they could not hold their tongues in presence of
+an unexpected apparition?
+
+She was, however, profoundly disturbed, and sent at once for her
+brother.
+
+It was evening before he arrived in Wilton Street, having gone out
+before Miss Payne's note reached him. Like Errington, he was at first
+incredulous, and when he had gathered the facts of the case, absolutely
+overcome. In fact, he showed more emotion than Errington, yet it did not
+impress Katherine so much as Errington's deep, suppressed feeling.
+
+"But what are you to do?" he said, raising his head, which he had bowed
+on his hand in a kind of despair.
+
+"It is just the question I have been asking myself," said Katherine,
+quietly. "For even if dear old Mr. Newton succeeds in softening George
+Liddell, and he forgives me the outlay of what was certainly his money,
+the little that belongs to myself I shall want for my nephews."
+
+"And pray is their mother to contribute nothing toward the maintenance
+of her children?" asked Miss Payne, severely.
+
+"Poor Ada! she has nothing of her own; it will be desperately hard on
+her;" and Katherine sighed deeply. Her hearers little knew the remorse
+that afflicted her as she reflected on the false position into which she
+had drawn her sister-in-law. What a rage Colonel Ormonde would be in!
+How unwisely audacious it was in any mere mortal to play Providence for
+herself or her fellows! But Miss Payne was speaking:
+
+"I don't see the hardship; she has a husband behind her--a rich man
+too."
+
+"For herself it is all well enough, but it must be very hard to think
+that one's children are a burden on a reluctant husband; besides, the
+boys will feel it cruelly. Oh, if I can only keep them with me!"
+
+"I understand you," cried Bertie. "Would to God you could lay your
+burden at His feet who alone can help in time of need. If you could----"
+
+He was interrupted by Francois, who brought a letter just arrived by the
+last post.
+
+"It is from Mr. Newton," exclaimed Katherine, opening it eagerly. And
+having read it rapidly, she added, "You would like to hear what he says."
+
+
+"'MY DEAR MISS LIDDELL,--As I cannot see you early to-morrow I
+will send you a report. I had a long argument with your cousin after you
+left to-day, and although he is still in an unreasonable state of
+irritation against you and myself and every one, I do not despair of
+bringing him to a better and a juster frame of mind. For the present it
+would be as well you did not meet. I should advise your taking steps at
+once to remove your nephews from Sandbourne, and also, while you have
+money pay the quarter in advance, as you do not know how matters may
+turn. It was a most fortunate circumstance that the house occupied by
+Miss Trant was purchased in her name, as Mr. Liddell cannot touch that,
+and if she is at all the woman you suppose her to be, she will pay you
+interest for your money. If you could only persuade your cousin to let
+you see and make friends with this little daughter of his--_there_ lies
+the road to his heart.
+
+"'Meanwhile say as little as possible to any one about this sudden
+change in your fortunes. To Miss Payne you must, of course, explain
+matters; but she is a sensible, prudent woman.
+
+    "'With sincere sympathy, believe me yours most truly,
+                                                "'W. NEWTON.'"
+
+
+"There is a gleam of hope, then," exclaimed Bertie.
+
+"I don't know what you mean about hope. At best a drop from about two
+thousand a year to a hundred and fifty is not a subject for
+congratulation.--Well, Katherine, you are most welcome to stay here as
+my guest till you find something to do, for find something you must."
+
+"I knew you would be kind and true," said Katherine, her voice a little
+tremulous, "and believe me I will not sit with folded hands."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+"BREAD CAST ON THE WATERS."
+
+
+There were indeed long and heavy days for Katherine, few though they
+were, before Mr. Newton thought it well to communicate the intelligence
+to Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde. He wished to be able to extract some more
+favorable terms from Liddell, so that his favorite client might fulfil
+her ardent desire to keep her nephews still with her, and assist in
+their maintenance and education. This was, in the shrewd old lawyer's
+estimation, a most Quixotic project, but he saw it was the only idea
+which enabled her to bear the extreme distress caused by the prospect of
+returning the poor children on their mother's hands.
+
+A period of uncertainty is always trying, and the reflection that the
+present crisis was the result of her unfortunate infringement of the
+unalterable law of right and wrong overwhelmed her with a sense of
+guilt. Had she not meddled with the matter, no doubt such a man as
+Errington would, were the case properly represented to him, have given
+some portion of the wealth bequeathed him to the family of the testator.
+But how could she have foreseen? True; but she might have resisted the
+temptation to deviate from the straight path. "She might!" What an abyss
+of endless regret yawns at the sound of those words, used in the sense
+of too late!
+
+This was a hard worldly trouble over which she could not weep. Over and
+over again she told herself that nothing should part her from the boys,
+that she would devote her life to repair as far as possible the injury
+she had done them. And Ada, would she also suffer for her (Katherine's)
+sins? But while brooding constantly on these miserable thoughts she kept
+a brave front, quiet and steady, though Miss Payne saw that her
+composure hid a good deal of suffering.
+
+It was more, however, than Katherine's resolution could accomplish to
+keep a few evening engagements which she had made. "I should feel too
+great an impostor," she said. "How thankful I shall be when the murder
+is out and the nine days' wonder over! Have you any commissions, dear
+Miss Payne? I want an object to take me out, and I feel I must not mope
+in-doors."
+
+"No, I cannot say I have any shopping to do, and I am obliged to go into
+the City myself. Take a steady round of Kensington Gardens; it is quite
+mild and bright to-day. I shall not return till six, I am afraid."
+
+So Katherine went out alone immediately after luncheon, before the world
+and his wife had time to get abroad. She had made a circuit of the
+ornamental water, and was returning by the footpath near the sunk fence
+which separates the Gardens from the Park, when she recognized De Burgh
+coming toward her. He had been in her thoughts at the moment; for,
+feeling that it was quite likely he had been considered a suitor, she
+was anxious to give him an opportunity of making an honorable retreat
+before society found out that the sceptre of wealth had slipped from her
+hand.
+
+"Pray is this the way you cure a cold?" he asked, abruptly. "Last night
+Lady Mary Vincent informed me that you had staid at home to nurse a
+cold. This morning I call to enquire for the interesting invalid, and
+find she is out in the cool February air."
+
+"It is very mild, and it is at night the air is dangerous," returned
+Katherine, smiling.
+
+"Now I look at you, I don't think you look so blooming as usual. May I
+go back with you and pay my visit of condolence, in spite of having left
+my card?"
+
+"Yes," said Katherine, with sudden decision. "I want to speak to you."
+
+"Indeed!"--with a keen, eager look. "This is something new. May I ask--"
+
+"No; not until we are in Miss Payne's drawing-room."
+
+"You alarm me. Could it be possible that you, peerless as you are, have
+got into a scrape?"
+
+"Well, I think I can say I have," said Katherine, smiling.
+
+"Great heavens! this is delightful."
+
+"Let us talk of something else."
+
+"By all means. Will you hear some gossip? I don't often retail any, but
+I fancy you'll be amused and interested to know that Lady Alice Mordaunt
+is really going to marry that brewer fellow. You remember I told you
+what I thought was going on last autumn."
+
+"Is it possible?" cried Katherine. "Imagine her so soon forgetting Mr.
+Errington!"
+
+"And why should not that immaculate individual be exempt from the usual
+fate of man?"
+
+"I don't know--except that he is not an ordinary man."
+
+"No; certainly not. He is an extraordinary fellow; but I must say he has
+shown great staying power in his late difficulties. They tell me he has
+been revenging himself by writing awful problems, political and
+critical, which require a forty-horse intellectual power to understand."
+And De Burgh talked on, seeing that his companion was disinclined to
+speak until they reached Miss Payne's house.
+
+Katherine took off her hat and warm cloak with some deliberation,
+thinking how best to approach her subject. Pushing back her hair, which
+had become somewhat disordered from its own weight, she sat down on an
+ottoman, and raising her eyes to De Burgh, who stood on the hearth-rug,
+said, slowly, "I have a secret to tell you which you must keep for a few
+weeks."
+
+"For an eternity, if you will trust me," he returned, in low, earnest
+tones, his dark eyes fixed upon her, as if trying to read her heart.
+
+"Well, then, my uncle's son and heir, whom we believed to be dead, has
+suddenly reappeared, and of course takes the fortune I have been, let us
+_say_, enjoying."
+
+De Burgh did not reply at once; his eyes continued to search her face as
+if to discover some hidden meaning.
+
+"Do you mean me to take you seriously, Miss Liddell?"
+
+"Quite. Moreover, I fear my cousin means to demand the arrears of
+income--income which I have spent."
+
+"But the fellow must be an impostor. Your man of business, Newton, will
+never yield to his demands. He must prove his case."
+
+"I think he has proved it. Mr. Newton recognized him at the first
+glance; and he bears a strong resemblance to his father. I feel he is
+the man he asserts himself to be."
+
+"Do you intend to give up without a struggle? What account does this
+intruder give of himself?"
+
+Katherine gave him a brief sketch of the story, speaking with firmness
+and composure.
+
+"What an infernal shame!" cried De Burgh, when she ceased speaking. "I
+wish I had had a chance of sending a bullet through his head, and as
+sure as there is a devil down below I'd have verified the report of his
+death! Why, what is to be done?"
+
+"I still faintly hope Mr. Newton may persuade him to forego his first
+demand for the restoration of those moneys I have spent. If so, I am not
+quite penniless, and can hope to-- At all events, I thought it but right
+to give you early information, as--"
+
+"Why?" interrupted De Burgh (for she hesitated), throwing himself on the
+ottoman and leaning against the arm which divided the seats, till his
+long dark mustaches nearly touched the coils of her hair. "Why?" he
+repeated, as she did not answer immediately. "I know well enough. It is
+your loyalty that makes you wish to open a way of escape to the friend
+who is credited with seeking your fortune. I see it all."
+
+"You can assign any motive you like, Mr. De Burgh, but I thought--I
+wished--I believed it better to let you know; for I shall always
+consider you my friend, even if we do not meet," said Katherine, a good
+deal unhinged by the excitement and distress he displayed.
+
+"Meet? why, of course we shall meet! Do you think anything in heaven or
+earth would make me give up the attempt, hopeless as it may seem, to win
+you? I know you don't care a rap for me now, but I cannot, dare not
+despair. I've too much at stake. There is the awful sting of this
+misfortune. Even if you, by some blessed intervention of Providence,
+were ready to marry me, I don't see how I could drag you into such a sea
+of trouble. Besides, there's old De Burgh; he must be kept in
+good-humor. By Heaven! this miserable want of money is the most utter
+degradation--irresistible, enslaving. I feel like a beaten cur. I am
+tied hand and foot. Had I not been such a reckless idiot, why, your
+misfortunes might have been my best chance. I dare say that sounds
+shabby enough, but I like to let you see what I am, good and bad;
+besides, I am ready to do _anything_, right or wrong, to win you."
+
+"Ah, Mr. De Burgh, no crookedness ever succeeds. And then I do not
+deserve that you should think so much or care so much for me, for I do
+not wish to marry you or any one. My plan of life is framed on quite
+different lines. Do put me out of your mind, and think of your own
+fortunes. Do not vex Lord De Burgh; but oh! pray give up racing and
+gambling. You know I really do like you, not exactly in the way you
+wish, but it adds greatly to my troubles (for I am very sorry to lose my
+fortune, I assure you) to see you so--so disturbed."
+
+"If you look at me so kindly with those sweet wet eyes I shall lose my
+head," cried De Burgh, who was already beside himself, for the gulf
+which had suddenly yawned between him and the woman he coveted seemed to
+grow wider as he looked at it. "I am the most unlucky devil in
+existence, and I have brought _you_ ill luck. I should have kept away
+from you, for you are a hundred thousand times too good for me; but as I
+_have_ thrown myself headlong into the delicious pain of loving you,
+won't you give me a chance? Promise to wait for me: a week, a day, may
+see me wealthy, and I swear I will strive to be worthy too: why were
+those bush-rangers such infernally bad-shots?--and I can be no use to
+you whatever?"
+
+"But I have many kind friends, Mr. De Burgh. You must not distress
+yourself about me. I am not frightened, I assure you. Now I have told
+you everything, don't you think you would better go?" She rose as she
+spoke, and held out her hand.
+
+"Better for you, yes, but not for me. Look here, Katherine, don't banish
+me. I am obliged to go with old De Burgh to Paris. He is making for
+Cannes again, and asked me to come so far. Of course he has a chain
+round my neck. I must obey orders like his bond-slave, but when I come
+back--don't banish me. I swear I'll be an unobtrusive friend, and I may
+be of use. Don't send me quite away; in short, I won't take a dismissal.
+What is it you object to? What absurd stories have been told you to set
+you against me? Other women have liked me well enough."
+
+"I have no doubt you deserve to be loved, Mr. De Burgh, but there are
+feelings that, like the wind, blow where they list; we cannot tell
+whence they come or whither they go. I am sorry I do not love you,
+but--I am very tired. If you care to come and see me when you come back,
+come _if_ I have any place in which to receive you."
+
+"If I write, will you answer my letters?"
+
+"Oh no; don't write; I would rather you did not."
+
+"I am a brute to keep you when you look so white; I'll go. Good-by for
+the present--only for the present, you dear, sweet woman!" He kissed her
+hand twice and went quickly out of the room.
+
+Katherine heaved a sigh of relief. The degree of liking she had for De
+Burgh made her feel greatly distressed at having been obliged to give
+him pain. Yet she was not by any means disposed to trust him; his
+restless eagerness to gratify every whim and desire as it came to him,
+the kind of harshness which made him so indifferent to the feelings and
+opinions of those who opposed him--this was very repellent to
+Katherine's more considerate and sympathetic nature. Besides, and above
+all, De Burgh was not Errington; and it needs no more to explain why the
+former, who had no reason hitherto to complain of the coldness of women,
+found the only one he had ever loved with a high order of affection
+untouched by his wooing.
+
+
+The day after this interview Katherine, accompanied by Miss Payne, went
+down to Sandbourne to interview the principal of the boys' school, to
+explain the state of affairs, to give notice that she should be obliged
+to remove them, and to pay in advance for the time they were to remain.
+
+The visit was full of both pain and pleasure. The genuine delight of the
+children on seeing her unexpectedly, their joy at being permitted to go
+out to walk with her, their innocent talk, and the castles in the air
+which they erected in the firm conviction that they were to have horses
+and dogs, man-servants and maid-servants, all the days of their lives,
+touched her heart. The principal gave a good account of both. Cecil was,
+he said, erratic and excitable in no common degree, but though
+troublesome, he was truthful and straightforward, while Charlie promised
+to develop qualities of no common order. He entered with a very friendly
+spirit into the anxiety of the young aunt, whose motherly tenderness for
+her nephews touched him greatly. He gave her some valuable advice, and
+the address of two schools regulated to suit parents of small means, and
+which he could safely recommend. By his suggestion nothing was said for
+the present to Cis or Charlie regarding the impending change, lest they
+should be unsettled.
+
+"And shall we come to stay at Miss Payne's for the Easter holidays?"
+cried the boys in chorus, as Katherine took leave of them the next day.
+
+"I hope so, dears, but I am not sure."
+
+"Then will you come down to Sandbourne? That would be jolly."
+
+"I cannot promise, Cecil. We will see."
+
+"But, auntie, we'll not have to go to Castleford?"
+
+"Why? Would you not like to go?"
+
+"No. Would you, Charlie? I don't like being there nearly so much as at
+school. I don't like having dinner by ourselves, and yet I don't care to
+dine with Colonel Ormonde; he is always in a wax."
+
+"He does not mean to be cross," said Katherine, her heart sinking within
+her. Should she be obliged to hand over the poor little helpless fellows
+to the reluctant guardianship of their irritable step-father? This would
+indeed be a pang. Was it for this she had broken the law, and marred the
+harmony of her own moral nature?
+
+"Well, my own dear, I will do the best I can for you, you may be quite
+sure. Now you must let me go; I will come again as soon as I can." Cis
+kissed her heartily, and scampered away to take his place in the
+class-room, quite content with his school life. Charlie threw his arms
+around his auntie's neck, and clung to her lovingly. But he too was
+called away, and nothing remained for Katherine and her companion but to
+make their way to the station and return to town.
+
+This visit cost Katherine more than any other outcome of George
+Liddell's reappearance. Her quick imagination depicted what the boys'
+lives would be under the jurisdiction of their mother and her
+husband--the worries, the suppression, the sense of being always naughty
+and in the wrong, the different yet equally pernicious effect such
+treatment would have on the brothers.
+
+"This is the worst part of the business to you," said Miss Payne, when
+they had reached home and sat down to a late tea together. "You look
+like a ghost, or as if you had seen one. You will make yourself ill, and
+really there is no need to do anything of the kind. Those children have
+a mother who is very well off. I always thought it frightfully imprudent
+of you to take those boys even when you had plenty of money. Now, of
+course, when it is impossible for you to keep them, it is a bitter
+wrench to part, but--"
+
+"But I am not sure that we must part," interrupted Katherine, eagerly.
+"Should my cousin be induced to forego his claims upon me for the income
+I have expended, and I can find some means of maintaining myself, I
+could still provide for their school expenses and keep them with me."
+
+"Maintain yourself, my dear Katherine; it is easier said than done. You
+are quite infatuated about those nephews of yours, and I dare say they
+will give you small thanks."
+
+"I know it is not easy for an untrained woman like myself to find
+remunerative work, but I shall try. Here is a note from Mr. Newton
+asking me to call on him to-morrow. Let us hope he will have some good
+news, though I cannot help fearing he would have told me in this if he
+had."
+
+It was with a sickening sensation of uneasy hope shot with dark streaks
+of fear that Katherine started to keep her appointment with Mr. Newton.
+Eager to begin her economy at once, Katherine took an omnibus instead of
+indulging in a brougham or a cab. She could not help smiling at her own
+sense of helpless discomfort when a fat woman almost sat down upon her,
+and the conductor told her to look sharp when the vehicle stopped to let
+her alight; as she reflected that barely three years ago she considered
+an omnibus rather a luxury, and that it was a matter of careful
+calculation how many pennies might be saved by walking to certain points
+whence one could travel at a reduced fare. How easily are luxurious and
+self-indulgent habits formed! Well, she had done with them forever now;
+nor would anything seem a hardship were she but permitted to repair in
+some measure the evil she had wrought.
+
+She found Mr. Newton awaiting her with evident impatience. "Well, my
+dear Miss Liddell," he said, "I have been most anxious to see you,
+though I have not much that is cheering to communicate. I have had
+several interviews with your cousin, but he seems still unaccountably
+hard and vindictive. However, as I am, of course, _your_ adviser, he has
+been obliged to seek another solicitor, and I am happy to say he has
+fallen into good hands, and that by a sort of lucky chance."
+
+"How?" asked Katherine, who was looking pale and feeling in the depths.
+
+"Well, a few days ago a gentleman called here to ask me for the address
+of a former client of whom I have heard nothing for years. I think you
+know or have met this gentleman--Mr. Errington."
+
+"I do," cried Katherine, now all attention.
+
+"While we were speaking Mr. Liddell was announced. Errington looked at
+him hard, and then asked politely if he were the son of the late Mr.
+John Liddell, who had been a great friend of his (Errington's) father.
+Your cousin seemed to know the name, and, moreover, very pleased at
+being spoken to and remembered. Mr. Errington offered to call, and now I
+find he has recommended his own solicitors, Messrs. Compton & Barnes, to
+George Liddell. I had an interview with the head of the firm yesterday,
+and he has evidently advised that the strictly legal claims against you
+should not be pressed. I cannot help thinking that Mr. Errington has
+interested himself on your side."
+
+"Indeed!" cried Katherine, life and warmth coming back to her heart at
+his words.
+
+"Yes, I do. Compton appears to have the highest possible opinion of
+Errington as a man of integrity and intelligence. He, Compton says,
+believes that if Liddell could be persuaded such a line of conduct
+toward you would injure him socially, he would not seek to enforce his
+rights, for he is evidently anxious to make a position in the
+respectable world. As you make no opposition to his claims he ought to
+show you consideration. This accidental encounter between Errington and
+your cousin will, I am sure, prove a fortunate circumstance."
+
+In her own mind Katherine could not help doubting its accidental
+character. How infinitely good and forgiving Errington was! While she
+thought, Mr. Newton mused.
+
+"I suppose you have a tolerable balance at the bank?" he said, abruptly.
+
+"Yes. I have never spent a year's income in a year. Just lately, except
+for buying that house, I have spent very little."
+
+"That house! Oh--ah! I shall be curious to see how Miss Trant will
+behave. If she is true to her word; if she looks upon your loan to her
+as a loan--an investment on your side--you may gain an addition to your
+income through what was an act of pure benevolence. When you go home, my
+dear young lady, look at your bank-book, and let me know exactly how you
+stand. We might offer this cormorant of a cousin a portion of your
+savings to finish the business. Indeed I should advise you to draw a
+good large check at once so as to provide yourself with ready money."
+
+"Would it be quite--quite honest to do so?" asked Katherine, anxiously.
+
+"Pray do you impugn my integrity?"
+
+"No! But suppose George Liddell found I had drawn a large check--perhaps
+the very day before I propose through you to hand over what remains to
+me--he would think me a cheat?"
+
+"And pray why should he know anything about your bank-book? or what
+consideration do you owe him? He is behaving very harshly and badly to
+you. We will state what is in the bank after you have drawn your check,
+and offer him half--which is a great deal too much for him. Yet I should
+like him to be your friend, if possible. Could you get hold of that
+little girl of his? Affection for her seems to be the only human thing
+about him."
+
+"I think I should rather have nothing to do with him," murmured
+Katherine.
+
+"Well, well, we will see. Now, though we have not succeeded in coming to
+any settlement with Liddell, I believe we ought not to leave Mrs.
+Ormonde any longer in ignorance respecting the change which has taken
+place."
+
+"No, I am sure they ought to know. I have been troubling myself about
+both the Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde," said Katherine. "This is what I
+dread most." And she sighed.
+
+"I do not see why you need. I am sure you acted with noble liberality to
+Mrs. Ormonde and her boys when you thought you were the rightful owner
+of the property."
+
+"The rightful owner," repeated Katherine, with a thrill of pain. "It has
+been an unfortunate ownership to me."
+
+"It has--it has indeed, my dear young lady, but we must see how to help
+you at this juncture. If Miss Trant behaves as she ought, we must put a
+little more capital in that concern if it is as thriving as you believe.
+It may turn out very useful to you."
+
+"I have not seen her since my cousin came to life again, for I could not
+see her and keep back my strange story. May I tell her now?"
+
+"Certainly. It was from Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde I wished to keep back
+the disastrous news till some agreement should be come to."
+
+"You must not call my cousin's return to life and country disastrous,"
+said Katherine, smiling. "I am sure, if he will only give me the chance
+of keeping my boys with me, I am quite ready to welcome him to both. Now
+I shall leave you, for I want to send away my letter to Ada this
+evening, and it is a difficult letter to write."
+
+"I have no doubt you will state your case clearly and well," returned
+Mr. Newton, rising to shake hands with her. "Let me hear what Mrs.
+Ormonde says in reply; and see your protegee, Miss Trant. I am anxious
+to learn her views."
+
+"I am quite sure I know what they will be," said Katherine.
+
+"Don't be too sure. Human nature is a very crooked thing--more crooked
+than a true heart like yours can imagine," continued the old man,
+holding her hand kindly.
+
+"Ah, Mr. Newton," she cried, with an irresistible outburst of penitence,
+"you little know what crooked things I can imagine."
+
+"Can't I?" he said laughing at what he fancied was her little joke, and
+glad to see her bearing her troubles so lightly. "You'll come all right
+yet, my dear; you have the right spirit. Is your carriage waiting?"
+
+"Not here; but in Holborn I have several at my command," she returned.
+"Good-by; no, you must not come downstairs; it is damp and chilly."
+
+On reaching her home, the home she must so soon resign, Katherine sent a
+note to Rachel Trant asking if she had a spare hour that evening, as
+she, Katherine, had something to tell her, and preferred going to her
+house. Then she sat down to write a full and detailed account of what
+had taken place to her sister-in-law. It was dusk before she had
+finished and she herself felt considerably exhausted. Miss Payne had
+gone out to dine with one of her former girls, now the wife of a rackety
+horsy man, whose conduct made her often look back with a sigh of regret
+to the tranquil days passed under the guardianship of the prudent
+spinster; so having partaken of tea at their usual dinner-time she sat
+and mused awhile on the one subject from which she could derive
+comfort--Errington and his wonderful kindness to her. If he took the
+matter in hand she thought herself safe. Her confidence in him was
+unbounded. Ah! why had she placed such a gulf between them? How she had
+destroyed her own life! There was but one tie between her and the world,
+little Charlie and Cis, and perhaps she had been their greatest enemy.
+She almost wished she could love De Burgh. He was undoubtedly in
+earnest; he interested her; he--But no. Between her and any possible
+husband she had reared the insurmountable barrier of a secret not to be
+shared by any save one, from whom, somehow, instead of dividing her, had
+bound her indissolubly; at least she felt it to be so.
+
+It was near the hour she had fixed to call on Rachel, so she roused
+herself, and asking the amiable Francois to accompany her, started for
+Malden Street.
+
+Rachel Trant had made a back parlor, designated the "trying-on" room,
+bright and cosy, with a shaded lamp, a red fire, a couple of easy-chairs
+at either side of it, and a gay cloth over the small round table erst
+strewn with fashion books, measuring tapes, pins, patterns and
+pin-cushions.
+
+"How very good of you to come to me!" cried Miss Trant, hastening to
+divest her friend of bonnet and cloak. "I am very curious to hear the
+story you have to tell." Then, as Katherine sat down where the
+lamp-light fell upon her face, she added, "But you are not looking well,
+Miss Liddell; your eyes look heavy; your mouth is sad."
+
+"I am troubled, more than sad," said Katherine; "the why and wherefore I
+have come to tell you."
+
+"Yes; tell me everything." And Rachel took a low seat opposite her
+guest; her usually pale face was slightly flushed, her large blue eyes
+darkened with the pleasure of seeing the friend she loved so warmly and
+the interest with which she awaited her disclosure, and as Katherine
+looked at her she realized how pretty and attractive she must have been
+before the fresh grace of her girlhood had been withered by the cruel
+fires of passion and despair. "I am listening," said Rachel, gently, to
+recall her visitor, whose thoughts were evidently far away.
+
+"Yes; I had forgotten." And Katherine began her story.
+
+Rachel Trant listened with rapt, intense attention, nor did she
+interrupt the narrative by a single question.
+
+When Katherine ceased to speak she remained silent for a second or two
+longer: then she asked, "Are you convinced of the truth of this man's
+story?"
+
+"I am, for Mr. Newton does not seem to have a doubt. Oh! he is my uncle
+John's only son--only child, indeed--and he is like him. I always
+fancied from the little my uncle said about George that he was naturally
+kind and sympathetic, but he has had a hard life, and it has made him
+hard. The loss of his mother was a terrible misfortune."
+
+"Was he young when she died?"
+
+"He was about fourteen, I think; but he lost her by a worse misfortune
+than death. She was driven away by my uncle's severity and harshness;
+she left him for another."
+
+"What! left her son?"
+
+"Yes--it seems incredible--nor does my cousin resent her desertion. On
+the contrary, all the affection and softness in him appears to centre
+round his daughter and the memory of his mother."
+
+"Then," said Rachel, "if this man persists in demanding his rights, you
+will be beggared, and those dear boys must go back to their mother. They
+will not be too welcome."
+
+"Oh no! no! I feel that only too keenly."
+
+"But you will not be penniless nor homeless," cried Rachel. "He cannot
+touch this house. You made it over to me, and I will use it for you.
+There are two nice rooms I can arrange for you upstairs. I am doing
+well, and if I had but a little more capital, I should not fear; I
+should not doubt making a great success. My dear, dearest Miss Liddell,
+I may be of use to you, after all. Tell me, is this Mr. Newton truly
+interested in you--anxious to help you?"
+
+"I am sure he is; he is very unhappy about me."
+
+"Do you think he would let me call on him? I want to tell him the plans
+that are coming into my head. I can explain all the business part to
+him. If I can get through this year without debt, I am pretty sure of
+providing you with an income--an increasing income. This is a joy I
+never anticipated. And then you can keep your little nephews, and be a
+real mother to them. I don't want to trouble you with the business
+details of my plan; you would not understand them. But Mr. Newton will.
+Pray write a line asking him to see me, to name his own time. Stay; here
+are paper and pen and ink; ask him to write to me. He knows--he knows my
+story. At least--" She stopped, coloring crimson.
+
+"He knows all it is needful for me to tell," said Katherine, gravely.
+"Yes, Rachel, it is better to explain all to him. He is kind and wise,
+and I am strangely stupefied by this extraordinary overturn of my
+fortunes. I shall be glad of your help, but do not neglect your own
+future, dear Rachel."
+
+"I shall not: I shall make enough for us both. You have indeed given me
+something to live for."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+COLONEL AND MRS. ORMONDE.
+
+
+The moral effect of feeling in touch with some loyal, tender,
+sympathizing fellow-creature is immense. It gives faith in one's self--a
+belief in the possibilities for good hidden in the future; above all,
+relief from that most paralyzing of mental conditions, a sense of
+isolation.
+
+Katherine walked back alone in the dark. The sooner she accustomed
+herself to habits of independence the better; for the future she must
+learn to stand alone, to take care of herself, unassisted by maid or
+flunky. It made her a little nervous; for although in the old
+impecunious days she went on all necessary errands in the morning alone,
+she rarely left the house after sundown even with a companion. They were
+very monotonous days, those which seemed to have fled away so far into
+the soft misty gloom of the past. Yet how full of fragrance was their
+memory! The castle-building, the vague bright hopes, the joy of helping
+the dear mother, the utter absolute trust in her, the struggle with the
+necessities of life--all were more or less sweet; and now to what an end
+she had brought the simple drama of her youth! Had she resisted that
+strange prompting which kept her silent when Mr. Newton began to look
+for the will, how different everything might have been! Errington might
+be well off too, and she might never have seen him.
+
+With the thought of him came the sudden overpowering wish to hear his
+voice--clear, deliberate, convincing--which sometimes seized her in
+spite of every effort to banish it from her mind, and of which she was
+utterly, profoundly ashamed, the recurrence of which was infinitely
+painful. She must fill her heart with other thoughts, other objects.
+"Life is serious enough (the life which lies before me especially) to
+crowd out these follies. Why do I increase its gloom with imaginary
+troubles?"
+
+Miss Payne, returning from her dinner, found Katherine sitting up for
+her, apparently occupied with a book, and in the little confidential
+talk which ensued Katherine told her of Rachel Trant's intention of
+consulting Mr. Newton respecting her plans for increasing her business
+with a view to assisting her benefactress.
+
+Miss Payne received this communication in silence; but after a moment's
+thought observed, in a grave, approving tone; "You have not been
+deceived in her, then. I really believe Rachel Trant is a young woman of
+principle and integrity."
+
+"Yes, I have always thought so." Then, after a pause, she resumed: "I
+wonder what reply I shall have from Ada to-morrow--no, the day after
+to-morrow."
+
+"Do not worry yourself about it. She will make herself disagreeable, of
+course; but it is just a trouble to be got through with. Go to bed, my
+dear; try to sleep and to forget. You are looking fagged and worn."
+
+But Katherine could not help dwelling upon the picture her imagination
+presented of the morrow's breakfast-time at Castleford; of the dismay
+with which her letter would be read; of Ada's tears and Colonel
+Ormonde's rage; of the torrent of advice which would be poured upon her.
+Then what decision would Colonel Ormonde come to about the boys? He
+would banish them to some cheap out-of-the-way school. It was impossible
+to say what he would do.
+
+Naturally she did not sleep well or continuously, disturbed as she was
+by such thoughts--such uneasy anticipations--and her eyes showed the
+results of a bad night when she met Miss Payne in the morning.
+
+About eleven o'clock Katherine came quickly into Miss Payne's particular
+sitting-room, where she made up her accounts and studied her bank-book.
+
+"What is it?" asked that lady, looking up, and perceiving that Katherine
+was agitated.
+
+"A telegram from Ada. They will be here about five this afternoon."
+
+"Well, never mind. There is nothing in that to scare you."
+
+"I am not scared, but I wish that interview was over."
+
+"Yes; I shall be glad when it is; though I shall not obtrude on his
+Royal Highness. (I suppose he is coming as well as she.) I shall be in
+the house, so you can send for me if you want me."
+
+"Thank you, Miss Payne; you are very good to me. I feel that I ought not
+to stay here crowding up your house."
+
+"Nonsense! I am not in such a hurry to find a new inmate. I shall not
+like any one as well as you. I wish I could give up and live in a neat
+little cottage, but I cannot. Indeed, if you think I may, I should like
+to mention this deplorable change in your fortunes to Mrs. Needham. She
+knows every one, and can bring all sorts of people together if she
+likes."
+
+"By all means, Miss Payne. There is no reason why you should not."
+
+And after a little more conversation Katherine went back to her
+occupation of arranging her belongings and wardrobe, that when the
+moment of parting came she might be quite ready to go.
+
+To wait patiently for that which you know will be painful is torture of
+no mean order. It was somewhat curtailed for Katherine on that memorable
+day, for Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde arrived half an hour sooner than she
+expected.
+
+They had driven direct from the station to Wilton Street, and Katherine
+saw at a glance that both were greatly disturbed.
+
+"Katherine, what is the meaning of your dreadful letter?" cried Mrs.
+Ormonde, without any previous greeting, while the Colonel barked a gruff
+"How d'ye do?"
+
+"My letter, Ada, I am sorry to say, meant what it said," returned
+Katherine, sadly. "Do sit down, and let us discuss what is best to be
+done."
+
+"What can be done?" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde, bursting into tears.
+
+"For God's sake, don't let us have tears and nonsense," said Colonel
+Ormonde, roughly. "Tell me, Katherine, is it possible Newton means to
+give in to this impostor? Why does he not demand proper proof, and throw
+the whole business into chancery?"
+
+"I am sure Mr. Newton could not doubt George Liddell's story. He could
+not go back from his own involuntary recognition, nor could I pretend to
+doubt what I believe is true."
+
+"Pooh! that is high-flown bosh. You need not say what you do or do not
+believe. All you have to do is to throw the onus of proof on this
+fellow."
+
+"It is all too dreadful," said Mrs. Ormonde, in tearful tones. "To think
+that you will allow yourself to be robbed, and permit the dear boys to
+be reduced to beggary, for a mere crochet--it is too bad. I never will
+believe this horrid man is the person he represents himself to be;
+never."
+
+"I wish you would go and speak to Mr. Newton. He would explain the folly
+of resisting."
+
+"And how do you know that he is not bribed?" returned Mrs. Ormonde, with
+a little sob. "Every one knows what dreadful wretches lawyers are. And
+though I dare say you meant well, Katherine, but having induced us to
+believe you would provide for the boys, it is a little hard--indeed very
+hard--on Colonel Ormonde to have them thrown back on his hands, and it
+is really your duty to do something to relieve us."
+
+"Back on my hands!" echoed the Colonel. "I'll not take them back. Why
+should I? I have been completely swindled in the whole business. I am
+the last man to support another fellow's brats. Why didn't that old
+lawyer of yours ascertain whether your uncle's son was dead or alive
+before he let you pounce upon the property and play Lady Bountiful with
+what did not belong to you?" And Colonel Ormonde paced the room in a
+fury, all chivalrous tradition melting away in the fierce heat of
+disappointed greed.
+
+"You have no right to find fault with me," cried Katherine, stung to
+self-assertion. "I did well and generously by your children and
+yourself, Ada (I must say so, as you seem to forget it). There is more
+cause to sympathize with me in the reverse that has befallen me than to
+throw the blame of what is inevitable on one who is a greater sufferer
+than yourselves. Do you not know that the worst pang my bitterest
+enemy--had I one--could inflict is to feel I must give up the boys?
+Matters are still unsettled, but if my cousin can be induced to deal
+mercifully with me, and not absorb my little all to liquidate what is
+legally due to him, I will gladly keep Cis and Charlie, and give them
+what I have, rather than throw them on Colonel Ormonde's charity. I am
+deeply sorry for your disappointment, but I have done nothing to
+irritate Colonel Ormonde into forgetting what is due to a lady and his
+wife's benefactress." Katherine was thoroughly roused, and stood, head
+erect, with glowing eyes, and soft red lips curling with disdain.
+
+"I always said she was violent; didn't' I, Duke?" sobbed Mrs. Ormonde.
+"Katherine, you do amaze me."
+
+"There is no denying she is a plucky one," he returned, with a gruff
+laugh. "I too deny that you should consider it a misfortune for the boys
+to come under my care. I owe a duty to my own son, and am not going to
+play the generous step-father to his hurt. If you can't come to
+advantageous terms with this--this impostor, as I verily believe he is.
+I'll send the boys to the Bluecoat School or some such institution. They
+have turned out very good men before this."
+
+"I am sure we could expect no more from Colonel Ormonde, and when you
+think that I shall be entirely dependent on him for"--sob--"my very
+gowns"--sob--"and--and little outings--and" a total break down.
+
+"If I am penniless," said Katherine, controlling her inclination to
+scream aloud with agony, "I must accept your offer--any offer that will
+provide for my nephews. If not, I will devote myself and what I have to
+them. I really wish you would go and see Mr. Newton; he will make you
+understand matters better than I can; and as you have come in such a
+spirit, I should be glad if you would leave me. I cannot look on you as
+friends, considering how you have spoken."
+
+"By George!" interrupted the Colonel, much astonished. "This is giving
+us the turn-out."
+
+"What ingratitude!" cried his wife, with pious indignation, as she rose
+and tied on her veil.
+
+Her further utterance was arrested, for the door was thrown open, and
+Francois announced, "Mr. Errington."
+
+A great stillness fell upon them as Errington walked in, cool,
+collected, well dressed, as usual.
+
+"Very glad to meet you here, Mrs. Ormonde," he said, when he had shaken
+hands with Katherine. "Miss Liddell has need of all her friends at such
+a crisis. How do, Colonel; you look the incarnation of healthy country
+life."
+
+"Ah--ah; I'm very well, thank you," somewhat confusedly. "Just been
+trying to persuade Miss Liddell here to dispute this preposterous claim.
+I don't believe this man is the real thing."
+
+"I am afraid he is," gravely; "I know him, for John Liddell was a friend
+of my father's in early life, and I feel satisfied this man is his son."
+
+"You do. Well, I shall speak to my own lawyers and Newton about it: one
+can't give up everything at the first demand to stand and deliver."
+
+"No; neither is it wise to throw good money after bad. We were just
+going to Mr. Newton's, so I'll say good-morning. Till to-morrow,
+Katherine. I'll report what Newton says."
+
+"Good-morning, Mr. Errington," said Mrs. Ormonde, pulling herself
+together, and her veil down. "This is a terrible business! I feel it as
+acutely as if it were myself--I mean my own case. I am sure it is so
+good of you to come and see Katherine. I hope you will give us a few
+days at Castleford." So murmuring and with a painful smile, she hastened
+downstairs after her husband.
+
+Then Errington closed the door and returned to where Katherine stood,
+white and trembling, in the middle of the room. "I am afraid your
+kinsfolk have been but Job's comforters," he said, looking earnestly
+into her eyes, his own so grave and compassionate that her heart grew
+calmer under their gaze. "You are greatly disturbed."
+
+"They have been very cruel," she murmured. "Yet, not knowing all you do,
+they could not know how cruel. They are so angry because what I tried to
+do for the boys proved a failure. They little dream how guilty I feel
+for having created this confusion. If I am obliged to give up Cis and
+Charlie to--to Colonel Ormonde, their lot will be a miserable one!" She
+spoke brokenly, and her eyes brimmed over, the drops hanging on her long
+lashes.
+
+"Sit down, Miss Liddell. I am deeply grieved to see you so depressed. I
+have ventured to call because I have a pin's point of hope for you,
+which I trust will excuse me for presenting myself, as I know you would
+rather not see me."
+
+"To-day I am glad to see you. I should always be glad to see you
+but--but for my own conscience. Do not misunderstand me." With a sudden
+impulse she stretched out her fair soft hand to him. He took and held
+it, wondering to find that although so cold when first he touched it, it
+grew quickly warm in his grasp.
+
+"Thank you," he said, gently, and still held her hand; "you give me
+infinite pleasure. Now"--releasing her--"for my excuse. Among my poor
+father's papers were a few letters of very old date from John Liddell,
+in which was occasional mention of his boy. It struck me these might be
+a _modus operandi_, and enable me approach a difficult subject. I
+contrived to meet your cousin at Mr. Newton's, and he permitted me to
+call. I gave him the letters, and we became--not friends--but friendly
+at least." Here his face brightened. "We began to talk of you, and I saw
+that he was bitter and vindictive against you to an extraordinary
+degree. He grew communicative, and I was able to represent to him the
+cruelty and unreasonableness of his conduct. At last--only to-day--he
+suddenly exclaimed, 'How much of my money has that nice young lady made
+away with?' I could not, of course, give him any particulars, but having
+learned from himself that he had amassed a good deal of money himself,
+and that with the addition of _your_ fortune (I cannot help calling it
+yours) he would really be a man of wealth, I ventured to suggest that he
+should not demand the refunding of what you had used while in possession
+of the property, and showed him what a bad impression it would create in
+the minds of those among whom he evidently wishes to make a place for
+himself. He thought for a few moments, and then said he would consider
+the matter and consult his legal advisers before coming to a decision,
+adding that he did not understand how it was that they as well as myself
+were on your side. Then I left him, and I feel a strong impression that
+he will lay aside his worst intentions. I only trust he will spare
+whatever balance may stand to your credit with your banker."
+
+"You have indeed done me a great service," cried Katherine, "If George
+Liddell does as you suggest I shall not be afraid to face the future. I
+shall surely be able to find some employment myself; then I need not
+importune Colonel Ormonde for my nephews."
+
+"He will surely not leave them without means," cried Errington.
+
+"I am not sure. They have no legal claim upon him, and he is very angry
+with me for causing such confusion, though--"
+
+--"Though," interrupted Errington, "your only error was
+over-generosity."
+
+"My _only_ error, Mr. Errington!"--casting down her eyes and interlacing
+her fingers nervously. "If he only knew!"
+
+"But he does not; he never shall!" exclaimed Errington, with animation,
+drawing unconsciously nearer. "That is a secret between you and me. None
+shall ever know our secret. All I ask is that you will forgive me for my
+unfortunate precipitancy in destroying the means of saving you, which
+you had placed in my hands--that you will forgive me, and let me be your
+friend. It is so painful to see you shrink from me as you do."
+
+"Can you wonder, guilty as I feel myself to be? But if you so far
+overlook my evil deeds as to think me worth your friendship, I am glad
+and grateful to accept it. As to forgiveness, what have I to
+forgive?--your haste to save me from the possibility of discovery?"
+
+"Then," said Errington, who had gazed for a moment in silence on his
+companion, whose face was slightly turned from him, every line of her
+pliant figure, from the graceful drooping head to the point of her shoe
+peeping from under her soft gray dress, expressed a sort of pathetic
+humility, "will you give me some idea of your plans, if you have any?"
+
+"They are very vague. I have a small income apart from my uncle's
+property. I earnestly hope it will be enough to educate the boys. Then I
+must try to find employment--something that will enable me to provide
+for myself. Miss Payne is already looking out for me. That is all I can
+think of."
+
+"It is a tremendous undertaking for a young girl like you," said
+Errington, looking down in deep thought. "But I think I understand that
+the cruelest trial of all would be to part with the boys. Still it is
+not wise to allow Mrs. Ormonde to thrust her sons on you, though I never
+can believe that Ormonde could act so dastardly a part as to refuse to
+do his part in maintaining them. There, again, the fear of what society
+would say will do more than a sense of justice or honor. I don't believe
+Ormonde will dare refuse to contribute his quota to the support of his
+wife's sons."
+
+"Perhaps not. I wish I could do without it. But though Ada was harsh and
+unreasonable to-day, I am sorry for her. It must be dreadful to be tied
+to a man who looks on you as a burden."
+
+"She will manage him. Their natures are admirably suited. Neither is too
+exalted. And Mrs. Ormonde has established herself very firmly as
+mistress of Castleford and the Colonel."
+
+"I hope so." There was a short silence. Then Errington said, in a low
+tone, looking kindly into her face, "I trust you do not feel too
+despondent as regards the future."
+
+"Far from it," returned Katherine, with a brief bright smile. "If only
+I can bring up my dear boys without too great privations, and fit them
+to work their way in life! From my short experience I should say that
+riches can buy little true happiness. Extreme poverty is terrible and
+degrading. Nor can money alone confer any true joys."
+
+"So I have found," said Errington, thoughtfully; "and I can see that to
+you too the finery and distractions which wealth gathers together are
+mere dust heaps."
+
+There was a pause, broken by the appearance of Miss Payne, who had only
+just discovered that Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde had left, and was not
+aware that Katherine had another visitor. After a little further and
+somewhat desultory conversation Errington took leave; nor was Katherine
+sorry, for the presence of Miss Payne seemed to have set them as far
+apart as ever, and how near they had drawn for a few moments!
+
+"So that is Mr. Errington!" said Miss Payne, when the door had closed
+upon him. "He has never been here before?" The tone was interrogative.
+
+"Mr. Errington has some acquaintance with George Liddell," returned
+Katherine, "and has very kindly done his best to dissuade him from
+claiming the money I have expended."
+
+"How very good of him! I am sure I trust he will succeed!" exclaimed
+Miss Payne. "Now tell me how did Colonel Ormonde and your sister-in-law
+behave?"
+
+Whereupon Katherine recounted all that had been said. Many and cynical
+were Miss Payne's remarks on the occasion, but Katherine scarcely heard
+her. That Errington should take so deep an interest in her, should
+persist in wishing to be her friend, was infinitely sweet and consoling.
+He was transparently true, and she did not doubt for a moment that he
+was sincere in all he said. Still she could not forget the sense of
+humiliation his presence always inflicted. It was always delightful to
+speak to him, and to hear him speak. What would she not give to be able
+to stand upright before him and dare to assert herself? How silent and
+dull and commonplace she must appear! not a bit natural or--She would
+think no more of him. Why was his face ever before her eyes? She would
+not be haunted in that way.
+
+Here Bertie Payne's entrance created a diversion, which was most
+welcome. He was looking white and ill, as though suffering from some
+mental strain, Katherine observed, and then remembered that he had been
+very silent and grave of late; but he replied cheerfully to her
+inquiries, and exerted himself to do the agreeable during dinner, for
+which he staid.
+
+
+Katherine almost hoped for a summons from Mr. Newton next day, also for
+some communication from Mrs. Ormonde, but none reached her. Still she
+possessed her soul in patience, fortified by the recollection of her
+interview with her new friend.
+
+It was wet, and Katherine did not venture out, having a slight cold. She
+tried to read, to write, to play, but she could not give her attention
+to anything. It was an anxious crisis of her fate, and the sense of her
+isolation pressed upon her more heavily than ever. She really had no
+family ties. Friends were kind, but she had no claim on them or they on
+her. Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde had ceased to exist for her. How would her
+future life be colored? From consecutive thought she passed to vague
+reverie, from which she was glad to be roused by the return of Miss
+Payne, who never staid in for any weather.
+
+"Where do you think I have been?" asked Miss Payne, untying her bonnet
+strings as she sat down.
+
+"How can I guess? Your wanderings are various."
+
+"I went to see Mrs. Needham, and I am very glad I did. I found her just
+bursting with curiosity. All sorts of reports have got about respecting
+your cousin and your loss of fortune, and she was enchanted to get the
+whole truth from me. Besides, she has just been applied to by the
+friends of a girl only sixteen to find a proper chaperon. She is full of
+enthusiasm about us both, and begged me, and you too, to dine with her
+the day after to-morrow to meet a Miss Bradley, the relative or friend
+of the sixteen-year-old. We are to look at each other, and are supposed
+to be in total ignorance of each other's identity. Mrs. Needham delights
+in small plots and transparent mysteries."
+
+"And why am I to go?" asked Katherine, carelessly.
+
+"To make a fourth, and talk to the hostess while I discourse with Miss
+Bradley."
+
+"Very well; I will come."
+
+"Any further news to-day?"
+
+"Not a word; not a line."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+A DINNER AT MRS. NEEDHAM'S.
+
+
+Mrs. Needham was a very important at personage in her own estimation,
+and very popular with a large circle of acquaintances. Most of them
+thought she was a widow, and only a few old friends were aware that away
+in a distant colony Needham masculine was hiding his diminished head
+from creditors of various kinds and penalties of many descriptions, not
+in penitence, but with as much of enjoyment as could be extracted from
+the simple materials of antipodean life. Having taken with him all the
+cash he could lay hands upon, his deserted wife was left to do battle
+alone on a small income which was her own, and fortunately secured to
+her on her marriage.
+
+She was much too energetic to sit still when she might work and earn
+money. The editor of a provincial paper, a friend of early days, gave
+her space in his columns for a weekly letter, and an introduction to a
+London _confrere_. On this slender foundation she built her humble
+fortunes. There were, in truth, few happier women in London. Brimful of
+interest in all the undertakings (and their name was legion) in which
+she was concerned, kind and unselfish, though quite free from sentiment,
+her life was full of movement and color. She had an enormous capacity
+for absorbing the marvellous, quite uninfluenced by the natural
+shrewdness with which she acted in all ordinary matters. In a bright
+surface way she was clever and full of ideas--ideas which others took up
+and fructified--from which Mrs. Needham herself derived no benefit
+beyond the pleasure of imparting them. She was constantly taken in by
+barefaced impostors, yet at times, and in an accidental way, hit on
+wonderfully accurate estimates of persons whom the general public
+credited with widely different qualities.
+
+She had a nice little old-fashioned house in Kensington, with a pretty
+garden, just large enough to allow of visitors being well wet in rainy
+weather between the garden gate and the hall door. This diminutive
+mansion was crammed with curios, specimens of china, of carved wood, of
+Japanese lacquer--these much rarer than at present. It was a pleasant
+abode withal; a kindly, generous, happy-go-lucky spirit pervaded it. Few
+coming to seek help there were sent empty away, and the owner's earnest
+consideration was ready for all who sought her advice. It was real joy
+to her to entertain her friends in an easy, unceremonious way, and her
+friends were equally pleased to accept her hospitality.
+
+On the present occasion Mrs. Needham was deeply interested in her
+expected guests. Katherine Liddell had pleased her from the first,
+practical and unsentimental as she was. She was disposed to weave a
+little romance round the bright sympathetic girl, who listened so
+graciously to her schemes and projects, whose brightness had under it a
+strain of tender sadness, which gave an indescribable subtle charm to
+her manner. Miss Payne she had known more or less for a considerable
+time, and regarded as a worthy, useful woman; while her third guest was
+the only child of the wealthy publisher George Bradley, the owner of
+that new and flourishing publication, _The Piccadilly Review_, wherein
+those brilliant articles on "Our Colonial System," "Modern European
+Politics," etc., supposed to be from the pen of Miles Errington,
+appeared.
+
+"A _partie carree_ of ladies does not seem to promise much," said Mrs.
+Needham, when she had greeted Miss Payne and "her young friend," into
+which position Katherine had sunk; "but unless I could have three or
+four men it is better to have none; besides we want to talk of business,
+and men under such circumstances always exclude us, so I don't see why
+we should admit them. Miss Bradley--Miss Payne, Miss Liddell, of whom
+you have heard me speak."
+
+Miss Bradley rose from the sofa, where she was half reclining beside a
+bright wood fire, a tall stately figure in a long pale blue plush dress,
+cut low in front, and tied loosely with a knot of blue satin ribbon,
+nestling among the rich yellow white lace which fell from the edge of
+the bodice. She was extremely fair, even colorless, with abundant but
+somewhat sandy hair. Her features were regular and marked, a well-shaped
+head was gracefully set on a firm white column-like throat, and her eyes
+were clear and cold when in repose, but darkened and lit up when
+speaking of whatever roused and interested her. Indeed, she looked
+strong and stern when silent.
+
+"I am very pleased to meet you," she said, in a full, pleasant voice.
+"I have often heard of you from Mrs. Needham, and I think you know a
+friend of mine--Mr. Errington."
+
+"Yes; I know him," returned Katherine, feeling her face aflame.
+
+"I have heard of you too," continued Miss Bradley, addressing Miss
+Payne, "from several mutual friends, though we have never happened to
+meet before. I think you had just left Rome with Miss Jennings when I
+arrived there some four years ago."
+
+"I had; and remember you were expected there."
+
+"Miss Jennings married a relation of mine, and I see her very often, at
+least often for London. She really looks younger, if possible, than
+formerly," etc., etc., and their talk flowed in the Jennings channel for
+a few minutes.
+
+Meantime Mrs. Needham, passing her arm through Katherine's, led her away
+to a very diminutive back room, draped and carpeted with Oriental
+stuffs, then beginning to be the fashion, and crammed with all
+imaginable ornaments and specimens, from bits of rare "Capo di monti" to
+funny sixpenny toys. "I have just found such a treasure," she exclaimed;
+"a real saucer of old Chelsea, and only a small bit out of this side.
+Isn't Angela Bradley handsome? She is a very remarkable girl, or perhaps
+I ought to say woman. She speaks four or five languages, and plays
+divinely; then she is a capital critic. It was she who advised her
+father to publish that very singular book, _The Gorgon's Head_; every
+publisher in London had refused it. He took it, and has cleared--oh, I'd
+be afraid to say how much money by it."
+
+"I hope the writer got a fair share," said Katherine, smiling.
+
+"Hum! ah, that's another matter; but I dare say Bradley will treat him
+quite as fairly as any one else. She will have a big fortune one of
+these days. Her father perfectly adores her."
+
+"I wish I could write," said Katherine, with a sigh. "It must be a
+charming way to earn money."
+
+"Why don't you try? You seem to me to have plenty of brains; and I
+suppose you will have to do something. I was so sorry--" Mrs. Needham
+was beginning, when dinner was announced, and her sympathetic utterances
+were cut short.
+
+The repast was admirable, erring perhaps on the side of plenteousness,
+and well served by two smart young women in black, with pink ribbons in
+their caps. Nor was there any lack of bright talk a good deal beyond the
+average. Miss Bradley was an admirable listener, and often by well-put
+questions or suggestions kept the ball rolling. Dinner was soon over,
+and coffee was served in the drawing-room.
+
+"Now, Miss Payne, I should like to consult with you," said Miss Bradley,
+putting her cup on the mantel-piece, and resuming her seat on the sofa,
+where she invited Miss Payne by a gesture to sit beside her, "about the
+daughter of an old friend of mine, who does not want her to join him in
+India, as she is rather delicate, and he cannot retire for a couple of
+years. It is time she left school, and the question is, where shall she
+go?"
+
+While Miss Bradley thus attacked the subject uppermost in her mind, Mrs.
+Needham settled herself in an arm-chair as far as she could from the
+speakers, and asked Katherine to sit down beside her.
+
+"Let them discuss their business without us," she said, "and I want to
+talk to you. Here, these are some rather interesting photographs. They
+are all actors or singers on this side; you'll observe the shape of the
+heads, the contour generally; these are politicians, and have quite a
+different aspect. Remarkable, isn't it? But I was just saying when we
+went down to dinner that I was awfully sorry to hear of all your
+troubles--of course we must not regret that the man is alive; though if
+he is a cross-grained creature, as he seems to be, life won't be much
+good to him--and I shall be greatly interested if you care to tell me
+what your plans are."
+
+"I really have none. There are several things I could do pretty well. I
+could teach music and languages, but it is so difficult to find pupils.
+Then I am still in great uncertainty as to what my cousin may do."
+
+"He is a greedy savage," said Mrs. Needham, emphatically; "but he will
+not dare to demand the arrears. He would raise a howl of execration by
+such conduct. Now, as you have nothing settled, and if Angela Bradley
+and Miss Payne make it up, you will have to leave where you are. Suppose
+you come to me?"
+
+"To you? My dear Mrs. Needham, it would be delightful."
+
+"Would it? It is not a very magnificent appointment, I assure you. You
+see, I have so much to do that I really _must_ have help. I had a girl
+for three or four months. I gave her twenty-five pounds a year, and
+thought she would be a great comfort, but she made a mess of my room and
+my papers, and could not write a decent letter; besides, she was
+discontented, so she left me, and I have been in a horrid muddle for the
+last fortnight. Now if you like to come to me, while you are looking out
+for something better, I am sure I shall be charmed, and will do all I
+can to push you. It's a miserable sort of engagement, but there it is;
+only I'll want you to come as soon as you can, for there are heaps to
+do."
+
+"Indeed I am delighted to be your help, or secretary, or whatever you
+choose to call me, and as for looking for something better, if I can
+only save enough to provide for the boys, I would rather work with you
+for twenty-five pounds a year than any one else for--"
+
+"For five hundred?" put in Mrs. Needham, with an indulgent smile, as she
+paused.
+
+"No, no. Five hundred a year is not to be lightly rejected," returned
+Katherine, laughing. "But as I greatly doubt that I could ever be worth
+five hundred a year to any one, I gladly accept twenty-five."
+
+"Remember, I do not expect you to stay an hour after you find something
+better. Now do me tell how matters stand with you."
+
+Katherine therefore unbosomed herself, and among other things told how
+well and faithfully Rachel Trant had behaved toward her, of the fatherly
+kindness shown her by her old lawyer, and wound up by declaring that the
+world could not be so bad a place as it is reckoned, seeing that in her
+reverse of fortune she had found so much consideration. "Of course," she
+concluded, "there are heaps of people who, once I drop from the ranks of
+those who can enjoy and spend, will forget my existence; but I have no
+right to expect more. They only want playfellows, not friends, and ask
+no more than they give."
+
+"Quite true, my young philosopher. Tell me, can you come on
+Saturday--come to stay?"
+
+"I fear not. Besides I have a superstition about entering on a new abode
+on Saturday. Don't laugh! But I will come to-morrow, if you like, and
+write and copy for you. I will come each day till Monday next, and so
+help you to clear up."
+
+"That is a good child! I wish I could make it worth your while to stay;
+but we don't know what silver lining is behind the dark clouds of the
+present."
+
+Katherine shook her head. Mrs. Needham's suggestion showed her that
+peace and a relieved conscience was the highest degree of silvery
+brightness she anticipated in the future. One thing alone could restore
+to her the joyousness of her early days, and that was far away out of
+her reach.
+
+"Mr. Errington and Mr. Payne," said one of the smart servants, throwing
+open the door.
+
+"Ah, yes! Mr. Errington, _of_ course," exclaimed Mrs. Needham, under her
+breath. "I might have expected him. And you too, Mr. Payne?" she added
+aloud. "Very glad to see you both."
+
+As soon as they had paid their respects to the hostess, Errington spoke
+to Katherine, while Payne remained talking with Mrs. Needham.
+
+"I am glad to see you looking better than when we last spoke together,"
+said Errington, pausing beside Katherine's chair. "Have you had any
+communication from Newton yet?"
+
+"I have heard nothing from him, and feel very anxious to know George
+Liddell's decision. I had a note from Mrs. Ormonde, written in a much
+more friendly spirit than I had expected, but still in despair. She,
+with the Colonel, had been to demand explanations from Mr. Newton, and
+do not seem much cheered by the interview."
+
+"No doubt the appearance of your cousin was a tremendous blow, but they
+have no right to complain."
+
+"However that may be, I will not quarrel with the boys' mother, in spite
+of her unkindness. I fear so much to create any barrier between us."
+
+"Those children are very dear to you," said Errington, looking down on
+her with a soft expression and lingering glance.
+
+"They are. I don't suppose you could understand how dear."
+
+"Why? Do you think me incapable of human affection?" asked Errington,
+smiling.
+
+"No, certainly not; only I imagine justice is more natural to you than
+love, though you can be generous, as I know."
+
+Errington did not answer. He stood still, as if some new train of
+thought had been suddenly suggested to him, and Katherine waited
+serenely for his next words, when Miss Bradley, who had not interrupted
+her conversation, or noticed the new-comers in any way, suddenly turned
+her face toward them, and said, with something like command, "Mr.
+Errington!"
+
+Errington immediately obeyed. Katherine watched them speaking together
+for some minutes with a curious sense of discomfort and dissatisfaction.
+Miss Bradley's face looked softer and brighter, and a sort of animation
+came into her gestures, slight and dignified though they were. They
+seemed to have much to say, and said it with a certain amount of
+well-bred familiarity. Yes, they were evidently friends; very naturally.
+How happy she was to be thus free from any painful consciousness in his
+presence! She was as stainless as himself, could look fearlessly in his
+eyes and assert herself, while she (Katherine) could only crouch in
+profoundest humility, and gratefully gather what crumbs of kindness and
+notice he let fall for her benefit. It was quite pitiable to be easily
+disturbed by such insignificant circumstances. How pitiably weak she
+was! So, with an effort, she turned her attention to Mrs. Needham and
+Bertie, who had slipped into an argument, as they often did, respecting
+the best and most effective method of dealing with the poor. In this
+Katherine joined with somewhat languid interest, quite aware that
+Errington and Miss Bradley grew more and more absorbed in their
+conversation, till Miss Payne, feeling herself _de trop_, left her place
+to speak with Mrs. Needham, while Katherine and Bertie gradually dropped
+into silence.
+
+"Miss Bradley's carriage," was soon announced, and she rose tall and
+stately, nearly as tall as Errington.
+
+"Will you excuse me for running away so soon, dear Mrs. Needham?" she
+said, "but I promised Mrs. Julian Starner to go to her musical party
+to-night. I am to play the opening piece of the second part, so I dare
+not stay longer. You are going?"--to Errington, who bowed assent. "Then
+I can give you a seat in my brougham," she continued, with calm, assured
+serenity.
+
+"Thank you," and Errington, turning to Katherine, said quickly: "Will
+you let me know when you hear from Newton? I am most anxious as regards
+Liddell's decision."
+
+"I will, certainly. Good-night." She put her hand into his, and felt in
+some occult manner comfort by the gentle pressure with which he held it
+for half a moment. Yes, beaten, defeated, punished as she was, he felt
+for her with a noble compassion. Ought not that to be enough?
+
+"Good-night, Miss Liddell. I hope you will come and see me. I am always
+at home on Tuesday afternoons; and Miss Payne, when I have seen the
+grandmother of the girl we have been speaking about, I will let you
+know, and you will kindly take into consideration the points I
+mentioned. Good-night." And she swept away, leaning on Errington's arm.
+
+"Now that we are by ourselves," said Mrs. Needham, comfortably, "I must
+tell you what I have been proposing to Miss Liddell. I should like you
+to know all about it," and she plunged into the subject. "I know it is
+but a poor offer," she concluded; "but for the present it is better than
+nothing, and she can be on the lookout for something else."
+
+Bertie wisely held his tongue. Katherine declared herself ready and
+willing to accept the offer, and Miss Payne, with resolute candor,
+declared that the remuneration was miserable, but that it was as well to
+be doing something while waiting for a better appointment.
+
+Poor Katherine was terribly distressed by this frankness, but Mrs.
+Needham was quite unmoved. She said she saw the force of what Miss
+Payne said, but there it was, and it remained with Miss Liddell to take
+or leave what she suggested.
+
+Then Miss Payne's prospects came under discussion, and the doubtful
+circumstances connected with Miss Bradley's proposition.
+
+"Now it is long past ten o'clock, and we must say good-night," remarked
+Miss Payne. "Really, Mrs. Needham, you are a wonderful woman! You have
+nearly 'placed' us both. How earnestly I hope there are better and
+brighter days before my young friend, whom I shall miss very much!"
+
+"That I am quite sure. Well, she can go and see you as often as you
+like. Now tell me, isn't Angela Bradley a splendid creature?"
+
+"She is indeed," murmured Katherine.
+
+"Well, there is a good deal of her," said Miss Payne, with a sniff.
+
+"Not too much for Mr. Errington, I think," exclaimed Mrs. Needham with a
+knowing smile. "I fancy that will be a match before the season is over.
+It will be a capital thing for Errington. Old Bradley is _im_-mensely
+rich, and I am sure Errington is far gone. Well, good-night, my dear
+Miss Payne. I am so glad to think I shall have Miss Liddell for a little
+while, at all events. You will come the day after to-morrow at ten,
+won't you, and help me to regulate some of my papers? Good-night, my
+dear, good-night."
+
+
+Mr. Newton came into his office the afternoon the day following Mrs.
+Needham's little dinner. His step was alert and his head erect, as
+though he was satisfied with himself and the world. A boy who sat in a
+box near the door, to make a note of the flies walking into the spider's
+parlor, darted out, saying, "Please sir, Miss Liddell is waiting for
+you."
+
+"Is she? Very well." And the old lawyer went quickly along the passage
+leading to the other rooms, and opening the door of his own, found
+Katherine sitting by the table, a newspaper, which had evidently dropped
+from her hand, lying by her on the carpet. She started up to meet her
+good friend, who was struck by her pallor and the sad look in her eyes.
+
+"Well, this is lucky!" exclaimed Newton, shaking hands with her
+cordially. "I was going to write to you, as I wanted to see you, and
+here you are."
+
+"I was just beginning to fear I might be troublesome, but I have been so
+anxious."
+
+"Of course you have. And you have been very patient, on the whole.
+Well"--laying aside his hat, and rubbing his hands as he sat down--"I
+have just come from consulting with Messrs. Compton, and I am very happy
+to tell you it is agreed that George Liddell shall withdraw his claim to
+the arrears of income, but not to the savings you have effected since
+your succession to the property, also the balance standing to your name
+at your banker's is not to be interfered with; so I think things are
+arranging themselves more favorably, on the whole, than I could have
+hoped."
+
+"They are, indeed," cried Katherine, clasping her hands together in
+thankfulness. "What an immense relief! I have more than three hundred
+pounds in the bank, and I have found employment for the present at
+least, so I can use my little income for the boys. How can I thank you,
+dear Mr. Newton, for all the trouble you have taken for me?" And she
+took his hard, wrinkled hand, pressing it between both hers, and looking
+with sweet loving eyes into his.
+
+"I am sure I was quite ready to take any trouble for you, my dear young
+lady; but in this matter Mr. Errington has done most of the work. He has
+gained a surprising degree of influence over your cousin, who is a very
+curious customer; but for him (Mr. Errington, I mean), I fear he would
+have insisted on his full rights, which would have been a bad business.
+However, that is over now. Nor will Mr. Liddell fare badly. Your savings
+have added close on three thousand pounds to the property which falls to
+him. I am surprised that he did not try at once to make friends with
+you, for his little girl's sake. I hear he is in treaty for a grand
+mansion in one of the new streets they are building over at South
+Kensington. He is tremendously fond of this little girl of his. It seems
+Liddell was awfully cut up at the death of his wife, about a year and a
+half ago. He fancies that if he had known of his father's death and his
+own succession he would have come home, and the voyage would have saved
+her life. This, I rather think, was at the root of his rancor against
+you."
+
+"How unjust! how unreasonable!" cried Katherine. "Now tell me of your
+interview with Mrs. Ormonde and her husband."
+
+"Well--ah--it was not a very agreeable half-hour. I have seldom seen so
+barefaced an exhibition of selfishness. However, I think I brought them
+to their senses, certainly Mrs. Ormonde, and I am determined to make
+that fellow Ormonde pay something toward the education of his wife's
+sons."
+
+"I would rather not have it," said Katherine.
+
+"Nonsense," cried the lawyer, sharply. "You or they are entitled to it,
+and you shall have it. Mrs. Ormonde evidently does not want to quarrel
+with you, nor is it well for the boys' sake to be at loggerheads with
+their mother."
+
+"No, certainly not; but, Mr. Newton, I can never be the same to her
+again. I never can forgive her or her husband's ingratitude and want of
+feeling."
+
+"Of course not, and they know you will not; still, an open split is to
+be avoided. Now, tell me, what is the employment you mentioned?"
+
+Katherine told him, and a long confidential conversation ensued, wherein
+she explained her views and intentions, and listened to her old friend's
+good advice. Certain communication to Mrs. Ormonde were decided on, as
+Katherine agreed with Mr. Newton that she should have no further
+personal intercourse concerning business matters with her sister-in-law.
+
+"By-the-way," said Newton, "one of the events of the last few days was a
+visit from your protegee, Miss Trant. I was a good deal struck with her.
+She is a pretty, delicate-looking girl, yet she's as hard as nails, and
+a first-rate woman of business. She seems determined to make your
+fortune, for that is just the human touch about her that interested me.
+She doesn't talk about it, but her profound gratitude to you is
+evidently her ruling motive. I am so persuaded that she will develop a
+good business, and that you will ultimately get a high percentage for
+the money you have advanced--or, as you thought, almost given--that I am
+going to trust her with a little of mine, just to keep the concern free
+of debt till it is safely floated."
+
+"How very good of you!" cried Katherine. "And what a proof of your faith
+in my friend! How can you call her hard? To me she is most sympathetic."
+
+"Ay, to you. Then you see she seems to have devoted herself to you. To
+me she turned a very hard bit of her shell. No matter. I think she is
+the sort of woman to succeed. You have not seen her since--since her
+visit to me?"
+
+"No. I have not been to see her because--not because I was busy, but
+idle and depressed. I will not be so any more. So many friends have been
+true and helpful to me that I should be ashamed of feeling depressed. I
+will endeavor to prove myself a first-rate secretary, and be a credit to
+you, my dear good friend."
+
+"That you will always be, I'm sure," returned Newton, warmly.
+
+"Now you must run away, my dear young lady, for I have fifty things to
+do. Your friend Miss Trant will tell you all that passed between us, and
+what her plans are."
+
+"I am going to pay her a visit this evening. I do not like to trouble
+her either in the morning or afternoon, she is so busy. But I always
+enjoy a talk with her. She is really very well informed, and rather
+original."
+
+"I believe she will turn out well. Good-by, my dear Miss Liddell. I
+assure you, you are not more relieved by the result of the morning's
+consultation than I am."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+KATHERINE IN OFFICE.
+
+
+The beginning of a new life is rarely agreeable, and when the newness
+consists of poverty in place of riches, of service instead of complete
+freedom, occupations not particularly congenial instead of the exercise
+of unfettered choice, in such matters--why, the contrast is rather
+trying.
+
+A fortnight after the interview just described, Katherine was thoroughly
+settled with Mrs. Needham.
+
+Although she justly considered herself most fortunate in finding a home
+so easily, with so pleasant and kindly a patroness, she would have been
+more or less than human had she not felt the change which had befallen
+her. Mrs. Ormonde's conduct, too, had wounded her, more than it ought,
+perhaps, for she always knew her sister-in-law to be shallow and
+selfish, but not to the degree which she had lately betrayed.
+
+Her constant prayer was that she should be spared the torture of having
+to give up her dear boys to such a mother and such a step-father. She
+thought she saw little, loving, delicate Charlie shrinking into himself,
+and withering under the contemptuous indifference neglect of the
+Castleford household; and Cis--bolder and stronger--hardening into
+defiance or deceit under the same influence.
+
+By the sort of agreement arrived at between Mr. Newton and Mrs. Ormonde,
+it was decided that so long as Katherine provided for the maintenance of
+her nephews, their mother was only entitled to have them with her during
+the Christmas holidays; and Colonel Ormonde was with some difficulty
+persuaded to allow the munificent sum of thirty pounds a year toward the
+education of his step-sons.
+
+This definite settlement was a great relief to Katherine's heart. How
+earnestly she resolved to keep herself on her infinitesimal stipend, and
+save every other penny for her boys! Of the trouble before her, in
+removing them from Sandbourne to some inferior, because cheaper, school,
+she would not think. Sufficient to the day was the evil thereof.
+
+She therefore applied herself diligently to her duties. These were
+varied, though somewhat mechanical.
+
+Mrs. Needham's particular den was a very comfortable, well-furnished
+room at the back of the house, crowded with books and newspapers, and
+prospectuses, magazines, and all possible impedimenta of journalism, on
+the outer edge of which women were beginning with faltering footsteps
+tentatively to tread. Mrs. Needham not only wrote "provincial letters"
+(with a difference!), but contributed social and statistical papers to
+several of the leading periodicals; and one of Katherine's duties was to
+write out her rough notes, and make extracts from the books, Blue and
+others, the reports and papers which Mrs. Needham had marked. Then there
+were lots of letters to be answered and MSS. to be corrected.
+
+Besides these, Mrs. Needham asked Katherine as a favor to help her in
+her house-keeping, as it was a thing she hated; "and whatever you do,"
+was her concluding instructions, "do not see too much of cook's doings.
+She is a clever woman, and after all that can be said about the feast of
+reason, the success of my little dinners depends on _her_. I don't think
+she takes things, but she is a little reckless, and I never could keep
+accounts."
+
+Katherine therefore found her time fully filled. This, however, kept her
+from thinking too much, and her kind chief was pleased with all she did.
+Her mind was tolerable at rest about the boys, her friends stuck
+gallantly to her through the shipwreck of her fortune, and yet her heart
+was heavy. She could not look forward with hope, or back without pain.
+She dared not even let herself think freely, for she well knew the cause
+of her depression, and had vowed to herself to master it, to hide it
+away, and never allow her mental vision to dwell upon it. Work, and
+interest--enforced, almost feverish interest--in outside matters, were
+the only weapons with which she could fight the gnawing, aching pain of
+ceaseless regret that wore her heart. How insignificant is the loss of
+fortune, and all that fortune brings, compared to the opening of an
+impassable gulf between one's self and what has grown dearer than self,
+by that magic, inexplicable force of attraction which can rarely be
+resisted or explained!
+
+Life with Mrs. Needham was very active, and although Katherine was
+necessarily left a good deal at home, she saw quite enough of society
+in the evening to satisfy her. The all-accomplished Angela Bradley
+showed a decided inclination to fraternize with Mrs. Needham's
+attractive secretary, but for some occult reason Katherine did not
+respond. She fancied that Miss Bradley was disposed to look down with
+too palpably condescending indulgence from the heights of her own calm
+perfections on those storms in a teacup amid which Mrs. Needham
+agitated, with such sincere belief in her own powers to raise or to
+allay them. Yet Miss Bradley was a really high-minded woman, only a
+little too well aware of her own superiority. She was always a favored
+guest at the "Shrubberies," as Mrs. Needham's house was called, and of
+course an attraction to Errington, who was also a frequent visitor. The
+evenings, when some of the _habitues_ dropped in on their way to
+parties, or returning from the theatre (Mrs. Needham never wanted to go
+to bed!), were bright and amusing. Moreover, Katherine had complete
+liberty of movement. If Mrs. Needham were going out without her
+secretary, Katherine was quite free to spend the time with Miss Payne,
+or with Rachel Trant, whom she found more interesting. At the house of
+the former she generally found Bertie ready to escort her home, always
+kindly and deeply concerned about her, but more than ever determined to
+convert her from her uncertain faith and worldly tendencies, to
+Evangelicalism and contempt for the joys of this life.
+
+Already the days of her heirship seemed to have been wafted away far
+back, and the routine of the present was becoming familiar. There was
+nothing oppressive in it. Yet she could not look forward. Hope had long
+been a stranger to her. Never, since her mother's death, since she had
+fully realized the bearings of her own reprehensible act, had she known
+the joy of a light heart. Some such ideas were flitting through her mind
+as she was diligently copying Mrs. Needham's lucubrations one afternoon,
+when the parlor maid opened the door and said, as she handed her a card,
+"The lady is in the drawing-room, ma'am."
+
+The lady was Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"Is Mrs. Needham at home?"
+
+"No, ma'am."
+
+It was rather a trial, this, meeting with Ada, but Katherine could not
+shirk it. She did not want to have any quarrel with the boys' mother, so
+she ascended to the drawing-room.
+
+There stood the pretty, smartly dressed little woman, all airy elegance,
+but the usually smiling lips were compressed, and the smooth white brow
+was wrinkled with a frown. She was examining a book of photographs--most
+of them signed by the donors.
+
+"Oh, Katherine! how do you do?" she said, sharply, and not in the least
+abashed by any memory of their last meeting. "I am up in town for a few
+days, and I couldn't leave without seeing you. You see I have too much
+feeling to turn _my_ back on an old friend, however injured I may be by
+circumstances over which you had no control. You are not looking well,
+Katie; you are so white, and your eyes don't seem to be half open."
+
+"I am quite well, I assure you," said Katherine, composedly, and
+avoiding a half-offered kiss by drawing a chair forward for her
+visitor.
+
+"I wish I could say as much," returned Mrs. Ormonde, with a deep sigh,
+throwing herself into it. "I am perfectly wretched; Ormonde is quite
+intolerable at times since everything has collapsed. I am sure I often
+wish you had never done anything for the boys or me, and then we should
+never have fancied ourselves rich. Of course I don't blame you; you
+meant well, but it is all very unfortunate."
+
+"It is indeed; but is it possible that Colonel Ormonde is so unmanly as
+to--"
+
+"Unmanly?" interrupted his wife. "Manly, you mean. Of course he revenges
+himself on me. Not always. He is all right sometimes; but if anything
+goes wrong, then I suffer. Fortunately I was prudent, and made little
+savings, with which I am--but"--interrupting herself--"that is not worth
+speaking about."
+
+"I am sorry you are unhappy, Ada," said Katherine, with her ready
+sympathy.
+
+"Oh, don't think I allow myself to be trodden on," cried Mrs. Ormonde,
+her eyes suddenly lighting up. "It was a hard fight at first, but I saw
+it was a struggle for life; and when we knew the worst, and Ormonde
+raved and roared, I said I should leave him and take baby (I could, you
+know, till he was seven years old), and that the servants would swear I
+was in fear of my life; and I should have done it, and carried my case,
+too! I'm not sure it would not have been better for me. But he gave in,
+and asked me to stay. I felt pretty safe then. Now, when he is
+disagreeable, I burst into tears at dinner, and upset my glass of claret
+on the table-cloth, and totter out of the room weak and tremulous. I can
+see the butler and James ready to tear him to pieces. When he is
+good-humored, so am I; and when he tries to bully, why, what with
+trembling so much that I break something he likes, and fits of
+hysterics, and being awfully frightened before strangers, and making
+things go wrong when he wishes to create a great effect on some one, I
+think he begins to see it is better not to quarrel with me. Still, it is
+awfully miserable, compared with what it used to be when I really
+thought he loved me. How pleasant we all were together at Castleford
+before this horrid man turned up! Why didn't that awkward bush-ranger
+take better aim?"
+
+"I dare say George Liddell is not quite of your opinion," said
+Katherine, smiling at her sister-in-law's candor.
+
+"He was quite rich before," continued Mrs. Ormonde, querulously. "Why
+couldn't he be satisfied to stay out there and spend his own money? I
+hate selfishness and greed!"
+
+"They _are_ odious in every one," said Katherine, gravely.
+
+"Now that I feel satisfied you are well and happy," resumed Mrs.
+Ormonde, who had never put a single question respecting herself to
+Katherine, "there are one or two things I wanted to ask you. Where are
+the boys?"
+
+"They are still at Sandbourne; but they leave, I am sorry to say, at
+Easter."
+
+"Oh, they do! It is an awfully expensive school. Are you quite sure,
+Katherine, they will not send in the bill to me?"
+
+"Quite sure, Ada, for I have paid in advance."
+
+"That was really very thoughtful, dear. Then--excuse my asking; I would
+not interfere with you for the world--but what _are_ you going to do
+with them in the Easter holidays? I _dare_ not have them at Castleford.
+I should lose all the ground I have gained if such a thing was even
+hinted to the Colonel."
+
+"Why apologize for inquiring about your own children? Do not be alarmed,
+they shall _not_ go. I am just now arranging for them to go to a school
+at Wandsworth, and for the Easter holidays Miss Payne has most kindly
+invited them."
+
+"Really! How very nice! I will send her a hamper from Castleford. I can
+manage that much. This is rather a nice little place," continued Mrs.
+Ormonde, evidently much relieved and looking round. "What lots of pretty
+things! Is Mrs. Needham nice? She seemed rather a flashy woman. You must
+feel it an awful change from being an heiress, and so much made of, to
+being a sort of upper servant! Do you dine with Mrs. Needham?"
+
+"Yes, I really do, and go out to evening parties with her."
+
+"No, really?"
+
+"It is a fact. She is a kind, delightful woman to live with. I am most
+fortunate."
+
+"Fortunate? You cannot say that, Katie! You are the most unfortunate
+girl in the world. You know how penniless women are looked upon in
+society. _I_ remember when Ormonde thought himself such a weak idiot for
+being attracted to me, all because I had no money. It makes such a
+difference! Why, there is Lord De Burgh; I met him yesterday, and asked
+him to have a cup of tea with me, and he never once mentioned your
+name."
+
+"Why should he? I never knew Lord De Burgh," said Katherine.
+
+"Yes, you did, dear! Why, you cannot know what is going on if you have
+not heard that old De Burgh died nearly a fortnight ago in Paris, and
+our friend has come in for _every_thing. He had just returned from the
+funeral, so he said, and is looking darker and glummer than ever. Well,
+you know how he used to run after you. I assure you he never made a
+single inquiry about you. Heartless, wasn't it? I said something about
+that horrid man coming back, and--would you believe it?--he laughed in
+that odious, cynical way he has, and called me a little tigress. The
+only sympathetic word he spoke was to call it an infernal business. He
+doesn't care what he says, you know. Then he asked if Ormonde was
+tearing his hair about it. What a pity you did not encourage him, Katie,
+and marry him! Once you were his wife he could not have thrown you off.
+Now I don't suppose you'll ever see _him_ again. I rather think Mrs.
+Needham does not know many of _his_ set."
+
+"She knows an extraordinary number of people--all sorts and conditions
+of men; Mr. Errington often dines here."
+
+"Does he? But then he is a sort of literary hack now. Just think what a
+change both for you and him!"
+
+"It is very extraordinary; but he keeps his position better than I do."
+
+"Of course. Men are always better off. Now, dear, I must go. I am quite
+glad to have seen you, and sorry to think that my husband is absurdly
+prejudiced against you from the way you spoke to him last time. It was
+by no means prudent."
+
+"Well, Ada, should Colonel Ormonde so far overcome his objection to me
+as to seek me again, I think it very likely I may say more imprudent
+things than I did last time. Pray, what do I owe him that I should
+measure my words?"
+
+"Really, Katherine, when you hold your head up in that way I feel half
+afraid of you. There is no use trying to hold your own with the world
+when your pocket is empty. You see nobody troubles about you now,
+whereas--"
+
+"Miss Bradley!" announced the servant; and Angela entered, in an
+exquisite walking dress of dark blue velvet; bonnet and feathers,
+gloves, parasol, all to match. Mrs. Ormonde gazed in delighted
+admiration at this splendid apparition.
+
+"My dear Miss Liddell!" she exclaimed, shaking hands cordially. "I have
+rushed over to tell you that we have secured a box for Patti's benefit
+on Thursday, and I want you to join us. I know Mrs. Needham has a stall,
+but she will sup with us after. Mr. Errington and one or two musical
+critics are coming to dine with me at half past six, and we can go
+together."
+
+"You are very good," said Katherine, coloring. She did not particularly
+care to go with Miss Bradley, and she was amused at Mrs. Ormonde's
+expression of astonishment. "Of course I shall be most happy."
+
+"Now I must not stay; I have heaps to do. Will you be so kind as to give
+me the address of the modiste you mentioned the other day who made that
+pretty gray dress of yours? Madame Maradan is so full she cannot do a
+couple of morning dresses for me, so I want to try your woman."
+
+"I shall be so glad if you will," cried Katherine. "I will bring you one
+of her cards. Let me introduce my sister-in-law to you. Mrs. Ormonde,
+Miss Bradley." She left the room, and Miss Bradley drew a chair beside
+her. "I think I had the pleasure of seeing you at Lady Carton's garden
+party last July?" she said, courteously.
+
+"Oh, dear me, yes! I thought I knew your face. Lady Carton introduced
+you to me. Lady Carton is a cousin of Colonel Ormonde's."
+
+"Oh, indeed! Miss Liddell was not there?"
+
+"No; she chose to bury herself by the sea-side for the whole season."
+
+Here Katherine returned with the card.
+
+"I am so glad you are going to give my friend Rachel Trant a trial. I am
+sure you will like her. She has excellent taste."
+
+"Now I must not wait any longer. So good-by. Shall you be at Madame
+Caravicelli's this evening?"
+
+"I am not sure. I don't feel much disposed to go."
+
+"Good-by for the present, then. Good-morning," to Mrs. Ormonde, and Miss
+Bradley swept out of the room.
+
+"Well, Katherine!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, when her sister-in-law returned,
+"you seem to have fallen on your feet here. Pray who is that fine,
+elegant girl who seems so fond of you?"
+
+"She is the daughter of a wealthy publisher, and has been very kind to
+me."
+
+"Ah, yes! I remember now, Lady Carton said she would have a large
+fortune; and so she is your intimate friend?"
+
+"Well, a very kind friend."
+
+"Now I must bid you good-by. I am sure I am very glad you are so
+comfortable. I am going back to Castleford to-morrow, or I should call
+again. You are going to be Lucky Katherine, after all; I am sure you
+are;" and with many sweet words she disappeared.
+
+"Lucky," repeated Katherine, as she returned to her task, "mine has been
+strange luck."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Despite Mrs. Ormonde's assurances that De Burgh had quite forgotten her,
+the news that he was once more in town disturbed Katherine. Unless some
+new fancy had driven her out of his head, she felt sure that his first
+step in the new and independent existence on which he had entered would
+be to seek her out and renew the offer he had twice made before. Money
+or no money, position, circumstances, all were but a feather-weight
+compared to the imperative necessity of having his own way.
+
+It would be very painful to be obliged to refuse him again, for, in
+spite of her grave disapprobation of him in many ways, she liked him,
+and had a certain degree of confidence in him. There were the
+possibilities of a good character even in his faults, and it grieved her
+to be obliged to pain him.
+
+"After all, I may be troubling myself about a vain image; it is more
+than a month since I saw him. He is now a wealthy peer, and it is
+impossible to say how circumstances may have changed him."
+
+When Mrs. Needham had dressed for the dinner which was to precede Madam
+Caravicelli's reception, Katherine put on her bonnet and cloak and set
+off to spend a couple of hours with Rachel Trant, not only to avoid a
+lonely evening, but to change the current of her thoughts--loneliness
+and thought being her greatest enemies at present.
+
+She had grown quite accustomed to make her way by omnibus, and as the
+days grew longer and the weather finer, she hoped to be able to walk
+across Campden Hill, not only shortening the distance but saving the
+fare. A visit to Rachel amused Katherine and drew her out of herself
+more than anything; the details of the business and management of
+property which she felt was her own had a large amount of
+interest--real, living interest. The state of the books, the increase of
+custom, the addition to the small capital which Rachel was gradually
+accumulating--all these were subjects not easily exhausted. Both
+partners agreed that their great object, now that the undertaking was
+beginning to maintain itself, was to lay by all they could, for of
+course bad debts and bad times would come.
+
+"It is a great satisfaction to think that though people may do without
+books or pictures or music, they must wear clothes; and if you fit well,
+and are punctual, you are certain to have customers. Of course if you
+give credit you must charge high; people are beginning to see that now.
+You cannot get ready money in the dressmaking trade except for those
+costumes you give for a certain fixed price; but I stand out for
+quarterly accounts."
+
+"And do you find no difficulty in getting them paid?"
+
+"Not much; you see, I deduct five per cent. for punctual payment. Every
+one tries to save that five per cent. But talking of these things has
+put a curious incident out of my head, which I was longing to tell you.
+You remember among my first customers were Mrs. Fairchild and her
+daughters. They keep a very high class ladies' school in Inverness
+Terrace, and have been excellent customers. Yesterday Miss Fairchild
+called and said that she wanted an entire outfit for a little girl of
+ten or eleven, who was to be with them. They did not wish for anything
+fine or showy; at the same time, cost was no object. I was to furnish
+everything, to save time. This morning they brought the child to be
+fitted; she is very tall and thin, but lithe and supple, with dark hair,
+and large, bright, dark-brown eyes. She will be very handsome. I could
+not quite make her out; she is not an ordinary gentlewoman, nor is she
+the very least vulgar or common. She gives me more the idea of a wild
+thing not quite tamed. When all was settled I was told to address the
+account to Mr. George Liddell, Grosvenor Hotel."
+
+"Why, it must be my cousin George!" cried Katherine. "How strange that
+in this huge town they should fix on you amongst the thousands of
+dressmakers! You must make my little cousin look very smart, Rachel."
+
+"She is not little. She is wonderfully mature for ten years old,
+something like a panther."
+
+"I should like to see her. I believe she is a great idol with her
+father. I wish," added Katherine, after a pause, "he were not so
+unreasonably prejudiced against me. You may think me weak, Rachel, but I
+have a sort of yearning for family ties."
+
+"Why should I think you weak? It is a natural and I suppose a healthy
+feeling. _I_ don't understand it myself because I never had any.
+Isolation is my second nature. The only human being that ever treated me
+with tenderness and loyal friendship is yourself, and what you have been
+to me, what I feel toward you, none can know, for I can never tell."
+
+"Dear Rachel! How glad I am to have been of use to you! And you amply
+repay me, you are looking so much better. Tell me, are you not feeling
+content and happy?"
+
+Rachel smiled, a smile somewhat grim in spite of the soft lips it
+parted. "I am resigned, and I have found an object to live for, and you
+know what an improvement that is compared to the condition you found me
+in. But I don't think I am really any more in love with life now than I
+was then. However, I am more mistress of myself." She paused, and her
+face grew very grave as she leaned back in her chair, her arm and small
+hand, closely shut, resting on the table beside her.
+
+"All the minute details, the thought and anxiety, my business, or rather
+our business, requires an enormous help--it is such a boon to be too
+weary at night-time to think! But _no_ amount of work, of care, can
+quite shut out the light of other days. It is no doubt wrong, immoral,
+unworthy of a reformed outcast, but _if_ my real heart's desire could
+be fulfilled, I would live over again those few months of exquisite
+happiness, and die before waking to the terrible reality of my
+insignificance in the sight of him who was more than life to me--die
+while I was still something to be missed, to be regretted. He would have
+tired of me had I been his wife, and that would have been as terrible as
+my present lot--even more, for I must have seen his weariness day by
+day, and no amount of social esteem would have consoled me. As it is, my
+real self seems to have died, and this creature"--striking her
+breast--"was a cunningly contrived machine, that can work, and
+understand, but, save for one friend, cannot feel. I do not even look
+back to _him_ with any regretful tenderness. I do not love him--that is
+dead. I do not hate him--I have no right. He did not deceive me; I
+voluntarily overstepped the line which separates the reputable and
+disreputable; as long as I was loved and cherished I never felt as if I
+had done wrong. I never felt humiliation when I was with him. When he
+grew tired of me he could not help it; he never did try to resist any
+whim or passion. But better, stronger men cannot hold the wavering
+will-o'-the-wisp they call 'love'; and once it flickers out, it cannot
+be relighted. No, I have no one to blame; I can only resign myself to
+the bitterest, cruelest fate that can befall a woman--to be loved and
+eagerly sought, won, and adored for a brief hour, then thrown carelessly
+aside--a mere plaything, unworthy of serious thought. Ah, I have
+forgotten my resolution not to talk of myself to you. It is a weakness;
+but your kind eyes melt my heart. Now I will close it up--I will think
+only of the task I have set myself, to make a little fortune for you, a
+reputation for my own establishment--not a very grand ambition, but it
+does to keep the machine going; and I am growing stronger every day,
+with a strange force that surprises myself. I fear nothing and no one. I
+think my affection for you, dear, is the only thing which keeps me
+human. Now tell me, are you still comfortable with Mrs. Needham?"
+
+The tears stood in Katherine's eyes as she listened to this stern wail
+of a bruised spirit, but with instinctive wisdom she refrained from
+uttering fruitless expressions of sympathy. She would not encourage
+Rachel to dwell on the hateful subject; she only replied by pressing her
+friend's hand in silence, and she began to speak of Mrs. Ormonde's
+visit, and succeeded in making Rachel laugh at the little woman's
+description of the means she adopted of reducing Colonel Ormonde to
+reason.
+
+"Real generosity and unselfishness is very rare," said Rachel. "The
+meanness and narrowness of men are amazing--and of women too; but
+somehow one expects more from the strength of a man."
+
+"When men are good they are very good," said Kate, reflectively. "But
+the only two I have seen much of are not pleasant specimens--my uncle,
+John Liddell, and Colonel Ormonde. Then against them I must balance
+Bertie Payne, who is good enough for two."
+
+"He is indeed! I owe him a debt I can never repay, for he brought you to
+me. I wish you could reward him as he would wish."
+
+"I am not sure that he has any wishes on the subject," said Katherine,
+her color rising. "He thinks I am too ungodly to be eligible for the
+helpmeet of a true believer. Ah, indeed I am not half good enough for
+such a man!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+DE BURGH AGAIN.
+
+
+That Rachel Trant should have drifted into communication George Liddell
+seemed a most whimsical turn of the wheel of fortune to Katherine, and
+she thought much of it.
+
+Would it lead to any reconciliation between herself and her strange,
+unreasonable, half-savage kinsman? She fancied she could interest
+herself in his daughter, and towards himself she felt no enmity; rather
+a mild description of curiosity. Why should they not be on friendly
+terms?
+
+But this and other subjects of thought were swallowed up in the
+anticipated pain of removing her nephews from their school at
+Sandbourne, where they had been so happy and done so well. Miss Payne's
+friendly offer to take them in for a week or two had relieved Katherine
+of a difficulty; and Mrs. Needham was most considerate in promising to
+give her ample time to prepare them for their new school.
+
+What a difference, poor Katherine thought, between the present and the
+past! quite as great as between the price of Sandbourne and Wandsworth.
+There was a certain rough and ready tone about the latter establishment
+which distressed her; yet the school-master's wife seemed a kindly,
+motherly woman, and the urchins she saw running about the playground
+looked ruddy and happy enough. It was the best of the cheaper schools
+she had seen, and to Dr. Paynter's care she resolved to commit them. As
+Wandsworth was within an easy distance, she could often go to see them.
+
+Another matter kept her somewhat on the _qui vive_. In spite of Mrs.
+Ormonde's assurance that De Burgh had forgotten her, Katherine had a
+strong idea that she had not seen the last of him.
+
+Though Mrs. Needham's wide circle of acquaintances included many men and
+women of rank, she knew nothing of the set to which De Burgh belonged.
+Those of his class, admitted within the hospitable gate of the
+Shrubberies, were usually persons of literary, artistic, or dramatic
+leanings and connections, of which he was quite innocent.
+
+It was a day or two after Katherine's last interview with Rachel Trant,
+and Mrs. Needham was "at home" in a more formal way than usual.
+Katherine was assisting her chief in receiving, when, in the tea-room,
+she was accosted by Errington. "Have you had tea yourself?" he asked,
+with his grave, sweet smile.
+
+"Oh yes! long ago."
+
+"Then, Miss Liddell, indulge me in a little talk. It is so long since I
+have had a word with you! It seems that since we agreed to be fast
+friends, founding our friendship on the injuries we have done each
+other, that we have drifted apart more than ever. Pray do not turn away
+with that distressed look. I am so unfortunate in being always
+associated with painful ideas in your mind."
+
+"Indeed you are not. All the good of my present life I owe to you," and
+she raised her soft brown eyes, full of tender gratitude, to his. It was
+a glance that might have warmed any man's heart, and Errington's answer
+was:
+
+"Come, then, and let us exchange confidences," the crowd round the door
+at that moment obliging him, as it seemed to her, to hold her arm very
+close to his side.
+
+At the end of the hall, which was little more than a passage, was a door
+sheltered by a large porch. The door had been removed, and the porch
+turned into a charming nook, with draperies, plants, colored lamps, and
+comfortable seats. Here Errington and Katherine established themselves.
+
+"First," he began, "tell me, how do you fare at Mrs. Needham's hands? I
+am glad to see that you seem quite at home; and if I may be allowed to
+say it, you bear up bravely under the buffets of unkindly fortune."
+
+"I have no right to complain," returned Katherine. "As to Mrs. Needham,
+were I her younger sister she could not be kinder. I think the great
+advantage of the semi-Bohemian set to which she belongs, is that among
+them there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither bond nor free, for all are
+one in our common human nature. Were I to go down into the kitchen and
+cook the dinner, it would not put me at any disadvantage with my good
+friend. I should have only to wash my hands and don my best frock, and
+in the drawing-room I should be as much the daughter of the house as
+ever."
+
+Errington laughed. There was a happy sound in his laugh. "You describe
+our kind hostess well. Such women are the salt of the social earth. And
+your 'dear boys.' How and where are they?"
+
+"Ah! that is a trial. I go down to Sandbourne the day after to-morrow,
+to take them from that delightful school, and place them in a far
+different establishment."
+
+"Ha! Does Mrs. Ormonde go with you?"
+
+"Mrs. Ormonde? Oh no. You know--" she hesitated. "Well, you see, Colonel
+Ormonde is exceedingly indignant with me because I have lost my fortune,
+and I fancy he does not approve of Ada's having anything to do with me.
+Besides--" She paused, not liking to betray too much of the family
+politics. "They have agreed to give the boys over to me."
+
+"I know. I paid Mr. Newton a long visit the other day, and he told
+me--perhaps more than you would like."
+
+"I do not mind how much you know," said Katherine, sadly. "I am glad you
+care enough to inquire."
+
+"I want you to understand that I care very, very much," replied
+Errington, in a low, earnest tone. "You and I have crossed each other's
+paths in an extraordinary manner, and if you will allow me, I should
+like to act a brother's part to you if--" He broke off abruptly, and
+Katherine, looking up to him with a bright smile, exclaimed, "I shall be
+delighted to have such a brother, and will not give you more trouble
+than I can help."
+
+"Thank you." He seemed to hesitate a moment, and then, with a change of
+tone, observed: "You and Miss Bradley seem to have become intimate. You
+must find her an agreeable companion. I think she might be a useful
+friend."
+
+"She is extremely kind. I cannot say how much obliged to her I am; but,"
+continued Katherine, impelled by an unaccountable antagonism, "do you
+know, I cannot understand why she likes me. There is no real sympathy
+between us. She is so wise and learned. She never would do wrong things
+from a sudden irresistible impulse, and then devour her heart with, not
+repentance, exactly, but remorse which cannot be appeased."
+
+"Probably not. She is rather a remarkable woman. Strong, yet not hard. I
+fancy we are the arbiters of our own fate."
+
+"Oh no! no!" cried Katherine, with emotion. "Just think of the snares
+and pitfalls which beset us, and how hard it is to keep the narrow road
+when a heart-beat too much, a sudden rush of sorrow or of joy, and our
+balance is lost: even steady footsteps slide from the right way. Believe
+me, some never have a fair chance."
+
+Errington made a slight movement nearer to her, and after a brief pause
+said, "I should like to hear you argue this with Angela Bradley."
+
+It sounded strange and unpleasant to hear him say "Angela."
+
+"I never argue with her," said Katherine. "Mine are but old-fashioned
+weapons, while hers are of the latest fashion and precision. Moreover,
+we stand on different levels, I am sorry to say. I wonder she troubles
+herself about me. Is it pure benevolence? or"--with a quick glance into
+his eyes, which were unusually animated--"did you ask her of her
+clemency to throw me some crumbs of comfort? If so, she has obeyed you
+gracefully and well."
+
+"Unreason has a potent advocate in you, Miss Liddell," said Errington;
+smiling a softer smile than usual. "But I want you to understand and
+appreciate Miss Bradley. She is a fine creature in every sense of the
+word. As friend, I am sure she would be loyal with a reasonable loyalty,
+and I flatter myself she is a friend of mine."
+
+"Another sister?" asked Katherine, forcing herself to smile playfully.
+
+"Yes," returned Errington, slowly, looking down as he spoke; "a
+different kind of sister."
+
+Katherine felt her cheeks, her throat, her ears, glow, as she listened
+to what she considered a distinct avowal of his engagement to the
+accomplished Angela, but she only said, softly and steadily, "I hope she
+will always be a dear and loyal sister to you."
+
+There was a moment's silence. Then Errington said, abruptly, his eyes,
+as she felt, on her face, "Have you seen De Burgh since his return?"
+
+"No."
+
+"No doubt you will. What a curious fellow he is! I wonder how he will
+act, now that he has rank and fortune? He has some good points."
+
+"Oh yes, many," cried Katherine, warmly, "I could not help liking him.
+He is very true."
+
+"And extremely reckless," put in Errington, coldly, as Katherine paused
+to remember some other good point.
+
+"Certainly not calculating," she returned.
+
+"Probably his new responsibilities may steady him."
+
+"They may. I almost wish I dare----"
+
+"My dear Katherine, I have been looking everywhere for you. I want you
+so much to play Mrs. Grandison's accompaniment. She is going to sing one
+of your songs, and no one plays it as well as you do. So sorry to
+interrupt your nice talk; but what can a wretched hostess do?"
+
+"Oh, I am quite ready, Mrs. Needham," said Katherine; and she rose
+obediently.
+
+"Will you come, Mr. Errington?" asked the lady of the house.
+
+"To hear Mrs. Grandison murder one of Miss Liddell's songs, which I dare
+say I have heard at Castleford? No, thank you. I shall bid you
+good-night. I am going on to Lady Barbara Bonsfield's, where I shall not
+stay long."
+
+"Horrid woman! she robbed me of Angela Bradley to-night!" exclaimed Mrs.
+Needham.
+
+With a quick "Good-night," Katherine went to fulfil her duties in the
+drawing-room, and did not see Errington again for several days.
+
+
+"I was vexed with you for not singing last night," said Mrs. Needham, as
+she sat at luncheon with her young friend the next morning. "You may not
+have a great voice, but you are much more thoroughly trained than half
+the amateurs whose squallings and screechings are applauded to the
+echo."
+
+"I do not know why, but I really did not feel that I could sing, Mrs.
+Needham. I do not often feel miserable and choky, but I did last night.
+I am so anxious and uneasy about the boys and the school they are going
+to, that I was afraid of making a fool of myself. When the change is
+accomplished I shall be all right again, and not bore you with my
+sentimentality."
+
+"You don't do anything of the sort. You are a capital plucky girl. Now I
+have nothing particular for you to do this afternoon, and I can't take
+you with me; so just go out and call on Miss Bradley or Miss Payne to
+divert your----"
+
+"A gentleman for Miss Liddell;" said the parlor maid, placing a card
+beside Katherine.
+
+"Lord de Burgh!" she exclaimed, in great surprise.
+
+"Lord who?" asked Mrs. Needham.
+
+"Lord de Burgh; he is a relation of Colonel Ormonde; I used to meet him
+at Castleford."
+
+Mrs. Needham eyed her curiously. "Oh, very well, dear," she said, with
+great cheerfulness. "Go and see him, and give him some tea; only it is
+too early. I am sorry I cannot put in an appearance, but I have just a
+hundred and one things to do before I go to Professor Maule's scientific
+'afternoon' at four. Give me my bag and note-book. I must go straight
+away to the 'Incubator Company's Office;' I promised them a notice in my
+Salterton letter next week. There, go, child; I don't want you any
+more."
+
+"But I am in no hurry, Mrs. Needham. Lord de Burgh is no very particular
+friend of mine."
+
+"Well, well! That remains to be seen. Just smooth your hair, won't you?
+It's all rough where you have leaned on your hand over your writing.
+It's no matter? Well, it doesn't much. Do you think he has any votes for
+the British Benevolent Institution for Aged Women? I do so want to get
+my gardener's mother--There, go, go, dear! You had better not keep him
+waiting." And Katherine was gently propelled out of the room.
+
+In truth, she was rather reluctant to face De Burgh, although she felt
+gratified and soothed by his taking the trouble to find her out.
+
+Katherine found her visitor pacing up and down when she opened the
+drawing-room door, feeling vexed with herself for her changing color and
+the embarrassment she felt she displayed. De Burgh was looking taller
+and squarer than ever, but his dark face brightened so visibly as his
+eyes met Katherine's, that she felt a pang as she thought how unmoved
+she was herself.
+
+"I thought you had escaped from sight!" he exclaimed, holding her hand
+for a moment longer than was absolutely necessary. "The first time I
+went to look for you in the old place, I was simply told you had left,
+by a stupid old woman who knew nothing. Then I called again and asked
+for Miss--you know whom I mean; she is rather a brick, and told me all
+about you. In the mean time I met Mrs. Ormonde. I was determined not to
+ask _her_ anything--she is such a selfish little devil. Now here I am
+face to face with you at last." And he drew a chair opposite her, and
+was silent for a minute, gazing with a wistful look in her face.
+
+"You have not a very high opinion of my sister-in-law," said Katherine,
+beginning as far away from themselves as she could.
+
+"She is an average woman," he said, shortly. "But tell me, what is the
+matter with you? I did not think you were the sort of girl to break your
+heart over the loss of a fortune."
+
+"But I have not broken my heart!" she exclaimed, somewhat startled by
+his positive tone.
+
+"There's a look of pain in your eyes, a despondency in your very figure;
+don't you think I know every turn of you? Well, I won't say more if it
+annoys you. We have changed places, Katherine--I mean Miss Liddell.
+Fortune has given me a turn at last, and I have been tremendously busy.
+I had no idea how troublesome it is to be rich. There are compensations,
+however. This doesn't seem a bad sort of place"--looking round at the
+crowd of china and bric-a-brac ornaments and the comfortable chairs.
+"How did you come here, and what has been settled? Don't think me
+impertinent or intrusive; you know you agreed we should be friends, and
+you must not send me adrift!"
+
+"Thank you, Lord de Burgh. I am sure you could be a very loyal friend.
+My story is very short." And she gave him a brief sketch of how her
+affairs had been arranged.
+
+"By George! Ormonde is a mean sneak. To think of his leaving those boys
+on your hands! and he has plenty of money. I happen to know that his
+wife has been dabbling in the stocks, and turned some money too. Now
+where did she get the cash to do it with but from him? So I suppose you
+intend to starve yourself in order to educate the poor little chaps?"
+
+"Oh no. On the contrary, I am living on the fat of the land, with the
+kindest mistress in the world."
+
+"Mistress! Great heavens! Why _will_ you persist in such a life?"
+
+"My dear Lord de Burgh, don't you know that it is not always easy to
+judge or to act for another?
+
+"Which means I am to mind my own business?"
+
+"You have a very unvarnished style of stating facts."
+
+"I know I have." A short pause, and he began again. "Where are those
+boys now?
+
+"At Sandbourne. But, alas! I am going to take them away to-morrow. They
+are going to a school at Wandsworth."
+
+"Going down to Sandbourne to-morrow? Is Miss Payne going with you?"
+
+"Oh no; I don't need any one."
+
+"Nonsense! you can't go about alone. I'll meet you at the station and
+escort you there."
+
+Katherine laughed. "I am afraid that would never do. You have increased
+in importance and I have diminished, till the distance between our
+respective stations has widened far too much to permit of familiar
+intercourse, or--"
+
+"I never thought I should hear _you_ talking such rubbish. What
+difference can there be between us, except that you are a good woman and
+I am _not_ a good man? I don't think it's quite fair that on our first
+meeting after ages--at least quite two months of separation--you should
+talk in this satirical way."
+
+"I speak the words of truth and soberness, Lord de Burgh."
+
+"Perhaps. I can't quite make you out. I am certain you have been in
+worse trouble than even want of money. I wish you'd confide in me.
+That's the right word, isn't it? Do you know, I can be very true to my
+friends, and silent as the grave. I could tell _you_ everything."
+
+"Thank you. I am sure you could be a faithful friend."
+
+"Do you ever see Errington?" asked De Burgh, changing the subject
+abruptly.
+
+"Oh yes. He often comes here."
+
+"Indeed? To see you, or Mrs.--what's her name?"
+
+"To see Mrs. Needham," returned Katherine, smiling.
+
+"Hum! I suppose he has a taste for mature beauty?"
+
+"I do not know. At all events Mrs. Needham knows charming girls--enough
+to suit all tastes, and Mr. Errington--"
+
+"Is too superior a fellow to be influenced by such attractions, eh?" put
+in De Burgh.
+
+"I am not so sure;" and she laughed merrily. "I think there is one fair
+lady for whom he is inclined to forego his philosophic tranquility."
+
+"Ha! I thought so. Yourself?"
+
+"_Me_! No, indeed! A young lady of high attainments and a large fortune."
+
+"Indeed? I am glad of it. He must be awfully hard up, poor devil!"
+
+"Mr. Errington can never be poor," cried Katherine, offended by the
+disparaging epithet. "He carries his fortune in his brain."
+
+"Well, I am exceedingly thankful I carry mine in my pocket," returned De
+Burgh, laughing. "Evidently Errington can do no wrong in your eyes. Let
+us wish him success in his wooing. So I am not to be your escort to
+Sandbourne? You ought to let me be your courier, I have knocked about so
+much. I thought I'd take to the road in the modern sense, when I came to
+my last sou, if the poor old lord had not died. Now I am going to be a
+pattern man as landlord, peer, and sportsman. Can't give up that, you
+know."
+
+"I do not see why you should."
+
+"I see you are looking at the clock; that means I am staying too long.
+You don't know how delightful it is to sit here talking to you, without
+any third person to bore us."
+
+"I don't mean to be rude, Lord de Burgh, but you see I have letters to
+write for my chief."
+
+"The deuce you have! It is too awful to see you in slavery."
+
+"Very pleasant, easy slavery."
+
+"So this chief of yours gives parties, receptions, at homes. Why doesn't
+she ask me?"
+
+"I am sure she would if she knew of your existence."
+
+"Do you mean to say you have never mentioned me to her, nor enlarged
+upon my many delightful and noble qualities?"
+
+"I am ashamed to say I have not."
+
+Lord de Burgh rose slowly and reluctantly. "Are you going to bring the
+boys here?"
+
+"No; Miss Payne has most kindly invited them to stay with her. As yet
+she has not found any one to replace me. Poor little souls, I shall be
+glad when their holidays are over, for I fear they are not the same joy
+to Miss Payne as they are to me."
+
+"Ah! believe me, you want some help in bringing up a couple of boys.
+Just fancy what Cis will be six or seven years hence. Why, he'll play
+the devil if he hasn't a strong hand over him."
+
+"I don't believe it!" cried Katherine, smiling. "Why should he be worse
+than other boys?"
+
+"Why should he be better?"
+
+"Well, I can but do my best for them," said Katherine with a sigh.
+
+"I am a brute to prophesy evil, when you have enough to contend with
+already," cried De Burgh, taking her hand, and looking into her eyes
+with an expression she could not misunderstand.
+
+"You must not exaggerate my troubles," returned Katherine, with a sweet
+bright smile on her lips and in her eyes that thanked him for his
+sympathy, even while she gently withdrew her hand.
+
+"I wish you would let me help you," said De Burgh; and as her lips
+parted to reply, he went on, hastily: "No, no; don't answer--not yet, at
+least. You will only say something disagreeable, in spite of your
+charming lips. Now I'll not intrude on you any longer. I suppose there
+is no objection to my calling on the young gentlemen at Miss Payne's,
+and taking them to a circus, or Madame Tussaud's, or any other
+dissipation suited to their tender years?"
+
+"My dear Lord de Burgh, what an infliction for you! and how very good
+of you to think of them! Pray do not trouble about them."
+
+"I understand," said De Burgh. "I'll leave my card for your chief below;
+and be sure you don't forget me when you are sending out cards.
+By-the-way, I have a pressing invitation to Castleford. When I write to
+refuse I'll say I have seen you, and that I am going to take charge of
+the boys during the holidays."
+
+"No, no; pray do not, Lord de Burgh," cried Katherine, eagerly. "You
+know Ada, and--"
+
+"Are you ashamed to have me as a coadjutor?" interrupted De Burgh,
+laughing. "Trust me; I will be prudent. Good-by for the present."
+
+Katherine stood in silent thought for a few moments after he had gone.
+She fully understood the meaning of his visit; though there had been
+little or nothing of the lover in his tone. He had come as soon as
+possible to place himself and all he had at her disposal. He was
+perfectly sincere in his desire to win her for his wife, and she almost
+regretted she could not return his affection: it might be true
+affection--something beyond and above the dominant whim of an imperious
+nature. And what a solution to all her difficulties! But it was
+impossible she could overcome the repulsion which the idea of marriage
+with any man she did not love inspired. There was to her but one in the
+world to whom she could hold allegiance, and _he_ was forbidden by all
+sense of self-respect and modesty. How was it that, strive as she might
+to fill her mind to his exclusion, the moment she was off guard the
+image of Errington rose up clear and fresh, pervading heart and
+imagination, and dwarfing every other object?
+
+"How miserably, contemptibly weak I am, and have always been! Why did I
+not stifle this wretched, overpowering attraction in the beginning?" Ay!
+but when did it begin?
+
+This is a sort of question no heart can answer. Who can foresee that the
+tiny spring, forcing its way up among the stones and heather of a lonely
+hill-side, will grow into the broad river, which may carry peace and
+prosperity on its rolling tide to the lands below, or overwhelm them
+with destructive floods, according to the forces which feed it and the
+barriers which hedge it in?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+"CIS AND CHARLIE."
+
+
+Again the spring sunshine was lending perennial youth even to London's
+dingy streets, and making the very best winter garments look dim and
+shabby. Hunting was over, and Colonel Ormonde found himself by the will
+of his wife, once more established in London lodgings--of a dingier and
+obscurer order than those in which they had enjoyed last season.
+
+Mrs. Ormonde was neither intellectually nor morally strong, but she had
+one reflex ingredient in her nature, which was to her both a shield and
+spear. She knew what she wanted, and was perfectly unscrupulous as to
+the means of getting it. A woman who is pleasantly indifferent to the
+wants and wishes of her associates, if they happen to clash with her
+own, is tolerably sure to have her own way on the whole. Now and then,
+to be sure, she comes to grief; but in her general success these
+failures can be afforded.
+
+When first the tidings of George Liddell's return and his assertion of
+his rights reached her, she was terrified and undone by Colonel
+Ormonde's fury against Katherine, herself, her boys, every one. In
+short, that gallant officer thought he had done a generous and manly
+thing, when he married the piquant little widow who had attracted him,
+although she could only meet her personal expenses and those of her two
+sons, without contributing to the general house-keeping. This sense of
+his own magnanimity, backed by the consciousness that it did not cost
+him too dear, had kept Colonel Ormonde in the happiest of moods for the
+first years of his married life. Terrible was the awakening from the
+dream of his own good luck and general "fine-fellowism"; and heavily
+would the punishment have fallen on his wife had she been a sensitive or
+high-minded woman. Being, however, admirably suited to the partner of
+her life, she looked round, as soon as the first burst of despair was
+over, to see how she could make the best of her position.
+
+She was really vexed and irritated to find how little tenderness or
+regard her husband felt for her, for she had always believed that he was
+greatly devoted to her. To both of them the outside world was all in
+all, and on this Mrs. Ormonde counted largely. Colonel Ormonde could not
+put her away or lock her up because the provision made by Katherine for
+the boys failed her, so while she was mistress of Castleford she must
+have dresses and carriages and consideration. Knowing herself secure on
+these points, she fearlessly adopted the system of counter-irritation
+she described to Katherine; and to do her justice, her consciousness
+that the boys were safe under the care of their aunt, who would be sure
+to treat them well and kindly, made her the more ready to brave the
+dangers of her husband's wrath.
+
+"He must behave well before people, or men will say he is a 'cad' to
+visit his disappointment on his poor little simple-hearted wife," she
+thought. "He knows that. Then it is an enormous relief that Katherine
+still clings to the boys, poor dears! She really is a trump; so I have
+only myself to think of; and Duke shall find that his shabbiness and
+ill-temper do him no good. It's like drawing his teeth to get my
+quarter's allowance, beggarly as it is, from him."
+
+Colonel Ormonde's reflections, as he composed a letter to his steward,
+were by no means soothing. Though it was all but impossible for him to
+hold his tongue respecting his disappointment, whenever a shade of
+difference occurred between him and his wife, he was uncomfortably
+conscious that he often acted like a brute toward the mother of his boy,
+of whom he was so proud; he was not therefore the more disposed to rule
+his hasty, inconsiderate temper. The fact that Mrs. Ormonde had her own
+methods of paying him back disposed him to respect her, and it could not
+be doubted that in time the friction of their natures would rub off the
+angles of each, and they would settle down into tolerable harmony,
+whereas a proud, true-hearted woman in her place would have been utterly
+crushed and never forgiven.
+
+Ormonde, then, was meditating on his undeserved misfortunes, when the
+door was somewhat suddenly and vehemently pushed open, and Mrs. Ormonde
+came in, her eyes sparkling, and evidently in some excitement.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked her husband, not too amiably. "Has that
+rascally, intruding fellow Liddell kicked the bucket?"
+
+"No; but whom do you think I saw as I was leaving Mrs. Bennett's in Hyde
+Park Square, you know?"
+
+"How can I tell? The policeman perhaps."
+
+"Nonsense, Duke! I had just come down the steps, and was turn turning
+toward Paddington, for, as it was early, I thought I would take the
+omnibus to Oxford Circus (see how careful I am!), when I saw a beautiful
+dark brougham, drawn by splendid black horse--the coachman, the whole
+turn-out, quite first rate--come at a dashing pace towards me. I
+recognized Lord de Burgh inside, and who do you think was sitting beside
+him?"
+
+"God knows! The Saratoffski perhaps."
+
+"Really, Ormonde, I am astonished at your mentioning that dreadful woman
+to me.
+
+"Oh! are you? Well, _who_ was De Burgh's companion?"
+
+"Charlie! my Charlie! and Cis was on the front seat. Cis saw me, for he
+clapped his hands and pointed as they flew past. What do you think of
+that?"
+
+"By George!" he exclaimed, in capital letters. "I believe he is still
+after Katherine. If so, she'll have the devil's own luck."
+
+"Now listen to me. As Wilton Street was quite near, I went on there to
+gather what I could from Miss Payne. She was at home, and a little less
+sour and silent then usual. She was sorry, she said, the boys were out.
+They have been with her for a week, and Lord de Burgh had been most
+kind. He had taken them to the Zoological Gardens and Madame Tussaud's,
+and just now had called for them to go to the circus. Isn't it
+wonderful? Do try and picture De Burgh at Madame Tussaud's."
+
+"There is only one way of accounting for such strange conduct," returned
+the Colonel, thoughtfully. "He means to marry your sister. This would
+change the face of affairs considerably."
+
+"Yes; it would be delightful."
+
+"I'm not so sure of that," returned Ormonde, seriously. "Now that he is
+in love--and you know he is all fire and tow--he makes a fuss about the
+boys; but wait till he is married, and he will try to shift them back on
+you. Why should he put up with his wife's nephews any more than I do
+with _my_ wife's sons?"
+
+"Because he is more in love, and a good deal richer," returned Mrs.
+Ormonde.
+
+"More in love! Bosh! In the middle of the fever, you mean. Of course
+that will pass over."
+
+"Really men are great brutes," observed Mrs. Ormonde, philosophically.
+
+"And women awful fools," added her husband.
+
+"Well, perhaps so," she returned, with a slight smile and a sharp
+glance.
+
+"Seriously, though," resumed Colonel Ormonde, "it's all very well for
+Katherine to make a good match, and if De Burgh is fool enough to be in
+earnest, it will be a splendid match for her; but things may be made
+rather rough for me. That fellow De Burgh has the queerest crotchets,
+and doesn't hesitate to air them. He'd think nothing of slapping my
+shoulder in the club before a dozen members, and asking me if I meant to
+leave my wife's brats on his hands."
+
+"Do you really think so? Oh, Katherine would never let him. She dearly
+loves the boys."
+
+"Wait till she has a son of her own."
+
+"Even so. She has her faults, I know. Her temper is rather violent, her
+ideas are too high-flown and nonsensical, and she won't take advice, but
+she never would injure _me_, I am sure of that."
+
+An inarticulate grunt from Colonel Ormonde, as he fixed his double glass
+on his nose and took up his pen again.
+
+"Duke," resumed Mrs. Ormonde, after a pause, "don't you think I had
+better go and see Katherine? You know we never had any quarrel, and that
+Mrs. Needham she lives with gives very nice parties."
+
+"Parties! By Jove! you'd go to old Nick for a party. What good will it
+do you to meet a pack of beggarly scribblers?"
+
+"They may not have money, Duke, but they have _manners_, and something
+to say for themselves," she retorted. "Never mind about the parties.
+Don't you think I would better call on Katherine?"
+
+"Do as you like but consider that she has behaved very badly--with
+extreme insolence; but I don't want to influence you." This in a tone of
+magnanimity, as he began to write with an air of profound attention.
+
+Mrs. Ormonde made a swift contemptuous grimace at his back, and said, in
+mellifluous tones: "Very well, dear. I may as well go at once, and
+perhaps she will come with me to that dressmaking ally of hers, Miss
+Trant. I hear she is raising her prices, but she will not do so to me if
+I am with her original patroness."
+
+"Oh, do as you like; only don't send me in a long milliner's bill."
+
+"I am sure, Duke, my clothes never cost you much."
+
+"Not so far, but the future looks rather blue."
+
+To this she made no reply. Leaving the room noiselessly, she retired to
+give a touch of kohl to her eyes, a dust of pearl powder to her cheeks,
+and then started on her mission of inquiry and reconciliation.
+
+
+It is not to be denied that Katherine was greatly touched by De Burgh's
+thoughtful kindness to her boys. She had been a good deal troubled about
+their holidays, for she did not like to take full advantage of Mrs.
+Needham's kind permission to absent herself as much as she liked in
+order to be with them, and she well knew that in Miss Payne's very
+orderly establishment the two restless, active little fellows would be
+a most discordant ingredient. Above all, she wanted them to have a very
+happy holiday, as she feared their cloudless sunny days were numbered.
+
+The second morning, therefore, after she had deposited them in Wilton
+Street, when she went to inquire for them, and found that Lord de Burgh
+had called and carried them off to have luncheon with him first, and to
+spend the afternoon at the Zoological Gardens after, she could hardly
+credit her ears.
+
+"I must say," observed Miss Payne, "that I am agreeably surprised. I had
+no idea Lord de Burgh was so straightforward and well-disposed a man. A
+little abrupt, and would not stand any nonsense, I fancy, but a sterling
+character. He has tact too. He always spoke of the boys as his cousin
+Colonel Ormonde's step-sons. He might be a good friend to them,
+Katherine."
+
+"No doubt," she replied, thoughtfully.
+
+"He will send his butler or house-steward to take them to Kew Gardens
+to-morrow; but I dare say he will call and tell you himself."
+
+"He is wonderfully good," said Katherine, feeling puzzled and oppressed.
+"I will go back, then, as fast as I can, and get my work done by six
+o'clock; then I may spend the evening here with you and the boys."
+
+"Pray do, if you can manage it."
+
+Lord de Burgh's remarkable conduct troubled Katherine a good deal. How
+ought she to act? Certainly he would not put himself out of the way for
+Cis and Charlie, had he not wished to please her, or really interested
+himself in them for her sake. Ought she to encourage him by accepting
+these very useful and kindly attentions? How could she reject them
+without saying as plainly by action as in words, "I know you are
+pressing your suit upon me, and I will not have it," which, after all,
+might be a mistake; besides, she would thus deprive her nephews of much
+pleasure. She could not come to a conclusion; she must let herself
+drift. But the question tormented her, and it was with an effort she
+banished it, and applied herself to her task of arranging her chief's
+notes.
+
+Mrs. Needham was exceedingly busy that afternoon, and did not go out, as
+she had some provincial and colonial letters to finish, and had a couple
+of engagements in the evening. She and her secretary therefore wrote
+diligently till about half-past five, when Ford, the smart parlor-maid,
+announced that "the gentleman" and two little boys were in the
+drawing-room.
+
+"Good gracious!" cried Mrs. Needham, slipping off her glasses. "This is
+growing interesting. I shall go and speak to Lord de Burgh myself.
+Besides, I want to see your boys, my dear. How funny it sounds!"
+
+"Do, Mrs. Needham. I will come."
+
+Lord de Burgh was glaring absently out of the window, and the boys were
+eagerly examining the diverse and sundry objects thickly scattered
+around. They had wonderfully dirty hands and faces, their jackets were
+splashed as if with some foaming beverage, the knees of their
+knickerbockers were grubby with gravel and grass, and they had generally
+the aspect of having done wildly what they listed for some hours.
+
+"Lord de Burgh, I suppose?" said Mrs. Needham, in loud and cheerful
+accents. "I am very pleased to see you" (De Burgh bowed); "and you, my
+dears--I am very glad to see you too, especially if you will be so good
+as not to touch my china!"
+
+"We haven't broken anything!" cried Cecil, coming up to her and giving
+her a dingy little paw, while he stared in her face. "Where is auntie?"
+
+"She'll be here directly. This is Charlie: what a sweet little fellow!
+Why, your eyes are like your aunt's."
+
+"Do you think so?" said De Burgh, drawing near. "They are lighter--a
+good deal lighter."
+
+"Perhaps so. The shape and expression are like, though. And so you have
+been to see the lions and tigers?"
+
+"And the bears," put in Charlie.
+
+"Isn't Lord de Burgh kind to take you--"
+
+"He _is!_ he's a jolly chap!" cried Cecil, warmly. "I shouldn't mind
+living with him."
+
+"Nor I either," added Charlie.
+
+Here Katherine made her appearance, a conscious look in her eyes, a
+flitting blush on her cheek. The boys immediately flew to hug and kiss
+her, barely allowing her to shake hands with De Burgh. Then, when she
+sat down on the sofa, Charlie established himself on her knee and Cecil
+knelt on the sofa, the better to put his arms round her neck.
+
+"What dreadfully dirty little boys! What have you been doing to
+yourselves?"
+
+"Oh, we have been on the elephant and the camel, and in the ostrich
+cart. Then Charlie tumbled down in the monkey-house. Oh, how funny the
+monkeys are! and he" (pointing to Lord de Burgh) "took us to dinner.
+Such a beautiful dinner in a lovely room! He says he will take us to the
+circus."
+
+"I'll ask him to take you too, auntie!" cried Charlie.
+
+"Oh yes!" echoed Cecil. "You'll take her, Lord de Burgh, won't you? I
+don't think auntie ever saw a circus."
+
+"If you promise to be _very_ good, and that your aunt too will be quiet
+and well-behaved, I may be induced to let her come," returned De Burgh,
+his deep-set eyes glittering with fun and anticipated pleasure.
+
+"Thank you," said Katherine, laughing, as soon as her delighted nephew
+ceased kissing her.
+
+"And you'll come?--the day after to-morrow? I will call for the boys,
+bring them round here."
+
+"If I have nothing special--" she began.
+
+"Certainly not; I will take care of that," cried Mrs. Needham, "It is
+such a great thing to get a little amusement for the poor little
+fellows, and so very kind of Lord de Burgh to take so much trouble."
+
+"It is indeed. I really don't know how to thank you enough," said
+Katherine. "Mrs. Needham, I must really take them to wash their hands;
+they are so terribly dirty!"
+
+"No; ring the bell; Ford will manage them nicely, and bring them back in
+a few minutes." Mrs. Needham rang energetically as she spoke, and the
+young gentlemen were speedily marched off.
+
+"I am afraid I am not a wise child's guide," said De Burgh, laughing;
+"but they ran and tumbled about till they got into an awful pickle. They
+are really capital little fellows, and most amusing. When do they go
+back to school?"
+
+"In about ten days--on the 25th. I assure you I quite dread their going
+to this Wandsworth place. They have been asking, entreating me to let
+them go back to Sandbourne, but I think Cis at last grasps the idea that
+it is a question of money."
+
+"It's an early initiation for him," observed De Burgh, as if to himself.
+Then, eagerly: "You'll be sure to come with us on Friday, Miss Liddell?
+The boys will enjoy the performance ever so much more if you are with
+them."
+
+Katherine looked for half a second at Mrs. Needham, who nodded and
+frowned in a very energetic and affirmative way. "I shall be very glad
+to enjoy it with them," she said, hesitatingly, "if Mrs. Needham can
+spare me."
+
+"Of course I can,"--briskly. "Lord de Burgh, if you care for music--not
+severe classical music, you know--ballads, recitatives, and that sort of
+thing--Hyacinth O'Hara, the new tenor, and Mr. Merrydew, that wonderful
+mimic and singer, are coming to me next Tuesday; I shall be delighted to
+see you."
+
+"Not so delighted, I am sure, as I shall be to come," returned De Burgh,
+with unusual suavity.
+
+"Very well--half past nine. Don't be late, and don't forget."
+
+"No danger of forgetting, I assure you."
+
+"By-the-bye," resumed Mrs. Needham, as if seized with a happy thought,
+"Angela Bradley receives on Sunday afternoons at their delightful villa
+at Wimbledon all through the season. Her first 'at home' will be the
+Sunday after next. I am sure she will be delighted to see any friend of
+Miss Liddell's."
+
+"If Miss Liddell will be so good as to answer for me, I shall be most
+happy to present myself. To make sure of being properly backed up,
+suppose I call here for Miss Liddell and yourself, and and drive you
+down?
+
+"Is it not rather far off to make arrangements?" asked Katherine,
+growing somewhat uneasy at thus drifting into a succession of of
+engagements with the man she half liked, half dreaded.
+
+"Far off!" echoed Mrs. Needham. "You don't call ten days far off? But I
+must run away and finish my letter. A journalist is the slave of her
+pen. Good morning, Lord de Burgh. I'll send the boys to you, Katherine."
+
+"That is an admirable and meritorious woman," and De Burgh, drawing a
+chair beside the sofa where Katherine sat. "Why are you so savagely
+opposed to anything like friendly intercourse with me--so reluctant to
+let me do anything for you? Do you think I am such a cad as to think
+that _anything_ I could do would entitle me to consider you under an
+obligation?"
+
+"No, indeed, Lord de Burgh! I believe you to be too true a gentleman
+for--"
+
+"For what? I see you are afraid of giving me what is called, in the
+slang of the matrimonial market, encouragement. Just put all that out of
+your mind, Let me have a little enjoyment, however things may end, and,
+believe me, I'll never blame you. I am not going to trouble you with my
+hopes and wishes, not at least for some time; and then, whatever the
+upshot, on my head be it."
+
+"But I cannot bear to give you pain."
+
+"Then don't--"
+
+"Auntie, we are quite clean. Won't you come back to tea at Miss Payne's?
+Do make her come, Lord de Burgh."
+
+"Ah, it is beyond my powers to make her do anything."
+
+"I cannot come now, my darlings; but I will be with you about half past
+six, and we'll have a game before you go to bed."
+
+"Come along, boys; we have intruded on your aunt long enough. Don't
+forget the circus on Friday, Miss Liddell."
+
+Another hug from Cis and Charlie, a slight hand pressure from their
+newly found playfellow, and Katherine was left to her own reflections.
+
+
+The expedition to the circus was most successful. It was on his way from
+Wilton Street to call for Katherine, on this occasion, that De Burgh
+encountered Mrs. Ormonde. Need we say that she lost no time in making
+the proposed call on her sister-in-law; unfortunately Katherine was out;
+so Mrs. Ormonde was reduced to writing a requisition for an interview
+with her boys and their aunt.
+
+This was accordingly planned at Miss Payne's house, and Mrs. Ormonde was
+quite charming, playful, affectionate, tearful, repentant, apologetic
+for "Ormonde," and deeply moved at parting from her boys, who where
+somewhat awed by this display of feeling. Still she did not succeed in
+breaking the "cold chain of silence" which Katherine persisted in
+"hanging" over the events of the past week.
+
+"So De Burgh took the boys about everywhere?" said Mrs. Ormonde, as
+Katherine went downstairs with her when she was leaving, and they were
+alone together. "It is something new for him to play the part of
+children's maid; and, do you know, he only left cards on us, and never
+asked to come in."
+
+"He was always good-natured," returned Katherine, with some
+embarrassment; "and, you remember, he used to notice Cis and Charlie at
+Castleford a good deal."
+
+"Yes; after _you_ came," significantly. "Never mind, Katie dear, I am
+not going to worry you with troublesome questions; but I am sure no one
+in the world would be more delighted than myself _did_ you make a
+brilliant match."
+
+"Believe me, there will never be anything brilliant about me, Ada."
+
+"Well, we'll see. When do you take the boys to school?
+
+"On Wednesday; should you like to come and see the place?"
+
+"I should like it of all things, but I mustn't, dear."
+
+"I do hope the school may prove all I expect; but the change will be bad
+for Charlie. He had lost nearly all his nervousness; strange teachers
+and a new system may bring it back."
+
+"Oh, I hope not. Does he still stop short and speechless, and then laugh
+as if it were a good joke, when he is puzzled or frightened?"
+
+"Very rarely, I believe. I will write to you the day after I leave the
+boys at Wandsworth. They don't like going at all, poor dears.'
+
+"Well, we shall not be much longer in town, I am sorry to say, and I
+want a few things from Miss Trant before I go. I suppose she will not
+raise her prices to me?"
+
+"Oh no, I am sure she will not."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+"MISS BRADLEY AT HOME."
+
+
+It was a bleak, blowy day when Katherine took the boys to school, and on
+returning she went straight to Miss Payne, who had promised to have tea
+ready for her.
+
+Somewhat to her regret, she found only Bertie Payne, who explained that
+his sister had been called away about some business connected with a
+lady with whom she was trying to come to terms respecting her house,
+which she had now decided on letting.
+
+"And how did you part with the boys?" he asked when he had given her a
+cup of tea and brought her the most comfortable chair.
+
+"It was very hard to leave them," returned Katherine, whose eyes looked
+suspiciously like recently shed tears. "The place did not look half so
+nice to-day as I thought it was. Everything is rough and ready. The
+second master, too, is a harsh, severe-looking man. Of course he has not
+much authority; still, had I seen him, I do not think I should have
+agreed to send Cis and Charlie there; but now I am committed to a
+quarter. I cannot afford to indulge whims, and, at all events, they are
+within an easy distance. Charlie looked so white, and clung to me as if
+he would never let me go! How hard life is!"
+
+"This portion of it is, and wisely so. We must set our affections on
+things above. I have been learning this lesson of late as I never
+thought I should have to learn it."
+
+"_You_?--you who are so good, so unworldly? Oh, Mr. Payne, what do you
+mean? You are looking ill and worn."
+
+"I have been fighting a battle of late," he returned, with his sweet,
+patient smile, "and I have conquered. The right road has been shown to
+me, the right way, and I am determined to walk in it."
+
+"What are you going to do?" asked Katherine, with a feeling of alarm.
+
+"I am going to take orders, and join the missionary ranks, either in
+India or China. Work in England was growing too easy--too heavenly
+sweet--to be any longer saving to my own soul."
+
+"But Mr. Payne, don't you see that your own poor country people have the
+first claim upon you--that you are leaving a work for which you are so
+wonderfully well suited, in which you are so successful? Oh, do think!
+Here you leave people of your own race, whose wants, whose characters
+you can understand, to run away to creatures of another climate--a
+different stock--whose natures, in my opinion, unfit them for a faith
+such as ours, and who never, never will accept our religion!"
+
+"Hush!" cried Payne, in an excited tone. "Do not torture me by showing
+the appalling gulf which separates us. Strange that a heart so tender as
+yours to all mere human miseries should yet be adamant against the
+Saviour's loving touch. This has been my cruel cross, and my only safety
+lies in flight, wretched man that I am!"
+
+"I am dreadfully distressed about you, Mr. Payne. Does your sister know?
+It is really unkind to her."
+
+"That must not weigh with me. Even if the right hand offends you, 'cut
+it off,' is the command."
+
+"At all events, you must study, or go though some preparation, before
+you are ordained, and perhaps in that interval you may change your
+views. I do hope you will. I should be indeed sorry to lose sight of a
+true friend like yourself."
+
+"A friend!" he returned, his brow contracting as if with pain. "You do
+not know the depths of my selfishness----"
+
+The entrance of Miss Payne interrupted the conversation, and Bertie
+immediately changing the subject, Katherine understood that he did not
+as yet intend to speak to his sister of his new plans.
+
+To Miss Payne, Katherine had again to describe her parting with her
+nephews, and she, in her turn, talked comfortably of her affairs. She
+thought of going abroad for a short time should she let her house, as
+nothing very eligible offered in the shape of a young lady to chaperon.
+Indeed she was somewhat tired of that sort of life, etc., etc. At length
+Katherine bade them adieu, and returned to her present abode with a very
+sad heart.
+
+The parting with her nephews had been a sore trial. The idea of Bertie,
+her kind friend, whose sympathetic companionship had helped her so much
+to overcome the poignancy of her first grief for her dear mother, going
+away to banishment, and perhaps death, at the hands of those whose souls
+he went to save, caused her the keenest pain; and for nearly a fortnight
+she had not seen Errington! She could not bring herself to ask where he
+was, and no one had happened to mention him. This was really better. His
+absence should be a help to forgetfulness; but somehow it was not. He
+was so vividly before her eyes; his voice sounded so perpetually in her
+heart.
+
+Why could she not think thus of De Burgh, whose devotion to her was
+evident, and whom, in spite of herself as it seemed, she was, to a
+certain degree, encouraging?
+
+She felt unutterably helpless and oppressed. Moreover, she was
+distressed by the consciousness that the small reserve fund which she
+had with difficulty preserved, could barely meet unexpected demands such
+as removing the boys from school, if necessary, an attack of illness, a
+dozen contingencies, any or all of which were possible, if not imminent.
+
+Such a mood made her feel peculiarly unfit to shine at Mrs. Needham's
+reception. Still it was better to be obliged to talk and to think about
+others than to brood perpetually on her own troubles. So she arrayed
+herself in one of the pretty soft grey demi-toilette dresses which
+remained among her well-stocked wardrobe, and prepared to assist her
+chief in receiving her guests, who soon flocked in so rapidly as to make
+separate receptions impossible. Miss Bradley came early, arrayed in
+white silk and lace with diamond stars in her coronet of thickly-plaited
+red hair. She was looking radiantly well--so well and unusually animated
+that her aspect struck sudden terror into Katherine's heart; something
+had gladdened her heart to give that expression of joyous softness to
+her eyes. But it was weak and contemptible to let this sudden fear
+overmaster her, so she strove to be amused and interested in the
+conversation of those she knew, and her acquaintance had increased
+enormously since she came to reside with Mrs. Needham.
+
+Presently Katherine caught sight of a stately head above the general
+level of the crowd, and a pair of grave eyes evidently seeking
+something. Who was Errington looking for? Miss Bradley, of course! As
+she arrived at this conclusion, De Burgh appeared at the head of the
+stairs, looking, as he always did, extremely distinguished--his dark
+strong face showing in remarkable contrast to the simpering young
+minstrels, pale young poets, and long-haired professors who formed the
+larger half of the male guests.
+
+"Well, Miss Liddell, are you quite well and flourishing? Why, it is
+quite three days since I saw you," he asked, and his eyes dwelt on her
+with a look of utter restful satisfaction--a look that disturbed her.
+
+"Is it, indeed? They seem all rolled into a single disagreeable one to
+me."
+
+"Tell me all about it," said De Burgh, in a low confidential tone. "Must
+you stand here in the gangway? it's awfully hot and crowded."
+
+Before she could reply, Errington forced his way through the crowd, and
+addressed her.
+
+"I began to fear I should not find you, Miss Liddell," he said, with a
+pleasant smile. "I have been away for some time--though perhaps you were
+not aware of it."
+
+"I was aware we did not see you as frequently as usual. Where have you
+been?"
+
+"On a secret and delicate mission which taxed all my diplomatic skill,
+for I had to deal with an extremely crotchetty Scotchman."
+
+"You make me feel desperately curious," said Katherine, languidly.
+
+"How do you do, Errington?" put in De Burgh. "I heard of you in
+Edinburgh last week;" and they exchanged a few words. Then, to
+Katherine's annoyance, De Burgh said, with an air of proprietorship, "I
+am going to take Miss Liddell out of this mob, to have tea and air, if
+we can get any. I have to hear news, too," he added, significantly.
+
+Errington grew very grave, and drew back immediately with a slight bow,
+as if he accepted a dismissal.
+
+There was no help for it, so Katherine took De Burgh's offered arm and
+went downstairs.
+
+"I wonder what the secret mission could have been?" said Katherine, when
+they found themselves in the tea-room.
+
+"God knows! I wonder Errington did not go in for diplomacy when he
+smashed up. He is just the man for protocols, and solemn mysteries, and
+all that."
+
+"Men cannot jump into diplomatic appointments, can they?"
+
+"No, I suppose not. I hear some of Errington's political articles have
+attracted Lord G----'s notice; they say he'll be in Parliament one of
+these days. Well, he deserves to win, if that sort of thing be worth
+winning."
+
+"Of course it is. Have you no ambition, Lord de Burgh? Were I a man, I
+should be very ambitious."
+
+"I have no doubt you would; and if you had a husband you'd drive him up
+the ladder at the bayonet's point."
+
+"Poor man! I pity him beforehand."
+
+"I don't," returned De Burgh, shortly. "Do you know, I have just been
+dining with Ormonde and his wife, not as their guest, but at Lady Mary
+Vincent's. Tell me, hasn't he behaved rather badly to you? I want to
+know, because I don't want to cut him without reason."
+
+"Pray do not cut him on my account, Lord de Burgh. Colonel Ormonde has
+very naturally, for a man of his calibre, felt disgusted at my inability
+to carry out my original arrangements respecting my nephews, and he
+showed his displeasure, after his kind, with remarkable frankness; but I
+am not the least angry, and I beg you will make no difference for my
+sake."
+
+"If you really wish it--" he paused, and then went on--"Mrs. Ormonde
+whined a good deal to me in a corner about her affection for you, her
+hard fate, Ormonde's brutality, etc., etc.; she is a _rusee_ little
+devil."
+
+"Poor Ada! I fancy she has not had a pleasant time of it. Had she been a
+woman of feeling, it would have been too dreadful...."
+
+"Well, you make your mind easy on that score. Now, what about the boys?"
+
+Katherine was vexed to find how impossible it was to talk of them with
+composure; she was unhinged in some unaccountable way, and Lord de
+Burgh's ill-repressed tenderness made her feel nervous. At length she
+asked him to come upstairs and look for Mrs. Needham, as her head ached,
+and she thought she would like to retire if she could be spared.
+
+"Yes, you had better--you don't seem up to much," he returned, pressing
+her hand slightly against his side. "I can't bear to see you look
+worried and ill. That's not a civil speech, I suppose; but, ill or well,
+you _know_ your face is always the sweetest to me, and I am always dying
+to know what you are thinking of. There, I will not worry you now; but
+shall you be 'fit' for this function on Sunday?"
+
+"Oh, yes, quite."
+
+"I am obliged to run down to Wales--some matters there want the master's
+eye, they tell me--but I shall return Friday or Saturday. By the way, I
+wish you would introduce me to this wonderful Angela of Mrs. Needham's."
+
+"Certainly."
+
+On entering the drawing-room, the first forms that met their eyes were
+Errington and Miss Bradley; she was sitting in a large crimson velvet
+chair, against the back of which Errington was leaning. Angela was
+looking up at him with a peculiarly happy, absorbed expression, while
+his head was bent towards her.
+
+"She is deucedly handsome," said De Burgh, critically, "and much too
+pleasantly engaged to be interrupted. I can wait."
+
+"Yes, I think it would be unkind to break in on such a conversation. Oh,
+here is Mrs. Needham! Do you want me very much, Mrs. Needham? because,
+if not, I should like to go to bed. I have a tiresome headache."
+
+"Go by all means, my dear; you are looking like a ghost; they are all
+talking and amusing each other now, and don't want you or me." "Good
+night, then," said Katherine, giving her hand to De Burgh, and she
+glided away.
+
+"What a lot she takes out of herself!" said De Burgh, looking after her.
+
+"She does indeed," cried Mrs. Needham; "she is so unselfish. I hate to
+see her worried. I wonder if he has proposed?" she thought.
+
+"I think he is pretty far gone. Now pray don't run away just now;
+Merrydew is going to give one of his musical sketches, and then I want
+to introduce you to Professor Gypsum. He thinks there ought to be a rich
+coal seam on your South Wales property; he is a most intelligent,
+accomplished man."
+
+"Very well--with pleasure," said De Burgh, complacently.
+
+
+It was rather a relief to be quite sure that De Burgh was safe out of
+the way for a few days. His presence always disturbed her with a mixed
+sense of pain and self-reproach. He gave her no opening to warn him off,
+yet she felt that he lost no opportunity of pushing his mines up to the
+defences; and she liked him--liked him sincerely--always believing there
+was much undeveloped goodness under his rough exterior.
+
+Sunday came quickly, for the intervening days had been very fully
+occupied, and thus Katherine had been saved from too much thought of the
+boys and their possible trials.
+
+It was a soft, lovely spring day. The lilacs and laburnums had put on
+their ball-dresses for the season, and there was a fresh, youthful
+feeling in the air. The villa of which Angela was the happy mistress was
+one of the few old places standing on the edge of the common at
+Wimbledon, and boasting mossy green lawns, huge cedar trees, and
+delightful shrubberies, paths leading through a well-disposed patch of
+plantation, and a fine view from the windows of the deep red-brick
+mansion, with its copings, window-heads, and pediments of white stone.
+
+Katherine started with a brave determination to throw off dull care and
+enjoy herself, if possible--why should she not? Life had many sides,
+and, though the present was gloomy, there was no reason why its clouds
+should not hide bright sunshine which lay awaiting the future. She had
+manoeuvred that Mrs. Needham should join an elderly couple of their
+acquaintance in an open carriage, and so avoided appearing in Lord de
+Burgh's elegant equipage.
+
+The grounds were already dotted with gaily dressed groups; for, although
+there were no formally invited guests, Miss Bradley's Sundays were
+largely attended by her extensive circle of acquaintance, and this first
+Sabbath of really fine spring weather brought a larger number than
+usual.
+
+"I am glad you put on that pretty black and white dress," whispered Mrs.
+Needham, as they alighted and went into the hall. "I see everyone is in
+their best bibs and tuckers;--isn't it a lovely house! Ah! many a poor
+author's brain has paid toll to provide all this."
+
+"I suppose so."
+
+"Miss Bradley is in the conservatory," said a polite butler, and into a
+deliciously fragrant conservatory they were ushered.
+
+"Very glad to see you, Miss Liddell," said Angela, kindly, when she had
+greeted Mrs. Needham. "This is your first visit to the Court. Do you
+know I wanted to ask you to come down to us for a few days; but, when I
+looked for you at Mrs. Needham's the other night, you had vanished, and
+since I have been so much taken up, as I will explain later, that I have
+been quite unable to write. I hope you will manage to pay us a visit
+next week; the air here is most reviving."
+
+"You are too good, Miss Bradley," returned Katherine, touched by her
+kind tone. "If Mrs. Needham can spare me, I shall of course be delighted
+to come;" and she resolved mentally that she should _not_ be spared.
+
+"Major Urquhart," continued Miss Bradley, turning to a very tall, thin,
+soldierly-looking man, who might once have been fair, but was now burnt
+to brickdust hue, with long tawny moustache and thick overhanging
+eyebrows of the same color, "pray take Miss Liddell round the grounds,
+and show her my favorite fernery."
+
+Major Urquhart bowed low and presented his arm.
+
+"I see," continued Angela, "that Mrs. Needham is already absorbed by a
+dozen dear friends."
+
+"You have not been here before," said Major Urquhart, in a deep hollow
+voice.
+
+"Never."
+
+"Charming place! immensely improved since I went to India five years
+ago."
+
+"Miss Bradley has great taste," remarked Katherine.
+
+"Wonderful--astonishing; she has made all this fernery since I was here
+last."
+
+Then there was a long pause, and a few more sentences expressive of
+admiration were exchanged, and somehow Katherine began to feel that her
+companion was rather bored and preoccupied, so she turned her steps
+towards the house, intending to release him.
+
+At the further side of the fernery, in a pretty path between green
+banks, they suddenly met Errington face to face.
+
+"Miss Bradley wants you, Urquhart," he said, as soon as they had
+exchanged salutations. "You may leave Miss Liddell in my charge, if she
+will permit." Major Urquhart bowed himself off, and Errington continued,
+"You would not suspect that was a very distinguished officer."
+
+"I don't know; he seems very silent and inanimate."
+
+"Well, I assure you he is a very fine fellow, and did great deeds in
+the Mutiny. But come, the lawn is looking quite picturesque in the
+sunshine, with the groups of people scattered about. It would be perfect
+were it sleeping in the tranquil silence of a restful Sabbath day."
+
+"Are you not something of a hermit in your tastes?" asked Katherine,
+looking up at him with one of her sunny smiles.
+
+"By no means. I like the society of my fellow-men, but I like a spell of
+solitude every now and then, as a rest and refreshment on the dusty road
+of life."
+
+"I begin to think peace the greatest boon heaven can bestow."
+
+"Yes, after the late vicissitudes, it must seem to you the greatest
+good. Let us sit down under this cedar; there is a pretty peep across
+the common to the blue distance. We might be a hundred miles from
+London, everything is so calm."
+
+They sat silent for a few moments, a sense of peace and safety stealing
+over Katherine's heart.
+
+Suddenly Errington turned to her, and said,
+
+"Our friend De Burgh can scarcely know himself in his new condition."
+
+"He seems remarkably at home, however. I hope he will distinguish
+himself as an enlightened and benevolent legislator."
+
+"He must be a good deal changed if he does. You have seen a great deal
+of him, I believe, since he returned to London?"
+
+"I have seen him several times. He seems to get on with Mrs. Needham."
+
+"With Mrs. Needham?" repeated Errington, in a slightly mocking tone, and
+elevating his eyebrows in a way that made Katherine blush for her
+uncandid remark.
+
+"Well, Mrs. Needham seems to have taken immensely to him."
+
+"I can understand that. De Burgh has wherewithal now to recommend him to
+most party-giving dowagers."
+
+"That speech is not like you, Mr. Errington; you know my dear good chief
+is utterly uninfluenced by worldly considerations. Lord de Burgh has
+been very good and helpful to me with the boys, I assure you," said
+Katherine, feeling that she changed color under Errington's watchful
+eyes.
+
+"Yes, I have no doubt he could be boundlessly kind where he wishes to
+please--more, I think he _is_ a generous fellow; but--I am going to be
+ill-natured," he said, with a slight change of tone, "and, as you have
+allowed me the privilege of a friend, I must beg you to reflect that De
+Burgh is a man of imperious temper, given to somewhat reckless seeking
+of what he desires, and not too steady in his attachments. Though in
+every sense a man of honor, and by no means without heart, yet I fear as
+a companion he would be disturbing, if not----"
+
+"Why do you warn me?" cried Katherine, growing somewhat pale. "And what
+has poor Lord de Burgh done to earn your disapprobation?"
+
+"I know I am somewhat Quixotic and unguarded in speaking thus to you;
+but it would be affectation to say I did not perceive De Burgh's very
+natural motive. There is much about him that is attractive to women,
+apart from his exceptional fortune and position; but I doubt if he
+could make a woman like you happy. If the ease and luxury he could
+bestow ever prove tempting, I do not think that anything except sincere
+affection would enable you to surmount the difficulty of dealing with a
+character like his."
+
+While Errington spoke with quiet but impressive earnestness, a perverse
+spirit entered into Katherine Liddell. Here was this man, sailing
+triumphantly on the crest of good fortune, about to ally himself to a
+woman, good, certainly, and suited to him, but also rich enough to set
+him above all care and money troubles, urging counsels of perfection on
+_her_. Why was she to be advised to reject a man who certainly loved her
+by one who only felt a temperate and condescending friendship for her?
+How could he judge what amount of influence De Burgh's affection for
+herself might give her?
+
+"I ought to feel deeply grateful to you for overstepping the limits of
+conventionality in order to give me what is, no doubt, sound advice."
+
+"Do you mean that as a rebuke?" asked Errington, leaning a little
+forward to look into her eyes. "Do you not think that a friendship,
+founded as ours is on most exceptional and unconventional circumstances,
+gives me a sort of right to speak of matters which may prove of the last
+importance to you? You cannot realize how deeply interested I am in your
+welfare, how ardently I desire your happiness."
+
+The sincerity of his tone thrilled Katherine with pain and pleasure. It
+was delightful to hear him speak thus, yet it would be better for her
+never to hear his voice again.
+
+"I daresay I am petulant," she said, looking down, "and you are
+generally right; but don't you think in this case you are looking too
+far ahead, and attributing motives to Lord de Burgh of which he may be
+entirely innocent?"
+
+"Of that you are the best judge," returned Errington, coldly; and
+silence fell upon them--a silence which Katherine felt to be so awkward
+that she rose, saying,
+
+"I must find Mrs. Needham; she will wonder where I am;" and, Errington
+making no objection, they strolled slowly towards the front of the
+house, where most of the visitors were standing or sitting about.
+
+There they soon discovered Mrs. Needham, in lively conversation with
+Lord de Burgh, who was a good deal observed by those present as his name
+and position were well known to almost all of Mrs. Needham's set. He
+turned quickly to greet Katherine, and spoke not too cordially to
+Errington, who after some talk with Mrs. Needham, quietly withdrew, and
+kept rather closely to Angela's side.
+
+The rest of the afternoon was spoiled for Katherine by a sense of
+irritation with Lord de Burgh, who scarcely left her, thereby making her
+so conspicuous that she could hardly refrain from telling him.
+
+"What is the matter with you?" asked De Burgh, as they walked, together
+behind Mrs. Needham to the gate where their carriage awaited them. "Do
+you know you have hardly said a civil word to me--what have I done?"
+
+"You are mistaken! I never meant to be uncivil, I am only tired, and I
+have rather a headache."
+
+"You often have headaches. Are you sure the ache is in your _head_?"
+
+"No, I am not," said Katherine, frankly. "Don't you know what it is to
+be out of sorts?"
+
+"Don't I, though? If that's what ails you I can understand you well
+enough. I wish you would let me prescribe for you: a nice long wandering
+through Switzerland, over some old passes into Italy (they are more
+delicious than ever, now that they are deserted), and then a winter in
+Rome."
+
+"Thank you," returned Katherine, laughing. "Perhaps you might also
+recommend horse exercise on an Arab steed."
+
+"Yes, I should. You would look stunning in a habit."
+
+"Dreams, idle dreams, Lord de Burgh. I shall be all right to-morrow."
+
+"I intend to come and see you if you are," he returned, significantly.
+
+"To-morrow I shall be out all the afternoon," said Katherine, quickly.
+
+"Some other day then," he replied, with resolution.
+
+"Good-morning, Lord de Burgh, or rather good evening, for it is seven
+o'clock," said Mrs. Needham. "Charming place, isn't it?"
+
+"Very nice, indeed. I suppose I have the freedom of the house now,
+through your favor."
+
+"Certainly; good-bye, come and see us soon."
+
+"May I?" he whispered, as he handed Katherine into the carriage.
+
+She smiled and shook her head, looking so sweet and arch that De Burgh
+could not help pressing her hand hard as he muttered something of which
+she could only catch the word "mischief."
+
+"Well," said Mrs. Needham, when they had left the villa behind, and she
+had succeeded in wrapping a woollen scarf closely round her throat, for
+the evening had grown chill, "I knew I was right all along, and now old
+Bradley himself has as good as told me that Angela is engaged to
+Errington."
+
+"Indeed!" said the lady, who shared their conveyance. "What did he say?"
+
+"He was sitting with me on the lawn, and Miss Bradley went past between
+Errington and that tall military-looking man, who did not seem to know
+anyone; so I just remarked what a distinguished sort of person Mr.
+Errington was, and Bradley, looking after him in an exulting sort of
+way, said, "Distinguished! I believe you. That man, ma-am," (you know
+his style) "will be in the front rank before long. I recognized his
+power from the first, and, what's more, so did Angela. I am going to
+give a proof of my confidence in him that will astonish everyone; you'll
+hear of it in a week or two." Now what can that mean but that he is
+going to trust his daughter to him? You see, Errington is like a son of
+the house. I am heartily glad, for I have reason to know that he has
+been greatly attached to her a considerable time, and they are admirably
+suited."
+
+"Well! he is a very lucky fellow; independent of all the money Bradley
+has made, this new magazine of his is a splendid property."
+
+And Katherine, listening in silence, told herself that one chapter of
+her life was closed for ever.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+ILL MET.
+
+
+A note from Mrs. Ormonde next morning informed Katherine that she had
+returned to Castleford, and recorded her deep regret that she could not
+call before leaving town, but that time was too short, although they had
+delayed their departure for a couple of days.
+
+
+"We met Lord de Burgh at Lady Mary Vincent's; you can't think what a
+fuss she made about him. I remember when she would not let him inside
+her doors. He is older and more abrupt than ever. He told me he was
+going to meet you at Mrs. Needham's, and said hers was the only house in
+London worth going to. I suspect there is great fortune in store for
+you, Katie, and no friend will rejoice at it more warmly than I shall.
+Do write and tell me all about everything; it is frightfully dull down
+here.
+                       "Your ever attached sister,
+                                              "ADA."
+
+Beyond a passing sensation of annoyance that De Burgh should make a
+display of his acquaintance with Mrs. Needham and herself, this epistle
+made no impression on Katherine, who was glad to have an unusual amount
+of work for Mrs. Needham, who had started--or rather promised her
+assistance in starting--a new scheme for extracting wax candle out of
+peat. Respecting this she was immensely sanguine, for the first time in
+her life she was to be properly remunerated for her trouble, and in a
+year or two would make her fortune.
+
+The day flew past with welcome rapidity, and in the evening Katherine
+was swept off to a "first-night representation," which, though by no
+means first-rate, helped to draw Katherine out of herself, and helped
+her to vanquish vain regrets.
+
+"You'll make a dozen copies of those notes please, dear," said Mrs.
+Needham, as she stood dressed to go out after an early luncheon the
+following day, "and I'll sign them when I come in; then there is the
+notice of the play for my Dullertoova letter, and be sure you send those
+extracts from the _Weekly Review_ to Angela Bradley. You know all the
+rest; if I am not home by seven don't wait dinner for me."
+
+Katherine had scarcely settled to her task, when the servant entered to
+say that Lord De Burgh would be glad to speak to her, as he had a
+message from Mrs. Needham.
+
+"How strange!" murmured Katherine, adding aloud, "Then show him in."
+
+"I have just met Mrs. Needham, and she told me to give you this," said
+De Burgh, handing a card to Katherine as soon as she had shaken hands
+with him. It was one of her own cards, and on the back was scribbled,
+
+"Don't mind the notes."
+
+"How extraordinary!" cried Katherine. "I thought they were of the last
+importance. What did she say to you? you must have met her directly she
+went out!"
+
+"I think I did. I was coming through the narrow part of Kensington, and
+was stopped by a block; just caught sight of your chief, and jumped out
+of my cab to have a word with her. She told me I should find you, and
+gave me that." De Burgh went on: "So this is the tremendous laboratory
+where Mrs. Needham forges her thunderbolts," looking round with some
+curiosity.
+
+"And where _I_ forge _my_ thunderbolts, said Katherine, laughing.
+
+"Thunderbolts!" echoed De Burgh, looking keenly at her. "No! where you
+launch the lightning that either withers or kindles life-giving flames."
+
+"Really, Lord De Burgh, you are positively poetical! I never dreamed of
+your developing this faculty when you tried to teach me how to drive at
+Castleford."
+
+"No! it did not exist then--now I want to tell you of the cause of its
+growth, you have silenced me often enough. To-day I will speak,
+Katherine."
+
+"If you please, 'm--there's twopence to pay," said the demure Ford,
+advancing with a letter.
+
+Half amused and partly relieved by the interruption, Katherine sought
+for and produced the requisite coin, and then took the letter with a
+look of some anxiety.
+
+"It is my own writing," she said, "it is one of the envelopes I left
+with Cis." Opening it and glancing at the contents her color rose, and
+her bosom heaved. "Oh! do look at this," she cried.
+
+De Burgh rose and read over her shoulder.
+
+
+  "DEAR AUNTIE,
+
+"I hope you are quite well. We have had a dreadful row! Charlie could
+not say his lesson, so Mr. Sells roared at him like a bull. Charlie got
+into one of his fits, you know, and then he burst out laughing. Mr.
+Sells went into such a rage; he laid hold of him and whipped him all
+over, and I ran to break the cane. I hit his nose with my head so hard
+that the blood came. I was glad to see the blood; then they locked us
+both up. I have no stamp. Do come and take us away, do do do!
+
+                          "Your loving,
+                                   "CIS."
+
+"P.S.--If you don't come we'll run away to the gipsies on the common."
+
+
+"The scoundrel! I'll go and thrash him within an inch of his life!"
+cried De Burgh, when they had finished this epistle.
+
+"I should like to do it myself," said Katherine in a low fierce tone,
+starting up and crushing the letter in an angry grip.
+
+"By Jove! I wish you could, I fancy you'd punish him pretty severely,"
+returned De Burgh admiringly.
+
+"I must go--go at once," continued Katherine, her lips trembling, her
+lustrous eyes filling. "Think of the tender, fragile, sweet boy--who is
+an angel in nature--beaten by a _dog_ like that! Lord de Burgh, I must
+leave you, I must go at once."
+
+"Yes, of course," said De Burgh, standing between her and the door; "but
+not alone. May I come with you?"
+
+Katherine paused, and put her hand to her head.
+
+"No, I think you had better not."
+
+"I will do whatever you like. Take Miss Payne with you--she is a shrewd
+woman--and consult with her what you had better do. Shall you remove the
+boys?"
+
+She paused again before replying, looking rapidly, despairingly round.
+These changes had cost her a good deal, and she had not much to go on
+with unless she broke into the deposit which she hoped to preserve
+intact for a long time to come.
+
+"I do not know where to put them," she said, and there was a sound of
+tears in her voice.
+
+"You can do whatever you choose," said De Burgh, emphatically, "only,
+while you are driving down to this confounded place, make up your mind
+what to do. I wish you would feel yourself free to do anything or pay
+anything. While you are dressing, I will go round to Miss Payne and
+bring her back with me; then you must take my carriage, it will save
+time; and don't exaggerate the effects of this whipping, a few impatient
+cuts with a cane over his jacket would not hurt him much."
+
+"Hurt him, no; crush and terrify him, yes. It will be months before he
+can forget it; and I told the head master of Charlie's peculiarly
+nervous temperament--this man seems to be an assistant. I will take your
+advice, Lord de Burgh, and make some plan with Miss Payne. I hope she
+will be able to come."
+
+"She must--she shall," cried De Burgh, impetuously, and he hastily left
+the room.
+
+By the time Katherine had put on her out-door dress, and written an
+explanatory line to Mrs. Needham, De Burgh returned with Miss Payne.
+
+"You must tell me all about it as we go along," said that lady, as
+Katherine took her place beside her, "and you must do nothing rash."
+
+"Oh no, if I can only prevent a recurrence of such a scene. I am most
+grateful to you for your kind help, Lord de Burgh. I will let you know
+how things are settled."
+
+"Thank you. I shall be glad of a line; but I shall call to-morrow to
+hear a full and true account. Now, what's the name of the place?"
+
+"Birch Grove, Wandsworth Common."
+
+De Burgh gave the necessary directions, and the big black horse tossed
+up his head, and dashed off at swift trot. Deep was the discussion which
+ensued, and which ended in deciding that they would be guided by
+circumstances.
+
+The arrival of Miss Liddell was evidently most unexpected. She and her
+companion were shown into the guest-parlor, where, after a while, Mr.
+Lockwood, the principal, made his appearance.
+
+"This is an unexpected pleasure, Miss Liddell. May I ask the reason of
+your visit?"
+
+Whereupon Katherine spoke more temperately than Miss Payne expected,
+describing Cecil's letter, and reminding him that she had fully
+explained Charlie's nervous weakness, and stating that, if she could not
+be assured such treatment should not occur again, she must remove the
+boy.
+
+The 'dominie,' apparently touched by her tone, answered with equal
+frankness. He had been called away by unavoidable business at the
+beginning of the term, and had forgotten to warn his assistant
+respecting Liddell minor. He regretted the incident; indeed, he had
+intended to inform Miss Liddell of the unfortunate occurrence, but
+extreme occupation must plead his excuse. Miss Liddell might be sure
+that it should never happen again; indeed, her nephews were very
+promising boys--the youngest a little young for his school, but it was
+all the better for him to be accustomed to a higher standard. He hoped,
+now that this unpleasantness was over, all would go on well.
+
+"I hope so, Mr. Lockwood," returned Katherine; "but should my nephew be
+again punished for what he cannot help, I shall immediately remove him
+and his brother."
+
+"So I understand, madam," said the schoolmaster, who was visibly much
+annoyed by the whole affair. "I presume you would like to see the boys?"
+
+"Yes, certainly. Will you be so good as to grant them a half-holiday?"
+
+This was agreed to, and in a few minutes Cis and Charlie were hanging
+round their aunt.
+
+"Oh, auntie dear, have you come to take us away?"
+
+"No, dears, but I have talked to Mr. Lockwood;" and she explained the
+fact that Mr. Sells did not know that Charlie's laughter was
+involuntary.
+
+The poor little fellow did not complain of his aunt's decision; he just
+laid his head on her shoulders and cried silently. This was worse than
+any other line of conduct. Cis declared his intention of running away
+forthwith; however, when matters were laid before him and the joys of a
+half-holiday set forth, he consented to try 'old Sells' a little longer,
+and then Katherine took them back to Wilton Street, where they spent a
+quiet happy afternoon with their aunt, to whom they poured out their
+hearts, and were finally taken back by the polite Francois.
+
+"You are the kindest of much enduring employers," said Katherine,
+gratefully, when she joined Mrs. Needham at dinner. "I earnestly hope my
+sudden desertion has not inconvenienced you. Now I am ready to work far
+into the night to make up for lost time."
+
+"Oh, you need not do that; I changed my plans after I met Lord de Burgh,
+and came home to write here. Now tell me all about those poor dears and
+that brute of a master."
+
+
+The excitement of this expedition over, Katherine felt rather depressed
+and nervous the next morning. She dreaded Lord de Burgh's visit, yet did
+not absolutely wish to avoid it. It was due to him that the sort of
+probation which he had voluntarily instituted should come to an end.
+She could not allow herself to be made conspicuous by the constant
+attentions of a man who was known to be about the best match in London,
+yet she was genuinely sorry to lose him--as a friend he had been so kind
+and thoughtful about the boys too! Well, she would be frank and
+sympathetic, and soften her refusal as much as possible. How she wished
+it were over, she found writing an impossible task, and Mrs. Needham,
+noticing her restlessness, observed, with a grave smile,
+
+"I expect you will have some very good news for me this afternoon! I am
+going out to luncheon."
+
+"No, dear Mrs. Needham, I do not think I shall," returned Katherine. "I
+fear----"
+
+"Lord de Burgh is in the drawing room," said the parlor-maid.
+
+"Go, Katherine," cried Mrs. Needham; "and don't tell me there is any
+doubt about your having good news! You deserve bread and water for the
+rest of your natural life if you don't take the goods the gods provide."
+
+Katherine hesitated, smiled miserably, and left the room.
+
+"Well, and how did you find the poor little chap?" were De Burgh's first
+words. "There's nothing wrong, I hope?--you look as white as a ghost,
+and your hand is quite cold;" placing his left on it, as it lay in his
+grasp. "The boys are well?"
+
+"Yes, quite well, and reconciled with some difficulty to remain where
+they are," she returned, disengaging herself and sinking rather than
+sitting down into a corner of a sofa nearest her.
+
+"Then what has upset you? I suppose," softening his voice, "the whole
+thing was too much for you."
+
+"I daresay I excited myself more than I need have done, but I think my
+little Charlie is safe for the future."
+
+"Do you know that it makes me half mad to see that look of distress in
+your eyes, to see the color fading out of your cheeks! Katherine, I
+can't hold my tongue any longer. I thought I was far gone when I used to
+count the days between my visits to Sandbourne; I am a good deal worse
+now that you have let me be a sort of chum! Life without you is
+something I don't care to face, I don't indeed! Why don't you make up
+your mind to take me for better for worse? I'll try to be all better;
+just think how happy we might be! Those boys should have the best
+training money or care could get; and, Katherine, I'm not a bad fellow!
+Now you know me better, you must feel that I should never be a bad
+fellow to _you_."
+
+"You are a very good fellow, Lord de Burgh, that I quite believe; but
+(it pains me so much to say it) I really do not love you as I ought,
+and, unless I do love I dare not marry."
+
+"Why not?--that is, if you don't love some other fellow. Will you tell
+me if any man stands in my way?"
+
+"No, indeed, Lord de Burgh; who could I love?"
+
+"That is impossible to say; however, your word is enough. If your heart
+is free, why not let me try to win it? and the opportunities afforded by
+matrimony are endless; you are the sort of woman who would be faithful
+to whatever you undertook, and when you saw me day by day living for
+you, and you only, you'd grow to love me! Just think of the boys running
+wild at Pont-y garvan in the holidays, and----By heaven, my head reels
+with such a dream of happiness."
+
+"I am a wretch, I know," said Katherine, the tears in her eyes, her
+voice breaking; "but I know myself. I am a very lawless individual,
+and--you had better not urge me."
+
+"What is your objection to me? I haven't been a saint, but I have never
+done anything I am ashamed of. Why do you shrink from life with me?
+Come, cast your doubts to the winds, and give me your sweet self. There
+is no one to love you as I do, and I swear your life shall be a summer
+holiday."
+
+His words struck her with sudden conviction. It was true there was no
+one to love her as he did, and what a tower of refuge he would be to the
+boys! Why should she not think of him? He had been very true to her. Why
+should she not drive out the haunting image of the man who did not love
+her by the living presence of the man who did? But, if she accepted him,
+she must confess her crime; she could not keep such an act hidden from
+the man who was ready to give his life to her. How awful this would be!
+And he might reject her; then her fate would be decided for her. Lord de
+Burgh saw that she hesitated, and pressed her eagerly for a decision.
+
+"You deserve so much gratitude for your kindness, your faithfulness,
+that--ah! do let me think," covering up her face with her hands. "It is
+such a tremendous matter to decide."
+
+"Yes, of course, you shall think as much as ever you like," cried De
+Burgh, rapturously, telling himself "that she who deliberates is lost."
+"Take your own time, only don't say _no_," ferociously. "Reflect on the
+immense happiness you can bestow, the good you can do. Why do you
+shiver, my darling? If you wish it, I'll go now this moment, and I'll
+not show my face till--till the day after to-morrow, if you like."
+
+"The day after to-morrow? that is but a short space to decide so
+momentous a question."
+
+"If you can't make up your mind in twenty-four hours, neither can you in
+two hundred and forty. I don't want to hurry you, but you must have some
+consideration for me; imagine my state of mind. Why, I'll be on the rack
+till we meet again. I fancy a conscientious woman is about the cruellest
+creature that walks! However, I'll stick to my promise: I will not
+intrude on you till the day after to-morrow. Then I will come at eleven
+o'clock for your answer; and, Katherine, my love, my life, it must be
+'yes.'"
+
+He took and kissed her hand more than once, then he went swiftly away.
+
+The hours which succeeded were painfully agitated. Katherine felt that
+De Burgh had every right to consider himself virtually accepted. She
+liked him--yes, certainly she liked him, and might have loved him, but
+for her irresistible, unreasonable, unmaidenly attachment to Errington.
+If she made up her mind to marry him, that would fill her heart and
+relieve it from the dull aching which had strained it so long; once a
+wife, she would never give a thought save to her own husband, but,
+before she reached the profound and death-like peace of such a position,
+she must tell her story to De Burgh--and how would he take it? With all
+his ruggedness, he had a keen and delicate sense of honor; still she
+felt his passion for her would overcome all obstacles for the time, but
+how would it be afterwards, when they had settled down to the routine of
+every-day life? It would be a tremendous experiment, but she could not
+let him enter on that close union in ignorance of the blot on her
+scutcheon, and then the door would be closed on the earlier half of her
+life, which had been so bitter-sweet. How little peace she had known
+since her mother's death! how heavenly sweet her life had been when she
+knew no deeper care than to shield that dear mother from anxiety and
+trouble! and now there was no one belonging to her on whose wisdom and
+strength she had a right to rely. Perhaps, after all, it might be better
+to accept De Burgh, and end her uncertainties. Though by no means given
+to weeping, Katherine could not recover composure until after the relief
+of a copious flood of tears.
+
+"Well, dear!" cried Mrs. Needham, when they were left together after
+dinner, "I am just bursting with curiosity. What news have you for me?
+and what have you been doing with yourself? You look ghastly, and I
+positively believe you have been crying. What have you done? I can't
+believe that you have refused Lord de Burgh--you couldn't be such a
+madwoman! Why you might lead----"
+
+"How do you know he gave me an opportunity?" interrupted Katherine, with
+a faint smile.
+
+"Don't talk like that, dear!" said Mrs. Needham, severely. "What would
+bring Lord de Burgh here day after day but trying to win you? I have
+been waiting for what I knew was inevitable; now, Katherine, tell me,
+have you rejected him?"
+
+"No, Mrs. Needham, I have asked him for time to reflect."
+
+"Oh, that is all right," in a tone of satisfaction, "and only means a
+turn of the rack while you can handle the screws; of course you'll
+accept him when he comes again. After all, though there are plenty of
+unhappy marriages, there is no joy so delightful as reciprocal
+affection. I am sure I never saw a creature so glorified by love as
+Angela Bradley; she told me at Mrs. Cochrane's she had a wonderful piece
+of news for me, and, when I said perhaps I knew it, she beamed all over
+and squeezed my hand as she whispered, "Perhaps you do!" I saw her
+driving Errington in her pony-carriage afterwards, and meeting old
+Captain Everard just then, he nodded after them and said, 'That's an
+excellent arrangement; the wedding, I hear, is fixed for the
+twenty-ninth of next month.' Now, I don't quite believe _that_; Angela
+would certainly have told me, but I am sure it will come off soon. I am
+glad for both their sakes."
+
+"I am sure they will make a very happy couple, and I really believe I
+shall follow their example."
+
+"Quite right! The double event will make a sensation, my dear child: to
+see _you_ happily and splendidly settled will be the greatest joy I have
+known for years, and what will Colonel Ormonde say?"
+
+"I neither know nor care; and, Mrs. Needham, if you don't mind, I will
+go to bed. I have _such_ a headache."
+
+The fateful morning found Katherine resolved and composed.
+
+She would tell De Burgh everything, and, if her revelation did not
+frighten him away, she would try to make him happy and to be happy
+herself. It would be painful to tell him, but oh! nothing compared with
+the agony of humiliation it cost her to prostrate herself morally before
+Errington. Still she would be glad when the confession was over;
+afterwards, feeling her destiny decided, she would be calmer and more
+resigned. Resigned? what a term to apply to her acceptance of an honest
+man's hearty affection; for, whatever De Burgh's life may have been, he
+had said he had done nothing he was ashamed of. By some unconscious
+impulse she dressed herself in black, and went down to the drawing-room
+with her knitting, that she might be ready to receive the man who, an
+hour later, might be her affianced husband.
+
+On the stairs she met Ford, who informed her that Miss Trant was waiting
+for her. Katherine felt glad of any interruption to her thoughts,
+especially as she knew that the arrival of a visitor would be the signal
+for Rachel's departure.
+
+"I am so glad to see you," exclaimed Katherine, "but how is it you have
+escaped so early?"
+
+"I have been to the City to buy goods, and came round here to have a
+peep at you, for Miss Payne told me yesterday of your trouble about the
+boys."
+
+"How early you are! why, it is scarcely eleven. Yes, (sit down for a
+moment,) yes, I was dreadfully angry and upset;" and Katherine proceeded
+to describe Cecil's letter, and her visit to the school.
+
+"I wish you could take them away," said Rachel, thoughtfully.
+
+"Perhaps, later on, I may be able, but I do not think there is any
+chance that poor Charlie will be punished again. He is never really
+naughty, but he has had a great shock."
+
+"So have you, I imagine, to judge from your looks."
+
+"Do I look shocked? And how have you been? It is so long since I was
+able to go and see you."
+
+"I have been, and am very well--very busy, and really succeeding. I have
+opened a banking account, and feel very proud of my cheque-book. Do you
+know that Mr. Newton has advanced me two hundred pounds? Just now it is
+worth a thousand, it lifts me over the waiting time. I have sent in my
+quarter's accounts, and in a month the payments will begin to come in.
+I'll make a good business yet."
+
+"I believe you will."
+
+"What a pretty room!" said Rachel, looking round. "How nice it is to
+know you are comfortable; by the time you are tired of your
+secretaryship, I hope to have a nice little sum laid by for you."
+
+"What a wonderful woman of business you are, Rachel," said Katherine,
+admiringly.
+
+"I ought to be! It is the only thing left to me, and I am thankful to
+say I get more and more---" she stopped, for the door opened and Lord de
+Burgh was announced.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+REPULSION.
+
+
+Rachel started from her seat and stood facing the door. Her cheek
+flushed crimson, then grew deadly white, her lips parted as if she
+breathed with difficulty.
+
+De Burgh, the moment his eyes fell on her, stopped as if suddenly
+arrested by an invisible hand; his eyes expressed horror and surprise,
+his dark face grew darker. Rachel quickly recovered. "I will call
+again," she murmured, and passing him swiftly, noiselessly, left the
+room, closing the door behind her.
+
+Like a flash of lightning, the meaning of this scene darted through
+Katherine's brain. Clasping her hands with interlaced fingers, she
+pressed them against her breast.
+
+"Ah!" she exclaimed (there was infinite pain in that "ah!") "then _you_
+are the man?"
+
+"What do you mean?" asked De Burgh, in a sullen tone, his thick brows
+almost meeting in a frown.
+
+"The man she loved and lived with," returned Katherine, the words were
+low and clear.
+
+"I am!" he replied, defiantly. Then a dreadful silence fell upon them.
+
+Katherine dropped into a chair, and, resting her elbows on the table,
+covered her face with her hands.
+
+"My God!" exclaimed De Burgh, advancing a step nearer. "How does she
+come here?"
+
+Katherine could not speak for a moment; at last, and still covering her
+eyes and with a low quick utterance as if overwhelmed, she said,
+
+"I have known her for some time. I found her dying of despair! I was
+able to befriend her, to win her back to life, to something like hope.
+She told me everything, except the name. We have ceased to speak of the
+past! I little knew, I could not have dreamed--I never suspected;" her
+voice broke, and she burst into tears, irresistible tears which she
+struggled vainly to repress.
+
+"Why should you _not_ suspect me!" exclaimed De Burgh, harshly. "Did you
+suppose me above or below other men?"
+
+"Ah! poor Rachel! what a flood of unspeakable bitterness must have
+overwhelmed her, to find _you_ here!"
+
+De Burgh paced to and fro, bewildered, furious, not knowing how to
+defend himself or what to say.
+
+"I am the most unfortunate devil that ever breathed!" he exclaimed at
+last, pausing beside the table and resting one hand on it. "Look here,
+Katherine, how can a girl like you--for, in spite of your mature airs,
+you are a mere girl--how can you judge the--the temptations and ways of
+a world of which you know nothing?"
+
+"Temptations!" she murmured; "did Rachel ask _you_ to take her to live
+with you?"
+
+"No, of course not," angrily, "she is rather a superior creature, I
+admit; but I deny that I ever deceived or deserted her! She was
+perfectly aware I never Intended to marry her, and I was awfully put out
+when she disappeared. I did my best to find her. But the fact is, when
+she did _not_ reappear, I not unnaturally supposed she had gone off with
+some other man."
+
+Katherine looked upon him suddenly with such tragic, horrified eyes that
+De Burgh was startled; then she slightly raised her hands with an
+expressive gesture, again covering her face.
+
+"Yes, yes," De Burgh went on, impatiently, "I see you think me a brute
+for suspecting her capable of such a thing, but how was I to know she
+was different from others? It is too infernally provoking that such an
+affair should came to your notice! You are quite unable to judge
+fairly;" and he resumed his agitated walk. "I swear I am no worse than
+my neighbors. Ask any woman of the world, ask Mrs. Needham--they will
+tell you I am not an unpardonable sinner! I will do anything on earth
+for Rachel that you think right. Just remember her position and mine, it
+was not as if--It is impossible to explain to you, but there was no
+reason, had she been a little sensible, why such an episode should have
+spoiled her life! Lots of women--" he stopped, and with a muttered curse
+paused opposite her.
+
+"And _could_ you have been her companion so long, without perceiving the
+strength and pride and tenderness of the woman who gave up all hoping to
+keep the love you no doubt ardently expressed? Ah! if you could have
+seen her as she was when I found her!"
+
+"How was I to know she was staking her gold against my counters?"
+returned De Burgh, obstinately, though a dark flush passed over his face
+at Katherine's words.
+
+"Lord de Burgh! I did not think you could be so cruel," cried Katherine,
+rising. "I will not speak to you any longer."
+
+"Cruel!" he exclaimed, placing himself between her and the door. "How
+can I be just or generous, when this most unfortunate encounter has put
+me in such a hopeless position? Katherine, will you let this miserable
+mistake of the past rob me of my best hopes, my most ardently cherished
+desires----"
+
+"It is but two or three years since you spoke in the same tone, possibly
+the same words, to Rachel! At least, knowing her as I do, I feel sure
+she would have yielded to no common amount of persuasion. She was mad,
+weak to a degree to listen to you; but she was alone, and love is so
+sweet."
+
+"It is," cried De Burgh, passionately. "Why will you turn from love as
+true, as intense as ever was offered to woman, merely because I let
+myself fall into an error but too common--"
+
+"Is it not a mere accident of our respective positions that you happen
+to seek me as your _wife_?" said Katherine, a slight curl on her lip;
+"and how can I feel sure that in time you will not weary of me as you
+did of her?"
+
+"The cases are utterly unlike. So long as the world lasts, men and women
+too will act as Rachel Trant and I did; Nature is too strong for social
+laws and religious maxims."
+
+"And you said you had never done anything to be ashamed of?" she
+exclaimed, bitterly.
+
+"Nor have I!" said De Burgh, stoutly, "if I were tried by the standard
+of our world. How can you know--how can you judge?"
+
+"I do not judge, I have no right to judge," said Katherine, brokenly. "I
+only know that, when I saw your eyes meet Rachel's I felt a great gulf
+had suddenly opened between us, a gulf that cannot be bridged. I do not
+understand and cannot judge, as you say, and I am sorry for you too; but
+if life is to be this miserable shuffling of chances, this jumble of
+injustice, I would rather die than live. No, Lord de Burgh, I _will_
+go."
+
+"Good Heavens! Katherine, you are trembling; you can hardly stand. I am
+a brute to keep you; but I cannot help clutching my only chance of
+happiness. You are an angel! Dispose of me as you will; but in mercy
+give me some hope. I'll wait; I'll do anything."
+
+"Oh, no, no. It is impossible. I am so fond of _her_; and you will find
+many to whom your past will be nothing; for me it is irrevocable. The
+world seems intolerable; let me go;" and she burst into such bitter sobs
+that her whole frame shook.
+
+"I must not keep you now; but I shall _not_ give you up. I will write.
+Oh, Katherine, you would not destroy me!" He seized and passionately
+kissed her hand, which she tore from him, and fled from the room.
+
+
+When Rachel Trant escaped from the presence of her dearest friend and
+her ex-lover, she could scarcely see or stand. Thankful not to meet
+anyone, she hastily left the house, and, somewhat revived by the air,
+she made her way to a secluded part of the Kensington Gardens. Here she
+found a seat, and, still palpitating with the shock she had sustained,
+strove to reduce the chaotic whirl of her thoughts to something like
+order.
+
+She divined by instinct why De Burgh was at Mrs. Needham's. She knew,
+how she could not tell, that he was seeking Katherine as eagerly as he
+had sought herself; but with what a different object! The sight of De
+Burgh was as the thrust of a poisoned dagger through the delicate veins
+and articulations of her moral system. To see the dark face and sombre
+eyes she had loved so passionately--had!--still loved!--was almost
+physical agony. It was as if some beloved form had been brought back
+from another world, but animated by a spirit that knew her not, regarded
+her not at all. Oh, the bitterness of such an estrangement, of this
+expulsion from the paradise of warmth and tenderness where she had been
+cherished for a while--a heavenly place which should know her no more.
+
+"I brought it all upon myself," was the sentence of her strong stern
+sense. "Losing self-respect, what hold can any woman have upon a
+lover?--yet how many men are faithful even to death without the legal
+tie! I do not love him now, but how fondly, how intensely I loved the
+man I thought he was! Oh, fool, fool, fool, to believe that I could ever
+tighten my hold upon a man who had gained all he wished unconditionally!
+I have deserved all--all."
+
+Yet she had no hatred against the real De Burgh, neither had she any
+angelic desire to forgive him, or to do him good or convert him; what he
+was now, he would ever be. He might even make a fairly good husband. The
+episode of his connection with herself would in no way interfere with
+_his_ moral harmony. But he was not worthy of Katherine; no unbreakable
+tie would make him more constant; and, though his faithlessness could
+not touch her social position, he might crush her heart all the same.
+Rachel was far too human, too passionate, not to shrink with unutterable
+pain from the idea of this man's entrancing love being lavished on
+another, yet her true, devoted affection for her benefactress remained
+untouched. Katherine stood before everything. Rachel did not wish to
+injure De Burgh--her heart had simply grown strong, and she would not
+hesitate for a moment to save Katherine from trouble at any cost to him.
+
+What then should she do?--continue to withhold the name of the man of
+whom she had so often spoken, or let Katherine know the whole truth and
+judge for herself? If she decided on the latter, it would break up her
+friendship with Katherine, and De Burgh would attribute her action to
+revenge. Should that deter her? No; so long as she was sure of herself,
+what were opinions to her? The one thing in life to which she clung now
+was Katherine's affection and esteem; for her she would sacrifice much,
+but she would not flatter her into a fool's paradise of trust and wedded
+love with De Burgh by concealing anything, neither would she counsel her
+against the desperate experiment, should she be inclined to risk it. He
+might be a very different man to a wife.
+
+A certain amount of composure came to her with decision, though a second
+death seemed to have laid its icy hand upon her heart; she rose and made
+her way towards her own abode, determining to await a visit or some
+communication from Katherine before she touched the poisoned tract which
+lay between them.
+
+Rachel had scarcely reached the Broad Walk when she was accosted by a
+little girl, who ran towards her, calling loudly,
+
+"Miss Trant, Miss Trant, don't you know me?"
+
+She was a slight, willowy creature with black eyes, profuse dark hair,
+and sallow complexion. Her dress was costly, though simple, and she was
+followed at a more sober pace by a lady-like but foreign-looking girl,
+apparently her governess.
+
+"Well, Miss Liddell, are you taking a morning walk?" asked Rachel, as
+the child took her hand.
+
+"I am going to see papa. I am to have dinner with him. He has a bad
+cold, and he sent for me."
+
+"Then you must cheer him up, and tell him what you have been learning."
+
+"I haven't learnt much yet; it is so tiresome."
+
+"Come, Mademoiselle Marie, you must not tease Miss Trant," said the
+foreign-looking lady, whom Rachel recognized as one of the governesses
+who sometimes escorted George Liddell's daughter "to be tried on."
+
+"She does not tease me," returned Rachel, who had rather taken a fancy
+to the child.
+
+"Won't you come and see papa with me?" continued the little heiress. "I
+wish you would, and he will tell you to make me another pretty frock--I
+love pretty frocks."
+
+"Not to-day; I must go home and make frocks for other people."
+
+"Then I will bring him to see you--I will, I will; he does whatever I
+like. Good-bye," springing up to kiss her. "I may come and see you
+soon?"
+
+"Whenever you like, my dear," said Rachel, feeling strangely comforted
+by the child's warm kisses; and they parted, going in different
+directions, to meet again soon.
+
+Mrs. Needham had been sorely tried on that fatal day when De Burgh had
+suddenly departed, after a comparatively short interval, and Katherine
+had disappeared into the depths of her own room.
+
+She had anticipated entertaining the bridegroom-elect at luncheon, and
+had ordered lobster-cream and an _epigramme d'agneau a la Russe_ as
+suitable delicacies; she expected confidential consultation and
+delightful plans; she had even speculated on so managing that the double
+event:--Angela Bradley's marriage with Errington and Katherine's with
+Lord de Burgh,--might come off on the same day, even in the same church:
+that would be a culmination of excitement! Now some mysterious blight
+had fallen on all her schemes. What had happened? What could they have
+quarrelled about? Then when Katherine emerged from her refuge she was
+hopelessly mysterious; there was no penetrating the reserve in which she
+wrapped herself.
+
+"There is no one in whom I should more readily confide than in you, dear
+Mrs. Needham, but a serious difference _has arisen_ between Lord de
+Burgh and myself, respecting which I cannot speak to _anyone_. I regret
+being obliged to keep it to myself, but I must."
+
+"My dear, if you adopt that tone I have nothing more to say, but it is
+horribly provoking and disappointing. I am quite sure people began to
+expect it--that you would marry Lord de Burgh, I mean, and what a
+position you have thrown away. You can't expect a man like him to be a
+saint. There is no use trying men by our standard; in short, it's not
+much matter what standard we have, we must always come down a step or
+two if we mean to make both ends meet; but you see, when a man has money
+and right principles, he can atone for a lot."
+
+Katherine gazed at her astonished. How was it that she had found the
+scent which led so near the real track?
+
+"No money," she said, gravely, "could in any way affect the matters in
+dispute between Lord de Burgh and myself, so I will not speak any more
+on the subject. It has all been very painful, and the worst part is that
+I cannot tell you."
+
+"Well, it must be bad," observed Mrs. Needham, in a complaining tone,
+"but I suppose I must just hold my tongue."
+
+So Katherine was left in comparative peace. But it was a hard passage to
+her; she could not shake off the sickening sense of wrong and sorrow,
+the painful consciousness of being humiliated which the revelation
+inflicted on her, the feeling that she was, in some inexplicable way,
+touched by the evil-doing of those who were so near her.
+
+A slight cold, caught she knew not how, aggravated the fever induced by
+distress of mind, and next day Mrs. Needham thought her so unwell that
+she insisted on sending for the doctor, who condemned Katherine to her
+bed, a composing draught, and solitude.
+
+The doctor, however, could not forbid letters, and Katherine's seclusion
+was much disturbed by a long, rambling, impassioned epistle from De
+Burgh, in which, though he promised not to intrude upon her at present,
+he refused to give up all hope, as he could not believe that she would
+always maintain her present exaggerated and unreasonable frame of
+mind--a letter that did him no good in Katherine's estimation. Then she
+tried to resume her work. But Mrs. Needham, returning from one of her
+"rapid acts" of inspection and negotiation in and out divers and sundry
+warehouses, dismissed her peremptorily to lie down on the sofa in the
+drawing-room, in reality to get her out of the way, as she was expecting
+a visit from Miss Payne, with whom she wanted a little private
+conversation.
+
+"Can you throw any light on this mysterious quarrel between Katherine
+and Lord de Burgh?" she asked, abruptly, as soon as Miss Payne was
+seated in the study.
+
+"Quarrel? have they quarrelled? I know nothing about it. When did they
+quarrel?"
+
+"About three days ago. He came here to propose for her, I know he did,
+they were talking together for--oh!--barely a quarter-of-an-hour in the
+drawing-room, when I heard her fly up stairs, and he rushed away,
+slamming the door as if he would take the front of the house out.
+Katherine has never been herself since. It is my firm belief she is
+strongly attached to him,--what do you think?"
+
+"I don't know what to think; they were very good friends, but I do not
+think Katherine was in love with him. She is a curious girl. I often am
+tempted to fancy she has something on her mind."
+
+"Nonsense, my dear Miss Payne. I never met a finer, truer nature than
+Katherine Liddell's," cried Mrs. Needham, an affectionate smile lighting
+up her handsome, kindly face. "The worst of it is, I do not know whom to
+blame, and Katherine has put me on honor not to ask her."
+
+"I cannot help you," said Miss Payne; and she fell into a thoughtful
+silence, while Mrs. Needham watched her eagerly.
+
+"I am going away for a few weeks," resumed Miss Payne. "I have let my
+house, and I shall go to Sandbourne; the weather seems settled, and it
+will be pleasant there. If you can spare her, I will ask Katherine to
+come with me, she liked the place, and perhaps in the intimacy of
+every-day life she may tell me what happened; but, remember, _I'll_ not
+tell you unless she gives me leave."
+
+"No, no, of course not; but I am sure she would trust _me_ as soon as
+anyone.'
+
+"Very likely. It will just depend upon who is near her when she is in a
+confidential mood."
+
+"Perhaps. I am sure it would do her good; and Sandbourne is not far. If
+De Burgh wants to make it up, he can easily run down there."
+
+"Yes, he knows his way. I am not sure that he is the right man, though,"
+said Miss Payne, reflectively; "he is too ready to ride rough-shod over
+everyone and everything."
+
+"Do you think so? I must say I thought him a delightful person, so
+natural and good-natured."
+
+"Well, let me go and see Katherine. I am anxious to take her away with
+me."
+
+Katherine was most willing to accept Miss Payne's proposition. She was
+soothed and gratified by the thoughtful kindness shown her by both her
+friends, and anxious to refresh her mind and recruit her strength before
+taking up her life again.
+
+"You are so good to think of taking me with you," she cried, when Miss
+Payne ceased speaking. "I should like greatly to go, if Mrs. Needham can
+spare me."
+
+"Of course I can. You will come back a better secretary than ever,"
+exclaimed that lady, cheerfully. "I will try to run down and see you
+some Saturday. It is rather a new place, this Sandbourne, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes; it is not crowded yet."
+
+"When do you go down there?"
+
+"On Saturday afternoon," returned Miss Payne. "I have taken rooms at
+Marine Cottage; you know, it is at the end of the parade, near an old
+house."
+
+"Yes, quite well; it is a nice little place."
+
+"I will write to secure another bedroom; and let us meet at the station
+on Saturday. I go by the 2.50 train." A few more preliminaries and the
+affair was settled.
+
+Previous to leaving town, however, Katherine felt she must see Rachel
+Trant, though she half dreaded meeting her. It must have been an awful
+blow to meet De Burgh as she did. Would she divine what brought him
+there? Katherine felt she had been cold and remiss in having kept
+silence towards her friend so long, and, when Miss Payne left, she
+walked with her across the park to Rachel's abode, in spite of Mrs.
+Needham's assurances that it would be too much for her, and retard the
+recovery of her nervous forces, etc., etc.
+
+Katherine was not kept long waiting in the neat little back parlor,
+which was Miss Trant's private room. Rachel came to her looking very
+white, while she breathed quickly. She paused just within the door, in a
+hesitating, uncertain way, which seemed to Katherine very pathetic.
+
+"Oh! Rachel," she cried, her soft brown eyes suffused with tears as she
+tenderly kissed her brow, "I know everything, and--I will never see him
+again."
+
+"He is not all bad," said Rachel, in a low tone, as she clasped
+Katherine's hand in both her own.
+
+"No, I am sure he is not; but he has passed out of our lives; let us
+speak of him no more."
+
+"I should be glad not to do so; but he has written me a letter I should
+like you to see. He seems grieved for the past and makes munificent
+offers."
+
+"I should rather not see it, Rachel. I want to forget. Did you reply?"
+
+"I did, very gravely, very shortly. I told him I wanted nothing, that
+the best friend I ever had had put me in the way perhaps to make my
+fortune, and--and, dearest Miss Liddell, if you care for----"
+
+"But I do not, I did not," interrupted Katherine. "Oh! thank God I do
+not. How could I have borne what has come to my knowledge if I did? Now,
+let the past bury its dead."
+
+"Is it not amazing that we should be so strangely linked together?"
+murmured Rachel.
+
+Katherine made no reply. After a short silence, as if they stood by a
+still open grave, Katherine began to speak of her intended visit to Miss
+Payne, and before they parted, though both were hushed and grave, they
+had glided into their usual confidential, affectionate tone. Business,
+however, was not mentioned.
+
+"I wish you could see your cousin's little daughter," said Rachel,
+rather abruptly, as Katherine rose to bid her good-bye. "She's an
+interesting, naughty little creature, small of her age, but in some ways
+precocious. I am fond of her, partly, I suppose, because she likes me.
+There is something familiar to me in her face, yet I cannot say that she
+actually resembles anyone."
+
+"I should like to see her," returned Katherine; and soon after she left
+her friend, relieved and calmed by the feeling that the explanation was
+over.
+
+"Well, my dear," cried Mrs. Needham, when they met at dinner. "I have a
+great piece of news for you: Mr. Errington is to be the new editor of
+_The Cycle_. A capital thing for him! and that accounts for the
+announcement of the marriage being held back, just to let people get
+accustomed to the first start. It shows what Bradley thinks of him. It
+is really a grand triumph to get such an appointment after so short an
+apprenticeship."
+
+"I am glad of it, very glad," returned Katherine, thoughtfully. "I
+suppose he is considered very clever."
+
+"A first-rate man, quite first-rate, for all serious tough subjects. I
+think, dear, if I could run down on Saturday week till Monday it would
+be an immense refreshment;" and Mrs. Needham wandered off into the
+discussion of a variety of schemes.
+
+On the Saturday following, Katherine and her faithful chaperon set out
+for their holiday with mutual satisfaction and a hope that they left
+their troubles behind them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV.
+
+RECONCILIATION.
+
+
+The change to Sandbourne did Katherine good; she grew calmer, more
+resigned, though still profoundly sad. The sense of having been brought
+in touch with one of the most cruel problems of society affected her
+deeply, and the contrast between the present and past of a year ago,
+when she had the boys with her, forced her to review her mental
+conditions since the great change in her fortunes wrought by her own
+act.
+
+She had ample time for thought. Miss Payne was suffering from touches of
+rheumatism, which made long walks impossible; so Katherine wandered
+about alone.
+
+The weather was bright, but, although it was the beginning of May, not
+warm enough to sit amongst the rocks at the point. Katherine, however,
+often walked to and fro recalling De Burgh's looks and tones the day he
+had opened his heart to her there. He was not a bad fellow--no, far from
+it; indeed, she knew that, if her heart had not been filled with
+Errington, she could have loved De Burgh. How was it that a man of
+feeling, of so-called honor, with a certain degree of discrimination
+between right and wrong, could have broken the moral law and been so
+callous as he had shown himself?
+
+There was no use in thinking about it; it was beyond her comprehension.
+All she hoped was that time might efface the cruel lines which sorrow
+and remorse had cut deep into Rachel's heart.
+
+With Miss Payne, Katherine was cheerful and companionable. They spoke
+much of Bertie. His decision to take orders would have given his sister
+unqualified satisfaction had he also sought preferment in England.
+
+"A clergyman's position is excellent," she said, confidentially, as they
+sat together in the drawing-room window one blustery afternoon, when
+Katherine was not tempted to go out. "Bertie is just the stuff to make a
+popular preacher of, and so long as he is properly ordained I don't care
+how he preaches, but I don't like him to be classed with ranting,
+roaring vagabonds! Then, you see, there are no men who have such
+opportunities as clergymen of picking up well-dowered wives. I believe
+women are ready to propose themselves rather than not catch what some of
+them are pleased to term "a priest." It's a weakness I never could
+understand. What induces him to run off among the heathen?--can't he
+find heathen enough at home? If he gets into these outlandish places, I
+shall never see him again, and, between you and me, he is the only
+creature I care for. He thinks he is inspired by the love of God, but I
+know he is driven by the love of _you_."
+
+"Of me, Miss Payne?" exclaimed Katherine, startled and greatly pained.
+
+"Yes, you; and I wish you could see your way to marry him. It would be
+no great match for either of you, but he would be another and a happier
+man; and, as for you, your rejection of Lord de Burgh (I suppose you
+_did_ refuse him) shows you do not care for riches."
+
+"But, Miss Payne, I have no right to think your brother ever wished to
+marry me."
+
+"Then you must be very dull. I wonder he has not written before. Oh,
+here is the postman!"
+
+Katherine stepped through the window and took the letters from him.
+
+"Only one for you and two for me," she said, returning. "One, I see, is
+from Ada." Opening it, she read as follows:
+
+
+"DEAREST KATHERINE,
+
+"I write in great anxiety and surprise, as I see among the fashionable
+intelligence of the _Morning Post_ that Lord de Burgh is on the point of
+leaving England for a tour in the Ural Mountains (of all places!) and
+will probably be absent for several months. Can this be true? and, if
+so, what is the reason of it? Is it possible that you have been so
+cruel, so insane, so wicked as to fly in the face of providence and
+refuse him? You should remember your own poverty-stricken existence,
+and think of the boys. Marriage with a man of De Burgh's rank and
+fortune would be the making of them. I have hidden away the paper, for,
+if the colonel saw it, it would drive him frantic. Do write and let me
+mediate between you and De Burgh, if you are so mad as to have
+quarrelled with him. I am feeling quite ill with all this excitement and
+worry. I don't think many women have been so sorely tried as myself.
+Ever yours,
+                                     "ADA ORMONDE."
+
+
+Having glanced through this composition, she handed it with a smile to
+Miss Payne, and opened the other letter, which was from Rachel. This was
+very short and very mysterious.
+
+
+"I have been introduced to your relative, Mr. George Liddell," she
+wrote, "by his daughter. We have had a conversation respecting you and
+other matters. I cannot go into this now--I only write to say that Mr.
+Liddell is going down to see you to-morrow or next day, and I earnestly
+trust you may be reconciled. I am always your devoted RACHEL."
+
+
+"This is very extraordinary," cried Katherine, when she had read it
+aloud. "What can she mean by sending him down here! I rather dread
+seeing him."
+
+"Nonsense," returned Miss Payne, sternly. "If that dressmaking friend of
+yours brings about a reconciliation between you and your very
+wrong-headed cousin, she will do a good deed. I anticipate some
+important results from this interview--you must see Mr. Liddell alone."
+
+"I suppose so. I am sure I hope he will not snap my head off."
+
+"You are not the sort of girl to allow people to snap your head off. But
+I am immensely puzzled to imagine what Miss Trant can have said or done
+to send this bush-ranger down here. How did Mr. Liddell come to know
+her?"
+
+"I can only suppose that his little girl, to whom I believe he is
+devoted, brought him to Rachel's to get a dress tried on or to choose
+one."
+
+"It is very odd," observed Miss Payne, thoughtfully. "My letter," she
+went on, after a moment's pause, "is from my new tenant; he wants some
+additional furniture, which is just nonsense. He has as much as is good
+for him; I'll write and say I shall be in town on Monday, and call at
+Wilton Street to discuss matters."
+
+"_Are_ you going to town on Monday?"
+
+"Yes, I made up my mind when I read this," tapping the letter.
+
+"I suppose you don't object to be left alone? And there is the chance of
+Mrs. Needham coming down; probably she will stay over Monday."
+
+"I fear that is not very likely."
+
+No more was said on the subject then, but Katherine could not get her
+mind free from the idea of George Liddell's anticipated visit. She was
+quite willing to make friends with him, though his ungenerous and
+unreasonable conduct towards herself had impressed her most
+unfavorably.
+
+The day passed over, however, without any visitor, nor was it until the
+following afternoon that Katherine was startled, in spite of her
+preparation, by the announcement that a gentleman wished to see Miss
+Liddell.
+
+"I'll go," exclaimed Miss Payne, gathering up her knitting and a book,
+and she vanished swiftly in spite of rheumatic difficulties.
+
+In another moment George Liddell stood before his dispossessed
+kinswoman, a tall, gaunt figure with grizzled hair and sunken eyes. He
+took the hand she offered in silence, and then exclaimed, abruptly,
+
+"You knew I was coming?"
+
+"Yes, Rachel Trant told me. Will you not sit down?"
+
+He drew a chair beside her work-table, and looking at her for a minute
+exclaimed, in harsh tones which yet showed emotion,
+
+"You are a good woman!"
+
+"How have you found that out?" asked Katherine, smiling.
+
+"I will answer by a long, cruel story!" he returned with a sigh; "a
+story I would tell to none but you." Again he paused, looking down as if
+collecting his thoughts, while the brown, bony, sinewy hand he laid on
+the table was tightly clenched. "You knew my father," he began, suddenly
+raising his dark suspicious eyes to her, "and therefore can understand
+what an exacting tyrant he could be to those who were in his power. As a
+mere child I feared him and shrank from him; my earliest recollection
+was of my mother's care in keeping me from him. He was not violent to
+her--I don't suppose he ever struck her, but he treated her with cold
+contempt, why, I never understood, except that she cost him money, and
+brought him none. I won't unman myself by describing what her life was,
+or how passionately I loved her; we clung to each other as desolate,
+persecuted creatures only do! He grudged us the food we ate, the
+clothes--rather the rags--we wore. One day playing in Regent's Park I
+fell into the canal, and was nearly drowned. A gentleman went in after
+me and saved me. He took me home, he gave me to my mother, he often met
+us after. He gave me treats and money,--I can't dwell on this time. He
+won my mother's love, chiefly through me. He was going away to the new
+world. He persuaded her to leave her wretched home, to take me,--we
+escaped. I shall never forget the joy of those few days! Then my father
+(as we might have known he would) put out his torturing hand and seized
+_me_. My mother had hoped that his miserly nature would have disposed
+him to let me go, if he could thereby escape the cost of my maintenance.
+But revenge was too sweet to be foregone. I was dragged away. He did not
+want _her_ back. He hoped her lover would desert her after awhile, and
+so accomplish her punishment; but he was true! No, I can never forget my
+mother's agony when I was torn from her!" he rose and walked to the
+window, and returned. "The hideous picture had grown faint," he said,
+"but as I speak it grows clear and black! You can imagine my life after
+this! It was well calculated to turn a moody, passionate boy into a
+devil! I was nearly eleven when I lost my mother, and I never heard of
+her or from her after; yet I never doubted that she loved me and tried
+to communicate with me, but my father's infernal spite kept us apart. At
+sixteen I ran away. Your father was friendly to me and tried to
+persuade me against what he called rashness; but I always fancied he
+might have helped my mother, backed her up more, and I did not heed him.
+I went through a rough training, as you may suppose, and never saw my
+father's face again."
+
+"I can imagine that he could be terrible," murmured Katherine. "I was
+dreadfully afraid of him, but I did not know he had been so cruel."
+
+George Liddell did not seem to hear her, he was lost in thought.
+
+"You wonder, I daresay, why I tell you this long story," he resumed;
+"you will see what it leads up to presently."
+
+"I am greatly interested," returned Katherine.
+
+"You will be more so! From what I told Newton, you know enough of my
+career in Australia, but you do _not_ know that I married a sweet,
+delicate woman, who, after the birth of our little Marie, fell into bad
+health. If I could have taken her away for a long voyage, it might have
+saved her, but I was in full swing making my pile, and could not tear
+myself away; that must have been about the time my father died. Had I
+known I was his heir, I should have sent my wife home. But fool that I
+was! I was too wrapped up making money (for the tide had just turned,
+and I was floating to fortune) to see that she was slipping from me. I
+never dreamed my father would die intestate. I always thought he would
+take care of his precious gold. It was well for me he destroyed his
+will."
+
+Katherine felt her cheeks glow; but she did not speak.
+
+"Well, I felt furious to think you had been enjoying my money when I did
+not even know that my father was dead; but I have changed."
+
+"Why?" asked Katherine, who could not imagine what was his motive for
+telling her his history.
+
+"You shall hear. You know I placed my little Marie at school. The
+school-mistress employed a dressmaker to whom the child took a fancy;
+she insisted on taking me to see her, and to choose some fal-lals." He
+stopped again, his mouth twitched, his fingers played with his
+watch-chain. "When the young woman came into the room," he resumed, "I
+thought I should have dropped. She was the living image of my poor
+mother, only younger. I could not speak for a minute. At last, when the
+child had kissed her and chatted a bit, I managed to ask if I might come
+back and speak to her alone, as she was so like a lady I once knew, that
+I wanted to put a few questions to her. She seemed a little disturbed;
+but told me I might come in the evening. I went. I asked her about her
+parentage; she knew very little, save that she had been born in South
+America. She offered, however, to show me her mother's picture, and,
+when she brought it, I not only saw it was _my_ mother's likeness, but a
+picture I knew well. Her initials were on the case, R. L. Then I told
+her everything. I proved to her that I was her half-brother. How
+bitterly she cried when I described a little brooch with my hair in it,
+which Rachel still keeps. She has seen our mother kiss it and weep over
+it. My heart went out to her; she is second now only to my child. Then,
+Katherine, she told me her own sad story, and the part you played in it.
+How you saved her, and gave her hope and strength. Give me your hand!
+I'll never forget this service. It binds me more, a hundredfold more,
+than if you had done it for myself. But neither entreaties nor
+reproaches could induce her to tell me the name of the villain who--has
+she told you?" he interrupted himself to ask sternly.
+
+"She never named his name to me," cried Katherine. "It is cruel to ask
+her. And of what possible advantage would the knowledge be? Any inquiry,
+any disturbance, would only punish her."
+
+Liddell started up, and walked to and fro hastily. "That's true," he
+exclaimed; "but I wish I had my hand on his throat."
+
+"That is natural; but you must think of Rachel, she has suffered so
+much."
+
+"She has!" said George Liddell, throwing himself into his chair again.
+"But you don't know the sort of pain and sweetness it is to talk of my
+poor mother to her daughter! It makes a different and a better man of
+me. Rachel is a strong woman," he added, after a moment's thought; "she
+wishes our relationship to be kept secret. It is no credit to anyone,
+she says, and might be injurious to little Marie; we can be friends, and
+she need never want a few hundreds to help on her business. It seems
+that to please his people her father, on returning to England, only used
+his second name, which I never knew. It is a sorrowful tale for you to
+listen to--you are white and trembling, my girl," he added, with sudden
+familiarity,--"but I haven't done yet; you have laid me under
+obligations I can never repay. I could not offer a woman like you money;
+but I will pay you in kind. You have saved my dear sister, I will
+provide for the nephews that are dear to you. I have already seen Newton
+and my own solicitor, and laid my propositions before them. I don't
+pretend to munificence for them, besides, I shall not forget either you
+or them in my will, but they shall have means for a right good education
+and a good start in life. Now I want you to forgive my brutality when we
+first met, and, more, I want you to be my daughter's friend." He grasped
+her hand.
+
+Katherine's eyes had already brimmed over.
+
+"Forgive you!" she repeated. "I am quite ready to forgive. I was vexed,
+of course, that you should be unreasonably prejudiced against me; but I
+am deeply grateful for your generosity to the boys. If you knew the joy,
+the relief you have given me, it would, I am sure, gladden you. But let
+us try to make Rachel happy too. I wish----"
+
+"She is happiest in her own way. Work is the only cure for ills like
+hers," interrupted Liddell. "Time will do wonders, and her wish to keep
+our relationship secret is wise." There was a pause; then Liddell,
+looking steadily at Katherine, exclaimed, "You are a real true,
+good-hearted woman; the world would be a better place if there were a
+few more like you in it." He then passed on to his plans for the future;
+his projects for his daughter's education, opening his mind with a
+degree of confidence which amazed Katherine, considering that two days
+before he was an enemy.
+
+Presently he ceased to speak, and, after a moment's thought, stood up.
+
+"Now I have said my say, and I must go," he exclaimed. "I only came to
+explain myself to you, for the less of such a story committed to paper
+the better. I am due in town to-morrow morning; write to Rachel, and
+come and see her as soon as you can. I wish," he added, with a searching
+glance, "that I had a woman like you to regulate matters and take care
+of my little Marie; then I could keep her with me."
+
+"She is far better at school," returned Katherine, a little startled by
+this suggestive speech. "But will you not have some luncheon before you
+go?"
+
+"No, thank you. I had some before coming on here. I need very little
+food, and scarcely anything gives me pleasure; but I like you, my
+cousin, and I want your friendship for the child."
+
+"She shall have it, I promise."
+
+After a few more words, George Liddell bid her good-bye. She stood a few
+minutes in deep thought before going to tell her good news to Miss
+Payne, reflecting that she must not betray the real motive of his change
+towards herself; the less she said the better. While she thought, Miss
+Payne came in looking unusually eager.
+
+"Wouldn't he stay and have a bit to eat?" she exclaimed. "I saw him
+going out of the gate from my room."
+
+"No, he is in a hurry to get back to town. Ah! my dear Miss Payne, he
+came down to make his peace with me, and he is going to provide for the
+boys."
+
+"Why, what has happened to him? I can hardly believe my ears."
+
+"I am sure I could hardly believe mine. I suppose as he grew accustomed
+to feel that everything was in his hands, and that I had given him no
+trouble, he saw that he had been unnecessarily severe. Then his little
+girl took him to Rachel Trant's, and they evidently spoke of me;
+probably she gave a highly colored description of my goodness, and,
+being an impulsive man, he said he would come and see me, whereupon she
+wrote to warn me."
+
+"That's all possible; but somehow I feel there is more in it than I
+quite understand."
+
+"I am sure I do not care to understand the wherefore, if only my cousin
+carries out his good intentions as regards Cis and Charlie."
+
+"Just so; that is the main point. If he does, what a burden will be
+lifted off your shoulders!"
+
+"And what a change in the boys' fortunes!" returned Katherine; adding,
+after a short pause, "I think I will go to town with you on Monday and
+pay them a visit, while you arrange your affairs with your tenant. Mrs.
+Needham will put me up for a night or two."
+
+In truth, Katherine longed to see and talk with Rachel, to discuss the
+curious turn in her changeful fortunes, and build up pleasant palaces in
+the airy realms of the future.
+
+The following day brought her a letter from De Burgh. It was dated from
+Paris, and told her of his intention to be absent from England for some
+time; he pleaded earnestly for pardon with a certain rough eloquence,
+and repeated the arguments he had previously urged, evidently thinking
+that his punishment was greatly disproportionate to his offence.
+
+Katherine was much moved by this epistle; she could not help being sorry
+for him, though she hoped not to meet him again. The association of
+ideas was too painful; she was ashamed too to remember how near she had
+come to marrying him, in a sort of despair of the future. She answered
+this letter at once, frankly and kindly, setting forth the unalterable
+nature of her decision, and begging him not to put her to unnecessary
+pain by trying to renew their acquaintance at any future time.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI.
+
+THE END.
+
+
+The project of going to town, however, was not carried out. Miss Payne
+caught a severe cold, owing to the unusual circumstance of having
+forgotten her umbrella, and, in consequence, getting wet through by a
+sudden heavy shower.
+
+Instead, therefore, of speeding London-wards on Monday, Miss Payne spent
+the weary hours in bed with a racking headache and Katherine in close
+attendance.
+
+Next day, however, she was considerably better, and even talked of
+coming downstairs in the evening when the house was shut up. She
+insisted on sending her kind nurse out for air and exercise, as she was
+looking pallid and heavy-eyed; nor was Katherine reluctant to go, for
+she enjoyed being alone to meditate on the curious interweaving of
+fate's warp and woof which had made Rachel the means of reconciliation
+between George Liddell and herself. She ought now to take up her life
+again with courage and energy. The boys provided for, she had nothing to
+fear, while, if the future held out no brilliant prospect of personal
+happiness, much quiet content probably lay in the humble sufficiency
+which was now hers. The interest she would take in the careers of Cis
+and Charlie would renew her youth, and keep her in touch with active
+life, while, as the impression of her various troubles wore away under
+the swift-flowing stream of time, she would feel more and more the
+restful excellence of peace. It was not a bad outlook, yet Katherine
+felt sad as she contemplated it. Finding her self-commune less cheering
+than she anticipated, she turned her steps homeward, and entered the
+house through the window of the drawing-room which opened on a rustic
+veranda. Coming from strong sunlight into comparative darkness, she took
+off her hat, and pushed back her hair from her brow before she perceived
+that a gentleman had risen from the chair where he sat reading.
+
+"You see I have dared to take possession of the premises in your
+absence," he said.
+
+"Mr. Errington?" cried Katherine, her heart suddenly bounding, and then
+beating so violently she could hardly speak. "How--where--did you come
+from?"
+
+"From London, to enjoy a brief breathing-space from pressure of
+work--welcome as it generally is! I am sorry to find that your friend
+Miss Payne is invalided, as she was not visible, I ventured to wait for
+you."
+
+"I am very glad to see you," returned Katherine, placing herself on the
+sofa as far from the window as she could, for she felt herself changing
+color in a provoking way.
+
+"I saw Mrs. Needham yesterday, who gave me your address and sundry
+messages, one to the effect that she hopes to pay you a visit next
+Saturday; the rest I do not remember accurately, for she was much
+excited and not very distinct."
+
+"We shall be delighted to see her, she is so bright and sympathetic.
+What was the immediate cause of her excitement?"
+
+"The marriage of Miss Bradley in about a fortnight."
+
+"Indeed!" cried Katherine, thinking this way of announcing it rather
+odd, but never doubting it was his own marriage also. "Then accept my
+warm congratulations; you have no well-wisher more sincere than myself."
+
+Errington looked up surprised.
+
+"Why do you congratulate me? I certainly was of some use in bringing it
+about, but sooner or later they would certainly have married."
+
+"They? who--whom is she going to marry?"
+
+"My old friend Major Urquhart. It is a very old attachment, but Mr.
+Bradley objected to his want of fortune; then, as Bradley's wealth
+increased, Urquhart felt reluctant to come forward again. Accident
+revealed the state of the case to me. I went to see Urquhart, who had
+just returned from India, and was in Edinburgh. I persuaded him to
+return with me, and once the lovers met, matters swiftly arranged
+themselves. Finally, Bradley gave his consent. Now the air is resonant
+with the coming chime of wedding bells."
+
+"I am greatly surprised," said Katherine, and it was some minutes before
+she could speak again. Her horizon seemed suddenly suffused with light;
+she felt dizzy with a strange delightful glow, and confused with a sense
+of shame at her own unreasoning, irrational joy. What difference could
+Errington's marriage or no marriage make to her?
+
+"I suppose," resumed Errington, after looking earnestly at her speaking
+face, "that the intimacy which arose between Mr. Bradley and myself in
+consequence of my connection with _The Cycle_ suggested the rumor of my
+engagement with his daughter; but no such idea ever entered my head or
+Angela's. You know, I suppose, I am now _de facto_ editor of _The
+Cycle_. It is a good appointment, and enables me to hope for
+possibilities, though I dare not say probabilities."
+
+"I am sure you will be an admirable editor," said Katherine, pulling
+herself together, and trying to speak lightly.
+
+"Why?" asked Errington, smiling.
+
+"You are just, and--and careful, and must be a good judge of the
+subjects such a periodical treats of."
+
+"Thank you." He paused; then, looking down, he continued, "Mrs. Needham
+tells me you have been troubled about your nephews."
+
+"Yes, I was very much troubled, but I think they are safe and well now;
+later I should put them to a better school, as I now hope to do." She
+stopped to think how she should best explain George Liddell's unexpected
+generosity, and Errington exclaimed.
+
+"These boys are a heavy charge to you! yet I suppose you could not bring
+yourself to give them up?"
+
+"How could I? their mother can really do nothing for them, and it would
+be cruel to hand them over to Colonel Ormonde's charity."
+
+"It would! you are right," said Errington, hastily. "Poor little
+fellows! to lose you would be too terrible a trial for them."
+
+Katherine raised her eyes to his; they were moist with gratitude for his
+sympathy, and seemed to draw him magnetically to her. He changed his
+place to the sofa; leaning one arm on the back, he rested his head on
+his hand, and looked gravely down upon her.
+
+"Will you forgive me if I ask an intrusive question? You know we agreed
+to be friends, yet our friendship does not seem to thrive, it is dying
+of starvation because we so rarely meet; still, for the sake of our
+shadowy friendship, answer me: may I put the natural construction on De
+Burgh's sudden departure from England?"
+
+Katherine hesitated; she did not like to say in so many words that she
+had refused him, a curious, half-remorseful feeling made her especially
+considerate towards him.
+
+"I do not like to speak of Lord de Burgh," she said at length.
+
+"When does he return?
+
+"I do not know. I know nothing of his plans."
+
+"Then you sent him empty away?" said Errington, smiling.
+
+"I very nearly married him!" she exclaimed, frankly. "He was kind and
+generous, and would have been good to the boys; but at last I could not.
+Oh! I could _not_!"
+
+"I am sorry for De Burgh," said Errington, thoughtfully, "but you were
+right; your wisdom is more of the heart than the head. Do you remember
+that day (how vividly I remember it!) when you came to me and told me
+your strange story? It was the turning-point of my life. When I
+confessed I knew nothing of the deep, warm, tender affection that
+actuated _you_, you said that for me wisdom was from one entrance quite
+shut out."
+
+"I can remember nothing clearly of that dreadful day, only that you were
+very forgiving and good," returned Katherine, pressing her hands
+together to still their trembling.
+
+"Well, from the moment you spoke those words, the light of the wisdom
+you meant dawned upon me, and grew stronger and brighter, till my whole
+being was flooded with the love you inspired. You opened a new world to
+me; your voice was always in my ears, your eyes looking into mine." He
+spoke in a low, earnest, but composed tone, as if he had made up his
+mind to the fullest utterance. Katherine covered her face with her hands
+with the unconscious instinct to hide the emotion she felt it would
+express. "Many things kept me silent. Fear that the sight of me was
+painful to you; the dread of seeming to seek your fortune; my own
+uncertain position. Then, when all was taken from you, and I was by my
+own act deprived of the power to help you, you were so brave and patient
+that profound esteem mingled with the strange, sweet, wild fire you had
+kindled! Am I so painfully associated in your mind that you cannot give
+me something of the wealth of love stored in your heart? You have
+taught me what love is, will you not reward so apt a pupil?"
+
+"Mr. Errington," said Katherine, letting him take her cold trembling
+hand, "is it possible you can love and trust a woman who has acted a lie
+for years as I have?"
+
+"I cannot help both loving and trusting you, utterly," he returned,
+holding her hand tenderly in both his own. "I believe in your truth as I
+believe in the reality of the sun's light, and if you can love me I
+believe I can make you happy. I have but a humble lot to offer you, yet
+I think it is--it will be a tranquil and secure one. I can help you in
+bringing up those boys, I will never quarrel with you for clinging to
+them, and will do the best I can for them! You know _I_ have a
+creditor's claim; Roman law gave the debtor over into the hands of the
+creditor," continued Errington, growing bolder as he felt how her hand
+trembled in his grasp; "you must pay me by the surrender of yourself, by
+accepting a life for a life. Katherine----"
+
+"Ah! how can I answer you? If indeed you can trust and respect me, I can
+and will love you well," she exclaimed, with the sweet frankness which
+always enchanted him.
+
+"Will you love me with the whole unstinted love of your rich nature? I
+cannot spare a grain," said Errington, jealously.
+
+"But I do love you," murmured Katherine; "I am almost frightened at
+loving you so much."
+
+Could it be cold, composed, immovable Errington who strained her so
+closely to his heart, whose lips clung so passionately to hers?
+
+"I have a great deal to tell you," began Katherine, when she had
+extricated herself and recovered some composure. "But I must go and see
+poor Miss Payne; she will wonder what has become of me."
+
+"Tell her you are obliged to talk to me of business, and come back soon.
+I have much to consult you about, and I can only remain till to-morrow
+evening--do not stay away."
+
+And Katherine returned very soon.
+
+"Miss Payne is dreadfully puzzled," she said, smiling and blushing,
+quivering in every vein with the strange, almost awful happiness which
+overwhelmed her.
+
+"Now, what have you to tell me?" asked Errington, and she gave him a
+full description of George Liddell's visit and proposal to provide for
+Cis and Charlie.
+
+Errington was too happy to heed the details much, he only remarked that
+he was glad Liddell had come to his right mind.
+
+"I want you to tell Miss Payne as soon as possible our new plans; she is
+coming downstairs this evening, you say? Let me break the news to her. I
+think she will give us her blessing; and, Katherine, my sweet Katherine,
+there is no reason to delay our marriage. You have no fixed home; the
+sooner you make one for yourself and me the better. The idea is
+intoxicating. Our poverty sets us free from the trammels of
+conventionality; we have nothing to wait for."
+
+
+So they were married.
+
+Here ought to come "Finis!" yet real life had only begun for them. Were
+they happy? Yes. For under the wild sweetness of warmest passionate
+love lay the lasting rock of comprehension and genial companionship.
+Fuller knowledge brought deeper esteem, and the only secret Katherine
+ever kept from her husband was the true history of Rachel Trant.
+
+A severe attack of fever, brought on by overstudy, immediately after
+Katherine's marriage, prevented Bertie Payne from carrying out his
+missionary scheme. He was reluctantly obliged to put up with the
+East-End heathen, "who," as Miss Payne observed, "were bad enough to
+satisfy the largest appetite for sinners."
+
+There his faithful sister established herself to make a home for him,
+renouncing her comfortable West-End abode, and finding ample interest in
+the pursuits she affected to treat as fads.
+
+"Altogether everything has turned out in the most extraordinary and
+unexpected manner," as Mrs. Ormonde observed to Mrs. Needham, whom she
+encountered at one of Lady Mary Vincent's receptions. "Katherine seems
+quite proud to settle down in a suburban villa away in St. John's Wood
+as Mrs. Errington, while she might have made a figure at court as Lady
+de Burgh. By the way, I see your friend, Mrs. Urquhart, was presented at
+the last drawing-room."
+
+"Yes, and was one of the handsomest women there.--But I don't suppose
+Mrs. Errington ever gives a thought to drawing-room or Buckingham Palace
+balls.--You see she is in a way always at court, for her king is always
+beside her," returned Mrs. Needham, with a becoming smile. "Good-night,
+Mrs. Ormonde."
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Crooked Path, by Mrs. Alexander
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+      The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Crooked Path, by Mrs. Alexander,.
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+<pre>
+
+The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Crooked Path, by Mrs. Alexander
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: A Crooked Path
+       A Novel
+
+Author: Mrs. Alexander
+
+Release Date: May 18, 2006 [EBook #18418]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A CROOKED PATH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Janet Blenkinship
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+</pre>
+
+
+
+
+
+<h1>A CROOKED PATH</h1>
+
+<h3><i>A NOVEL.</i></h3>
+
+<h2>BY MRS. ALEXANDER,</h2>
+
+<p class='center'><i>Author of "The Wooing O't," "A Life Interest," Etc.</i></p>
+<p><br /><br /></p>
+<p class='center'><span class="smcap">New York</span><br />THE F. M. LUPTON PUBLISHING COMPANY,<br /><span class="smcap">Nos. 72-76
+Walker Street</span>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p>
+<p><br /><br /></p>
+<h2>CONTENTS</h2>
+
+
+
+<table border="0" cellpadding="1" width="80%" cellspacing="0" summary="Table of Contents">
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_I">CHAPTER I.&mdash;"GATHERING CLOUDS."</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_II">CHAPTER II.&mdash;BREAKING NEW GROUND.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_III">CHAPTER III.&mdash;THE LAWYER'S VISIT.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_IV">CHAPTER IV.&mdash;"A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS."</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_V">CHAPTER V.&mdash;"INTO THE SHADOWS."</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_VI">CHAPTER VI.&mdash;"SHIFTING SCENES."</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_VII">CHAPTER VII.&mdash;THE BEGINNING OF THE END.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_VIII">CHAPTER VIII.&mdash;"THE LONG TASK IS DONE."</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_IX">CHAPTER IX.&mdash;"TEMPTATION."</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_X">CHAPTER X.&mdash;"FRUITION."</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XI">CHAPTER XI.&mdash;"A NEW PHASE."</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XII">CHAPTER XII.&mdash;"I WAS A STRANGER AND YE TOOK ME IN."</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIII">CHAPTER XIII.&mdash;RECOGNITION.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIV">CHAPTER XIV.&mdash;IN THE TOILS.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XV">CHAPTER XV.&mdash;CROSS PURPOSES.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVI">CHAPTER XVI.&mdash;HANDLING THE RIBBONS.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVII">CHAPTER XVII.&mdash;TAKING COUNSEL.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XVIII">CHAPTER XVIII.&mdash;"MRS. NEEDHAM."</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XIX">CHAPTER XIX.&mdash;CONFESSION.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XX">CHAPTER XX.&mdash;PLENARY ABSOLUTION.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXI">CHAPTER XXI.&mdash;"NO."</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXII">CHAPTER XXII.&mdash;"WARP AND WOOF."</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIII">CHAPTER XXIII.&mdash;A WANDERER RETURNS.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIV">CHAPTER XXIV.&mdash;A TRAVELLER'S STORY.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXV">CHAPTER XXV.&mdash;"BREAD CAST ON THE WATERS."</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVI">CHAPTER XXVI.&mdash;COLONEL AND MRS. ORMONDE.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVII">CHAPTER XXVII.&mdash;A DINNER AT MRS. NEEDHAM'S.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXVIII">CHAPTER XXVIII.&mdash;KATHERINE IN OFFICE.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXIX">CHAPTER XXIX.&mdash;DE BURGH AGAIN.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXX">CHAPTER XXX.&mdash;"CIS AND CHARLIE."</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXI">CHAPTER XXXI.&mdash;"MISS BRADLEY AT HOME."</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXII">CHAPTER XXXII.&mdash;ILL MET.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIII">CHAPTER XXXIII.&mdash;REPULSION.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXIV">CHAPTER XXXIV.&mdash;RECONCILIATION.</a></td></tr>
+<tr><td align='left'><a href="#CHAPTER_XXXV">CHAPTER XXXV.&mdash;THE END.</a></td></tr>
+</table>
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2>
+
+<h3>"GATHERING CLOUDS."</h3>
+
+
+<p>The London season had not yet reached its height, some years ago, before
+the arch admitting to Constitution Hill had been swept back to make room
+for the huge, ever-increasing stream of traffic, or the plebeian 'bus
+had been permitted to penetrate the precincts of Hamilton Place. It was
+the forenoon of a splendid day, one of the earliest of June, and at that
+hour the roadway between the entrance to Hyde Park and the gate then
+surmounted by the statue of the Duke of Wellington on his drooping steed
+was comparatively free, when two gentlemen coming from opposite
+directions recognized each other, and paused at the gate of Apsley
+House&mdash;the elder, a stout, florid man of military aspect, middle age,
+and average height, with large gray mustache and small, slightly
+bloodshot eyes; the younger, who was tall and bony, might have been
+thirty, or even forty, so grave and sedate was his bearing, although his
+erect carriage, elastic step, and clear keen dark eyes suggested earlier
+manhood.</p>
+
+<p>Both had the indescribable well-groomed, freshly bathed look peculiar to
+Englishmen of the "upper ten."</p>
+
+<p>"Ha! Errington! I didn't know you were in town. I thought you were
+cruising somewhere with Melford, or rusticating at Garston Hall. I think
+your father expected you about this time."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think so. I was summoned by telegraph from Paris. My father was
+seized with a paralysis last week. He had just come up to town, and for
+a few days was dangerously ill, but is now slowly recovering."</p>
+
+<p>"Very sorry to hear of it. A man of his stamp would have been of immense
+value to the country. He had begun to take a very leading part in local
+matters. I trust he will come round."</p>
+
+<p>"I fear he will never be the same again. I doubt if he will be able to
+direct his own affairs as he used."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That's bad! You are not in the business, I believe?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; I never took any part in it. I almost regret I did not. It would, I
+imagine, be a relief to my father, now that his mind is less clear, to
+know that I was at the helm. But we have a capital man as manager, quite
+devoted to the house. I shall get my father down to the country as soon
+as I can, and I trust he'll come round."</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt he will. He was wonderfully hale and strong for his years."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay! how d'ye do, Bertie?" interrupted the first speaker, holding out
+his hand to a young man who came up from Hyde Park and seemed about to
+pass with a smile and a nod. "Who would have thought of meeting you in
+these godless regions? I hear you are busy 'slumming' from morning till
+night."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Colonel," returned Bertie&mdash;a slight, fair, boyish-looking man&mdash;"I
+am so far false to my new vocation as to have lost some irrevocable
+moments looking at the horses and horsewomen in the Row."</p>
+
+<p>"Aha! the old leaven, my dear boy! You are on the brink of
+perdition.&mdash;Don't you know Bertie Payne?" he continued, to his newly met
+friend. "He was one of my subs before he renounced the devil and all his
+works. He was with us at Barrackbore when you were in India."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think we have met," the other was beginning, when a young
+lady&mdash;toward whom the Colonel had already cast some sharp, admiring
+glances as she stood on the curbstone holding a hand of the smaller of
+two little boys in smart sailor suits&mdash;uttered a cry of dismay. The
+elder child had rushed into the road, as if to stop a passing omnibus,
+not seeing that a hansom was coming up at speed.</p>
+
+<p>The young man called Bertie dashed forward, and barely succeeded in
+snatching the child from under the wheel. A scramble of horses' feet, an
+imprecation or two shouted by the irritated driver, a noisy declaration
+from the "fare" that he should lose his train, and the scuffle was over.</p>
+
+<p>The little man, held firmly by the shoulder, was marched back to his
+young guardian.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you!&mdash;oh, thank you a thousand times! You have saved his life!"
+she exclaimed, fervently, in unsteady tones. Then to the child: "How
+could you break your promise to stay by me, Cecil? You would have been
+killed but for this gentleman!"</p>
+
+<p>"I wanted to catch the 'omlibus' for you, auntie!" he cried, with an
+irrepressible sob, though he gallantly tried to hold back his tears.</p>
+
+<p>"Hope the little fellow is none the worse of his fright," said the
+Colonel, advancing and raising his hat. "Can I be of any use?&mdash;can I
+call a cab?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, thank you; I will take an omnibus and get home as soon as I can.
+Cecil will soon forget his fright, I fear&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Sooner than you will," remarked Bertie. "There is a Royal Oak omnibus.
+Will that do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, thank you."</p>
+
+<p>"Come along, then, my young man; I will not let you go."</p>
+
+<p>Bertie put the trio into the vehicle, and the lookers-on saw that he
+shook hands with "auntie" as the conductor jumped on his perch and they
+rolled on.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Gad! there's a chance for you!" cried the Colonel as Bertie joined him.
+"An uncommon fine girl, by George! What a coloring! and a splendid pair
+of black eyes!"</p>
+
+<p>"I suspect extreme fright did a good deal for both, poor girl. Her eyes
+are brown, not black."</p>
+
+<p>"Brown! Nonsense! Didn't <i>you</i> think they were black?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did not observe them," returned the grave personage he addressed,
+indifferently. "The boy had a narrow escape. I must say good morning,"
+he added.</p>
+
+<p>"Stop a bit," cried the Colonel. "I must see you again before you leave
+town. Dine with me to-morrow at the Junior. And, Bertie&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Thanks, no, I am engaged." He said good-by and walked on.</p>
+
+<p>"Queer fellow that," said the Colonel, looking after him. "He got into
+some money troubles in India, left the army, and got converted. Now he
+is not exactly a Salvation soldier, but something of the kind. He'll be
+at you one of the days for a subscription to convert the crossing
+sweepers or some such undertaking. But you'll dine with me to-morrow.
+I'll tell you all the Clayshire gossip."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, I shall be very happy."</p>
+
+<p>"Then good-by for the present, I am engaged to lunch to meet one of the
+prettiest little widows you ever saw in your life, but she has no cash.
+Here, hansom," calling to the driver of a cab which was passing slowly.
+"I am a little late." He jumped in and drove off.</p>
+
+<p>His friend, with a slight grave smile, continued his walk to the
+Alexandria Hotel, the portals of which received him.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>Meantime the hero of the cab incident sat very demurely by his young
+aunt, as the omnibus rolled slowly up Park Lane, occasionally stealing
+inquisitive glances at her face.</p>
+
+<p>"You have been a <i>very</i> naughty boy, Cecil!" she exclaimed as her eyes
+met his. "How could I have gone home to mamma if I had been obliged to
+leave you behind?"</p>
+
+<p>"But you needn't, you know; you could have tied me up in a bundle and
+taken me back. Mamma would have known it wasn't your fault."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not so sure of that, and you have made poor Charlie cry,"&mdash;drawing
+the younger boy to her side.</p>
+
+<p>"Charlie is just a baby," contemptuously.</p>
+
+<p>"He is a better boy than you are." Silence.</p>
+
+<p>"Auntie, do you think the gentleman who pulled me back was the old
+gentleman's son?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I do not think he was."</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you, auntie?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can hardly say why."</p>
+
+<p>"I have seen that gentleman&mdash;the old gentleman&mdash;in Kensington Gardens,"
+said little Charlie, nestling up to his aunt. "He spoke to mammy the day
+she took me to feed the ducks."</p>
+
+<p>"I think that is only a fancy, dear."</p>
+
+<p>"No; I am quite sure."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you are always fancying things; you are a silly," cried<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span> Cecil, now
+quite recovered, and turning to kneel upon the seat that he might look
+out, thereby rubbing his feet on the very best "afternoon" dress of a
+severely respectable female, whose rubicund face expressed "drat the
+boy!" as strongly as a face could.</p>
+
+<p>The rest of the journey was accomplished after the usual style of such
+travels when the aunt and nephews went out together. Cecil was
+constantly rebuked and made to sit down, and as constantly resumed his
+favorite position; so that he ultimately reached home with beautifully
+clean shoes, having wiped "the dust off his feet" effectually on the
+garments of his fellow-passengers, while his little brother nestled to
+his auntie's side and gazed observantly on his fellow-travellers,
+arriving at curious conclusions respecting them, to be afterward set
+forth to the amusement of his hearers.</p>
+
+<p>Leaving the omnibus at the Royal Oak, the trio diverged to one of the
+streets between that well-known establishment and the Bayswater Road&mdash;a
+street which had still a few trees and small semi-detached villas, with
+front gardens left at one end, the relics of a past when Penrhyn Place
+was "quite the country"; while at the other, bricks, mortar,
+scaffolding, and a deeply rutted roadway indicated the commencement of
+mansions which would soon swallow up their humbler predecessors.</p>
+
+<p>At one of these villas, the garden of which was tolerably neat, the
+little boys and their aunt stopped, and were admitted by a smart but not
+over-clean girl, who welcomed the children with a cheerful, "Well,
+Master Cecil, you are just in nice time for dinner! Come, get your
+things off; your gran'ma has a treat for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Has she? Oh, what is it? Do tell, Lottie!"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't mind, dear, if you are tired; your morning-gown will do very
+well, as we are alone."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no; I must honor Cecil's birthday with my best dress. These trifles
+are important."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose so," returned her daughter, looking after her gravely, as she
+left the room.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Liddell was tall, and the lines of her figure considerably
+enlarged. Yet she had not quite lost the grace for which she was once
+remarkable. Her light brown hair had a pale look from the increasing
+admixture of gray, and her blue eyes seemed faded by much use. It was a
+kind, thoughtful, worn face from which they looked, yet it could still
+smile brightly.</p>
+
+<p>"She looks very, very tired," thought her daughter. "I must make her lie
+down if I can; it is so hard to make her rest!" She too looked uneasily
+at the mass of writing on the table, and then went away to remove her
+out-door attire.</p>
+
+<p>The birthday dinner gave great satisfaction. It was crowned by a
+plum-pudding, terrible as such a compound must always be in June; but it
+was a favorite "goody" with the young hero of the day. Grandmamma made
+herself as agreeable as though she was one of a party of wits, and drank
+her grandson's health in a bottle of choice gooseberry, proposing it in
+a "neat and appropriate" speech, which gave rise to much uproarious
+mirth and delight. At last the feast was over; the children retired to
+amuse themselves with a horse and a wheelbarrow&mdash;some of the birthday
+gifts&mdash;in the back garden<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span> (a wilderness resigned to their ravages), and
+Mrs. Liddell and her daughter were left alone.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, mother, <i>do</i> come and lie down on the sofa in the drawing-room. I
+see you are out of sorts. You hardly tasted food, and you are dreadfully
+tired; come and rest. I will read you to sleep."</p>
+
+<p>"No, Kate; there can be no rest for me, my darling," returned her
+mother, rising, and beginning to put the plates and glasses together
+with a nervous movement. "I <i>am</i> out of sorts, for I have had a great
+disappointment. <i>The Family Friend</i> has refused my three-volume novel,
+and I really have not the heart to try it anywhere else after such
+repeated rejections. At the same time Skinner &amp; Palm write to say they
+cannot use my short story, 'On the Rack,' for five or six months, as
+they have such a quantity of already accepted manuscripts."</p>
+
+<p>"How provoking!" cried Katherine. "But come away; the drawing-room is
+cooler; let us go there and talk things over."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Liddell accepted the suggestion, and sank into an arm-chair, while
+her daughter let down the blinds, and then placed herself on a low
+ottoman opposite her.</p>
+
+<p>There was a short silence; then Mrs. Liddell sighed and began: "I
+counted so much on that short story for ready money! Skinner always pays
+directly he has published. Now I do not know what to do. If I take it
+back I may fail to dispose of it, yet I cannot wait. But the novel&mdash;that
+is the worst disappointment of all. I suppose it was foolish, but I felt
+<i>sure</i> about that."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course you did," cried Katherine, eagerly. "It is an excellent
+story."</p>
+
+<p>"It is not worse than many Santley brings out," resumed Mrs. Liddell;
+"but one is no judge of one's own work. It was with reluctance I offered
+it to <i>The Family Friend</i>, and you see&mdash;" her voice faltered, and she
+stopped abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine knew the tears were in her eyes and swelling her heart. She
+restrained the impulse to throw her arms round her; she feared to
+agitate her mother; rather she would help her self-control.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, dear, I am no great judge, but I am quite sure that such a story
+as yours must succeed sooner or later. So we will be patient."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! but, Katie, the landlord and the butcher will not wait, and, my
+child, I have only about five pounds. I made too sure of success for I
+did so well last year. Then Madame de Corset will soon be sending in her
+bill for that famous dress of Ada's, and she will want the money she
+lent me."</p>
+
+<p>"Then Madame de Corset must wait," said Katherine, firmly. "Ada is
+really your debtor. Where could she live at so small a cost as with you?
+Where could she be so free to run about without a thought for the
+children? What has become of her? Couldn't she stay with Cecil on his
+birthday?"</p>
+
+<p>"She is gone to luncheon with the Burnetts. It is as well to keep up
+with them; their influence might be useful to the boys hereafter; but I
+do wish I could pay her."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you could, for it would make you happier; but she really owes
+you ten pounds and more."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What shall I do about that novel? If I could get two hundred&mdash;even one
+hundred&mdash;pounds for it, I should do well. I began to hope I might make
+both ends meet with my pen. Oh, Katie dear, I am ashamed of myself, but
+for the first time in my life I feel beaten. I feel as if I could not
+come up to time again. It has been such a long, weary battle!" She
+pressed her handkerchief to her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish <i>I</i> could give you rest, darling mother!" said Katherine, taking
+her hand and fondling it. "I fear I have been too useless&mdash;too
+thoughtless."</p>
+
+<p>"You have done all you could, my child; one cannot expect much from
+nineteen. But I wish&mdash;I wish I could think of any means of deliverance
+from my present difficulty. A small sum would suffice. Where to find it
+is the question. I counted too much on those unlucky manuscripts, and
+now I do not know where to turn; I see a vista of debt." A sudden fit of
+coughing interrupted her.</p>
+
+<p>"You have taken cold, mother," cried Katherine. "I heard you coughing
+this morning. I was sure you would suffer for sitting near the open
+window in the study last night."</p>
+
+<p>"It was so hot!" murmured Mrs. Liddell, lying back exhausted.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, but it was also frightfully damp. Tell me, mother, is there
+anything we can sell?&mdash;anything&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Liddell interrupted her. "Nothing, dear. The few jewels I had
+preserved went when I was trying to furnish this house. I fancied we
+should do well in a house of our own, and I was so anxious to make a
+home for my poor boy's widow!"</p>
+
+<p>"When do you expect any more money?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not for nearly two months, and then another quarter's rent will be
+due."</p>
+
+<p>"Mother," said Katherine, after a moment's silence, "would not my
+father's brother, of whom I heard you speak, help you? It is dreadful to
+ask, but he is so near a kinsman, and childless."</p>
+
+<p>"It is useless to think of it. He and your father quarrelled about
+money, and he is implacable. His only child, a son, opposed him, and he
+drove him away. Poor fellow! he was killed in Australia."</p>
+
+<p>"Why have hard-hearted wretches heaps of money, while kind, generous
+souls like you never have a farthing?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is a mystery of long standing," said Mrs. Liddell, with a faint
+smile. "Katie, I cannot think or talk any more. I will go and lie down
+in my own room. There neither Ada nor the children can disturb me. Oh,
+my darling, how can I ever die in peace if I leave <i>you</i> to do battle
+with the bitter, bitter world unprovided for?" Her voice quivered, and
+the hand she laid on her daughter's trembled.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not fear for me, mother. I am tougher and more selfish than you are.
+It is time I worked for you. How feverish you are! Come up to your own
+room. You will see things differently when you have had a little sleep.
+If the worst comes, <i>I</i> will tell Ada that we must give up the house and
+go back to lodgings. We never had difficulties before we came here."</p>
+
+<p>"No, for we never had debts. Now I have, and I have this house for
+nearly three years longer. It is not so easy to shake off engagements as
+you would a cloak that had grown too heavy."</p>
+
+<p>So saying, Mrs. Liddell rose and ascended to the room she shared<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span> with
+her daughter, whom she allowed to take off her dress and put on her
+wrapper, to arrange her pillows, to bathe her brow in eau-de-cologne and
+water, and soothe her with those loving touches, those tender cares,
+that the heart alone can prompt, till in spite of the cloud and thick
+darkness that hid her future, Mrs. Liddell was calmed by the delicious
+sense of her daughter's love and sympathy.</p>
+
+<p>"I will make a list of editors," said Katherine&mdash;"I mean those whom you
+have not tried&mdash;and go round to them myself. Perhaps I may bring you
+luck."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; your young life is more likely to have fortune on its side: the
+fickle jade has forsaken me."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine made no reply beyond a gentle kiss. She sat silently by her
+mother's side, till feeling the hand that held hers relax its hold, she
+slowly and softly withdrew her own, comforted to perceive that balmy
+sleep had stolen upon the weary woman.</p>
+
+<p>Still she sat there thinking with all the force of her young brain,
+partly remembering, partly anticipating.</p>
+
+<p>Of her father she had scarce any knowledge. She was but four years old
+when he died, and her only brother was nearly fourteen. The eldest and
+youngest of Mrs. Liddell's children were the survivors of several.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine's memory of her childish days presented the dim picture of a
+quaint foreign town; of blue skies, bright sunshine, and abundant
+vegetation; of large rooms and a smiling black-eyed attendant in a
+peculiar head-dress; of some one lying back in a large chair, near whom
+she must never make a noise. Then came a change; mother always in black,
+with a white cap, and often weeping, and of colder winters, snow and
+skating&mdash;a happy time, for she was always with mother both in lesson and
+play time, whilst Fred used to go away early to school. Next, clear and
+distinct, was the recollection of her first visit to London, and from
+this time she was the companion and confidante of her mother. They were
+poor&mdash;at least every outlay had to be carefully considered&mdash;but Katie
+never knew the want of money. Then came the excitement and preparation
+attending Fred's departure for India, the mixture of sorrow and
+satisfaction with which her mother parted from him, of how bitterly she
+had cried herself; for though somewhat tyrannical, Fred had been always
+kind and generous.</p>
+
+<p>How well she remembered the day he had left them never to return&mdash;how
+her mother had clasped her to her heart and exclaimed: "You must be all
+in all to me now, Katie. I have done but little for you yet, dear, Fred
+needed so much."</p>
+
+<p>A spell of happy, busy life in Germany followed, enlivened by long
+letters from the young Indian officer, whose career seemed full of
+promise. But when Katherine was a little more than thirteen sorrow fell
+upon them. Fred's letters had become irregular; then came a confession
+of weakness and debt, crowned by the supreme folly of marriage,
+concluding with a prayer for help.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Liddell was cruelly disappointed. She had hoped and expected much
+from her boy. She believed he was doing so well! She told all to Katie,
+who heartily agreed with her that Fred must be helped. Some of their
+slender capital was sold out and sent to him,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span> while mother and daughter
+cheerfully accepted the loss of many trifling indulgences, drawing the
+narrow limits of their expenditure closer still, content and free from
+debt, though as time went on Katherine cast many a longing glance at the
+world of social enjoyment in which their poverty forbade her to triumph.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Liddell had always loved literature, and her husband had been an
+accomplished though a reckless and self-indulgent man. She had wandered
+a good deal with him, and had seen a great variety of people and places.
+It occurred to her to try her pen as a means of adding to her income,
+and after some failures she succeeded with one or two of the smaller
+weekly periodicals. This induced her to return to London, hoping to do
+better in that great centre of work. Here the tidings of her son's death
+overwhelmed her. Next came an imploring letter from the young widow, who
+had no near relatives, praying to be allowed to live with her and
+Katherine&mdash;sharing expenses&mdash;as the pension to which an officer's widow
+and orphans were entitled insured her a small provision.</p>
+
+<p>So Mrs. Liddell again roused herself, and managed to furnish very
+scantily the little home where Katherine sat thinking. But the addition
+to their income was but meagre compared to the expenses which followed
+in the train of Mrs Frederic Liddell and her two "little Indian boys."</p>
+
+<p>All the efforts of the practical mother and daughter did not suffice to
+keep within the limits they dreaded to overpass. Mrs. Liddell's pen
+became more than ever essential to the maintenance of the household,
+while the younger widow considered herself a martyr to the most sordid,
+the most unnecessary stinginess.</p>
+
+<p>A tapping at the door and suppressed childish laughter called Katherine
+from her thoughts. She rose and opened the door quickly and softly.</p>
+
+<p>"Hush, Cecil! be quiet, Charlie! poor grannie is asleep. Come with me
+downstairs; I will read to you if you like."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes, do," said Charlie.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't care for reading," cried Cecil. "Can't you play bears?"</p>
+
+<p>"It makes too much noise. I will play it to-morrow if grandmamma is
+better. Shall I tell you a story?"</p>
+
+<p>"No," said Cecil; "<i>I</i> will tell <i>you</i> one."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well. I shall be delighted to hear it."</p>
+
+<p>"I would rather have you read, auntie," said the little one.</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind, Charlie; I will read to you after."</p>
+
+<p>"Shall we sit in the garden? We have made it quite clean and tidy."</p>
+
+<p>"No, dear; grannie would hear us there. Come into the dining-room."</p>
+
+<p>Established there, the boys one on each side of her, Katherine listened
+to the young story-teller, who began fluently: "There was once two
+little boys called Jimmie and Frank. Frank was the biggest; he was very
+strong and very courageous; and he learned his lessons very well when he
+liked, but he did not always like. The two little boys had an aunt; she
+was nice and pleasant sometimes, but more times she was cross and
+disagreeable, and she spoiled Jimmie a great deal. One day they went out
+to walk a long way, and saw lots of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span> people riding, and Jimmmie grew
+tired, and so did Frank, but Frank would not complain, and their aunt
+was so unkind that she would not call a hansom; so when they came to a
+great street Frank thought he would catch an omnibus, and he ran out
+quick&mdash;quick. He would have caught it, but his aunt was so silly and
+such a coward that she sent a man after him, who nearly dragged him
+under the feet of a horse that was coming up, and they would both have
+been killed if Frank had not called out to the cabman to stop."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Cecil, that is you and I. <i>What</i> a story! Auntie is not unkind, and
+you did not call out," cried Charlie.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine could not help laughing at the little monkey's version of the
+incident.</p>
+
+<p>"Cecil, Cecil, you must learn to tell the truth&mdash;" she was beginning,
+when the door was opened, and a small, slight lady in black silk, with a
+profusion of delicate gray ribbons, jet trimming, and foamy white tulle
+ruching, stood in the doorway. She was very fair, with light eyes, a
+soft pink color, and pale golden brown hair&mdash;altogether daintily pretty.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mammy! mammy! where have you been all my birthday?" cried the elder
+boy, rushing to her.</p>
+
+<p>"My own precious darling, do not put your dear dirty little paws on my
+dress!" she exclaimed, in alarm. "I was <i>obliged</i> to go, my boy; but I
+have brought you a bag of sweets; it is in the hall. Dear me! how stuffy
+this room is! Mrs. Burnett's house is <i>so</i> cool and fresh! It looks into
+a charming garden at the back; and oh, how delightful it must be to be
+rich!" She had advanced into the room as she spoke, and began to untie
+and smooth out her bonnet strings.</p>
+
+<p>"It must indeed," returned Katherine, with a deep sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"I will go and put on an old dress; this one is too pretty to spoil, and
+the house is <i>so</i> dusty. Do you think it becoming, Katherine?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, very"&mdash;with an indulgent smile. "You ought always to wear
+half-mourning; it suits you admirably."</p>
+
+<p>"I think it does; but I must put it off some day, you know. Cecil dear,
+go and ask cook to make me a cup of tea. I will have it up in my room.
+Charlie, don't cuddle up against your aunt in that way; it makes her too
+hot, and you will grow crooked." Charlie jumped down from his chair and
+held up his face.</p>
+
+<p>"There, dear," giving a hasty kiss. "Don't worry."</p>
+
+<p>"Mammy," said Cecil, with much solemnity, "I was nearly killed to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense, dear! This is one of your wonderful inventions. What does he
+mean, Katherine?"</p>
+
+<p>"He might have been. He darted from me at Hyde Park Corner, intending to
+catch an omnibus, and would have been run over if a gentleman had not
+snatched him from under the horses' feet."</p>
+
+<p>"My precious boy!" laying her hand on his head, but keeping him at a
+distance. "How wrong of you, Katherine, to let his hand go!"</p>
+
+<p>"I did not let it go; I was not holding it," returned Katherine, dryly.</p>
+
+<p>"At Hyde Park Corner?" pursued Mrs. Frederic Liddell, eagerly. "Was the
+gentleman soldierly and stout, with gray mustaches?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No. He was young and slight and clean-shaved."</p>
+
+<p>"That is curious; for Colonel Ormonde was saying at luncheon to-day that
+he had saved, or helped to save, such a pretty little boy from being run
+over. I don't exactly remember what he said. I was listening to Mrs. De
+Vere Hopkins, and Mrs. Burnett's boy was making a noise. Colonel Ormonde
+said he was just like a little fellow he had seen nearly run over that
+morning. I am sure Tom Burnett is not half as handsome as my Cecil."</p>
+
+<p>"I should not have been run over if auntie had left me alone."</p>
+
+<p>"Go and get mother's tea, and you, Charlie, fetch her some nice bread
+and butter," said Katherine, who, though six or seven years her
+sister-in-law's junior, looked at first sight older. "There <i>was</i> an
+elderly gentleman such as you describe, talking with the young man who
+rescued Cecil, and he was very polite and interested in Cecil, who broke
+away from me, though he had promised to stay by my side."</p>
+
+<p>"Promised," repeated Mrs. Frederic, lightly, and carefully dusting her
+bonnet with her handkerchief. "What can you expect from a child's
+promise? But poor Cecil rarely does right in your eyes."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense, Ada!"</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all. I am very observant. But tell me, did Colonel Ormonde take
+much notice of Cecil?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know. I was too much frightened to see anything but the dear
+child himself."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Frederic did not reply for a moment; she seemed to be thinking
+deeply. "Where did you get those flowers&mdash;those you bought on Saturday
+for sixpence?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! at the little florist's on Queen's Road. It was late in the
+evening, you know, or they would not have been so cheap."</p>
+
+<p>"I should like some to-morrow to make the drawing-room look pretty, if
+possible, for Colonel Ormonde said he would call. He wishes to see some
+of my Otocammed photographs. Heigho! it is a miserable place to receive
+any one in."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you see, it must do."</p>
+
+<p>"Really, Katherine, you are very unsympathetic. If you have a fault,
+dear, it is selfishness. You don't mind my saying so?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, not at all. I am thankful for the 'if.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Where is your mother?"</p>
+
+<p>"Lying down. She is tired, and has a horrid headache."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure I don't wonder at it, toiling from morning till night for
+those wretched papers. I was telling Mrs. Burnett to-day that my
+mother-in-law was an authoress, but when I mentioned that she wrote for
+<i>The Family Friend</i> and <i>The Cheerful Visitor</i>, Lady Everton, who writes
+in <i>The Court Journal</i> and various grand things of that kind, said they
+were quite low publications, and never got higher than the servants'
+hall."</p>
+
+<p>"You need not have gone into particulars, Ada. Whether my mother writes
+well or ill, the pressure on her is too great to allow of her picking or
+choosing; she must catch at the quickest market."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure it is a great pity. That is the reason I stay on here, and let
+you teach Cis and Charlie, though Colonel Ormonde says the sooner boys
+are out of a woman's hands the better."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"If Colonel Ormonde is the old man I saw this morning, he looks more
+capable of judging a dinner than what is the best training for youth."</p>
+
+<p>"Old!" screamed the pretty widow. "He is not old; he is only mature. He
+is very well off, too. He has a place in the country. And as to
+mentioning those papers, I know nothing of such things. <i>The Nineteenth
+Century</i>, or <i>Bow Bells</i>, or <i>The Family Friend</i>, they are all the same
+to me. Only I am sure such a nice lady-like woman as Mrs. Liddell should
+not write for the servants' hall. She must have been so handsome, too!
+Fred, poor fellow, was her image. You will never be so good-looking,
+Kate."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I don't suppose I shall," returned Katherine, with much equanimity.</p>
+
+<p>"Are there any letters for me?" asked Mrs. Frederic, looking round as
+she lifted her bonnet from the table.</p>
+
+<p>"Here are two."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! this is from Harry Vigors. I suppose he is coming home. And oh!
+this is Madame de Corset's bill"&mdash;putting down her bonnet and opening
+it. "Eleven pounds seventeen and ninepence-half-penny. Why, this is
+abominable! She promised it should not be much more than ten pounds.
+There is five per cent off for ready money. Oh, I'll pay it immediately.
+How much will that be altogether, Kate? Eleven shillings? Well, that is
+worth saving. It will buy me two pairs of gloves. Now I'll go and rest.
+Tell me when Mrs. Liddell is awake."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2>
+
+<h3>BREAKING NEW GROUND.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Katherine took care that her sister-in-law should not have an
+opportunity of private conversation with Mrs. Liddell, that evening at
+least.</p>
+
+<p>She rolled up and arranged the disordered manuscripts, putting the small
+study in order, and locking away the rejected tales. Then she proposed
+conducting the young widow to the florist's, as the evening grew cooler,
+and made herself agreeable by listening attentively to the little
+woman's description of the luncheon party, and her repetition of all the
+pretty things said to her by the various gentlemen present, especially
+by Colonel Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I do not mind their nonsense, but however my heart may cling
+to dear Fred's memory, I must think of my precious boys," was her
+conclusion. To which Katherine answered, "Of course," as she would have
+answered any proposition, however wild, provided only she could save her
+mother from worry, at least for that evening.</p>
+
+<p>Next day was showery and dull. True to her resolution, Katherine put her
+mother's lucubrations into their covers, and prepared to start on her
+projected round.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not sure I ought to let you go, Katie dear," said Mrs.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span> Liddell,
+as her daughter came into the study in her out-door dress. "It is rather
+a wild goose chase. Why should you succeed for me when I have failed for
+myself? Besides, personal interviews are of no avail. No editor will
+take work that does not suit him, however interesting the applicant."</p>
+
+<p>"Nevertheless I will go. I shall bring a new element into the business,
+and I <i>may</i> be lucky! Why have you plunged into these horrid accounts?"
+pointing to a pile of small books, and a sheaf of backs of letters
+scribbled over with calculations. "This is not the way to cheer
+yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"My love, it is a change of occupation, at least, to revert to the old
+yet ever new problem of life&mdash;how to extract thirty shillings from a
+sovereign. I am trying to see where we can possibly retrench. What is
+Ada doing?"</p>
+
+<p>"She is decking the drawing-room and herself for the reception of
+Colonel Ormonde, who is coming to afternoon tea."</p>
+
+<p>"What, already?"</p>
+
+<p>"She is quite excited, I assure you. Is it not soon to think of&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Do not judge her harshly. She is a woman not made to live alone. In due
+time I shall be glad to see her happily married, for she <i>will</i> marry."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me, is that irreconcilable uncle of mine really still alive? How
+long is it since you heard anything of him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, more than six or seven years. But I am sure he is alive. I should
+have heard of his death. I suppose he is still living on in Camden
+Town."</p>
+
+<p>"Not a very agreeable quarter," returned Katherine, carelessly.
+"Good-by, mother dear! Do not expect me to dinner. I can have something
+whenever I come in."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine walked briskly toward town, intending to save some of her
+omnibus fare, for she had planned a long and daring expedition&mdash;an
+undertaking which taxed all her courage. In truth, though she had never
+known the ease or luxury of wealth, she had been most tenderly brought
+up. Her mother had constantly shielded her from all the roughness of
+life, and the deed she contemplated seemed to her mind an almost
+desperate effort of independent action.</p>
+
+<p>Through one of the very few sleepless nights she had ever experienced
+she had thought out an idea which had flashed through her brain while
+Mrs. Liddell was explaining her difficulties, and which she had
+carefully kept to herself.</p>
+
+<p>She saw clearly enough the hopelessness of their position; probably with
+the intensity of youth she exaggerated it, which was scarcely necessary,
+as a small rut is apt to widen into a bottomless pit if it crosses the
+path of those who are living up to the utmost verge of a narrow income.
+As she reviewed the endless instances of her mother's self-abnegation
+which memory supplied&mdash;her cheerful industry, her brave struggle to live
+like a gentlewoman on a pittance, her tender thought for the welfare and
+happiness of her children&mdash;she felt she could walk through a burning
+fiery furnace if by so doing she could earn ease and repose for her
+mother's weary spirit.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"She is looking ill and worn," thought Katherine, "and years older. She
+has never been the same since that attack of bronchitis last year. Ada
+and the boys are too much for her, though they are dear little fellows;
+but they are costly. If Ada would even give us twenty pounds a year more
+it would be a great help."</p>
+
+<p>The project Katherine had evolved through the night-watches was to visit
+her uncle and ask him, face to face, for help! It is, she argued, harder
+to say "no" than to write it; even if she failed she should know her
+fate at once, and not have to endure the agony of waiting for a letter.
+Nor, were she refused, need her mother ever know now she had humiliated
+herself in the dust.</p>
+
+<p>How her young heart sank within her at the thought of being harshly,
+contemptuously rejected! It was a positive painful physical sense of
+faintness that made her limbs tremble as she pressed on faster than she
+was aware. "But I <i>will</i> do it&mdash;I will! If I succeed no humiliation will
+be too great," she said to herself. "I will speak with all my soul! When
+I begin, this horrible feeling that my tongue is dry and speechless will
+go away. I must find out where this awful old man is; what is his street
+and number. I dared not ask mother. First I will try the publisher; as
+the 'servants' hall' publications have rejected it, I shall offer
+<i>Darrell's Doom</i> to a first-rate house. Why not try Channing &amp; Wyndham?
+They cannot say worse than 'no,' and I shall no doubt see a Directory
+there." Thus communing with herself, she took an omnibus down Park Lane
+and walked thence to the well-known temple of the Muses in Piccadilly.</p>
+
+<p>Arrived there, a civil clerk took her card&mdash;which was her mother's&mdash;and
+soon returning, asked if she had an appointment. "No, I have not, but
+pray ask Mr. Channing or Mr. Wyndham to see me; I will not stay more
+than a few minutes." The young man smiled slightly; he was accustomed to
+such assurances. Almost as Katherine spoke, a stout "country gentleman"
+looking person came into the warehouse, slightly raising his hat as he
+passed her. A sudden inspiration prompted her to say, "Pray excuse me,
+but are you Mr. Wyndham?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am."</p>
+
+<p>"Then do let me speak to you for five minutes."</p>
+
+<p>"With pleasure," said the great publisher, graciously, and ushered her
+into a sort of literary loose box or small enclosure in the remote
+back-ground.</p>
+
+<p>"I have ventured to bring you a manuscript," began Katherine, smiling
+with all her might, with an abject desire to propitiate the arbiter of
+her mother's fate.</p>
+
+<p>"So I see," he returned, ruefully but politely.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a beautiful story, and I thought it ought to be published by a
+great house like yours," pursued Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," he said, with a twinkle in his eye. "Pray is it your own?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mine! Oh dear no! It is my mother's. She is not very strong, so <i>I</i>
+brought it."</p>
+
+<p>There was a slight faltering in her voice that suggested a good deal to
+her hearer. "Then you are not Mrs. W. Liddell," glancing at<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span> the card,
+"but Mrs. Liddell's daughter. Pray put down that heavy parcel. Three
+volumes, I suppose?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, three volumes, but they are not very long, and the story is most
+interesting."</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt. I hope it is not historical?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no! quite modern."</p>
+
+<p>"So much the better. Well, Miss Liddell, I will look at the manuscript,
+or rather our reader shall, and let you know the result in due course;
+but I must warn you that we are rather overdone with three-volume
+novels, and there are already a large number of manuscripts awaiting
+perusal, so you must not expect our verdict for some little time."</p>
+
+<p>"When you will, but oh! as soon as you can," she urged.</p>
+
+<p>"I will keep your address, and you shall hear at the earliest date we
+can manage. Good-morning. Very damp, uncomfortable day."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine felt herself dismissed, and almost forgot her ulterior
+intention. "Would you be so very good as to let me look at the
+Directory, if you have one?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly," said Wyndham, who was slipping the card under the string of
+poor Katherine's parcel. "Here, Tompkins, let this young lady see the
+Directory. Excuse me&mdash;I am a good deal pressed for time;" and with a bow
+he went off, the manuscript under his arm.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it is really in his hands, at all events," thought Katherine,
+looking wistfully after it.</p>
+
+<p>A boy with inky hands here placed that thick volume, the Post-Office
+Directory, before her, and she proceeded to search confusedly among the
+endless pages of names, a little strengthened and cheered by her brief
+interview with the publisher. It seemed that she was in a lucky vein:
+trouble is always conducive to superstition. When visible hope fails,
+poor human hearts turn to the invisible and the improbable.</p>
+
+<p>At last she paused at "John Wilmot Liddell, 27 Legrave Crescent, Camden
+Town, N. W." That must be her uncle; they were all Wilmot Liddells. How
+to reach his abode was the question.</p>
+
+<p>The inky boy soon gave her the requisite information. "You take a
+Waterloo 'bus at Piccadilly Circus; it runs through to Camden Town; that
+is, to the beginning of Camden Town," he said. Katherine thanked him,
+and again set forth.</p>
+
+<p>It was a long, tedious drive. The omnibus was crammed with warm
+passengers and damp umbrellas, but Katherine was too racked with
+impatience and fear to heed small discomforts. Would her dreaded
+relative order her out of his sight at once? Was her interview with the
+publisher a good omen?</p>
+
+<p>At last she reached the end of her journey, and addressing herself to
+the tutelary policeman solemnly pacing past the Tavern where the omnibus
+paused, she asked to be directed to Legrave Crescent.</p>
+
+<p>It was an old-fashioned row of houses, before them a few sooty trees in
+a half-moon of grass, one side railed off from the street and dignified
+with gates at either end&mdash;gates which were always open.</p>
+
+<p>The place had a still, deserted air, but about the middle stood a cab,
+on which a rheumatic driver, assisted by a small boy, was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span> placing a
+cumbrous box. As Katherine approached she found that the house before
+which it stood bore the number she sought, and on reaching it she found
+the door held open by a little smutty girl, the very lowest type of
+slavey, with unkempt hair, and a rough holland apron of the grimiest
+aspect. On the top step stood a stout woman, fairly well dressed in a
+large shawl and a straw bonnet largely decorated with crushed artificial
+flowers; a very red, angry face appeared beneath it, with watery eyes
+and a coarse, half-open mouth. All this Katherine saw, but hardly
+observed, so strongly was her attention attracted to a figure that stood
+a few paces within the entrance&mdash;a tall, thin old man, bent and leaning
+on a stick. He was wrapped in a long dressing-gown of dull dark gray,
+evidently much worn; slippers were on his feet, and a black velvet
+skull-cap on his head, from under which some thin straggling locks of
+white hair escaped. His thin aquiline features and dark sunken eyes were
+alight with an expression of malignant fury; one long claw-like hand was
+outstretched with a gesture of dismissal, the other grasped the top of
+his stick. "Begone, you accursed drunken thief!" he was almost screaming
+in a shrill voice. "I would take you to the police, court if there was
+anything to be got out of you; but it would only be throwing good money
+away after bad. Get you gone to the ditch where you'll die! You
+guzzling, muzzling fool, to leave my house without a shilling after all
+your pilfering!"</p>
+
+<p>While he uttered these words with frightful vehemence, the woman he
+addressed kept up a rapid undercurrent of reply.</p>
+
+<p>"Living with a miserable screwy miser like you would make a saint drink!
+Do you think people will serve you for nothing, and not pay themselves
+somehow? The likes of you are born to be robbed&mdash;and may your last crust
+be stole from you, you old skinflint!" With this last defiance, she
+turned and threw herself hastily into the cab, which crawled away as if
+horse and driver were equally rheumatic.</p>
+
+<p>"Shut the door," said the old man, hoarsely, as if exhausted.</p>
+
+<p>"Please, sir, there's a lady here," said the little slavey. Katherine,
+who was as frightened as if she were face to face with a lunatic, had a
+terrible conviction that this appalling old man was her uncle. How
+should she ever address him? What an unfortunate time to have fallen
+upon!</p>
+
+<p>"What do you want?" asked the old man, fiercely, frowning till his
+shaggy white eyebrows almost met over his angry black eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I want to see Mr. John Wilmot Liddell."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you see him! Who are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Katherine Liddell, your niece."</p>
+
+<p>"My niece!" with inexpressible contempt and disbelief, "Well, niece or
+not, you may serve a turn. Can you read?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, of course."</p>
+
+<p>"Come, then&mdash;come in." He turned and walked with some difficulty to the
+door of the front parlor. Half bewildered, Katherine followed
+mechanically, and the small servant shut the front door, putting up the
+chain with a good deal of noise.</p>
+
+<p>The room to which Katherine was so unceremoniously introduced was of
+good size, covered with a carpet of which no pattern and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span> very little
+color were left. The furniture was old-fashioned and solid; a
+dining-table covered with faded green baize was in the middle, and a
+writing-table with several drawers was placed near the fireplace, beside
+which stood a high-backed leather arm-chair, old, worn, dirty. A
+wretched fire was dying out in the grate, almost choked by the red ashes
+of the very cheapest coal.</p>
+
+<p>An odor of dust long undisturbed pervaded the atmosphere, and the dull
+damp weather without added to the extreme gloom. Indeed the door of this
+apartment might well have borne Dante's inscription over the entrance to
+a warmer place.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Liddell went with feeble rapidity across to where a large newspaper
+lay upon the floor, and resting one hand on the writing-table, stooped
+painfully to raise it.</p>
+
+<p>"There! read&mdash;read the price-list to me. I am blind and helpless, for
+that jade has hid my glasses. I know she has. I cannot find them
+anywhere, and I <i>must</i> know how Turkish bonds are going. Read to me.
+I'll hear what you have to say after." He thrust the paper into her
+hand, and sat down in the high-backed chair.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Katherine felt almost dazed. She took a seat at the other side of
+the table, and began to look for the mysterious list. The geography of
+the mighty <i>Times</i> was unknown to her, and even in her mother's humbler
+penny paper the City article was a portion she never glanced at. While
+she turned the wide pages, painfully bewildered, the old man "glowered"
+at her.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think you know what you are looking for," he cried,
+impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not indeed! If you will show it to me&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>He snatched it from her, and pointed out the part he wished to hear.
+"Read from the beginning," he said.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine obeyed, her courage returning as she found herself thus
+strangely installed within the fortress she feared to attack. She
+stumbled occasionally, and was sharply set upon her feet, in the matter
+of figures, by her eager hearer. At last she came to Turkish six per
+cents.</p>
+
+<p>"Eighty-seven to eighty-eight and a quarter."</p>
+
+<p>"Ha!" muttered the old man, "that's an advance! good! nothing to be done
+there yet. Now read the railway stocks."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine obeyed. When she came to "Florida and Teche debentures,
+sixty-two and a half to sixty-five and three-fourths," she was startled
+by a sort of shrill shout. "Ay! <i>that's</i> a rise! Some rigging design
+there! I must write&mdash;I must. Where, where has that&mdash;&mdash;harridan hid my
+glasses? Why, it is almost twelve o'clock! the boy will be here for the
+paper immediately. And the post! the post! I must catch the post. Can
+you write?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes! Shall I write for you?"</p>
+
+<p>"You shall! you shall! here's paper"&mdash;rising and opening an ancient
+blotting-book, its covers all scribbled over with tiny figures, the
+result of much calculating, he hastily set forth writing materials, his
+lean, claw-like, dirty hands trembling with eagerness. "Hear, hear,
+write fast."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine, growing a little clearer, and amazed at her own increasing
+self-possession, drew off her gloves, and taking the rusty pen offered
+her, wrote at his dictation:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span><br /><br /></p>
+
+
+<p>"<i>To Messrs. Rogers &amp; Stokes, Corbett Court, E. C.</i>:</p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 1em;">"Gentlemen</span>,&mdash;Sell all my Florida shares if possible to-day,
+even if they decline a quarter.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 22em;">"I am yours faithfully&mdash;"</span><br /><br /></p>
+
+<p>"Now let me come there!" he exclaimed. "I'll let no one sign my name.
+I'll manage that. There? there! Direct an envelope. Oh Lord! I haven't a
+stamp&mdash;not one! and its ten minutes' walk to the post-office."</p>
+
+<p>"I think&mdash;I believe I have a stamp," said Katherine, drawing her slender
+purse from her pocket and opening it.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you?" eagerly. "Give it to me. Stick it on! Go! go! There is a
+pillar just outside the left-hand gate there; and mind you come back. I
+will give you a penny. Ah, yes, you shall have your penny?"</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you will hear me when I return," she said, appealingly, as she
+left the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, ay; but go&mdash;go now."</p>
+
+<p>When Katherine returned she found the old man, with the half-opened door
+in his hand, waiting for her.</p>
+
+<p>"Were you in time?" he asked, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes, quite. I saw the postman coming across the road to empty the
+box as I was dropping the letter in."</p>
+
+<p>"That's well. I will rest a bit now, and you can tell me what you
+please. First, what have you come here for?"</p>
+
+<p>It was an appalling question, and nothing but the simple truth occurred
+to her as an answer. Indeed, some irresistible power seemed to compel
+the reply, spoken very low and distinct, "I came here to beg."</p>
+
+<p>The old man burst into a singularly unpleasant laugh. "Well, I like
+candor. Pray what business have you to beg from me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I know no one else to turn to&mdash;because, you are so near a
+kinsman. Let me tell you about my mother." Simply and shortly she gave
+the history of their life and struggles, of the coming of her brother's
+young widow and orphans, of the disappointment of her mother's literary
+expectations, of the present necessity. The quiver in her young voice,
+the pathetic earnestness with which she told her story, the deep love
+for her mother breathing through the recital, might well have moved a
+heart of ordinary coldness, but it seemed to small impression on her
+grim uncle.</p>
+
+<p>"You come of a wasteful extravagant lot," he said, faintly, "if you are
+what you represent yourself to be&mdash;of which there is no proof whatever.
+How do I know you are the daughter of Frederic Liddell?"</p>
+
+<p>This was an objection Katherine had never anticipated, and knew not how
+to meet. She colored vividly and hesitated; then, struck with the
+ghastly pallor of the old man's face, she exclaimed, "You are ill! you
+are fainting!" drawing near him as she spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not ill," he gasped. "I am weak from want of food. I have tasted
+none since yesterday afternoon."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you not order some?" said Katherine, looking round for a bell.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"There is nothing in the house. That drunken robber I have just driven
+out went off to her revels last night and left me without anything; but
+while she was away a tradesman came with a bill I thought was paid, and
+so I discovered all her iniquity."</p>
+
+<p>"You must have something," cried Katherine, seriously alarmed. "Can I
+get you some wine or brandy?" and she rang hastily.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Liddell drew a bunch of keys from his trousers pocket, and feebly
+selecting one, put it in her hand, pointing to the sideboard.</p>
+
+<p>The first cellaret Katherine opened was quite empty, the opposite one
+held two empty bottles covered with dust, and another, at the bottom of
+which was about a wineglass of brandy. She sought eagerly for and found
+a glass, and brought it to the fainting man, pouring out a small
+quantity, which he sipped readily enough. "Ah!" he said, "I was nearly
+gone. I must eat. I suppose that wretched brat can cook something. Ring
+again." Katherine rang, and rang, but in vain.</p>
+
+<p>"May I go down and see what has become of her?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you please," he murmured, more civilly than he had yet spoken.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine, with increasing surprise and interest, descended the dingy
+stair and entered a chaotic kitchen.</p>
+
+<p>Such a scene of dirt and confusion she had never beheld. Nothing seemed
+fit to touch. The little girl's rough apron lay on the floor in the
+midst, and she herself was tying on a big bonnet, while a small bundle
+lay on a chair beside her. She started and colored when Katherine stood
+in the doorway. "Mr. Liddell has sent me to look for you. He is very
+ill. Why did you not answer the bell?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I was going away to mother," cried the girl, bursting into
+tears. "I could not stay here by myself. Mr. Liddell is more like a wild
+beast than a man when he is angry, and I have had a night and a day as
+would frighten a policemen. I can't stay&mdash;I can't indeed, miss."</p>
+
+<p>"But you <i>must</i>," said Katherine, impressively. "I am Mr. Liddell's
+niece, and at least you must do a few things for me before you go."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! if you are here, miss, I don't mind. I can't think as how you are
+Mr. Liddell's niece."</p>
+
+<p>"I am, and I must not leave him till he is better. What is your name?"</p>
+
+<p>"Susan, ma'am."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Susan, is there any bread or anything in the larder?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not a blessed scrap, miss, and I <i>am</i> so hungry"&mdash;a fresh burst of
+tears.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't cry. Do as I bid you, and then you had better ask your mother to
+come here. Now get me some fresh water."</p>
+
+<p>"There's only water in the tap; the filterer is broke."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, give me a jugful. And are you too hungry to make up the fire?"</p>
+
+<p>"I'll manage that, 'm; we had a hundred of coal in yesterday morning
+before the row."</p>
+
+<p>"Then clear away the ashes and get as clear a fire as you can. I will
+get some food."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The desperate, deserted condition of the old man seemed to rob him of
+his terrors, and all Katherine's energy was roused to save him from the
+ill effects of his own fury. She hastened back to the dining-room. Mr.
+Liddell was sitting up, grasping the arms of his chair.</p>
+
+<p>"There is nothing downstairs. Will you allow me to go and buy you some
+food? You will be ill unless you eat."</p>
+
+<p>"Can't that child fetch what is needful?" he said, with an effort.</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid she may not return."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you had better go. I'll open the door to you when you come back."</p>
+
+<p>"I will go at once. But you must give me a little money. I would gladly
+pay for the things, but I have only my omnibus fare back."</p>
+
+<p>"How much do you want?" he returned, drawing forth an old worn green
+porte-monnaie.</p>
+
+<p>"If you will be satisfied with a chop, two shillings will get all you
+want," said Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"There, then; bring me the change and account," he returned, handing her
+the required sum.</p>
+
+<p>Since her mother had become a housekeeper Katherine had done a good deal
+of the marketing and household management, and had put her heart into
+her work, as was natural to her. She therefore felt quite competent to
+make these small purchases.</p>
+
+<p>"You will want a little more wine or something," she ventured to
+suggest.</p>
+
+<p>"I have plenty&mdash;plenty. Make haste!"</p>
+
+<p>Katherine called the little girl, told her she was going out, and
+promised to bring her back some food. Then she sped on her way to some
+shops she had noticed on her way, and soon accomplished her errand. This
+necessity for action put her right with herself, and gave her the
+courage she needed. With a word to the fainting old miser, she descended
+to the chaotic kitchen, where she rejoiced the heart of the small slavey
+by the sight of the cold beef and bread she had brought for her. Then
+she set to work to cook the chops she had purchased. This done, to the
+amazement of the little servant, she looked in vain for a cloth to
+spread upon the only battered tray she could find. She was obliged to be
+content with dusting it and placing the result of her cooking between
+two warm plates thereupon. Then she carried the whole up to her starving
+relative. Mr. Liddell had fallen into a doze from exhaustion, and looked
+quite wolfish when, rousing up, his eyes fell upon the sorely needed
+food.</p>
+
+<p>"You have been quick, but it is surely wasteful to cook <i>two</i> chops."</p>
+
+<p>"You will not find them too much, I hope. I am sure you ought to eat
+both."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know, but the meat is good." He fell to and ate with relish.
+Katherine asked where she could find some wine for him. He again
+produced his keys, selected one, and told her to open a door at the end
+of the room, which she fancied led into another. It was a cupboard,
+plentifully filled with bottles of various descriptions, from among
+which, by her patient's direction, she selected one labelled cognac, and
+gave him some in water.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Katherine sat down and watched the old man demolish both chops with
+evident enjoyment. Then he paused, drank a little brandy and water, and
+drew over the plate containing the butter, and smelled it very
+deliberately.</p>
+
+<p>"You have extravagant ways, I am afraid," he said. "This is fresh
+butter."</p>
+
+<p>"That piece only cost fourpence-halfpenny," she said, gravely, "and the
+little you eat you had better have good."</p>
+
+<p>"Fourpence-halfpenny!" he repeated, and fell into profound meditation,
+from which he broke with a sudden return of anger. "What a double-dyed
+villain and robber that infernal woman has been! She told me that prices
+had risen to such a height that the commonest salt butter was
+eighteenpence a pound, that every chop was a shilling, that&mdash;that&mdash;"
+Then breaking off, with an air of the deepest pathos he exclaimed:
+"Thirty shillings a week I gave her to keep the house, and she has left
+the butcher unpaid for six months. But <i>I</i> will not pay him. He shall
+suffer. Why did he trust her? What did you pay for these things?" he
+ended, abruptly, in a high key.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine silently handed him the back of a letter on which she had
+scribbled down the items.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the use of showing me this, when I cannot read&mdash;when I have no
+glasses?" he exclaimed, impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>"True. I must try and find them for you. Where did you first miss them?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I don't know. I had them on when I went to see that&mdash;&mdash;woman out
+of the house."</p>
+
+<p>Calling Susan to assist in the search, Katherine looked carefully in the
+hall, but in vain, when her young assistant gave a cry of joy; she had
+almost trodden on them as they lay between a mangy mat and the foot of
+the stairs.</p>
+
+<p>The recovery of his precious glasses did more to soothe the ruffled
+spirit of the recluse than anything else. He wiped them tenderly, and
+looking through them, observed that they were all right. Then he sat in
+profound silence, while Susan, under Katherine's directions, cleared up
+the hearth, and removed the heap of dust and ashes which had nearly put
+out the fire. When she had retired, carrying off the tray, Mr. Liddell
+turned his keen eyes on his young visitor, and said:</p>
+
+<p>"You came in the nick of time, and you seem to know what you are about;
+but I dare say I should have pulled through without you. Now about your
+story. Before anything else I must be assured that you are really
+Frederic Liddell's daughter. Not that your being so gives you the
+smallest claim upon me."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose it does not," returned Katherine, sadly. "Still, if you could
+help us with a loan at this trying time it might be the saving of our
+fortunes, and both my mother and myself would do our best to repay you."</p>
+
+<p>"That's but indifferent security," said the miser with a sardonic grin.</p>
+
+<p>"I feel sure that my mother's novel will succeed. It is a beautiful
+story&mdash;and you know how some of the best books have been rejected<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span>&mdash;and
+when it is taken they will give her at least a hundred pounds for it!"
+cried Katherine, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"Good Lord! a hundred pounds for trashy scribblings."</p>
+
+<p>"They are not trash, sir," returned Katherine, with spirit.</p>
+
+<p>"And what sum do you want on this first-class security?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thirty or forty pounds!" she said, her heart beating with wild
+anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>"Thirty pounds! Why, that is a fortune!"</p>
+
+<p>"It would be to us," said Katherine, fighting bravely against a
+desperate inclination to cry.</p>
+
+<p>"And all you have to offer in exchange is a mortgage on an unpublished
+novel?"</p>
+
+<p>"We have nothing in the world but the furniture," she replied, with a
+slight sob.</p>
+
+<p>"Furniture!" repeated Mr. Liddell, sharply. "How much?&mdash;how many rooms
+have you?"</p>
+
+<p>"A drawing-room and dining-room, my mother's study, and four bedrooms,
+besides&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Well!" exclaimed Liddell, interrupting her, "you'll have a hundred
+pounds' worth in it, and I dare say it cost you two. Now you have shown
+you have some knowledge of the value of money, and you have served me
+well at this uncomfortable crisis. I'll tell you what I will do; I'll
+write to my solicitor to go and see you, at the address you have told
+me, to-morrow. He shall find out if you are speaking the truth, and look
+at your goods and chattels. If he reports favorably I will do something
+for you, on the security of the furniture. You haven't given a bill of
+sale to any one else, I suppose?"</p>
+
+<p>"A bill of sale?&mdash;I do not know what you mean."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! perhaps not." He rose and hobbled to his writing-table, where he
+began to write. "What's your address?" he asked. Katherine told him.
+Presently he finished and turned to her. "Put this in the post. Look at
+it. Mr. Newton, my solicitor, will take it with him when he calls,
+to-morrow or next day. No!" suddenly. "I will send the girl with it to
+the pillar, and you shall stay till she returns. You may or you may not
+be honest; but I will never trust any one again."</p>
+
+<p>"As you like," returned Katherine, overjoyed not to be utterly refused.
+"And before I go, do let me try and find some one to be with you. It is
+dreadful to think of your being alone in this large house with only that
+poor little girl! and she is inclined to run away! I think her mother is
+coming here; let me stay till she comes."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want any one," said the old man, fiercely. "I am hale and
+strong; the child can do all I want. You got some food for her I see.
+The strength of that meat will last till to-morrow. Then you must come
+to hear what I decide, and you can do what I want, <i>if</i> you <i>are</i> my
+niece!"</p>
+
+<p>"Do&mdash;do let me find some one to stay with you! I cannot bear to think of
+your being alone." The old man stared at her curiously, and a sort of
+mocking smile parted his lips. "May I at least<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span> ask Susan if her mother
+can come? for I am sure the girl will not stay alone."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," he said; "but be sure you do not promise her money! She
+<i>may</i> come here to keep the child company&mdash;not for my sake."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine hastened to question Susan, and found that her mother, a
+char-woman, lived near. She despatched the little girl to fetch her,
+and, after some parleying, agreed to give her half a crown if she would
+remain for the night, determining to pay it herself rather than mention
+the subject to the ogre upstairs. Then she put her hat straight and
+resumed her gloves. "I must bid you good-morning now," she said. "This
+mother of Susan's looks a respectable woman, and will not ask you for
+any money. Will you not let me get you some tea and sugar before I go,
+and something for&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"No!" cried the old man. "I have some tea. It is all that&mdash;&mdash;robber
+left behind her. I want nothing more. Mind you come back to-morrow. If
+you are my brother's daughter (though it is no recommendation!) I'll do
+something for you. If you are <i>not</i>, I'd&mdash;I'd like to give you a piece
+of my mind." He laughed a fiendish, spiteful laugh as he said this.</p>
+
+<p>"Then accept my thanks beforehand," said Katherine smiling a little
+wearily.</p>
+
+<p>She was very tired. It was an oppressive day, and she had been under a
+mental strain of no small severity. Now she was longing to be at home to
+tell her mother all her strange adventures, and she had yet to find out
+by what route she should return.</p>
+
+<p>Once more she said good-by. Mr. Liddell followed her to the door, with
+an air of seeing her safe off the premises, rather than of courtesy, and
+Katherine quickly retraced her steps to the place where she had
+alighted, hoping to find that universal referee, a policeman, who would
+no doubt set her on her homeward way.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE LAWYER'S VISIT.</h3>
+
+
+<p>While her young sister-in-law was thus seeking fortune in strange
+places, Mrs. Fred Liddell was spending a busy and, it must be confessed,
+a cheerful morning, preparing for the anticipated visit of Colonel
+Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>It was rather inconsiderate, she thought, of Katherine to go out and
+leave all the extra dusting of the drawing-room to her. If she,
+Katherine, had remained at home she would have taken the boys, as she
+always did, and then Jane, the house and children's maid, would have
+been able to help.</p>
+
+<p>If Katherine would only stay out all day she could forgive her&mdash;but she
+would be sure to come in for dinner, and so appear at afternoon tea,
+which by no means suited Mrs. F. Liddell's views.</p>
+
+<p>The Colonel had given so very highly colored a description of the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span> young
+lady who was with the little boy so nearly run over on the previous
+morning that the pretty widow's jealousy was aroused.</p>
+
+<p>In spite of her flightiness and love of pleasure she had a very keen
+sense of her own interest, and perceiving Colonel Ormonde's decided
+appreciation, she had made up her mind to marry him.</p>
+
+<p>This, she felt, would be more easily designed than accomplished. Colonel
+Ormonde was an old soldier in every sense, and an old bachelor to boot,
+with an epicurean taste for good dinners and pretty women. He might
+sacrifice something for the first, but the latter were too plentiful and
+too come-at-able to be worth great cost. Still, it was generally
+believed he was matrimonially inclined, and Mrs. Fred thought she might
+have as good a chance as any one else, had she not been hampered with
+her two boys.</p>
+
+<p>It would be too dreadful if Ormonde's fancy were caught by Katherine's
+bold eyes and big figure. So Mrs. Fred wished that her sister-in-law
+might not put in an appearance.</p>
+
+<p>"She is not a bit like other girls," thought the little woman, as she
+finally shook the duster out of the open window and set herself to
+distribute the flowers she had bought the previous evening to the best
+advantage. "She has no dear friends, no acquaintances with whom she
+likes to stop and chatter; she never stays out, and I don't think she
+ever had the ghost of a lover. When <i>I</i> was her age I had had a dozen,
+and I was married. Poor Fred! Heigho! I wish he had left me a little
+money, and I am sure I should never dream of giving him a successor. But
+for the sake of the dear boys I should never think of marrying! How
+cruel it is to be so poor, and to be with such unenterprising people! If
+Mrs. Liddell would only venture to make an appearance, and just risk a
+little, she might dispose of Kate and of me too. There <i>are</i> men who
+might admire Kate, and there they go on screwing and scribbling. I wish
+my mother-in-law would write for some big magazine&mdash;<i>Blackwood</i> or
+<i>Temple Bar</i>&mdash;or not write at all! That will do, I think. That is the
+only strong arm-chair in the house; it will stand nicely beside the
+sofa. Oh, have you come in already, children?"&mdash;as the two boys peeped
+in. "Couldn't Jane have kept you out a little longer! Don't attempt to
+come in here!"</p>
+
+<p>"Jane had to come back to lay the cloth. Mamma, where is aunty?"</p>
+
+<p>"She has not come in yet. Why, dear me, it is nearly one o'clock! Go and
+get off your boots, my darlings, and ask grandmamma when she expects
+aunty."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Liddell did not know when Katherine might return, and, moreover,
+she was getting uneasy. She did not like to say much about her errand,
+for she knew her daughter-in-law thought but indifferently of her
+writings, and with an indescribable "crass" dislike of what she could
+not do herself, would have been rather pleased than otherwise to know
+that a manuscript had been rejected.</p>
+
+<p>In looking over one of the drawers in her writing-table Mrs. Liddell had
+found that Katherine had left the shorter story behind. This rendered
+her prolonged absence less accountable, for she could have interviewed
+several publishers of three-volume novels in the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span> time. The poor lady
+naturally feared that they must have refused even to look at her work,
+or Katherine would have returned.</p>
+
+<p>When dinner was over, and four o'clock came, Mrs. Liddell's anxiety rose
+high; she could not bear her daughter-in-law's presence, and retired
+into her own den.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't you stay and see Colonel Ormonde? He used to be quite friendly
+with poor Fred in India, and I should like him to see what a nice
+handsome mamma-in-law I have," said Mrs. Fred, caressingly: she rather
+liked her mother-in-law, and felt it was as well to be on affectionate
+terms with her.</p>
+
+<p>"No, my dear; my head is not quite free from pain, and I want to give
+Katherine something to eat when she comes in; she will be very hungry.
+Then I can see that the children do not get into any mischief in the
+garden."</p>
+
+<p>The younger lady then went to pose herself with a dainty piece of
+fancy-work in the drawing-room, and the elder to sit at her
+writing-table, pen in hand, but not writing; only thinking round and
+round the circle of difficulties which hedged her in, and longing for
+the sight of her daughter's face.</p>
+
+<p>At last it beamed upon her through the open door-window which led out on
+the stairway to the garden; her approach had been seen by her little
+nephews, who had admitted her through the back gate.</p>
+
+<p>"You must not come in now, dears; I want to talk to grannie. If you keep
+away I will tell you a nice story in the evening."</p>
+
+<p>"My dearest child, what has kept you? I have been uneasy; and how
+dreadfully tired you look!"</p>
+
+<p>"I am tired, but that is nothing. I think, dear, I have a little good
+news for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Come into the dining-room. I have some dinner for you, and we can talk
+quietly. Ada is expecting a visitor."</p>
+
+<p>But Katherine could not eat until she told her adventures. First she
+described her interview with Mr. Channing.</p>
+
+<p>"It is something certainly to have left my unfortunate MS. in his hands;
+still I dare not hope much from that," said Mrs. Liddell.</p>
+
+<p>"Then, mother dear," resumed Katherine, "I ventured to do something for
+which I hope you will not be angry with me&mdash;I have found John Liddell! I
+have invaded his den; I have spoken to him; I have cooked a chop for
+him, as I used for you last winter; and though I have been sent empty
+away, I am not without hopes that he will help us out of our
+difficulties."</p>
+
+<p>"Katie, dear, what <i>have</i> you done?" cried her mother, aghast. "How did
+you manage&mdash;how did you dare?" Whereupon Katherine gave her mother a
+graphic account of the whole affair.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a wonderful history," said Mrs. Liddell. "I feel half frightened;
+yet if Mr. Liddell's solicitor is an honest, respectable man, he will
+surely be on our side; at the same time, I am half afraid of falling
+into John Liddell's clutches. He has the character of being a relentless
+creditor: he will have his pound of flesh! If he gives this money as a
+loan, and I fail in paying the interest, he will take me by the throat
+as he would the greatest stranger."</p>
+
+<p>"Why should you fail?" cried Katherine. "You only want time to succeed.
+I am sure you will sell your books, and then we can<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span> pay principal and
+interest; besides, old Mr. Liddell could <i>not</i> treat his brother's widow
+as he would a stranger."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not so sure."</p>
+
+<p>"And you are not angry with me for going to him?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, dear love; I am proud of your courage. Had I known what you
+intended, I should have forbidden you. I should never have allowed you
+to run the risk of being insulted: it was too much for you. I wish I
+could shield you from all such trials, my Kate; but I cannot&mdash;I cannot."
+The unwonted tears stood in her kind, faded eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, mother, <i>you</i> have borne the burden and heat of the day long enough
+alone; I must take my share now, and I assure you, after my adventures
+to-day, I feel quite equal to do so. I have been too long a heedless
+idler; I want to be a real help to you now. Do you think I have done any
+good?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, certainly! but everything depends on this man who is coming
+to-morrow. Your poor father used to know Mr. Liddell's solicitor, and I
+think liked him; of course he may have a different one now. Still it is
+a gleam of hope; which is doubly sweet because <i>you</i> brought it."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine hastily pressed her handkerchief to her eyes, and choked down
+the sob that would swell her throat. She was dreadfully tired,
+physically and mentally.</p>
+
+<p>"Ada asked me for that money this morning as soon as you were gone. I
+told her I could not return it for a while, and she did not look
+pleased, naturally enough."</p>
+
+<p>"I think she is very selfish," said Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"No, dear, only thoughtless, and younger than her years. She is always
+nice with me, and would be with you if you had more patience. You must
+remember that no character is stronger than its weakest part, and hers
+is&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Self," put in Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"No! love of admiration and pleasure," added her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," returned Katherine, good-humoredly, "they both are very nice."</p>
+
+<p>Here the person under discussion came hastily into the room, in the
+crispest of lilac and white muslins, with a black sash and bows, and a
+rose at her waist, looking as fresh as if the heaviest atmosphere could
+not touch her.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you have arrived, Katherine! I wish you would come and see Colonel
+Ormonde. He wants so much to speak to you!"</p>
+
+<p>"But I do not want to speak to him. I don't want to see any one."</p>
+
+<p>"Do come, Katie! I assure you you have made quite an impression; come
+and deepen it," cried Mrs. Frederic, with a persuasive smile, while she
+thought, "She is looking awfully bad and pale, and Katherine without
+color is nowhere; her eyes are red too.&mdash;Come, like a dear," she
+persisted, aloud, "unless you want to go up and beautify."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I certainly do not," said Katherine, rising impatiently. "I will go
+with you for a minute or two, but I am too tired to talk."</p>
+
+<p>"Your hair is in utter disorder," remarked her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"It is no matter," returned Katherine, following her sister-in-law out
+of the room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Her dress was by no means becoming. It was of thin black material, the
+remains of her last year's mourning; the white frill at her throat was
+crushed by the friction of her jacket, and some splashes on the skirt
+gave her a travel-stained aspect. But no disorder could hide the fine
+warm bronze brown of her abundant hair, nor disguise the shape of her
+brows and eyes, though the eyes themselves lost something of their color
+from the paleness of her cheeks; nor did her weariness detract from the
+charm of her delicate upturned chin.</p>
+
+<p>"Here is my naughty sister-in-law, who has been wandering about all the
+morning alone, and making us quite uneasy."</p>
+
+<p>"What! In search of further adventures&mdash;eh?" asked Colonel Ormonde,
+rising and making an elaborate bow. He spoke in a tone half paternal,
+half gallant, in right of which elderly gentlemen sometimes take
+liberties.</p>
+
+<p>"I went to do a commission for my mother," said Katherine,
+indifferently.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! if we had a corps of such <i>commissionnaires</i> as you are, we should
+spend our lives sending and receiving messages," returned the Colonel,
+with a laugh. He spoke in short authoritative sentences, with a loud
+harsh voice, and in what might be termed the "big bow-wow" style.</p>
+
+<p>"You must not believe all Colonel Ormonde says," observed the fair
+widow, smiling and slightly shaking her head. "He is a very faithless
+man."</p>
+
+<p>"By George! Mrs. Liddell, I don't deserve such a character from <i>you</i>.
+But"&mdash;addressing Katherine, who had simply looked at him with quiet,
+contemplative eyes&mdash;"I hope you have recovered from your fright of
+yesterday. I never saw eyes or cheeks express terror so eloquently."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I was dreadfully frightened, and very, very grateful to the
+gentleman who saved poor Cecil. I hope he was not hurt?"</p>
+
+<p>"Shall I tell him to come and report himself in person?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, thank you."</p>
+
+<p>"Wouldn't you like to thank him again? It might be a pleasant process to
+both parties&mdash;eh?"</p>
+
+<p>Katherine smiled good-humoredly, while she thought, "What an idiot!"</p>
+
+<p>"Katherine is a very serious young woman," said Mrs. Frederic&mdash;"quite
+too awfully in earnest; is always striving painfully to do her duty. She
+despises frivolities and never dreams of flirtation."</p>
+
+<p>"This is an appalling description," said Ormonde. "Pray is it on
+principle you renounce flirtation?"</p>
+
+<p>"For a much better reason," replied Katherine, wearily. "Because I have
+no one to flirt with."</p>
+
+<p>"By Jove! there's a state of destitution! Why, it is a blot on society
+that you should be left lamenting."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; is it not melancholy?" replied Katherine, carelessly. "Ada, I am
+so tired I am sure you will excuse me if I go away to rest?"</p>
+
+<p>"Before you go," said Ormonde, eagerly, "I have a request to make. A
+chum of mine, Sir James Brereton, and myself are going<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span> up the river on
+Thursday, with some friends of Mrs. Liddell's&mdash;a picnic affair. Your
+sister-in-law has promised to honor me with her company, and I earnestly
+hope <i>you</i> will accompany her. I promise you shall be induced to rescind
+your anti-flirtation resolutions."</p>
+
+<p>"Up the river?" repeated Katherine, with a wistful look, and paused. "On
+Thursday next? Thank you very much, but I'm engaged&mdash;quite particularly
+engaged."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense, Katie!" cried her sister-in-law. "Where in the world are you
+going? You know you never have an engagement anywhere."</p>
+
+<p>"Come, Miss Liddell, do not be cruel. We will have a very jolly day, and
+I'll try and persuade your hero of yesterday to meet you."</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to go very much, but I really cannot. I thank you for
+thinking of me." She stood up, and, with a slight bow, said,
+"Good-morning," leaving the room before the stout Colonel could reach
+the door to open it.</p>
+
+<p>"Phew! that was sharp, short, and decisive," said Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, wasn't it? She is quite a character. Leave her to me if you wish
+her to go. I will manage it."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, do. She is something fresh, though she is not so handsome as I
+thought. I suspect there is a strong dash of the devil in her."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot say <i>I</i> have seen much of it," said the young widow, frankly.
+She was extremely shrewd in a small way, and had adopted an air of
+candid good-nature as best suited to her style and complexion. "Handsome
+or not, if you would like to have her at your party, I will try to
+persuade her to come."</p>
+
+<p>"Thanks. What a little brick you are!" said Ormonde, admiringly. "No
+nonsense with you, or trying to keep a pretty girl out of it. I say,
+Mrs. Liddell, it must be an awful life for you, shut up in this stuffy
+suburban box?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it is not cheerful; but I have no choice, so I just make the best
+of it," she returned, with as bright a smile as she could muster. "No
+use spoiling one's eyes or one's temper over the inevitable. Then I am
+really fond of my mother-in-law, poor soul! She would spoil me if she
+had the means; and Katherine&mdash;well, she isn't bad."</p>
+
+<p>"By George! if you make your mother-in-law fond of you, you must be an
+angel incarnate."</p>
+
+<p>"An angel!" echoed the little lady. "That would never do. No, no; it is
+because I am so desperately human I get on with them all."</p>
+
+<p>"Delightfully human, you mean. No house could be dull with you in it.
+There's nothing like pluck and good-humor in a woman."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Heaven knows I want both!"</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid I must be off," said the Colonel. "I am going to dine with
+Eversley, and he has a villa at Rochampton&mdash;quite a journey, you know.
+Where is the little chap that was nearly run over?"</p>
+
+<p>"Playing in the garden, very happy and very dirty. I dare not have him
+in&mdash;he always climbs up and hangs about me, for I have my best dress
+on!"&mdash;the last words in large capitals.</p>
+
+<p>"A deuced becoming dress too; but it's not so fine as what you had on
+yesterday."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No, of Course not; there are degrees of best dress. Yesterday's was my
+<i>very</i> best go-to-luncheon dress, and must last me a whole year."</p>
+
+<p>"A year! By Jove! And you always look well dressed! You are a wonderful
+woman! Now I must be off. Mrs. Burnett says she will send the carriage
+for you on Thursday. We drive down to Twickenham."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you, Colonel Ormonde! I am sure I am indebted to you for that
+lift," said Mrs. Frederic, while she thought, "He might have driven me
+down himself."</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Au revoir</i>, then. Always hard to tear myself away from such a charming
+little witch as you are."</p>
+
+<p>Ormonde kissed her hand and departed.</p>
+
+<p>"Jolly, plucky little woman," he thought, as he walked toward the
+Bayswater Road, looking for a hansom. "Just the sort to save a man
+trouble, and get full value out of a sovereign." He continued to muse on
+the wonderful discovery he had made of a woman perfectly planned,
+according to man's ideal&mdash;sweet, yielding, tenderly sympathetic, willing
+and capable to ward off all annoyances from her master, full of feeling
+for <i>his</i> troubles, and not to be moved by her own to sad looks,
+unbecoming tears, or downcast spirits&mdash;all softness to him, all
+bristling sharpness to the rest of the world. "Such a woman would answer
+my purpose as well as a woman with money, and she is an uncommonly
+tempting morsel. But then those infernal boys! I am not going to provide
+for another fellow's brats, and they can't have more than sixty pounds
+between them from the fund! No; I must not make an ass of myself, even
+for a pretty, clever woman, who has rather a hankering for myself, or I
+am much mistaken. That sister-in-law of hers is the making of an
+uncommon fine woman. There's a dash of a tragedy queen about her, but it
+will be good fun to play her against the widow."</p>
+
+<p>And the widow, as she rang for the house-maid to remove the tea-things,
+indulged in a few speculations on her side. "He was evidently
+disappointed with Katherine. I am not surprised. She is looking ill, and
+she has <i>such</i> ungracious manners! Of course she will come to this
+Richmond party when I ask her, and I must ask her. Ormonde is a good
+deal smitten with me, but he'll not lose his head. It is an awful thing
+to be poor and to have two boys. Oh, how dreadful it is to live in this
+horrible dull hole! I wonder if Colonel Ormonde will ever propose for
+me! He is very nice and pleasant, but he is awfully selfish. I hate
+selfishness. Perhaps if Mrs. Liddell would undertake to keep the little
+boys altogether it might make matters easier. Poor children! if I were
+only rich I would never wish to part with them; but who can hold out
+against poverty?"</p>
+
+<p>The night which followed was sleepless to Mrs. Liddell. How could she
+close her eyes when so much depended on the visit she hoped to receive
+to-morrow? If this agent of John Liddell's was propitious, she might get
+breathing-time and be able to wait till her manuscript brought forth
+some fruit; if not&mdash;well she dared not think of the reverse. She
+listened to the soft, regular breathing of her daughter, who was wrapped
+in refreshing slumber, and thanked God for the quick forgetfulness of
+youth. It was like a fresh draught of life and hope to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span> think of her
+courage and perseverance in finding out and affronting her miserly
+uncle. Good must come of it.</p>
+
+<p>Day dawned bright and clear, and the little party met as usual at
+breakfast. Neither mother nor daughter had breathed a word of their
+hopes or fears to the pretty widow. Breakfast over, they all dispersed
+to their usual avocations. Katherine, downstairs, was consulting cook,
+and Mrs. Liddell was wearily sorting and tearing up papers, when the
+servant came into the study and said, "Please, 'm, there's a gentleman
+wanting you.'</p>
+
+<p>"Where have you put him?" asked Mrs. Liddell, glancing at the card
+presented to her, on which was printed, "Mr. C. B. Newton, 26 Manchester
+Buildings."</p>
+
+<p>"He is by the door, 'm."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, show him into the dining-room. Where is Mrs. Frederic?"</p>
+
+<p>"Gone out, 'm."</p>
+
+<p>"I will come directly," and Mrs. Liddell hastily locked a drawer and put
+a weight on her papers; "Tell Miss Liddell to come to me," she said as
+she passed.</p>
+
+<p>A short, thick-set man of more than middle age, slightly bald, with an
+upturned nose, quiet, watchful eyes of no particular color, and small
+sandy mutton-chop whiskers, was standing near the window when she
+entered. He made a quick bow, and stepped nearer "Mrs. Liddell?" he
+asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I am Mrs. Liddell."</p>
+
+<p>"I have called on the part of my client, Mr. John Liddell, of Legrave
+Crescent, to make certain inquiries. This note, which I received from
+him yesterday afternoon, will explain the object of my visit."</p>
+
+<p>"Pray sit down, Mr. Newton"&mdash;taking a chair as she spoke, while she read
+the small, crabbed, tremulous characters written on the page presented
+to her. The note contained directions to call on Mrs. Liddell and
+ascertain if she really was the widow of his late brother; also what
+security she could offer for a small loan.</p>
+
+<p>Her color rose faintly as she read.</p>
+
+<p>"You must not regard the plainness of business phraseology," said the
+visitor, in dry, precise tones. "My client means no offence."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor do I mean to take any," she replied, handing him back the note.
+"Pray how am I to prove my own identity?"</p>
+
+<p>"It would not, I suppose, be very difficult; but, as it happens, <i>I</i> can
+be your witness. I quite well remember seeing you with Mr. Liddell, your
+late husband, some sixteen or seventeen years ago."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed! I am surprised that I do not recall you. I generally have a
+good memory, but&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"<i>I</i> am not surprised. I was unhappily the bearer of an unpleasant
+message, which excited Mr. Liddell considerably, and your attention was
+absorbed by your efforts to calm him."</p>
+
+<p>"I remember," said Mrs. Liddell, coloring deeply. "It was a trying
+time."</p>
+
+<p>"We will consider this inquiry answered. As regards the loan"&mdash;the door
+opening to admit Katherine interrupted him; he rose and bowed formally
+when her mother named her; then he resumed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span> his sentence&mdash;"as regards
+the loan, I must first know the amount it is proposed to borrow, in
+order to judge of the security offered."</p>
+
+<p>"I asked my uncle for thirty pounds, but I should be very glad if he
+would lend us forty."</p>
+
+<p>"No, Katie; I dare not take so much," interrupted her mother. "Remember,
+it must be repaid; and," addressing the lawyer, she added, "the only
+security I have to offer is the furniture of this house&mdash;furniture of
+the simplest, as you will see."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you seen Mr. Liddell?" asked Mr. Newton, a slight expression of
+surprise passing over his face.</p>
+
+<p>"My daughter has," said Mrs. Liddell.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I ventured to visit him, because"&mdash;she hesitated, and then went
+on, frankly&mdash;"because we wanted this money very much indeed; and I found
+him in a sad condition." Katherine went on to describe the scene of
+yesterday, dwelling on the desolate position of the old man. "I felt
+frightened to leave him alone; he seems weak, and unfit to take care of
+himself. I hope, Mr. Newton, you will go to him and induce him to have a
+proper servant. I am going, because I promised in any case to go; and I
+must give the little servant's mother the half-crown I promised her."</p>
+
+<p>"I have been somewhat uneasy respecting Mr. Liddell. For a considerable
+time I had my doubts of his cook housekeeper; but he is a man of strong
+will and peculiar views. Then the fear of parting with money increases
+with increasing years. I am glad Miss Liddell succeeded in making
+herself known to him; he is a peculiar character&mdash;very peculiar." He
+paused a moment, looking keenly at Katherine, and added: "With a view to
+arranging for the loan you require, I must ask to look at your rooms. I
+do not suppose I am a judge of such things, but the knowledge of former
+transactions, my recollection of our last interview, determines me to
+come myself rather than to send an ordinary employee."</p>
+
+<p>"I feel your kind consideration warmly," said Mrs. Liddell. "Follow me,
+and you shall see what few household goods I possess."</p>
+
+<p>Gravely and in silence Mr. Newton was conducted to the drawing-room, the
+best bedroom, Mrs. Liddell's, and the children's rooms. The examination
+was swiftly accomplished. Then the sedate lawyer returned to the
+dining-room and began to put on his right-hand glove. "I presume," he
+said&mdash;"it is a mere, formal question&mdash;I presume there is no claim or
+lien upon your goods and chattels?"</p>
+
+<p>"None whatever. I want a little temporary help until&mdash;" She paused.</p>
+
+<p>"My mother has been successful in writing short stories. Channing &amp;
+Wyndham have a three-volume novel of hers now, and I am sure they will
+take it; then she can pay Mr. Liddell easily."</p>
+
+<p>The lawyer smiled a queer little withered, half-developed smile. "I
+trust your anticipations may be verified," he said. "Now, my dear madam,
+I need intrude on you no longer; I shall go on to see Mr. Liddell. But
+though I shall certainly represent that he may safely make you this
+small advance, it is possible he may refuse; and it is certain he will
+ask high interest. However, I shall do my best."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It will be a great accommodation if he consents. And if he is rich
+surely he will not deal as hardly with his brother's widow as with a
+stranger."</p>
+
+<p>"Where money is concerned, Mr. Liddell recognizes neither friend nor
+foe. He will wish some form of the nature of a bill of sale to be
+signed."</p>
+
+<p>"Whatever you both think right," said Mrs. Liddell.</p>
+
+<p>Here some shouts from the garden drew Newton's attention to the window,
+through which Cecil and Charlie could be seen endeavoring to put some
+noxious insect on the neck of the nurse-maid, who had taken them their
+noonday slices of bread and butter. "My grandsons," said Mrs. Liddell,
+smiling&mdash;"My poor boy's orphans."</p>
+
+<p>"Hum!" said the little man; and he stood a moment in thought.</p>
+
+<p>"I think Miss Liddell said her uncle expressed a wish that she should
+return to see him?"</p>
+
+<p>"He made me promise to go back to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"Then by no means disappoint him. He is a very difficult man to manage,
+and if your daughter"&mdash;to Mrs. Liddell&mdash;"could contrive to interest him,
+to make him indulge in a few of the comforts necessary to his years and
+his position, it would be of the last importance, and ultimately, I
+hope, not unprofitable to herself."</p>
+
+<p>"I fear the last is highly improbable; but Katherine will certainly
+fulfil her promise."</p>
+
+<p>"I am going to drive over to Legrave Crescent myself: if it would suit
+Miss Liddell to accompany me, I shall be most happy to be her escort."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you; I shall be very glad."</p>
+
+<p>"My brother-in-law will not imagine there is any collusion between you?"
+asked Mrs. Liddell, with a smile. "Men of his character are suspicious."</p>
+
+<p>"No; I think I may venture so far, though Mr. Liddell <i>is</i> suspicious."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I must ask you to wait while I put on my hat," said Katherine, and
+left the room.</p>
+
+<p>She had changed her dress when her mother followed her. "My love, you
+had better take a few shillings, and try and come back soon. Why, Katie,
+considering you had to do cooking yesterday, you ought not to have put
+on your best frock, dear, for I see little chance of another."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mother, I could <i>not</i> go out in my old black cashmere with Mr.
+Newton. Why, he is the perfection of neatness."</p>
+
+<p>"Here is Ada, just coming in."</p>
+
+<p>"What a volley of questions she will ask! Now, mother, do <i>not</i> satisfy
+her. Tell her my rich uncle has sent his solicitor to interview us, and
+that I am going to dine with him. I wish I could have had some dinner
+before I went, for I am going to Hungry Hall."</p>
+
+<p>"Courage, darling! If we <i>can</i> get this loan it will be a great relief.
+Do not keep him waiting any longer&mdash;there are your gloves. Come back as
+soon as ever you can."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2>
+
+<h3>"A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS."</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Where in the world is Katherine going, and who is that man?" exclaimed
+the younger widow, her light blue eyes wide open in amazement, when
+Katherine had passed her with a smiling "Good-by for the present," and
+walked down the road beside the precise lawyer.</p>
+
+<p>"She is going-to her uncle, Mr. John Liddell, who expressed a wish to
+see her to-day, and that gentleman is Mr. Liddell's solicitor," returned
+the elder lady, smiling to think how soon she had been driven in upon
+the reserved force of her daughter's suggestion.</p>
+
+<p>"What! that terrible old miser poor Fred used to talk of? Why, he will
+take a favorable turn, and leave everything to Katie! Oh, dear Mrs.
+Liddell, that will not be fair. <i>Do</i> contrive to let him see Cis and
+Charlie. We will declare that Cecil is his very image. Old men like to
+be considered like pretty young creatures. I always get on with crabbed
+old men. Let <i>me</i> see him too. Katherine must not keep the game all in
+her own hands. Let me have a chance."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't fancy Katie has much of a chance herself," returned Mrs.
+Liddell, as she followed her daughter-in-law into the dining-room. "It
+is an old man's whim, and he will probably never wish to see her again."</p>
+
+<p>"Very likely. You know dear Katherine does not do herself justice; her
+manners are so abrupt. You do not mind my saying so?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not in the least." Mrs. Liddell had a fine temper, and also a keen
+sense of humor. Though fond of and indulgent to her daughter-in-law, she
+saw through her more clearly than Katherine did, as she gave full credit
+for the good that was in her, in spite of her little foibles and
+greediness. "Katherine is much more abrupt than you are."</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly. She will never be quite up to her dear mother's mark. Few
+step-mothers and daughters get on as we do, and I am sure you would look
+after poor Fred's boys as if they were your own."</p>
+
+<p>"So would Katherine. Of that you may be sure, my dear."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes; she is very fond of them, especially Charlie. I do not think
+she is really just to Cecil."</p>
+
+<p>"Real justice is rare," returned Mrs. Liddell, calmly. "There is a note
+for you, Ada, on the chimney-piece; it came just after you went out."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it is from Mrs. Burnett!"&mdash;pouncing on it and tearing it open.
+"What shall I do?" she almost screamed as she read it. "I am afraid I
+shall never get there in time. What o'clock is it?&mdash;my watch is never
+right. Half-past twelve, and luncheon is at half-past one. Oh, I must
+manage it! Read that, dear.&mdash;Jane! Jane! bring me some hot water
+immediately, and come help me to dress.&mdash;What is the cab fare to Park
+Terrace? Eighteenpence?&mdash;it can't be so much. Just lend me a shilling;
+you can take it out of the ten pounds you are to pay me next week." And
+she flew out of the room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Liddell sat down with a sigh, and read the note which caused this
+excitement:<br /><br /></p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Mrs. Liddell</span>,&mdash;Do help me in a dilemma! We have a box for
+Miss St. Germaine's benefit matinee to-morrow, and Lady Alice Mordaunt
+wants to come with Fanny and Bea. You know she is not out yet. Now I am
+engaged to go with Florence to Lady McLean's garden party at Twickenham.
+So may I <i>depend</i> on you to come and chaperon them? If it were my own
+girls only, they could go with Ormonde or any one. But Lady Alice is to
+be escorted to our house by that incarnation of propriety, Mr.
+Errington; so they must have a chaperon. I therefore depend on you.
+Luncheon at 1.30. Do not fail. Ever yours affectionately.<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 22em;" class="smcap">E. Burnett."</span><br /><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Liddell folded up the epistle and placed it in its envelope; then
+she sat musing. How cruel it would be to break this butterfly on the
+wheel of bitter circumstance! It would be irrational, she thought, "to
+expect the strength that could submit to and endure the inevitable from
+<i>her</i>. She will at once suffer more and less than my Katie. Small
+exterior things will sting Ada and make her miserable. As long as
+Katherine's heart is satisfied all else can be borne; but <i>her</i>
+conditions are more difficult. Heigho! for material ills there is
+nothing so intolerable as debt." She rose and went to her room with the
+vague intention of doing some of the hundred and one things which needed
+doing, one more than another, as was usual in her busy life, but somehow
+the uncertainty and anxiety oppressing her heart made her incapable of
+continued action; she was always breaking off to think&mdash;and the more she
+thought, the more uneasy she grew. If she had worked out the thin vein
+of invention and observation which gained her her humble literary
+success, one source of income was gone&mdash;a source on which she had
+reckoned too surely. Then she had not anticipated that her
+daughter-in-law would be so expensive an inmate. Self-denial was a thing
+incomprehensible to her. As long as she took care of her clothes, and
+refrained from buying the very expensive garments her soul longed for,
+she considered herself most exemplary. As for the smaller savings of
+omnibus and cabs not absolutely needful, she rarely thought of such
+matters, or, if she did, it made her frightfully cross, and urged her to
+many spiteful and contemptuous remarks on girls who have the strength of
+a horse, and do not care what horrid places they tramp through: so that
+she never was able to lighten the household burdens by a farthing beyond
+the very small amount she had originally agreed to contribute toward
+them.</p>
+
+<p>Her mother-in-law's meditations were interrupted by the young widow
+skurrying in in desperate haste. "Jane has gone for a cab," she
+exclaimed; "have you that shilling?"</p>
+
+<p>"Here; you had better have eighteenpence, in case&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes, I had better; and do I look nice?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very nice indeed. I think you are looking so much better than you did
+last year&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"That is because I go out a little; I delight in the theatre. Now I must
+be off. There is the cab&mdash;oh! a horrid four-wheeler. Good-by, dear."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Burnett was the wife of a civilian high up in the Indian service,
+and was herself a woman of good family. She had come home in the
+previous winter in order to introduce her eldest daughter to society,
+and accidentally meeting Mrs. Frederic Liddell, whom she had known in
+India, was graciously pleased to patronize her. She had taken a handsome
+furnished house near Hyde Park, and kept it freely open during the
+season. Admission to such an establishment was a sort of "open sesame"
+to heaven for the little widow. She loved, she adored Mrs. Burnett and
+her dear charming girls, to say nothing of two half-grown sons, "the
+most delightful boys!" She was really fond of them for the time, and it
+was this touch of temporary sincerity that gave her the unconscious
+power to hold the hearts of Mrs. Burnett and her daughters.</p>
+
+<p>She was quite the pet of the family, and always at their beck and call.
+To keep this position she strained every means; she even denied herself
+an occasional pair of gloves in order to tip the stately man-servant who
+opened the door and opened her umbrella occasionally for her.</p>
+
+<p>She found the whole party assembled in the dining-room, and her entrance
+was hailed with acclamations.</p>
+
+<p>"I had just begun to tremble lest you should not come," cried Mrs.
+Burnett, stretching out her hand, but not rising from her seat at the
+head of the table.</p>
+
+<p>"I only had your note half an hour ago," said Mrs. Liddell, with
+pardonable inaccuracy, feeling her spirits rise in the delightful
+atmosphere, flower-scented, and stirred by the laughter and joyous
+chatter of the "goodlie companie."</p>
+
+<p>A long table set forth with all the paraphernalia of an excellent
+luncheon was surrounded by a merry party, the girls in charming summer
+toilettes, and as many men as women. Men, too, in the freshest possible
+attire, all "on pleasure bent."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know us all?" asked Mrs. Burnett, looking round. "Yes, I think
+all but Lady Alice Mordaunt and Mr. Kirby."</p>
+
+<p>"I have never had the pleasure of meeting Lady Alice Mordaunt
+before"&mdash;with a graceful little courtesy&mdash;"but Mr. Kirby, though <i>he</i>
+has forgotten me, I remember meeting him at Rumchuddar, when I first
+went out to my poor dear papa. Perhaps you remember <i>him</i>&mdash;Captain
+Dunbar, at&mdash;&mdash;?" Thus said Mrs. Liddell, as she glided into her seat
+between one of the Burnetts and a tall, big, shapeless-looking man with
+red hair, small sharp eyes, a yellow-ochreish complexion, and craggy
+temples, who had risen courteously to make room for her.</p>
+
+<p>"God bless my soul!" he exclaimed, turning red&mdash;a dull deep red. "I
+remember perfectly&mdash;that is, I don't remember <i>you</i>; I remember your
+father. I'm sure I do not know how I could have forgotten you," with a
+shy, admiring glance.</p>
+
+<p>"Nor I either," cried Colonel Ormonde, who sat opposite. "Though Mrs.
+Liddell does not seem to remember <i>me</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I only saw you yesterday, and I am sure I bowed to you as I came
+in." So saying, Mrs. Liddell lifted her head with a sweet caressing
+smile to the eldest of the Burnett boys, who himself brought her some
+pigeon pie; and from that moment she devoted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> herself to her new
+acquaintance, utterly regardless of the hitherto tenderly cultivated
+Colonel.</p>
+
+<p>Kirby, a newly arrived Indian magistrate, was not given to conversation,
+but he was assiduous in attending to his fair neighbor's wants, and
+seemed to like listening to her lively remarks.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Ormonde glanced at them from time to time; he was amazed and
+indignant that Mrs. Liddell could attend to any one save himself. He was
+rather unfortunately placed between Miss Burnett, whose attention was
+taken up by Sir Ralph Brereton, a marriageable baronet, who sat on her
+other side, and Lady Alice Mordaunt, a timid, colorless, but graceful
+girl, still in the school-room, who scarcely spoke at all, and if she
+did, always to her right-hand neighbor, a stately-looking man with grave
+dark eyes, which saved him from being plain, and a clear colorless brown
+complexion. He said very little, but his voice, though rather cold, was
+pleasant and refined, conveying the impression that he was accustomed to
+be heard with attention. He too was very attentive to Lady Alice, but in
+a kind, fatherly way, as if she were a helpless creature under his care.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe we are quite an Indian party," said Mrs. Burnett, looking
+down the table. "Of course my children are Indian by inheritance; then
+there are Mr. Kirby and Mr. Errington"&mdash;nodding to the dark man next
+Lady Alice&mdash;"and Colonel Ormonde."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not Indian, you know; I was only quartered in India for a few
+years," returned Ormonde, contradictiously.</p>
+
+<p>"And I was only a visitor for one season's tiger-shooting," said
+Brereton.</p>
+
+<p>"And I do not want to go," cried Tom Burnett; "I want to be an attache."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes; you speak so many languages!" said his younger sister.</p>
+
+<p>"I certainly do not consider myself an old Indian," said the man
+addressed as Errington, "though I have visited it more than once."</p>
+
+<p>"You an Indian!" cried Ormonde. "Why, you have just started as an
+English country gentleman. We are to have Errington for a comrade on the
+bench and in the field down in Clayshire. His father has bought Garston
+Hall&mdash;quite close to Melford, Lady Alice. But I suppose you know all
+about it."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Lady Alice, in a tone which might be affirmation or
+interrogation. "There are such pretty walks in Garston Woods!"</p>
+
+<p>"Errington was born with a silver spoon in his mouth," returned Ormonde.
+"Garston dwarfs Castleford, I can tell you. It was a good deal out of
+repair&mdash;the Hall I mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is. We do not expect to get it into thorough repair till winter.
+Then I hope, Mrs. Burnett, you will honor us by a visit," said
+Errington.</p>
+
+<p>"With the greatest pleasure," exclaimed the hostess.</p>
+
+<p>"And oh, Mr. Errington, do give a ball!" cried Fanny, the second
+daughter.</p>
+
+<p>"I fear that is beyond my powers. I do not think I ever danced in my
+life."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Are you to be of the party on board Lord Melford's yacht?" asked
+Ormonde, speaking to Lady Alice.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no. I am to stay with Aunt Harriet at the Rectory all the summer."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, that is too bad. You'd like sailing about, I dare say?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yachting must be the most delightful thing in the world," cried
+Mrs. Liddell, from her place opposite. "If I were you I should coax my
+father to let me go."</p>
+
+<p>"Papa knows best. I am very fond of the Rectory," said Lady Alice,
+blushing at being so publicly addressed.</p>
+
+<p>"And <i>you</i> understand the beauty of obedience," said Errington, with
+grave approval.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, if you intend to see the whole 'fun of the fair,'" said Mrs.
+Burnett, "you had better be going, young people. The carriage is to come
+back for us after setting you down at the theatre. Who are going? My
+girls, Lady Alice, and Mrs. Liddell? Who is to be their escort? Colonel
+Ormonde?"</p>
+
+<p>He glanced across the table. Mrs. Liddell sent no glance in his
+direction; she again devoted her attention to Kirby.</p>
+
+<p>"No, thank you. To be intensely amused from two to six is more than I
+can stand; besides, I hope to meet you at Lady Maclean's this
+afternoon."</p>
+
+<p>"I have an engagement, a business engagement at three," said Errington;
+"but I shall be happy to call for these ladies and see them home."</p>
+
+<p>"You need not take that trouble," said Mrs. Burnett. "My son will be in
+the theatre later, and take charge of them; but there is still a place
+in the box. Will you go, Mr. Kirby?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, pray do!" cried Mrs. Liddell. "You will be sure to be amused; a
+matinee of this kind is great fun. There is singing and dancing and
+acting and recitations of all kinds." She spoke in her liveliest manner
+and her sweetest tones.</p>
+
+<p>"You are very good. I have not been in a theatre since I arrived; so if
+you really have a place for me, I shall be most happy to accompany you."</p>
+
+<p>"That's settled. Go and put on your hats, my dears," said Mrs. Burnett;
+and her daughters, with Lady Alice, left the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Mrs. Liddell, have you persuaded your handsome sister-in-law to
+join our party on Thursday?" asked Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>"I have really had no time to speak much to her. An old uncle of hers,
+as rich as a Jew and a perfect miser, sent his lawyer for her this
+morning. I suppose he is going to make her his heiress. I hope they will
+give a share to my poor little boys. I am going to take them to ask a
+blessing from their aged relative, I assure you."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes, by George! you try and hold on to him. The little fellows ought
+to have the biggest share, of course, as the <i>nephew's</i> children. Why,
+it would change your position altogether if your boys had ten or fifteen
+thou. between them."</p>
+
+<p>"Or apiece," said Mrs. Liddell, carelessly. She was immensely amused by
+the Colonel's tone of deep interest. "You may be very sure I shall do my
+best. I know the value of money."</p>
+
+<p>"May I ask where this Mr. Liddell resides?" asked Mr. Errington, joining
+them, with a bow to the young widow.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I really do not know, though he is my uncle-in-law. Pray do you know
+him?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; I know of him, but we are not personally acquainted."</p>
+
+<p>"And is he not supposed to be very rich?"</p>
+
+<p>"That I cannot say; but I have an idea that he is well off."</p>
+
+<p>With another bow Errington retreated to say good-morning to his hostess.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, whether your sister-in-law comes or not, I hope we are sure of
+your charming self?" said Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>"Unless I am obliged to parade my boys for their grand-uncle's
+inspection, I am sure to honor you."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course everything must give away to <i>that</i>. I shall come and inquire
+what news soon, if I may?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes; come when you like."</p>
+
+<p>"They are all ready, Mrs. Liddell," remarked her hostess.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Kirby offered his arm, which was accepted with a smile, and the
+little widow sailed away with the sense of riding on the crest of a
+wave. The ladies were packed into the carriage, the polite man out of
+livery whistled up a hansom for the two gentlemen, and the luncheon
+party was over.</p>
+
+<p>It was a weary day to Mrs. Liddell&mdash;the dowager Mrs. Liddell, as society
+would have called her, only she had no dower. All she had inherited from
+her husband was the remnant of his debts, which she had been struggling
+for some years to pay off, and the care and maintenance of her boy and
+girl, on her own slender funds.</p>
+
+<p>At present the horizon looked very dark, and she almost regretted for
+Katherine's sake that she had agreed to make a home for her son's widow
+and children. Yet what would have become of them without it?</p>
+
+<p>Partly to rouse herself from her fruitless reflections, partly to
+relieve the house-maid, who had been doing some extra scrubbing, Mrs.
+Liddell took her little grandsons to Kensington Gardens, and when they
+had selected a place to play in she sat down with a book which she had
+brought in the vain hope of getting out of herself. But her sight was
+soon diverted from the page before her by the visions which came
+thronging from the thickly peopled past.</p>
+
+<p>Her life had been a hard continuous fight with difficulty after the
+first few years of her wedded existence. She had seen her gay,
+pleasure-loving husband change under the iron grasp of untoward
+circumstances into a querulous, bitter, disappointed man, rewarding all
+her efforts to keep their heads above water by sarcastic complaints of
+her narrow stinginess, venting on her the remorseful consciousness,
+unacknowledged to himself, that his reverses were the result of his own
+reckless extravagance. Perhaps to her true heart the cruelest pain of
+all was the gradual dying out, or rather killing out, of the love she
+once bore him, the vanishing, one by one, of the illusions she cherished
+respecting him, till she saw the man as he really was, weak, unstable,
+self-indulgent, incapable of true manliness. Still she was patient with
+him to the last; and when she was relieved by friendly death from the
+charge of so wilful and ungrateful a burden&mdash;though things were easier,
+because hers was the sole authority&mdash;it was a constant strain to provide
+the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span> education necessary for her boy. But that accomplished, she had a
+sweet interlude with her daughter in humble peace, and while she did her
+best to arm the child for the conflict of life, she avoided weakening
+herself by too much thought for her future. This spell of repose was
+broken by the necessity for sacrificing some of her small capital to set
+her son free from his embarrassments. Then came his death and her
+present experiment in house-keeping in order to give his widow and
+children a refuge.</p>
+
+<p>For the last four or five years she had made a welcome addition to her
+small income by her pen, contributing to the smaller weekly periodicals
+stories and sketches; for Mrs. Liddell had seen much with keen,
+observant eyes, and had a fair share of humor. This small success had
+tempted her to spend several months on a three-volume novel, thereby
+depriving herself of present remuneration which shorter, lighter tales
+had brought in. She sorely feared this ambitious step was a
+mistake&mdash;that she had over-estimated her own powers. She feared that she
+could never manage to keep up the very humble establishment she had
+started. Above all, she feared that her own health and physical force
+were failing. It was such an effort to do much that formerly was as
+nothing. That attack of bronchitis last spring had tried her severely:
+she had never felt quite the same since. And if she were called away,
+what would become of Katherine? Never was there a dearer daughter than
+her Katie. She knew every turn, every light and shade in her nature&mdash;her
+faults, her pride and hastiness, her deep, tender heart. A sob rose in
+her throat at the idea of Katherine being left alone to engage
+single-handed in the struggle for existence. No! She <i>would</i> live!&mdash;she
+would battle on with poverty and difficulty till Katherine was a few
+years older; till she was stronger and better able to stand alone.</p>
+
+<p>"Yet she is strong and brave for nineteen," thought the mother, proudly.
+"Perhaps I have kept her too much by my side. I wish I could let her pay
+a visit to the Mitchells. They have asked her repeatedly; but we must
+not think of it at present."</p>
+
+<p>Here her little grandsons, who had more than once broken in upon her
+musings, came running across the grass to inform her they were sure it
+was tea-time, as they were very hungry.</p>
+
+<p>"Then we shall go home," said Mrs. Liddell, immediately clearing her
+face of its look of gloom, and rising to accompany them, cheered by the
+thought that perhaps Katie's dear face might be ready to welcome her.</p>
+
+<p>But neither daughter nor daughter-in-law awaited her, and a couple of
+hours went slowly over&mdash;slowly and wearily, for she forced herself to
+tell the boys a couple of thrilling tales, before they went to bed, to
+keep them quiet and cool. Then, with promises that both mamma and auntie
+should come and kiss them as soon as they returned, she dismissed the
+little fellows.</p>
+
+<p>It was past seven when Katherine at last appeared at the garden gate.</p>
+
+<p>"I am so glad you have come in before Ada," cried Mrs. Liddell,
+embracing her. "Are you very tired, dearest?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, not nearly so tired as yesterday; and, mother dear, I think that
+strange old man will certainly give us the money."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Thank God! Tell me all about your day."</p>
+
+<p>"It was all very funny, but not terrible, like yesterday. My uncle seems
+determined to make a cook of me. He would not let them buy or prepare
+any food for him, except a cup of tea and some toast, until I came. How
+that frail old man can exist upon so little nourishment I cannot
+imagine; but though I seem to give him satisfaction, he does not express
+any. While he and Mr. Newton talked I was sent to look at the condition
+of the rooms upstairs. Such a condition of dust and neglect you could
+not conceive. Oh, the gloom and misery of the whole house is beyond
+description!"</p>
+
+<p>"Did you get anything to eat yourself?" asked Mrs. Liddell.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; Mr. Newton, who is really kind and friendly under his cool,
+precise exterior, sent for some cakes. He staid a good while. I think he
+has a good deal of influence on Mr. Liddell. (I can hardly call him
+uncle.) He was more polite when Mr. Newton was present. When he was
+going away he said, 'I am happy to say I have convinced Mr. Liddell that
+you are his niece, and if you and your mother will call upon me at noon
+to-morrow, the loan you wish for can be arranged, if you will agree to
+certain conditions, which I should like to explain both to you and to
+Mrs. Liddell.' He gave me his card. Here it is. He has written 'twelve
+to one' on it."</p>
+
+<p>"They must be very hard conditions if we cannot agree to them," said
+Mrs. Liddell, taking out her porte-monnaie and putting the card into it.
+"This is indeed a Godsend, Katie, dear. I am thankful you had the pluck
+to attack the old lion in his den."</p>
+
+<p>"Lion! Hyena rather. Yet I cannot help feeling sorry for him. Think of
+passing away without a soul to care whether you live or die&mdash;without one
+pleasant memory!"</p>
+
+<p>"His memories are anything but pleasant," returned Mrs. Liddell,
+gravely. "His wife, of whom I believe he was fond in his own way, left
+him when their only child, a son, was about ten years old. This seemed
+to turn his blood to gall. He took an unnatural dislike to his poor boy,
+and treated him so badly that he ran away to sea. Poor fellow? he used
+sometimes to write to your father. Their mutual dislike to John Liddell
+was a kind of bond between them. It is an unhappy story, for, as I told
+you, he was afterward killed at the gold diggings.</p>
+
+<p>"Very dreadful!" said Katherine, thoughtfully. "What a cruel visiting of
+the mother's sin on the unfortunate child!&mdash;that horrible bit of the
+decalogue! With all his icy cold selfishness Mr. Liddell is a gentleman.
+His voice is refined, and except when he was carried away by hi-fury
+against his roguish housekeeper he seems to have a certain self-respect.
+After Mr. Newton went away I read for a long time all the money articles
+in two penny papers, for the <i>Times</i> had been taken away. Then I wrote a
+couple of letters, and all my uncle said was: 'So it seems you really
+are my niece. Well, I hope you know more of the value of money than
+either your father or mother.' I could not let that pass, and said, 'My
+father died when I was too young to know him; but no one could manage
+money better nor with greater care than my mother.' He stared at me. 'I
+am glad to hear it,' he returned, very dryly. He had a note<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span> from his
+stock-broker in reply to one I wrote for him yesterday. He seemed
+greatly pleased with it. He kept chuckling and murmuring, 'Just in time,
+just in time!'"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps he will fancy you bring him luck."</p>
+
+<p>"I am awfully afraid he will want me to go and read to him every day,
+for when I was directing one of the letters he said, as though to
+himself, 'If she can read and write for me I need not buy a new pair of
+spectacles.' It would be too dreadful to be with that cynical hyena
+every day."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, when he gets a good servant he will not want you."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope not."</p>
+
+<p>"Now come, you must have your supper, dear. I am sure you have earned
+it. We will have it quietly together before Ada comes back. I feel so
+relieved, I shall be able to eat now."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2>
+
+<h3>"INTO THE SHADOWS."</h3>
+
+
+<p>To avoid Mrs. Frederic Liddell's almost screaming curiosity was not
+easy, and to appease it Kate assumed an air of frankness, saying that
+she believed Mr. Liddell merely wished to test her powers as secretary,
+and that she hoped she had not succeeded too well.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you lazy thing! You really ought to try and get in with him.
+Oughtn't she, Mrs. Liddell?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, certainly, if she can; but I fancy it will not be so easy. What
+are you going to do to-day, Ada?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, nothing"&mdash;in a rather discontented tone. "Why do you ask?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I am obliged to go into town on a matter of business, and I
+want to take Katherine."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I will look after the boys"&mdash;condescendingly, as if it were not
+her legitimate business. "But I really think you worry too much about
+those tiresome publishers. They would think more of you if you troubled
+them less. Your mother looks pale and fagged, Katherine."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, she does indeed," looking anxiously at her.</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid the publishers would leave me too utterly undisturbed if I
+left them alone," returned Mrs. Liddell, smiling, and leaving the
+suggestion uncontradicted. This conversation took place at breakfast.</p>
+
+<p>Mother and daughter made the journey cityward very silently, both a good
+deal occupied conjecturing what conditions John Liddell could possibly
+mean to impose. Perhaps only a very high rate of interest, which would
+cost no small effort to spare from their narrow income.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Newton received his visitors directly their names were sent up to
+him. His was an eminent firm; their offices, light, clean, well
+furnished, an abode which impressed those who entered with the idea of
+fair dealing, and forbade the notion of dark dusty corners moral or
+physical.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Katherine's quick eyes took in the aspect of the place: the bookshelves,
+where stores of legal learning in calf-bound volumes were ranged: the
+various brown tin boxes with names in white paint suggestive of the
+title-deeds "of all the land"; the big knee-hole table loaded with
+papers; the heavy chairs upholstered in the best leather for the
+patients who came to be treated; and Mr. Newton himself, more intensely
+cleaned up and starched than ever, in an oaken seat of medi&aelig;val form.</p>
+
+<p>He rose and set chairs for Mrs. Liddell and her daughter himself; then
+he rustled among his papers, and spoke down a tube.</p>
+
+<p>"Ahem!" he began. "Your brother-in-law, madam, is a man of peculiar
+character, but by no means without discrimination. Thank you"&mdash;to a
+clerk who brought in a long folded paper and laid it beside him,
+disappearing quickly. "By no means without discrimination," repeated Mr.
+Newton. "Unfortunately the love of money grows on a childless man, and
+his terms for the loan you require may not meet your approbation."</p>
+
+<p>"Pray what are they?" asked Mrs. Liddell.</p>
+
+<p>"My client will accept a bill of sale on your furniture as security, but
+he will give you a period of eighteen months to repay him, and he will
+charge ten per cent.; but if you agree to another condition, which I
+will explain, he will be content with five per cent."</p>
+
+<p>"This must be a severe condition," said Mrs. Liddell, with a slight
+smile.</p>
+
+<p>"No; it may prove a fortunate condition," said the lawyer, with some
+hesitation. "In short, I have persuaded Mr. Liddell to allow me to
+choose him a respectable servant at fair wages. The state into which he
+has fallen is deplorable. I felt it my duty to remonstrate with him, and
+he is not averse to my influence. I therefore pressed upon him the
+necessity of having a better class of housekeeper, a person who could
+read to him and write for him, and would be above drink and pilfering."</p>
+
+<p>"What did he say to that?" asked Katherine, with a bright, amused look.</p>
+
+<p>"He said, very decidedly: 'I will have that girl you say is my niece to
+be my housekeeper and reader. She gave me the best and cheapest dinner I
+ever ate; her letter to my stock-broker brought me luck; and I will pay
+ready money for everything, so she shall not be able to leave books
+unpaid. If she comes I will be content with five per cent, on the loan,
+which must do instead of salary; and if she refuses, why, so do I.' An
+ungracious speech, Mrs. Liddell, but there is the condition."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean my brother-in-law will refuse to help me if my daughter
+does not go to manage his house?"</p>
+
+<p>"So he says."</p>
+
+<p>"But did you not say at first that he would take ten per cent, without
+this sacrifice?"</p>
+
+<p>"<i>He</i> said so at first; then this plan seemed to strike him, and he was
+very firm about it."</p>
+
+<p>"It is an awful place to go to." The words burst from Katherine's lips
+before she could stop herself.</p>
+
+<p>"I can hardly agree to such a condition as this," cried Mrs. Liddell.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And I must urge you not to reject it," said Mr. Newton, impressively,
+"for the sake of your daughter and grandsons. I must point out that by
+refusing you not only deprive yourself of the temporary aid you
+require, but you cut off your daughter from all chance of winning
+over her uncle by the influence of her presence. Propinquity, my dear
+madam&mdash;propinquity sometimes works wonders; and Mr. Liddell has a great
+deal in his power. I would not encourage false hopes, but this is a
+chance you may never have again&mdash;a chance of sharing her uncle's
+fortune. If she refuses, he will never see her again."</p>
+
+<p>Silence ensued. The choice was a grave difficulty. Mrs. Liddell looked
+at Katherine, and Katherine looked at the carpet.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Katherine looked up quickly, and said, in a clear, decided
+voice: "I will go. I will undertake the office of secretary and
+housekeeper&mdash;at least until my mother pays off this loan."</p>
+
+<p>"Katie, my child, how shall you be able to bear it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Liddell has decided wisely and well," said the lawyer. "I
+earnestly hope&mdash;nay, I believe&mdash;she will reap a rich reward for her
+self-sacrifice."</p>
+
+<p>"But, Mr. Newton, I cannot consent without some reflection. I too have
+some conditions to impose."</p>
+
+<p>"And they are?" put in Newton, uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot define them all clearly on the spur of the moment; but I must
+have leave to go and see my daughter whenever I choose, and she must
+have the right to spend one day in the week at home."</p>
+
+<p>"This might be arranged," said the lawyer, thoughtfully. "Be brave, my
+dear madam. Sacrifice something of the present to secure future good."</p>
+
+<p>"Provided we do not pay too high a price for a doubtful benefit. It will
+be terrible for a young girl to be the bond-slave of such a man as John
+Liddell."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, mother, I am quite willing to undertake the task. Not that I am
+going to be a bond-slave, but as soon as you have paid your debt, I
+shall consider myself free."</p>
+
+<p>"By that time, my dear young lady, I hope you will have made yourself of
+so much importance to your uncle that he will make it worth your while
+to stay," exclaimed Newton, who was evidently actuated by a friendly
+feeling toward both mother and daughter.</p>
+
+<p>"He must bribe high, then," returned Kate, laughing.</p>
+
+<p>"Then may I inform Mr. Liddell that you accept his proposition? and you
+are prepared to begin your duties at once! Remember he considers his
+acceptance of five instead of ten per cent, frees him from the necessity
+of paying you any salary."</p>
+
+<p>"Surely the laborer is worthy of his hire," said Mrs. Liddell.</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt of it, madam; but the case is a peculiar one."</p>
+
+<p>Some more particulars were discussed and arranged; Mr. Newton begged
+Mrs. Liddell to look out for and select a servant, that Katherine might
+begin with some prospect of comfort. It was settled that an interview
+should be arranged between Mrs. Liddell and her brother-in-law on the
+day but one following, at which Mr. Newton was to assist, Finally she
+signed a paper, and received six lovely<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span> new crisp bank-notes, the magic
+touch of which has so marvellously reviving an effect.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine slipped her arm through her mother's and pressed it lovingly
+as they walked to the Metropolitan station for their return journey.
+"Now, dear, you will have a little peace," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear-bought peace, my darling. I cannot reconcile myself to such a fate
+for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Still, the money is a comfort."</p>
+
+<p>"It is indeed. I will pay the rent to-day, and to-morrow I will give Ada
+her money. That will be an infinite relief. And still I shall have a few
+pounds left. Katie dear, is it not too dreadful, the prospect of eating,
+drinking, sleeping, and beginning <i>di nuovo</i> each morning in that gloomy
+house? How shall you bear it?"</p>
+
+<p>"You shall see. If I can have a little chat with you every week I shall
+be able for a good deal. Then, remember, the book still remains. When
+that succeeds we may snap our fingers at rich uncles."</p>
+
+<p>"When that time comes," interrupted her mother, "you will be tied to the
+poor old miser by habit and the subtle claims which pity and
+comprehension weave round the sympathetic."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, if I ever grow to like him it will simplify matters very much. I
+almost hope I may, but it is not likely. How strange it will be to live
+in a different house from you! How dreadfully the boys will tease you
+when I am away! Come; suppose we go and see the <i>Cheerful Visitor</i>&mdash;the
+editor, I mean&mdash;before we return, and then we can say we <i>have</i> been to
+a publisher. I really do not think Ada knows the difference between an
+editor and a publisher."</p>
+
+<p>"Very likely; nor would you, probably, if you had not a mother who
+scribbles weak fiction."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a great deal better than much that is published and paid for,"
+said Katherine, emphatically.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! Kate, when money has long been scarce you get into a bad habit of
+estimating things merely at their market value. However, let us visit
+the <i>Cheerful Visitor</i> on our homeward way. Of course we must tell Ada
+of the impending change, but we need not explain too much."</p>
+
+<p>The journey back was less silent. Both mother and daughter were
+oppressed by the task undertaken by the latter. But Katherine was
+successful in concealing the dismay with which she contemplated a
+residence with John Liddell. "Whatever happens, I must not seem afraid
+of him or <i>be</i> afraid of him," she thought, with instinctive perception.
+"I will try to do what is just and right, and leave the rest to
+Providence. It must be a great comfort to have faith&mdash;to believe that if
+you do the right thing you will be directed and assisted by God. What
+strength it would give! But I haven't faith. I cannot believe that
+natural laws will ever be changed for me, and I <i>know</i> that good,
+honest, industrious creatures die of hunger every day. No matter. Do
+rightly, come what may, is the motto of every true soul. I don't
+suppose I shall melt this old man's<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> stony heart, but I will do my best
+for him. His has been a miserable life in spite of his money. There is
+so much money cannot buy!"</p>
+
+<p>"How dreadfully late you are!" said Mrs. Frederic, querulously, when
+they reached home. "I really could not keep the children waiting for
+you, so we have finished dinner; but Maria is keeping the mutton as hot
+as she can for you. Dear me! how sick I am of roast mutton! but I
+suppose it is cheap"&mdash;contemptuously.</p>
+
+<p>"Poor dear! it shall have something nice to-morrow," returned Mrs.
+Liddell, with her usual strong good temper.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you are too tired, Katherine, to come with me. The band plays
+in Kensington Gardens to-day, and I wanted so much to go and hear it."</p>
+
+<p>"I am indeed! Besides, mother has a great deal to tell you when we have
+had some dinner."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, indeed! Has your book been accepted, Mrs. Liddell? or has that
+terrible uncle of ours declared Katherine to be his heiress?"</p>
+
+<p>"Have a little patience, and you shall hear everything."</p>
+
+<p>"I am dying of curiosity and impatience. Here, Sarah, <i>do</i> bring up
+dinner&mdash;Mrs. Liddell is so hungry!"</p>
+
+<p>The announcement that Katherine was invited to live with John Liddell
+created a tornado of amazement, envy, anticipation&mdash;with an undercurrent
+of exultant pride that they were at last recognized by the only rich man
+in the family&mdash;in the mind of the pretty, impressionable little widow.</p>
+
+<p>"Gracious! What a grand thing for Kate! But she will be moped to death,
+and he will starve her. Why, Katherine, when it is known that a
+millionaire has adopted you his den will be besieged by your admirers.
+You will never be able to stand such a life for long at a time. Suppose
+I relieve guard every fortnight? You must let me have my innings too.
+Old gentlemen always like me, I am so cheerful. Then I might have the
+boys to see him; you know he ought to divide the property between us."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course he ought. I wish he would have us alternately; it would be a
+great relief," said Katherine, laughing.</p>
+
+<p>"I fancy he is <i>im</i>-mensely rich," continued Ada. "Why, Mr. Errington
+evidently knew his name."</p>
+
+<p>"Who is Mr. Errington?" asked Mrs. Liddell, with languid curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you never hear of the Calcutta Erringtons?" cried Ada, with
+infinite superiority. "There are as rich as Jews, and one of the
+greatest houses in India. Old Mr. Errington bought a fine place in the
+country lately, and this young man&mdash;I'm sure I don't know if he <i>is</i>
+young; he is as grave as a judge and as stiff as a poker&mdash;at all events
+he is an only son. I met him at the Burnett's yesterday. Well, he seemed
+to know Mr. Liddell's name quite well. Colonel Ormonde pricked up his
+ears too when I said you had gone to see him. It is a great advantage to
+have a rich old bachelor uncle, Katherine, but you must not keep him all
+to yourself."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>The next few days were agitated and much occupied. Katherine<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span> went for
+part of each to read and write and market for the old recluse, and he
+grew less formidable, but not more likable, as he became more familiar.
+He was an extraordinary example of a human being converted into a
+money-making and accumulating machine. He was not especially irritable;
+indeed his physical powers were weak and dying of every species of
+starvation; but his coldness was supernatural. Fortunately for
+Katherine, his former housekeeper was greedy and extravagant, so that
+his niece's management seemed wise and economical, and she had an
+excellent backer-up in Mr. Newton.</p>
+
+<p>The old miser was with difficulty persuaded to see his sister-in-law;
+but Mrs. Liddell insisted on an interview, and Mr. Newton himself
+supported her through the trying ordeal.</p>
+
+<p>The mother's heart sank within her at she sight of the gloomy, desolate
+abode in which her bright daughter was to be immured; but she comforted
+herself by reflecting that it need not be for long.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Liddell did not rise from the easy-chair in which he sat crouched
+together, his thin gray locks escaping as usual from under the
+skull-cap, his long lean brown hands grasping the arms of his chair,
+when Mrs. Liddell came in; neither did he hold out his hand. He looked
+at her fixedly with his glittering dark eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"You wanted to see me?" he said. "Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I thought it right to see and speak with you before committing
+my only child to your keeping."</p>
+
+<p>"But you have done it!&mdash;She has agreed to the conditions, has'nt she?"
+turning to Newton. "If you go back, I must have my money back."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, my dear sir&mdash;of course," soothingly.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad that Katherine can be of use to you. I do not wish to retract
+anything I have agreed to, but I wish to remind you that my child is
+young; that you must let her go in and out, and have opportunities for
+air and exercise."</p>
+
+<p>"She may do as she likes; she can do anything. So long as she reads to
+me, and buys my food without wasting my money, <i>I</i> don't want her
+company. She seems to know something of the value of money, and I'll
+keep her in pledge till you have paid me. I'll never let myself be
+cheated again, as I was by your worthless husband."</p>
+
+<p>"Let the dead rest," said Mrs. Liddell, sadly. "I have paid you what I
+could."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, the principal&mdash;the bare principal. What is that? Do men lend for
+the love of lending?" he returned, viciously.</p>
+
+<p>"Pray do not vex yourself. It is useless to look back&mdash;annoying and
+useless," said the lawyer, with decision.</p>
+
+<p>"Useless indeed! What more have you to say?"</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to see the room my daughter is to occupy. It is as well
+she should have the comforts necessary to health, for all our sakes.
+<i>You</i> will not find one who will serve you as Katherine can, even for a
+high price. I think you feel this yourself," said Mrs. Liddell,
+steadily.</p>
+
+<p>"You may go where you like, but do not trouble me. You can come and see
+your daughter, but <i>I</i> shall not want to see you; and she may go and see
+you of a Sunday, when there are no newspapers<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span> to be read; but, mark you
+I will not pay for carriages or horses or omnibuses; and mark also that
+I have made my will, and I'll not alter it in any one's favor. Your
+daughter will have her food and lodging and my countenance and
+protection."</p>
+
+<p>"She has done without these for nineteen years," said Mrs. Liddell, with
+a slight smile. "But you have given me very opportune help, for which I
+am grateful; so I have accepted your terms. Kate shall stay with you
+till I have paid you principal and interest, and then <i>I</i> warn you I
+shall reclaim my hostage."</p>
+
+<p>"She'll be a good while with me," he said, with a sneer. "None of
+you&mdash;you, your husband, or your son&mdash;ever had thirty pounds to spare in
+your lives."</p>
+
+<p>"Time will show," returned Mrs. Liddell, with admirable steadiness and
+temper. "Now I will bid you good-day, and take advantage of your
+permission to look over your house."</p>
+
+<p>"Let me show you the way," said Newton. "I shall return to you
+presently, Mr. Liddell."</p>
+
+<p>The old man bent his head. "See that the girl comes to-morrow," he said,
+and leaned back wearily in his chair.</p>
+
+<p>The friendly lawyer led the way upstairs, and showed Mrs. Liddell a
+large room, half bed, half sitting, with plenty of heavy old-fashioned
+furniture. "This was, I think, the drawing-room," said Mr. Newton; "and
+having extracted permission from my very peculiar client to have the
+house cleaned, so far as it could be done, which it sorely needed, the
+person I employed selected the best of the furniture for this room. We
+propose to give the next room at the back to the servant. You have, I
+believe, found one?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, a respectable elderly woman, of whom I have had an excellent
+character."</p>
+
+<p>After Mrs. Liddell had visited the rooms upstairs&mdash;mere dismantled
+receptacles of rubbish&mdash;and they returned to what was to be Katherine's
+abode, she sat down on the ponderous sofa, and in spite of her efforts
+to control herself the tears would well up and roll over.</p>
+
+<p>"I feel quite ashamed of myself," said she, in a broken voice; "but when
+I think of my Katie, here alone, with that cruel old man, it is too much
+for my strength. She has been so tenderly reared, her life, though quiet
+and humble, has been so cared for, so tranquil, that I shrink from the
+idea of her banishment here."</p>
+
+<p>"It is not unnatural, my dear madam, but indeed the trial is worth
+enduring. Do not believe that the will of which Mr. Liddell speaks is
+irrevocable. He has made two or three to my certain knowledge, and it
+would be foolish to cut your daughter off from, any chance of sharing
+his fortune, which is considerable, I assure you, merely to avoid a
+little present annoyance."</p>
+
+<p>"It would indeed. Do not think me very weak. It is a passing fit of the
+dolefuls. I have had much anxiety of late, and for the moment I have a
+painful feeling that I have sold myself and my dear daughter into the
+hands of a relentless creditor; that I shall never free my neck from his
+yoke. I shall probably feel differently to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"I dare say you will. You are a lady of much imagination; a writer, your
+daughter tells me. Such an occupation should be an<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span> outlet for all
+imaginative terrors or anticipations, and leave your mind, your
+judgment, clear and free. I am sure Miss Liddell will do her uncle and
+herself good by her residence here. Mr. Liddell has been a source of
+anxiety to me and to my partners. We have, you know, been his legal
+advisers for years, and to know that he is in good hands will be a great
+relief. Rely on my&mdash;on our doing our best to assist your daughter in
+every way."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Liddell, perceiving the friendly spirit which actuated the precise
+lawyer, thanked him warmly, and after a little further discussion of
+details, took her way home.</p>
+
+<p>From the step she had voluntarily taken there was no retreat, nor, to do
+her justice, was Katherine Liddell in the least disposed to turn back,
+having once put her hand to the plough. Indeed the blessed
+castle-building powers of youth disposed her to rear airy edifices as
+regarded the future, which lightened the present gloom. Suppose John
+Liddell were to soften toward her, and make her a handsome present
+occasionally, or forgive this debt to her mother? What a delightful
+reward this would be for her temporary servitude! But though Katherine
+really amused herself with such fancies, they never crystallized into
+hope. Hope still played round her mother's chance of success with the
+publishers. Not that she fancied her dear mother a genius; on the
+contrary, because she <i>was</i> her mother, she probably undervalued her
+work; but she knew that hundreds of stories printed and paid for lacked
+the common-sense and humor of Mrs. Liddell's.</p>
+
+<p>How ardently she longed to give her mother something of a rest after the
+burden and heat of the day, which she had borne so well and so long&mdash;a
+spell of peaceful twilight before the gray shadows of everlasting
+darkness closed, or the brightness of eternal light broke upon her! Yes,
+she would stand four-square against the steely terrors of John Liddell's
+cold egotism and penuriousness, against the desolation and gloom of his
+forbidding abode, the crushing sordidness of an existence reduced to the
+merest straws of sustenance, provided she could lighten her mother's
+load&mdash;perhaps secure her future ease; and she would do her task well,
+thoroughly, keeping a steady heart and a bright face. Then, should the
+tide ever turn, what deep draughts of pleasure she would drink!
+Katherine was not socially ambitious; finery and grandeur as such did
+not attract her; but real joys, beauty and gayety, the company of
+pleasant people, <i>i.e.</i> people who suited <i>her</i>, graceful surroundings,
+becoming clothes, and plenty of them, all were dear and delightful to
+her.</p>
+
+<p>Some of these things she had tasted when she lived with her mother in
+the German and Italian towns where she had been chiefly educated; the
+rest she was satisfied to imagine. Above all, she loved to charm those
+with whom she associated&mdash;loved it in a half-unconscious way. Were it to
+a poor blind beggar woman, or a little crossing sweeper, she would speak
+as gently and modulate her voice as carefully as to the most brilliant
+partner or the greatest lady. This might be tenderness of nature, or the
+profound instinct to win liking and admiration. As yet it was quite
+instinctive; but if hurt or offended she could feel resentment very
+vividly, and was by no means too ready to forgive.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Unfortunately she started with a strong prejudice against her uncle, and
+sometimes rehearsed in her own mind exceedingly fine speeches which she
+would have liked to address to her miserly relative on the subject of
+his cruelty to his son, his avarice, his egotism.</p>
+
+<p>Still a strain of pity ran through her meditations. Was life worth
+living, spent as his was? How far had his nature been warped by his
+wife's desertion?</p>
+
+<p>It was an extraordinary experience to Katherine, this packing up of her
+belongings to quit her home. She took as little as she could help, to
+keep up the idea that she was entering on a very temporary engagement;
+besides, as she meant to adhere rigidly to her right of a weekly visit
+to her mother, she could always get what she wanted.</p>
+
+<p>After Mrs. Liddell, Katherine found it hardest to part with the boys,
+specially little Charlie, whose guardian and champion she had
+constituted herself. Her sister-in-law had rather an irritating effect
+upon her, of which she was a little ashamed, and whenever she had spoken
+sharply, which she did occasionally, she was ready to atone for it by
+doing some extra service, so that, on the whole, the pretty little widow
+got a good deal more out of her sister than out of her mother-in-law.</p>
+
+<p>But meditations, resolutions, regrets, and preparations notwithstanding,
+the day of Katherine's departure arrived. It was a bright, glowing
+afternoon, and the Thursday fixed for the boating party. Mrs. Liddell
+junior had expended much eloquence to no purpose, as she well knew it
+would be, in trying to persuade her sister-in-law to postpone the
+commencement of what the little widow was pleased to call her "penal
+servitude," and accompany her to Twickenham.</p>
+
+<p>She departed, however, without her, looking her very best, and uttering
+many promises to come and see Katie soon, to try her powers of pleasing
+on that dreadful old uncle of ours, to bring the dear boys, and see if
+they would not cut out their aunty, etc.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Liddell and her daughter were most thankful to have the last few
+hours together, and yet they said little, and that chiefly respecting
+past days which they had enjoyed together&mdash;little excursions on the Elbe
+or in the neighborhood of Florence; a couple of months once passed at
+Siena, which was a mental epoch to Katherine, who was then about
+fifteen; promises to write; and tender queries on the mother's side if
+she had remembered this or that.</p>
+
+<p>The little boys clung to her, Charlie in tears, Cecil very solemn. Both
+had taken up the sort of camera-obscura image of their elders' views
+which children contrive to obtain so mysteriously without hearing
+anything distinct concerning them, and both considered "Uncle John" a
+sort of modern ogre, only restrained by the policeman outside from
+making a daily meal of the nearest infant school, and sure to gobble up
+aunty some day. Charlie trembled at the thought; Cecil pondered
+profoundly how, by the judicious arrangement of a trap-door in the
+middle of his room, he might carry out the original idea of Jack the
+Giant-Killer.</p>
+
+<p>"Pray don't think of coming with me, mother," said Katherine,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span> seeing
+Mrs. Liddell take out her bonnet. "I could not bear to think of your
+lonely drive back. Trust me to myself. I am not going to be either
+frightened or cast down, and I will write to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I must let you go, darling! On Sunday next, Katie, we shall see
+you."</p>
+
+<p>A long, fond embrace, and Mrs. Liddell was indeed alone.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2>
+
+<h3>"SHIFTING SCENES."</h3>
+
+
+<p>Parting is often worst to those who stay behind. Imagination paints the
+trials and difficulties of the one who has put out to sea as far worse
+than the reality, while variety and action brace the spirit of him who
+goes forth.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine's reception, however, was paralyzing enough.</p>
+
+<p>Nothing was in her favor save the mellow brightness of the fine warm
+evening, though from its south-east aspect the parlor at Legrave
+Crescent was already in shadow. There, in his usual seat beside the
+fire&mdash;for, though a miser, John Liddell had a fire summer and
+winter&mdash;sat the old man watching the embers, in himself a living
+refrigerator.</p>
+
+<p>"You are late!" was his greeting, in a low, cold voice. "I have been
+expecting you. The woman Newton found for me has been up and down with a
+dozen questions I cannot answer. I must be saved from this; I will not
+be disturbed. Go and see what she wants; then, if there is more food to
+be cooked, come to me for money. Mark! no more bills. I will give you
+what cash you want each day, so long as you do not ask too much."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well. Your fire wants making up, uncle." She brought out this last
+word with an effort. "I suppose I <i>am</i> to call you uncle?"</p>
+
+<p>"Call me what you choose," was the ungracious reply.</p>
+
+<p>In the hall she found the new servant, whom she had already seen,
+waiting her orders. She was a stout, good-humored woman of a certain
+age, with vast experience, gathered in many services, and partly tempted
+to her present engagement by the hope that in so small a household her
+labor would be light.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you come up, miss, and see if your room is as you like it?" was
+her first address. "I'm sure I <i>am</i> glad you have come! I've been
+groping in the dark, in a manner of speaking, since I came yesterday;
+and Mr. Liddell, he's not to be spoke to. Believe me, miss, if it wasn't
+that I promised your mar, and saw you was a nice young lady yourself,
+wild horses wouldn't keep me in such a lonesome barrack of a place!"</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you will not desert us, Mrs. Knapp," returned Katherine,
+cheerfully. "If you and I do our best, I hope the place will not be so
+bad."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it didn't ought to," returned Mrs. Knapp. "There's lots of good
+furniture everywhere but in the kitchen, and that's just for all the
+world like a marine store!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Is it?" exclaimed Katherine, greatly puzzled by the metaphor. "At all
+events you have made my room nice and tidy." This conversation,
+commenced on the staircase, was continued in Katherine's apartment.</p>
+
+<p>"It ain't bad, miss; there's plenty of room for your clothes in that big
+wardrobe, and there's a chest of drawers; but Lord, 'm, they smell that
+musty, I've stood them open all last night and this morning, but they
+ain't much the better. I didn't like to ask for the key of the bookcase,
+but I can see through the glass the books are just coated with dust,"
+said Mrs. Knapp.</p>
+
+<p>"We must manage all that by-and-by," said Katherine. "Have you anything
+in the house? I suppose my uncle will want some dinner."</p>
+
+<p>"I gave him a filleted sole with white sauce, and a custard pudding, at
+two o'clock, and he said he wanted nothing more. I had no end of trouble
+in getting half a crown out of him, and he had the change. If the
+gentleman as I saw with your mar, miss, hadn't given me five shillings,
+I don't know where I should be."</p>
+
+<p>"I will ask my uncle what he would like for dinner or supper, and come
+to you in the kitchen afterward."</p>
+
+<p>Such was Katherine's inauguration.</p>
+
+<p>She soon found ample occupation. Not a day passed without a battle over
+pennies and half-pennies. Liddell gave her each morning a small sum
+wherewith to go to market; he expected her to return straight to him and
+account rigidly for every farthing she had laid out, to enter all in a
+book which he kept, and to give him the exact change. These early
+expeditions into the fresh air among the busy, friendly shopkeepers soon
+came to be the best bit of Katherine's day, and most useful in keeping
+up the healthy tone of her mind. Then came a spell of reading from the
+<i>Times</i> and other papers. Every word connected with the funds and money
+matters generally, even such morsels of politics as effected the pulse
+of finance, was eagerly listened to; of other topics Mr. Liddell did not
+care to hear. A few letters to solicitor or stock-broker, some entries
+in a general account-book, and the forenoon was gone. Friends,
+interests, regard for life in any of its various aspects, all were
+nonexistent for Liddell. Money was his only thought, his sole
+aspiration&mdash;to accumulate, for no object. This miserliness had grown
+upon him since he had lost both wife and son. Fortunately for Katherine,
+his ideas of expenditure had been fixed by the comparatively liberal
+standard of his late cook. When, therefore, he found he had greater
+comfort at slightly less cost he was satisfied.</p>
+
+<p>But his satisfaction did not prompt him to express it. His nearest
+approach to approval was not finding fault.</p>
+
+<p>In vain Katherine endeavored to interest him in some of the subjects
+treated of in the papers. He was deaf to every topic that did not bear
+on his self-interest.</p>
+
+<p>"There is a curious account here of the state of labor in Manchester and
+Birmingham; shall I read it to you?" asked Katherine, one morning, after
+she had toiled through the share list and city article. She had been
+about a fortnight installed in her uncle's house.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No!" he returned; "what is labor to me? We have each our own work to
+do."</p>
+
+<p>"But is there nothing else you would care to hear, uncle?" She had grown
+more accustomed to him, and he to her; in spite of herself, she was
+anxious to cheer his dull days&mdash;to awaken something of human feeling in
+the old automaton.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing! Why should I care for what does not concern me? You only care
+for what touches yourself; but because you are young, and your blood
+runs quick, many things touch you."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you ever care for anything except&mdash;except&mdash;" Katherine pulled
+herself up. The words "your money" were on her lips.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot remember, and I do not wish to look back. I suppose, now, you
+would like to be driving about in a fine carriage, with a bonnet and
+feathers on your head. I suppose you are wishing me dead, and yourself
+free to run away from your daily tasks in this quiet house, to listen to
+the lying tongue of some soft-spoken scoundrel, as foolish women will;
+but the longer I live the better for <i>you</i>, till your mother's debt is
+paid, or my executors will give her a short shrift and scant time."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't want you to die, Uncle Liddell," said Katherine, with simple
+sincerity, "but I wish there was anything I could do to interest you or
+amuse you. I am sorry to see you so dull. Why, you are obliged to sleep
+all the afternoon!"</p>
+
+<p>"Amuse <i>me</i>?" he returned, with infinite scorn. "You need not trouble
+yourself. I have thoughts which occupy me of which you have no idea, and
+then I pass from thoughts to dreams&mdash;grand dreams!"&mdash;he paused for a
+moment. "Where is that pile of papers that lay on the chair there?" he
+resumed, sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"I have taken them away upstairs; when I have collected some more I am
+going to sell them. My mother always sells her waste paper&mdash;one may as
+well have a few pence for them."</p>
+
+<p>"Did you mother say so?" with some animation&mdash;then another pause. "Are
+you going to see her on Sunday?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not next Sunday," returned Katherine, quite pleased to draw him into
+conversation. "You know we must let Mrs. Knapp go out every alternate
+Sunday, and you cannot be left alone."</p>
+
+<p>"Why not? Am I an imbecile? Am I dying? I can tell you I have years of
+life before me yet."</p>
+
+<p>"I dare say; still, it is my duty to stay here in case you want
+anything. But I shall go home on Saturday afternoon instead, if you have
+no objection."</p>
+
+<p>"You would not heed my objections if I had any. You are self-willed, you
+are resolute. I see things when I care to look. There, I am very tired!
+You will find some newspapers in my room; you can add them to the
+others. How soon will dinner be ready?" Katherine felt herself
+dismissed.</p>
+
+<p>The afternoons were much at her own disposal; and as she found a number
+of old books, some of which greatly interested her, she managed to
+accomplish a good deal of reading, and even did a little dreaming.
+Still, though time seemed to go so slowly, the weeks, on looking back,
+had flown fast.</p>
+
+<p>The monotony was terrible; but a break was at hand which was not quite
+unexpected.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The day following the above conversation, Katherine had retired as usual
+after dinner to write to a German friend with whom she kept up a
+desultory correspondence; the day was warm, and her door being open, the
+unwonted sound of the front door-bell startled her.</p>
+
+<p>"Who could it possibly be?" asked Katherine of herself. The next minute
+a familiar voice struck her ear, and she quickly descended to the front
+parlor.</p>
+
+<p>There an appalling sight met her eyes. In the centre of the room, her
+back to the door, stood Mrs. Fred Liddell, a little boy in either
+hand&mdash;all three most carefully attired in their best garments, and
+making quite a pretty group.</p>
+
+<p>Facing them, Mr. Liddell sat upright in his chair, his lean, claw-like
+hands grasping the arms, his eyes full of fierce astonishment.</p>
+
+<p>"You see, my dear sir, as you have never invited me, I have ventured to
+come unasked to make your acquaintance, and to introduce my dear boys to
+you; for it is possible you have sent me a message by Katherine which
+she has forgotten to deliver; so I thought&mdash;" Thus far the pretty little
+widow had proceeded when the children, catching sight of their auntie,
+sprang upon her with a cry of delight.</p>
+
+<p>"Who&mdash;who is this?" asked Mr. Liddell, compressing his thin lips and
+hissing out the words.</p>
+
+<p>"My brother's widow, Mrs. Fred Liddell," returned Katherine, who was
+kissing and fondling her nephews.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you invite her to come here?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, uncle."</p>
+
+<p>"Then explain to her that I do not receive visitors, especially
+relations, who have no claims upon me, and&mdash;and I particularly object to
+children."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall take my sister-in-law to my room for a little rest," returned
+Katherine, wounded by his manner, though greatly vexed with Ada for
+coming.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, do, anywhere you like."</p>
+
+<p>But Mrs. Fred made a gallant attempt to stand her ground.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear sir, you must not be so unkind as to turn me out, when I have
+taken the trouble to come all this way on purpose to make your
+acquaintance. Let Katherine take away the children by all means&mdash;some
+people <i>are</i> worried with children&mdash;but let <i>me</i> stay and have a little
+talk with you."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Liddell's only reply was to rise up. Gaunt, bent, his gray locks
+quivering with annoyance, and leaning on his stick, he slowly walked to
+the door, his eyes fixed with a cold glare on the intruder. At the door
+he turned, and addressing Katherine, said, "Let me know when she is
+gone;" then he disappeared into the hall.</p>
+
+<p>Little Charlie burst into tears. Cecil cried out, "You are a nasty,
+cross old man"; while Mrs. Fred grew very red, and exclaimed: "I never
+saw such a bear in all my life! Why, a crossing-sweeper would have
+better manners! I am astonished at you, Katie. How can you live with
+such a creature? But <i>some</i> people would do anything for money."</p>
+
+<p>"I am dreadfully sorry," said Katherine; "do come up to my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span> room. If you
+had only told me you were coming I should have advised you against it.
+You must rest a while in my room."</p>
+
+<p>"I really do not think I will sit down in this house after the way in
+which I have been treated," said the irate widow, while she followed her
+sister-in-law upstairs.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes, do, mammy; I want to see the house," implored Cecil.</p>
+
+<p>"Why did you not tell me what a dreadful man he is, Katherine, and I
+should not have put myself in the way of being insulted?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think I told you enough to keep you away, Ada. What put it into your
+head to come?"</p>
+
+<p>"I scarcely know. I always intended it, and Colonel Ormonde said it was
+my duty to let him, Mr. Liddell, see the boys. I really did not want to
+come."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish Colonel Ormonde would mind his own affairs," cried Katherine. "I
+fancy he only talks for talking's sake."</p>
+
+<p>"That is all you know," indignantly; "he is a very clever man of the
+world, and I am fortunate in having such a friend to interest himself in
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, well, perhaps so. At all events, I am very glad to see the bays,
+and&mdash;you too, Ada. Charlie is very pale. Come here, Charlie."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, auntie, is this your own, own room? Does the cross old man ever
+come here? Are all those books yours&mdash;and the funny little table with
+the crooked legs? Who is the man in a wig?" cried Cecil. "Mightn't we
+stay with you? we would be so quiet? Mother says we are <i>dreffully</i>
+troublesome since you went away. We could both sleep with you in that
+great big bed! The cross old gentleman would never know. It would be
+such fun! Do, do, let us stay, auntie!"</p>
+
+<p>"But I am afraid of the old gentleman," whispered the younger boy. "Does
+he ever hurt you, auntie dear? I wish you would come home."</p>
+
+<p>"Charlie is such a coward," said Cecil, with contempt.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't talk nonsense, children," exclaimed their mother, peremptorily.
+"I should die of fright if I thought you were left behind with that
+ogre. <i>I</i> wouldn't sacrifice my children for the sake of filthy lucre."</p>
+
+<p>"Do not talk nonsense, Ada?" said Katherine, impatiently. "I am
+infinitely distressed that my uncle should have behaved so rudely, but
+he is really eccentric, and if you had consulted&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"He is the boys' uncle as well as yours," interrupted Ada, indignantly.
+"Why should they not come and see him? How was I to suppose he was such
+an unnatural monster?"</p>
+
+<p>"I always told you he was very peculiar."</p>
+
+<p>"Peculiar! that is a delicate way of putting it. If I were you I should
+be ashamed of wasting my time and my youth acting servant to an old
+miser who will not leave you a sou!"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I don't suppose he will," returned Katherine, quietly. "Still, I am
+not the least ashamed of what I am doing; I am quite satisfied with my
+own motives."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you are always satisfied with yourself, I know," was the angry
+answer, "But"&mdash;with a slight change of tone&mdash;"I am sorry to see you look
+so pale and ill, though you deserve it."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Never mind, Ada. Take off your bonnet and sit down. I will get you a
+cup of tea."</p>
+
+<p>"Tea! no, certainly not! Do you think me so mean as to taste a mouthful
+of food in this house after being ordered out of it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I am <i>so</i> hungry!" cried Cecil, in mournful tones.</p>
+
+<p>"You are a little cormorant: Grannie will give you nice tea when we get
+home. Put on your gloves, children, I shall go at once."</p>
+
+<p>"Do come back with us, auntie," implored the boys. "Grannie wants you
+ever so much."</p>
+
+<p>"Not more than I want her," returned Katherine. "How is she, Ada?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, very well; just the same as usual. People who are not sensitive
+have a great deal to be thankful for. <i>I</i> feel quite upset by this
+encounter with your amiable relative, so I will say good-by."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, wait for me; I will come with you. Let me put on my hat and tell
+Mr. Liddell I am going out."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course you must ask the master's leave!"</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly," returned Katherine, good-humoredly. And she put on her hat
+and gloves.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I shall be glad of your guidance, for I hardly know my way back
+to where the omnibus starts. Such a horrible low part of the town for a
+man of fortune to live in! I wonder what Colonel Ormonde would say to
+it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I don't know," returned Kate, laughing. "Now come downstairs.
+If you go on I will speak to my uncle, and follow you."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry you have been annoyed," said Katherine, when having tapped
+at the door, Mr. Liddell desired her to "come in." He was standing at an
+old-fashioned bureau, the front of which let down to form a writing-desk
+and enclosed a number of various-sized drawers. He had taken out several
+packets of paper neatly tied with red tape and seemed to be rearranging
+them.</p>
+
+<p>"I am going to take my sister-in-law back to the omnibus; you may be
+sure she will never intrude again."</p>
+
+<p>"She shall not," he replied, turning to face her. Katherine thought how
+ghastly pale and pinched he looked. "I see the sort of creature she
+is&mdash;a doll that would sell her sawdust soul for finery and glitter; ay,
+and the lives of all who belong to her for an hour of pleasure."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine was shocked at his fierce, uncalled-for bitterness.</p>
+
+<p>"She has lived with us for more than a year and a half, and we have
+found her very pleasant and kind. Her children are dear, sweet things.
+You should not judge her so harshly."</p>
+
+<p>"You are a greater fool than I took you for," cried Mr. Liddell. "Go
+take them away, and mind they do not come back."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine hastened after her visitors and led them by a more direct
+route than they had traversed in coming. It took them past a cake shop,
+where she spent one of her few sixpences in appeasing her nephews'
+appetite, which, at least, with Cecil, grew with what it fed upon, in
+the matter of cakes.</p>
+
+<p>The children, each holding one of her hands, chattered away, telling
+many particulars of grannie and Jane, and the cat, to say<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span> nothing of a
+most interesting gardener who came to cut the grass. To all of which
+Katherine lent a willing ear. How ardently she longed to be at home with
+the dear mother again! She had never done half enough for her. Ah, if
+they only could be together again in Florence or Dresden as they used to
+be!</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Fred Liddell kept almost complete silence&mdash;a very unusual case with
+her&mdash;and only as she paused before following her little boys into the
+omnibus did she give any clew to the current of her thoughts. "Should
+Colonel Ormonde come on Saturday when you are with us&mdash;which is not
+likely&mdash;do not say anything about that horrid old man's rudeness; one
+does not like to confess to being turned out."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not. I shall say nothing, you may be sure."</p>
+
+<p>"Good-by, then. I shall tell your mother you are looking <i>wretchedly</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"Pray do not," cried Katherine, but the conductor's loud stamping on his
+perch to start the driver drowned her voice.</p>
+
+<p>It was a fine evening, fresh, too, with a slight crispness, and
+Katherine could not resist the temptation of a walk in Regent's Park.
+She felt her spirits, which had been greatly depressed, somewhat revived
+by the free air, the sight of grass and trees. Still she could not
+answer the question which often tormented her, "If my mother cannot sell
+her book, how will it all end&mdash;must I remain as a hostage forever?" It
+was a gloomy outlook.</p>
+
+<p>She did not allow herself to stray far; crossing the foot-bridge over
+the Regent's Canal, she turned down a street which led by a circuit
+toward her abode. It skirted Primrose Hill for a few yards, and as she
+passed one of the gates admitting to the path which crosses it, a
+gentleman came out, and after an instant's hesitation raised his hat.
+Katherine recognized the man who had rescued Cecil at Hyde Park Corner.
+She smiled and bowed, frankly pleased to meet him again; it was so
+refreshing to see a bright, kindly face&mdash;a face, too, that looked glad
+to see her.</p>
+
+<p>"May I venture to inquire for my little friend?" said the gentleman,
+respectfully. "I trust he was not the worse for his adventure?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all, thanks to your promptness," said Katherine, pausing. "I
+have only just parted with him and his mother. She would have been very
+glad of an opportunity to thank you."</p>
+
+<p>"So slight a service scarcely needs your thanks," he said, in a soft,
+agreeable voice, as he turned and walked beside her.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine made no objection; she knew he was an acquaintance of Colonel
+Ormonde, and it was too pleasant a chance of speaking to a civilized
+human being to be lost. Her new acquaintance was good-looking without
+being handsome, with a peculiarly happy expression, and honest, kindly
+light-brown eyes. He was about middle height, but well set up, and
+carried himself like a soldier.</p>
+
+<p>"Then your little charge does not live with you?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Not now. I am staying with my uncle. Cecil lives with his mother and
+mine at Bayswater."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed! I think my old friend, Colonel Ormonde, knows the young
+gentleman's mother."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"He does."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, may I introduce myself to you? My name is Payne&mdash;Gilbert Payne."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, indeed!" returned Katherine, with a vague idea that she ought not
+perhaps to walk with him, yet by no means inclined to dismiss a pleasant
+companion.</p>
+
+<p>"I fancy your young nephew is a somewhat rebellious subject."</p>
+
+<p>"He is sometimes very troublesome, but you cannot help liking him."</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly&mdash;a fine boy. What bewildering little animals children are! They
+ought to teach us humility, they understand us so much better than we
+understand them."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe they do, but I never thought of it before. Have you little
+brothers and sisters who have taught you this?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. I am the youngest of my family; but I am interested in a refuge for
+street children, and I learn much there."</p>
+
+<p>"That is very good of you," said Katherine, looking earnestly at him.
+"Where is it&mdash;near this?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; a long way off. There are plenty of such places in every direction.
+I have just come from a home for poor old women, childless widows,
+sickly spinsters, who cannot work, and have no one to work for them. If
+you have any spare time, it would be a great kindness to go and read to
+them now and then. The lees of such lives are often sad and tasteless."</p>
+
+<p>"I should be glad to help in any way," said Katherine, coloring, "but
+just now I belong (temporarily) to my uncle, who is old, and requires a
+good deal of reading&mdash;and care."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, I see your work is cut out for you: that, of course, is your first
+duty."</p>
+
+<p>The conversation then flowed on easily about street arabs and the
+various missions for rescuing them, about soldiers' homes, and other
+kindred topics. Katherine was much interested, and taken out of herself;
+she was quite sorry when on approaching Legrave Crescent she felt
+obliged to pause, with the intention of dismissing him. He understood.
+"Do you live near this?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, quite near."</p>
+
+<p>"May I bring you some papers giving you an account of my poor old
+women?"</p>
+
+<p>"I should like so much to have them," said Katherine. "But my uncle is
+rather peculiar. He does not like to be disturbed; he does not like
+visitors; he was vexed because my sister-in-law and the children came
+to-day."</p>
+
+<p>"I understand, and will not intrude. But should you be able and willing
+to help these undertakings, Colonel Ormonde will always know my address.
+He honors me still with his friendship, though he thinks me a
+moon-struck idiot."</p>
+
+<p>"Because you are good. The folly is his," said Katherine, warmly. Then
+she bowed, Mr. Payne lifted his hat again, and they parted, not to meet
+for many a day.</p>
+
+<p>When Mrs. Knapp opened the door she looked rather grave, but Katherine's
+mind was so full of her encounter with Gilbert Payne<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span> that she did not
+notice it, seeing which, Mrs. Knapp said, "I'm glad you have come in,
+miss."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?" with immediate apprehension. "Is my uncle ill?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is not right, miss. I took him up his cup or tea and slice of dry
+toast about five, and he was lying back, as he often does, asleep, as I
+thought, in the chair. I says, 'Here's your tea, sir,' but he made no
+answer, and I spoke again twice without making him hear; then I touched
+his hand; it was stone cold; so I got water and dabbed his brow, when he
+sat up all of a sudden, and swore at me for making him cold and damp
+with my&mdash;I don't like to say the word&mdash;rags. Then he shivered and shook
+like an aspen; but I made up the fire and popped a spoonful of brandy in
+his tea&mdash;he never noticed. But he kept asking for you, miss. I think he
+doesn't know he was bad."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine hastened to her uncle, greatly distressed at having been
+absent at the moment of need. In her eagerness she committed the mistake
+of asking how he felt now, and received a tart reply. There was nothing
+the matter with him, nothing unusual&mdash;only his old complaint, increasing
+years and infirmity; still he was not to be treated like a helpless
+baby.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine felt her error, and turned the subject; then, returning to it,
+begged him to see a doctor. This he refused sternly. Finally she had
+recourse to an article on the revenue in the paper, which soothed him,
+and she saw the old man totter off to bed with extreme uneasiness, yet
+not daring even to suggest a night light, so irritable did he seem.</p>
+
+<p>Before she slept she wrote a brief account of what had occurred to Mr.
+Newton, and implored him to come and remonstrate with his client.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE BEGINNING OF THE END.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Katherine Liddell had never spent so uneasy a night, save when her
+mother had been ill. Her nerves were on the stretch, her ears painfully
+watchful for the smallest sound. What if the desolate old man should
+pass away, alone and unaided, in the darkness of night! The sense of
+responsibility was almost too much for her. If she could have her mother
+at her side she would fear nothing. She was up early, thankful to see
+daylight, and eager for Mrs. Knapp's report of her uncle.</p>
+
+<p>Generally the old man was afoot betimes, and despised the luxury of warm
+water. This morning Mrs. Knapp had to knock at his door, as he was not
+moving, and after a brief interview returned to inform Katherine that
+Mr. Liddell grumbled at her for being up too early, and on hearing that
+it was half past eight, said she had better bring him a cup of tea.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine carried it to him herself. He took very little notice of her,
+but said he would get up presently and hear the papers read<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span>.</p>
+
+<p>When she came back with some jelly, for which she had sent to the
+nearest confectioner, he ate it without comment, and told her she
+might go.</p>
+
+<p>It was a miserable morning, but about noon, to her great delight,
+she saw Mr. Newton opening the garden gate. She flew to admit
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"I am so thankful you have come!"</p>
+
+<p>"How is Mr. Liddell?"</p>
+
+<p>"He seems quite himself this morning, except that he is inclined
+to stay in bed."</p>
+
+<p>"He must see a doctor," said Mr. Newton, speaking in a low
+voice and turning into the parlor. "We must try and keep him
+alive and in his senses for every reason. I am glad he is still in bed;
+it will give me an excuse for urging him to take advice, for of
+course I shall not mention your note."</p>
+
+<p>"No pray do not. He evidently does not like to be thought ill."</p>
+
+<p>"Pray how long have you been here&mdash;nearly a month? Yes, I
+thought so. I cannot compliment you on your looks. How do you
+think you have been getting on with our friend?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not very well, I fear," said Katherine, shaking her head. "He
+rarely speaks to me, except to give some order or ask some necessary
+question. Yet he does not speak roughly or crossly, as he does
+to Mrs. Knapp; and something I cannot define in his voice, even in
+his cold eyes, tells me he is growing used to my presence, and that
+he does not dislike it."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I should think not, Miss Liddell," said the precise lawyer,
+politely. "I trust time may be given to him to recognize the claims
+of kindred and of merit. Pray ask him if he will see me, and in the
+mean time please send a note to Dr. Brown&mdash;a very respectable
+practitioner, who lives not far; ask him to come at once. I must
+persuade Mr. Liddell to see him, and if possible while I am present."</p>
+
+<p>The old man showed no surprise at Mr. Newton's presence; it was
+almost time for his monthly visit, and as he brought a small sum of
+money with him, the result of some minor payments, he was very
+welcome.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine, immensely relieved, sat trying to work in the front
+parlor, but really watching for the doctor. Would her uncle see
+him? and if not, ought she still to undertake the responsibility of
+such a charge?</p>
+
+<p>At last he arrived, a staid, thoughtful-looking man; and before
+he had time to do more than exchange a few words with her, Mr.
+Newton appeared and carried him off to see the patient.</p>
+
+<p>They seemed a long time gone; and when they returned the doctor
+wrote a prescription&mdash;a very simple tonic, he said. "What your
+uncle needs, Miss Liddell," he said, "is constant nourishment. He
+is exceedingly weak; the action of the heart is feeble, the whole
+system starved. You must get him to take all the food you can, and
+some good wine&mdash;Burgundy if possible. He had better get up.
+There is really no organic disease, but he is very low. He ought to
+have some one in his room at night."</p>
+
+<p>"It will be difficult to manage that," said Mr. Newton.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall look in to-morrow about this time," said the doctor, and
+hurried away.</p>
+
+<p>"How have you contrived to make him hear reason?" asked
+Katherine, eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"I took the law into my own hands, for one thing, and I suggested
+a powerful motive for living on. I reminded him that he and
+another old gentleman are the only survivors in a 'Tontine,' and
+that he must try to outlive him. So the cost of doctor, medicine,
+etc., etc., ought to be considered as an investment. Do not fail to
+get him all possible nourishment. If he rebels, send for me."</p>
+
+<p>"I will indeed. I am almost afraid to stay here alone. Might I
+not have my mother with me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do not think of it"&mdash;earnestly. "I was going to say that I believe
+you are decidedly gaining on your uncle; but the intrusion of
+Mrs. Frederic Liddell yesterday was very unfortunate. My rather
+peculiar client is impressed with the idea that you invited her."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I did not!" cried Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"I did not suppose you did, but her appearance seems to have
+given Mr. Liddell a shock." Mr. Newton paused, and then asked
+in a slow tone, as if thinking hard, "What was your sister-in-law's
+maiden name?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sandford," said Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"Sandford? That is rather a curious coincidence. The late Mrs.
+John Liddell was a Miss Sandford."</p>
+
+<p>"Is she dead, then?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; she died eight or nine years ago."</p>
+
+<p>"Could they have been related?"</p>
+
+<p>"Possibly. Some likeness seems to have struck your uncle."</p>
+
+<p>There was a short silence, and Mr. Newton resumed. "I trust
+you do not find your stay here too trying? I consider it very important
+that you should persevere, though it is only right to tell you
+that Mr. Liddell has made a will&mdash;not a just one, in my opinion&mdash;and
+it is extremely unlikely he will ever change it."</p>
+
+<p>"That does not really affect me. Of course I should be very glad
+if he chose to leave anything to my mother or myself, but I shall do
+my best for him under any circumstances. Besides, I have a sort
+of desire to make him speak to me and like me&mdash;perhaps it is vanity&mdash;quite
+apart from a sense of duty. He is so like a frozen man!"</p>
+
+<p>"Try, try by all means, my dear young lady."</p>
+
+<p>"What I do not like is the hour or half hour after market. The
+wolfish greed by which he clutches the change I bring back, the
+glare in his eyes, the fierce eagerness with which he asks the price
+of everything&mdash;he is not human at such times, and I almost fear
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a dreadful picture, but perhaps the details may soften in
+time."</p>
+
+<p>"How shall I get money for all he wants?" asked Katherine,
+anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall impress upon Mr. Liddell the necessity of his case, and
+even make out that the good things he requires cost more than they
+do. I will beg him to allow me to supply the money during his indisposition
+and enter it in his account. Here, I will give you five
+pounds while we are alone."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you so much! You see I dare not get into debt. I will keep a
+careful account of all expenditure, and ask him&mdash;my uncle, I mean&mdash;not
+to give me any money, then there will be no confusion.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well. I will go back to him now. He will be almost ready to come
+in here. Write to me frequently. I shall try to look in to-morrow for a
+few minutes."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine stirred the fire, and placed a threadbare footstool before the
+invalid's easy-chair, thanking Heaven in her heart for sending her such
+an ally as the friendly lawyer.</p>
+
+<p>Then Mr. Liddell appeared, leaning on Newton's arm, and not looking much
+worse than usual, Katherine thought. He took no notice of her until she
+put the footstool under his feet; then, wonderful to relate, he looked
+down into her grave, kindly face and smiled, not bitterly or cynically,
+but as if, on the whole, pleased to see her. He seemed a little
+breathless, yet he soon began to speak to Newton as if in continuation
+of their previous conversation&mdash;"And is Fergusson really a year younger
+than I am?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, quite a year, I should say, and he takes great care of himself. I
+do not think he has really so good a constitution as you have, but he
+takes everything that is strengthening&mdash;good wine, turtle soup, and I do
+not know what."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, indeed!" returned Mr. Liddell, thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p>"I have been explaining to Mr. Liddell," said the lawyer, turning to
+Katherine, "that it would be well to let me give you the house-keeping
+money for the present, so that he need not be troubled about anything
+except to get well; and when well, my dear sir, you really must go out.
+Fresh air&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Fresh fiddle-sticks," interrupted the old man; "I have been well for
+years without going out, and I'll not begin now. I'll give in to
+everything else; only, if <i>I</i> am obliged to take costly food as a
+medicine, I expect the rest of the household to live as carefully as
+ever."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall do my best, uncle," said Katherine, softly.</p>
+
+<p>After a little more conversation the lawyer took his leave, and then
+Katherine applied herself to read the papers which had been neglected.</p>
+
+<p>It was not till toward evening she was able to write a few lines to her
+mother describing Mr. Liddell's illness, and begging she would come to
+see her on Saturday, as she (Katherine) could not absent herself while
+her uncle was so unwell.</p>
+
+<p>After this things went on much as usual, only Mr. Liddell never resumed
+his habits of early rising; he was a shade less cold too, though at
+times terribly irritable.</p>
+
+<p>He took the food prepared for him obediently enough, but with evident
+want of appetite, rarely finishing what was provided.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Newton generally called every week, and Katherine wrote to him
+besides; she was strict in insisting on the audit of her accounts, which
+the accurate lawyer sometimes praised. By judicious accounts of
+Fergusson, the other surviving member of the Tontine, he managed to keep
+his client in tolerable order. Katherine, though grateful to him for his
+friendly help, little knew how strenuously he strove to lengthen the old
+miser's days, hoping he would make some provision for his niece, while
+he dared not offer any suggestion on<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span> the subject, lest it should
+produce an effect contrary to what he desired.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>Mrs. Fred Liddell was bitterly disappointed by the result of her visit
+to the rich uncle. A good deal, indeed, hung upon it. A wealthy
+succession was certainly a thing to be devoutly wished for in itself,
+but the sharp little widow felt that provision for her boys and a dowry
+for herself meant marriage, <i>if</i> she chose, with Colonel Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>And she very decidedly did wish it. Her imagination, which was vivid
+enough of its kind, was captivated by the Colonel's imposing "bow-wow"
+manner, the idea of a country place&mdash;an old family place too&mdash;by his
+diamond ring and florid compliments, his self-satisfied fastidiousness
+and his social position. In short, to her he seemed a fashionable hero;
+but she was quite sure he never would hamper himself with two little
+portionless boys. Ada Liddell was by no means unkind to her children;
+she was ready to pet them when they met, and give them what did not cost
+her too much; but she considered them a terrible disadvantage, and
+herself a most generous and devoted mother.</p>
+
+<p>The day after she had been so ignominiously expelled from John Liddell's
+house she put on the prettiest thing she possessed in the way of a
+bonnet&mdash;a contrivance of black lace and violets&mdash;and having inspected
+the turn-out of the children's maid in her best go-to-meeting attire,
+also the putting on of the boys' newest sailor suits, the curling of
+their hair, and many minor details, she sallied forth across Kensington
+Gardens to the ride, feeling tolerably sure that, in consequence of a
+hint she had dropped a day or two before, when taking afternoon tea in
+Mrs. Burnett's drawing-room, Colonel Ormonde would probably be amongst
+the riders on his powerful chestnut, ready to receive her report. She
+was quite sure he was very much smitten, and eager to know what her
+chances with old Liddell might be; and as her mother-in-law had a bad
+habit of presiding over her own tea-table, it would be more convenient
+to talk with her gay Lothario in the Park.</p>
+
+<p>Many admiring glances were cast upon the pretty little woman in becoming
+half-mourning, with the two golden-haired, sweet-looking children and
+their trim maid, which did not escape their object, and put her into
+excellent spirits. She felt she had gone forth conquering and to
+conquer. About half-way down the row she recognized a well-known figure
+on a mighty horse, who cantered up to where she stood, followed by a
+groom.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-morning, Mrs. Liddell; I thought this piece of fine weather would
+tempt you out," cried Colonel Ormonde, dismounting and throwing his rein
+to the groom, who led away the horse as if in obedience to some
+previously given command. "I protest you are a most tantalizing little
+woman!" he exclaimed, when they had shaken hands and he had patted the
+children's heads. "I have been looking for you this half-hour. Where did
+you hide yourself?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did not hide myself. I am dying to tell you about my uncle."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! was he all your prophetic soul painted him?"</p>
+
+<p>"He was, and a good deal more. He is quite an ogre, and lives<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span> in a
+miserable hovel. How Katherine can degrade herself by grovelling there
+with him for the sake of what she can get passes my understanding."</p>
+
+<p>"Deuced plucky, sensible girl! She is quite right to stick to the old
+boy. Hope she will get his cash. Gad! with her eyes and <i>his</i> thousands,
+she'd rouse up society!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I believe she intends to have them all. She was quite vexed at my
+going over to see the ogre, and I think has prejudiced him against my
+poor darling boys, for as soon as he saw them he called out that he
+could not receive any one, that he was ill and nervous. But I smiled my
+very best smile, and said I had come to introduce myself, and I hoped he
+would let me have a little talk with him. The poor old ogre looked at me
+rather kindly and earnestly when I said that, and I really do think he
+would have listened to me, but my sister-in-law would make me come away,
+as if the sight of me was enough to frighten a horse from his oats; so
+somehow we got hustled upstairs, and there was an end of it."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Mrs. Liddell, you ought not to have allowed yourself to be
+outman&oelig;uvred," cried the Colonel, who greatly enjoyed irritating his
+pretty little friend. "Your <i>belle-s&oelig;ur</i> (as she really is) is too
+many for you. Don't you give up; try again when the adorable Katherine
+is out of the way."</p>
+
+<p>"I fully intend to do so, I assure you," cried Mrs. Frederic, her eyes
+sparkling, her heart beating with vexation, but determined to keep up
+the illusion of ingratiating herself with the miserly uncle. "Pray
+remember this is only a first attempt."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure you have my devout wishes for your success. How this wretched
+old hunk can resist such eyes, such a smile, as yours, is beyond my
+comprehension. If such a niece attacked <i>me</i>, I should surrender at the
+first demand."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think you would"&mdash;a little tartly. "I think you have as keen a
+regard for your own interest as most men."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure you would despise me if I had not, and the idea of being
+despised by you is intolerable."</p>
+
+<p>"You know I do not"&mdash;very softly. "But it is time I turned and went
+toward home."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense, my dear Mrs. Liddell! or, if you will turn, let it be round
+Kensington Gardens. Do you know, I am going to Scotland next week, to
+Sir Ralph's moor; then I expect a party to meet Errington at my own
+place early in September; so I shall not have many chances of seeing you
+until I run up just before Christmas. Now I am going to ask a great
+favor. It's so hard to get a word with you except under the Argus eyes
+of that mother-in-law of yours."</p>
+
+<p>"What can it be?" opening her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Come with me to see this play they have been giving at the Adelphi. I
+have never had a spare evening to see it. We'll leave early, and have a
+snug little supper at Verey's, and I'll see you home."</p>
+
+<p>"It would be delightful, but out of the question, I am afraid: Mrs.
+Liddell has such severe ideas, and I dare not offend her."</p>
+
+<p>"Why need she know anything about it? Say&mdash;oh, anything<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span>&mdash;that you are
+going with the Burnetts: they have gone to the Italian lakes, but I
+don't suppose she knows."</p>
+
+<p>The temptation was great, but the little widow was no fool in some ways.
+She saw her way to make something of an impression on her worldly
+admirer.</p>
+
+<p>"No, Colonel Ormonde," she said, shaking her head, while she permitted
+the "suspicious moisture" to gather in her eyes. "It would indeed be a
+treat to a poor little recluse like me, but though there is not a bit of
+harm in it, or you would not ask me, I am sure, I must not offend my
+mother-in-law; and though Heaven knows I am not straight-laced, I never
+will tell stories or act deceitfully if I can help it; that is my only
+strong point, which has to make up for a thousand weak ones."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Ormonde looked at her with amazement; her greatest charm to men
+such as he was her dolliness, and this was a new departure.</p>
+
+<p>"Well," he said, in his most insinuating tones, "I thought you might
+have granted so much to an old friend and faithful admirer like myself.
+There is no great harm in my little plan."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not, but you see I must hold on to my mother-in-law: she is
+my only real stay. While pleasant and friendly as you are, my dear
+Colonel"&mdash;with a pretty little toss of her head&mdash;"you will go off
+shooting, or hunting, or Heaven knows what, and it is quite possible I
+may never see your face again."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, by George! you will not get rid of me so easily," cried Ormonde, a
+good deal taken back.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be very glad to see you if you do turn up again," said Mrs.
+Liddell, graciously. "So as this will probably be the last time I shall
+see you for some months, pray tell me some amusing gossip."</p>
+
+<p>But gossip did not seem to come readily to Colonel Ormonde; nevertheless
+they made a tour of the gardens in desultory conversation, till Mrs.
+Liddell stopped decidedly, and bade him adieu.</p>
+
+<p>"At last," said the cautious ex-dragoon, "you will write and tell me how
+you get on with this amiable old relative of yours."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be very pleased to report progress, if you care to write and
+ask me, and tell me your whereabouts."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I suppose it is to be good-by?" said Ormonde, almost
+sentimentally. "You are treating me devilishly ill."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not see that." Here the boys came running up, at a signal from
+their mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, my fine fellow," said Ormonde, laying his hand on Cecil's
+shoulder, "so you went to see your old uncle. Did he try to eat you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; but he is a nasty cross old man. He wouldn't speak a word to mammy,
+but took his stick and hobbled away."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he is a wicked man, and I am afraid he will hurt auntie," put in
+Charlie.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Ormonde laughed rather more than the mother liked. "I think you
+may trust 'auntie' to take care of herself.&mdash;So you forced the old boy
+to retreat? What awful stories your sister-in-law must have told of
+you!" to Mrs. Liddell.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>She was greatly annoyed, but, urged by all-powerful self-interest, she
+maintained a smooth face, and answered, "Oh yes, when Katherine kept
+worrying about our disturbing her uncle, the poor old man got up and
+left the room."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you must turn her flank, and be sure to let me know how matters
+progress. I suppose you will be here all the autumn?"</p>
+
+<p>"I should think so; small chance of my going out of town," she returned,
+bitterly, and the words had scarce left her lips before she felt she had
+made a mistake. Men hate to be bothered with the discomforts of others.</p>
+
+<p>The result was that Colonel Ormonde cut short his adieux, and parted
+from her with less regret than he felt five minutes before.</p>
+
+<p>The young widow walked smartly back, holding her eldest boy's hand, and
+administered a sharp rebuke to him for talking too much. To which Cecil
+replied that he had only answered when he was spoken to. This elicited a
+scolding for his impertinence, and produced further tart answers from
+the fluent young gentleman, which ended by his being dismissed in a fury
+to Jane, <i>vice</i> Charles, promoted to walk beside mamma.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>As may be supposed, Mrs. Liddell lost no time about answering her
+daughter's note in person. In truth, toward the end of a week's
+separation she generally began to hunger painfully for a sight of her
+Katie's face, to feel the clasp of her soft arms, and to this was added
+in the present instance serious uneasiness respecting the strain to
+which her sense of responsibility as nurse as well as housekeeper must
+subject so inexperienced a creature.</p>
+
+<p>It was rather late in the afternoon when Mrs. Liddell reached Legrave
+Crescent, and the servant showed her into the front parlor at once.
+Katherine almost feared to draw her uncle's attention to the visitor. He
+had had all the papers read to him, and even asked for some articles to
+be read a second time; now after his dinner he seemed to doze. If he had
+not noticed Mrs. Liddell's entry she had perhaps better take her away
+upstairs at once, but while she thought she sprang to her and locked her
+in a close, silent embrace.</p>
+
+<p>Turning from her, he saw that Mr. Liddell's eyes were open and fixed
+upon them, and she said, softly: "I am sorry you have been disturbed. I
+shall take my mother to my room; perhaps if you want anything you will
+ring for me."</p>
+
+<p>"I will," he returned; and Mrs. Liddell thought his tone a little less
+harsh than usual. "I said you might come and see your daughter when you
+like," he added, "and I repeat it. You have brought her up more usefully
+than I expected." Having spoken, he leaned his head back wearily and
+closed his eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I am pleased to hear you say so," returned Mrs. Liddell, quietly, and
+immediately followed her daughter out of the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, darling mother, I am so delighted to have you here all to myself!
+It is even better than going home," cried Kate, when they were safe in
+her own special chamber. "But you are looking pale and worn and
+thin&mdash;<i>so</i> much thinner!"</p>
+
+<p>"That is an improvement, Katherine," returned Mrs. Liddell; "I shall
+look all the younger."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Ah! but your face looks older, dear. What has been worrying you? Has
+Ada&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Ada has never worried me, as you know, Katie," interrupted Mrs.
+Liddell. "She is not exactly the companion I should choose for every day
+of my life, but she has always been kind and nice with me."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, she is not bad, and she would be clever if she managed to make
+<i>you</i> quarrel. I am quite different. Now I must get you some tea. Pray
+look round while I am gone, and see how comfortable it is;" and
+Katherine hurried away.</p>
+
+<p>She soon returned, followed by Mrs. Knapp, who was glad to carry up the
+tea-tray to the pleasant, sensible lady who had engaged her for what
+proved to be not an uncomfortable situation. When, after a few civil
+words, she retired, with what delight and tender care Katie waited on
+her mother, putting a cushion at her back and a footstool under her
+feet, remembering her taste in sugar, her little weakness for cream!</p>
+
+<p>"It was very warm in the omnibus, I suppose, for you are looking better
+already."</p>
+
+<p>"I <i>am</i> better; but, Katherine, your uncle is curiously changed. It is
+not so much that he looks ill, but by comparison so alarmingly amiable."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, he is less appalling than he was, and I have grown wonderfully
+accustomed to him. But for the monotony, it is not so bad as I expected,
+and it will be better now, as Mr. Newton is to give me the weekly money.
+I think my uncle is trying to live."</p>
+
+<p>"Poor man! he has little to live for," said Mrs. Liddell.</p>
+
+<p>"He wishes to outlive some other old man, because then he will get a
+good deal of money, according to some curious system&mdash;called a
+'Tontine.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Is it possible? The ruling passion, then, in his instance is strong
+against death."</p>
+
+<p>"What a poverty-stricken life his has been, after all!" exclaimed
+Katherine. "Did Ada tell you how vexed he was at her visit?"</p>
+
+<p>"She was greatly offended, but I should like your version of it."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine told her, and repeated Mr. Newton's inquiry about Mrs. Fred
+Liddell's family name.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Newton is very kind. He is very formal and precise, and very
+guarded in all he says, yet I feel that he likes me&mdash;us&mdash;and would like
+my uncle to do something for us."</p>
+
+<p>"I never hoped he would do as much as he has. If he would remember those
+poor little boys in his will it would be a great help. You and I could
+always manage together, Katie."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish that we were together by our own selves once more," returned
+Kate, nestling up to her mother on the big old-fashioned sofa, and
+resting her head on her shoulder.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish to God we were! I miss you so awfully, my darling!"</p>
+
+<p>There was a short silence while the two clung lovingly together. Then
+Katherine said, in a low tone, "Mr. Newton evidently thinks he&mdash;my
+uncle&mdash;has made a very unjust will, and fears he will never change it."</p>
+
+<p>"Most probably he will not; but he ought not to cut off his natural
+heirs."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Would Cecil and Charlie be his natural heirs?"</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose so, and something would come to you too; but I do not
+understand these matters. It is dreadful how mean and mercenary this
+terrible need for money makes one."</p>
+
+<p>"You want it very much, mother? There is trouble in your voice; tell me
+what it is."</p>
+
+<p>"There is no special pressure, dear, just now; but unless I am more
+successful with my pen I greatly fear I shall get into debt before I can
+liberate myself from that house. Yet if I do, what will become of Ada
+and the boys?" She paused to cough.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine was silent; the tone of her mother's voice told more than her
+words. "But," resumed Mrs. Liddell, "all is not black. The <i>Dalston
+Weekly</i> has taken my short story, and given me ten pounds for it.
+However, you must take the bad with the good; my poor three-decker has
+come back on my hands."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine uttered a low exclamation. "I did hope they would have taken
+it! and what miserable pay for that bright, pretty story! Mother, I
+cannot believe that the novel will fail. <i>Do, do</i> try Santley &amp; Son! I
+have always heard they were such nice people. Try&mdash;promise me you will."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear Katie, I will do whatever you ask me; but&mdash;but I confess I feel as
+if Hope, who has always befriended me, had turned her back at last. I am
+so dreadfully tired! I feel as if I was never to rest. Oh for a couple
+of years of peace before I go hence, and a certainty that <i>you</i> would
+not want!"</p>
+
+<p>"Do not fear for me," cried Katherine, pressing her mother to her and
+covering her pale cheeks with kisses. "For myself I fear nothing, but
+for <i>you</i>, I greatly fear you are unwell; you breathe shortly; your
+hands are feverish. Do not let hope go. A few weeks and my uncle will be
+stronger, or he may be invigorated by feeling he has killed out the
+other old man, and then I will go back to you and help you, whatever
+happens. I won't stay here to act compound interest. My own darling
+mother, keep up your heart."</p>
+
+<p>"I am ashamed of myself," said Mrs. Liddell, in an unsteady voice. "I
+ought not to have grieved your young heart with my depression, for I
+<i>have</i> been depressed."</p>
+
+<p>"Why not? What is the good of youth and strength if it is not to uphold
+those who have already had more than their share of life's burdens?"</p>
+
+<p>"I assure you this outpouring has relieved me greatly; I shall return
+like a giant refreshed," said Mrs. Liddell, rallying gallantly; "and you
+may depend on my trying the fortune of my poor novel once more, with
+Santley &amp; Son. Now tell me how your domestic management prospers."</p>
+
+<p>A long confidential discussion ensued, and at last Mrs. Liddell was
+obliged to leave.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine went to tell her uncle she was going to set her mother on her
+way, and to see his cup of beef tea served to him. His remark almost
+startled her. "Very well," he said. "Come back soon."</p>
+
+<p>This interview agitated Katherine more than Mrs. Liddell knew. Her worn
+look, her cough, her unwonted depression, thrilled her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span> daughter's warm
+heart with a passion of tender longing to be with her, to help her, to
+give her the rest she so sorely needed; and in the solitude of her large
+dreary room she sobbed herself to sleep, her lips still quivering with
+the loving epithets she had murmured to herself.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>"THE LONG TASK IS DONE."</h3>
+
+
+<p>The facility with which human nature assimilates new conditions is among
+its most remarkable attributes. A week had scarcely elapsed since John
+Liddell's sudden indisposition and subsidence into an invalid condition,
+yet it seemed to Katherine that he had been breakfasting in bed for
+ages, and might continue to do so for another cycle without change. Her
+inexperience took no warning from the rapidly developing signs of
+decadence and failing force which Mr. Newton perceived; and, on the
+whole, she found her task of housekeeper and caretaker less ungrateful
+since weakness had subdued her uncle, and the friendly lawyer had been
+appointed paymaster.</p>
+
+<p>The days sped with the swiftness monotony lends to time. Mrs. Liddell
+always visited her daughter once a week. Occasionally Katherine got
+leave of absence, and spent an hour or two at home, where she enjoyed a
+game of play with her little nephews. Otherwise home was less homelike
+than formerly. Ada was sulky and dissatisfied; she dared not intrude on
+Mr. Liddell in his present condition; and she was dreadfully annoyed at
+not being able to give Colonel Ormonde any encouraging news on this
+head. Her influence on the family circle, therefore, was not cheerful.
+Besides this, though Mrs. Liddell kept a brave front, and did not again
+allow herself the luxury of confidence in her daughter, there were
+unmistakable signs of care and trouble in her face, her voice. She was
+unfailing in her kind forbearance to the woman her son had loved, and
+whatever good existed in Mrs. Fred's rubbishy little heart responded to
+the genial, broad humanity of her mother-in-law. But Katherine
+perceived, or thought she perceived, that Mrs. Liddell was wearing
+herself down in the effort to make her inmates comfortable, and so to
+beat out her scanty store of sovereigns as to make them stretch to the
+margin of her necessities. It was a very shadowy and narrow pass through
+which her road of life led Katherine at this period, nor was there much
+prospect beyond. Moreover, as her mother had anticipated, the invisible
+cords which bound her to the moribund old miser were tightening their
+hold more and more, she often looked back and wondered at the sort of
+numbness which stole over her spirit during this time of trial.</p>
+
+<p>September was now in its first week; the weather was wet and cold; and
+Katherine was thankful when Mr. Newton's weekly visit was due. It was
+particularly stormy that day, and he was a little later than usual.</p>
+
+<p>When she had left solicitor and client together for some time, she<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>
+descended, as was her custom, to make a cup of tea for the former, and
+give her uncle his beef tea or jelly.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Newton rose, shook hands with her, and then resumed his conversation
+with Mr. Liddell.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not for a moment mean to say that he is a reckless bettor or a
+mere gambling horse-racer; and, after all, to enter a horse or two for
+the local races, or even Newmarket, is perfectly allowable in a man of
+his fortune&mdash;it will neither make him nor mar him."</p>
+
+<p>"It <i>will</i> mar him," returned Mr. Liddell, in more energetic tones than
+Katherine had heard him utter since he was laid up. "A man who believes
+he is rich enough to throw away money is on the brink of ruin. He
+appears to me in a totally different light. I thought he was steady,
+thoughtful, alive to the responsibility of his position. Ah, who is to
+be trusted? Who?"</p>
+
+<p>There seemed no reply to this, for Mr. Newton started a new and
+absorbing topic.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Fergusson is keeping wonderfully well," he remarked. "His sister
+was calling on my wife yesterday, and says that since he took this new
+food&mdash;'Revalenta Arabica,' I think it is called&mdash;he is quite a new man."</p>
+
+<p>"What food is that?" asked Mr. Liddell. While Newton explained,
+Katherine reflected with some wonder on the fact that there was a Mrs.
+Newton; it had never come to her knowledge before. She tried to imagine
+the precise lawyer in love. How did he propose? Surely on paper, in the
+most strictly legal terms! Could he ever have felt the divine joy and
+exultation which loving and being loved must create? Had he little
+children? and oh! did he, could he, ever dance them on his knee? He was
+a good man, she was sure, but goodness so starched and ironed was a
+little appalling.</p>
+
+<p>These fancies lasted till the description of Revalenta Arabica was
+ended; then Mr. Liddell said, "Tell my niece where to get it." Never had
+he called her niece before; even Mr. Newton looked surprised. "I will
+send you the address," he said. "And here, Miss Liddell, is the check
+for next week."</p>
+
+<p>"I have still some money from the last," said Katherine, blushing. "I
+had better give it to you, and then the check need not be interfered
+with." She hated to speak of money before her uncle.</p>
+
+<p>"As you like. You are a good manager, Miss Liddell."</p>
+
+<p>"Give it to me," cried the invalid from his easy-chair; "I will put it
+in my bureau. I have a few coins there, and they can go together."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well; but had not my uncle better write an acknowledgment? We
+shall be puzzled about the money when we come to reckon up at the end of
+the month, if he does not."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine had been taught by severe experience the necessity of saving
+herself harmless when handling Mr. Liddell's money.</p>
+
+<p>"An acknowledgment," repeated the old man, with a slight, sobbing,
+inward laugh. "That is well thought. Yes, by all means write it out, Mr.
+Newton, and I will sign. Oh yes; I will sign!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Newton turned to the writing-table and traced a few lines, bringing it
+on the blotting-pad for his client's signature.</p>
+
+<p>"I can sign steadily enough still," said Mr. Liddell, slowly, "and my
+name is good for a few thousands. Hey?"</p>
+
+<p>"That it certainly is, Mr. Liddell."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think old Fergusson could sign as steadily as that?" asked Mr.
+Liddell, with a slight, exulting smile.</p>
+
+<p>"I should say not. What writing of his I have seen was a terrible
+scrawl."</p>
+
+<p>"Hum! he wasn't a gentleman, you know. He drank too; not to be
+intoxicated, but too much&mdash;too much! For he will find the temperance man
+too many for him. <i>I'll</i> win the race, the waiting race;" and he laughed
+again in a distressing, hysterical fashion, that quite exhausted him.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine flew to fetch cold water, while the old man leaning back
+panting and breathless, and Mr. Newton, much alarmed, fanned him with a
+folded newspaper.</p>
+
+<p>He gradually recovered, but complained much of the beating of his heart.
+Mr. Newton wished to send for the doctor, but Mr. Liddell would not hear
+of it. Then he urged his allowing the servant at least to sleep on the
+sofa in the front parlor, leaving the door into Mr. Liddell's room open.
+To this the object of his solicitude was also opposed, so Mr. Newton
+bade him farewell. Katherine, however, waylaid him in the hall, and they
+held a short conference.</p>
+
+<p>"He really ought not to be left alone at night."</p>
+
+<p>"No, he must not," said Katherine. "I will make our servant spend the
+night in the parlor. She can easily open the door after the lights are
+out, without his being vexed by knowing she is there. I could not sleep
+if I thought he was alone. I will come very early in the morning to
+relieve her."</p>
+
+<p>"Do, my dear young lady. I will call on the doctor and beg him to come
+round early."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think my uncle so ill, then?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is greatly changed, and his weakness makes me uneasy. I trust in God
+he may be spared a little longer."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine looked and felt surprised at the fervor of his tone. Little
+did she dream the real source of the friendly lawyer's anxiety to
+prolong a very profitless existence.</p>
+
+<p>After a few more remarks and a promise to come at any time if he were
+needed, Mr. Newton departed; and Katherine got through the dreary
+evening as best she could.</p>
+
+<p>How she longed to summon her mother! but she feared to irritate her
+uncle, who was evidently unequal to bear the slightest agitation.</p>
+
+<p>Next day was unusually cold, and though Mr. Liddell had passed a
+tranquil night, he seemed averse to leave his bed. He lay there very
+quietly, and listened to the papers being read, and it was late in the
+afternoon before he would get up and dress. From this time forward he
+rarely rose till dusk, and it grew more and more an effort to him. He
+was always pleased to see Mr. Newton, and to converse a little with him.
+He even spoke with tolerable civility to Mrs. Liddell when she came to
+see her daughter.</p>
+
+<p>As the weather grew colder&mdash;and autumn that year was very<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span> wintry&mdash;he
+objected more and more to leave his bed, and at last came to sitting up
+only for a couple of hours in the chair by his bedroom fire. It was
+during one of these intervals that Katherine, who had been racking her
+brains for something to talk of that would interest him, bethought her
+of a transaction in old newspapers which Mrs. Knapp had brought to a
+satisfactory conclusion. She therefore took out "certain moneys" from
+her purse.</p>
+
+<p>"We have sold the newspapers at last, uncle," she said. "I kept back
+some for our own use, so all I could get was a shilling and three
+half-pence." She placed the coins on a little table which stood by his
+arm-chair, adding, "I suppose you know the Scotch saying, 'Many mickles
+make a muckle'; even a few pence are better than a pile of useless
+papers."</p>
+
+<p>"I know," said Liddell, with feeble eagerness, clutching the money and
+transferring it to his little old purse. "It is a good saving&mdash;a wise
+saying. I did not think you knew it; but&mdash;but why did you keep back
+any?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because one always needs waste paper in a house, to light fires and
+cover things from dust. I shall collect more next time," she added,
+seeing the old man was pleased with the idea.</p>
+
+<p>He made no reply, but sat gazing at the red coals, his lips moving
+slightly, and the purse still in his hand. Again he opened it, and took
+out the coins she had given him, holding them to the fire-light in the
+hollow of his thin hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know the value of money?" he said at length, looking piercingly
+at her. "Do you know the wonderful life it has&mdash;a life of its own?"</p>
+
+<p>"If the want of can teach its value I ought to know," she returned.</p>
+
+<p>"You are wrong! Poverty never teaches its worth. You never hold it and
+study it when, the moment you touch it, you have to exchange it for
+commodities. No! it is when you can spare some for a precious seed, and
+watch its growth, and see&mdash;see its power of self-multiplication if it is
+let alone&mdash;just let alone," he repeated, with a touch of pathos in his
+voice. "Now these few pence, thirteen and a half in all&mdash;a boy with an
+accumulative nature and youth, early youth, on his side, might build a
+fortune on these. Yes, he might, if he had not a grovelling love of food
+and comfort."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think he really could?" asked Kate, interested in spite of
+herself in the theories of the old miser.</p>
+
+<p>"Would you care to know?" said her uncle, fixing his keen dark eyes upon
+her.</p>
+
+<p>"I should indeed." Her voice proved she was in earnest.</p>
+
+<p>"Then I will tell you, step by step, but not to-night. I am too weary.
+You are different from the others&mdash;your father and your brother. You
+are&mdash;yes, you are&mdash;more like <i>me</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"God forbid!" was Katherine's mental ejaculation.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Liddell slowly put the thirteenpence half penny back in his purse,
+drew forth his bunch of keys, looked at them, and restored them to his
+pocket; then, resting his head wearily against the chair, he said, "Give
+me something to take and I will go to bed."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Katherine hastened to obey, and summoned the servant to assist him, as
+usual.</p>
+
+<p>The next morning was cold and wet, with showers of sleet, and Mr.
+Liddell declared he had taken a chill, and refused to get up. He was
+indisposed to eat, and did not show any interest in the newspaper. About
+noon the doctor called. Mr. Liddell answered his questions civilly
+enough, but did not respond to his attempts at conversation.</p>
+
+<p>"Your uncle is in a very low condition," said the doctor, when he came
+into the next room, where Katherine awaited him. "You must do your best
+to make him take nourishment, and keep him as warm as possible. I
+suppose Mr. Newton is always in town?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think so; at least I never knew him to be absent since I came here. I
+rather expect him to-day or to-morrow. Do you think my uncle seriously
+ill?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is not really ill, but he has an incurable complaint&mdash;old age. He
+ought not to be so weak as he is; still, he may last some time, with
+your good care."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine took her needle-work and settled herself to keep watch by the
+old man. The doctor's inquiry for Mr. Newton had startled her, but his
+subsequent words allayed her fears. "He may last for some time,"
+conveyed to her mind the notion of an indefinite lease of life.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Liddell seemed to be slumbering peacefully, when, after a long
+silence, during which Katherine's thoughts had traversed many a league
+of land and sea, he said suddenly, in stronger tones than usual, "Are
+you there?" He scarcely ever called her by her name.</p>
+
+<p>"I am," said Katherine, coming to the bedside.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, take these keys"&mdash;he drew them from under his pillows; "this one
+unlocks that bureau"&mdash;pointing to a large old-fashioned piece of
+furniture, dark and polished, which stood on one side of the fireplace;
+"open it, and in the top drawer left you will find a long, folded paper.
+Bring it to me."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine did as he directed, and could not help seeing the words, "Will
+of John Wilmot Liddell," and a date some seven or eight years back,
+inscribed upon it. She handed it to her uncle, arranging his pillows so
+that he might sit up more comfortably, while she rather wondered at the
+commonplace aspect of so potent an instrument. A will, she imagined, was
+something huge, of parchment, with big seals attached.</p>
+
+<p>John Liddell slowly put on his spectacles, and unfolding the paper, read
+for some time in silence.</p>
+
+<p>"This will not do," he said at last, clearly and firmly. "I was mistaken
+in him. The care for and of money must be born in you; it cannot be
+taught. No, I can make a better disposition. Could <i>you</i> take care of
+money, girl?" he asked sternly.</p>
+
+<p>"I should try," returned Katherine, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>There was a pause. The old man lay thinking, his lean, brown hand lying
+on the open paper. "Write," he said at length, so suddenly and sharply
+that he startled his niece; get paper and write to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span> Newton. Katherine
+brought the writing materials, and placed herself at the small table.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear sir," he dictated&mdash;"Be so good as to come to me as soon as
+convenient. I wish to make a will more in accordance with my present
+knowledge than any executed by me formerly. I am, yours faithfully."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine brought over pen and paper, and the old man affixed his
+signature clearly.</p>
+
+<p>"Now fold it up and send it to post. No&mdash;take it yourself; then it will
+be safe, and so much the better for you."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine called the good-natured Mrs. Knapp to take her place, and
+sallied forth. She was a good deal excited. Was she in a crisis of her
+fate? Would her grim old uncle leave her wherewithal to give the dear
+mother rest and peace for the remainder of her days? It would not take
+much; would he&mdash;oh, would he remember the poor little boys? She never
+dreamed of more than a substantial legacy; the bulk of his fortune he
+might leave to whom he liked. How dreadful it was that money should be
+such a grim necessity!</p>
+
+<p>She felt oppressed, and made a small circuit returning, to enjoy as much
+fresh air as she could, and called at some of the shops where she was
+accustomed to deal, to save sending the servant later. She was growing a
+little nervous, and disliked being left alone in the house.</p>
+
+<p>When she returned, her uncle was very much in the same attitude; but he
+had folded up his will and placed his hand under his head.</p>
+
+<p>"You have been very long," he said, querulously.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine said she had been at one or two shops.</p>
+
+<p>"Read to me," he said, "I am tired thinking; but first lock the bureau
+and give me the keys; you left them hanging in the lock. I have never
+taken my eyes from them. Now I have them," he added, putting them under
+his pillow, "I can rest. Here, take this"&mdash;handing her the will: "put it
+in the drawer of my writing-table; we may want it to morrow; and I do
+not wish that bureau opened again; everything is there."</p>
+
+<p>Having placed the will as he desired, Katherine began to read, and the
+rest of the day passed as usual.</p>
+
+<p>She could not, however, prevent herself from listening for Mr. Newton's
+knock. She felt sure he would hasten to his client as soon as he had
+read his note. He would be but too glad to draw up another and a juster
+will.</p>
+
+<p>Without a word, without the slightest profession of friendship, Newton
+had managed to impress Katherine with the idea that he was anxious to
+induce Mr. Liddell to do what was right to his brother's widow and
+daughter.</p>
+
+<p>But night closed in, and no Mr. Newton came. Mr. Liddell was unusually
+wakeful and restless, and seemed on the watch himself, his last words
+that night being, "I am sure Newton will be here in good time
+to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>Instead, the morrow brought a dapper and extremely modern young man, the
+head of the firm in right of succession, his late father having founded
+the house of Stephens &amp; Newton.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Mr. Liddell had just been made comfortable in his great invalid's chair
+by the fire, having risen earlier than usual in expectation of Mr.
+Newton's visit. When this gentleman presented himself, Katherine
+observed that her uncle was in a state of tremulous impatience, and the
+moment she saw the stranger she felt that some unlucky accident had
+prevented Newton from obeying his client's behest.</p>
+
+<p>"Who&mdash;what?" gasped Mr. Liddell, when a card was handed to him. "Read
+it," to Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Stephens, of Stephens &amp; Newton, Red Lion Square," she returned.</p>
+
+<p>"I will not see him, I do not want him," cried her uncle, angrily.
+"Where is Newton? Go ask him?"</p>
+
+<p>With an oppressive sense of embarrassment, Katherine went out into the
+hall, and confronted a short, slight young man with exceedingly tight
+trousers, a colored cambric tie, and a general air of being on the turf.
+He held a white hat in one hand, and on the other, which was ungloved,
+he wore a large seal ring. Katherine did not know how to say that her
+uncle would not see him, but the stranger took the initiative.</p>
+
+<p>"Aw&mdash;I have done myself the honor of coming in person to take Mr.
+Liddell's instructions, as Mr. Newton was called out of town by very
+particular business yesterday morning. I rather hoped he might return
+last night, but a communication this morning informs us he will be
+detained till this afternoon, not reaching town till 9.30 P.M. I am
+prepared to execute any directions in my partner's stead."</p>
+
+<p>He spoke with an air of condescension, as if he did Mr. Liddell a high
+honor, and made a step forward. Katherine did not know what to say. It
+was terrible to keep this consequential little man in the hall, and
+there was literally nowhere else to take him.</p>
+
+<p>"I am so sorry, but my uncle is very unwell and nervous. I do not think
+he could see any one but Mr. Newton, who is an old friend, you know,"
+she added, deprecatingly.</p>
+
+<p>"I am his legal adviser too," returned the young man, with a slightly
+offended air. "I am the senior partner and head of the house, and the
+worse Mr. Liddell is, the greater the necessity for his giving
+instructions respecting his will."</p>
+
+<p>"I will tell him Mr. Newton is away," said Katherine, courteously;
+"and&mdash;would you mind sitting down here? I am quite distressed not to
+have any better place to offer you, but I cannot help it."</p>
+
+<p>"It is of no consequence," returned the young lawyer, struck by her
+sweet tones and simple good-breeding, yet looking round him at the worn
+oil-cloth and shabby stair-carpeting with manifest amazement.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Newton is out of town, and does not return till late this evening,"
+said Katherine, returning to the irate old man. "This gentleman says he
+is the head of the firm, and will do your bidding in Mr. Newton's
+stead."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell him he shall do nothing of the kind," returned Mr. Liddell, in a
+weak, hoarse, impatient voice. "I saw him once, and I know him; he is an
+ignorant, addle-pated jackanapes. He shall not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span> muddle my affairs; send
+him away; I can wait for Newton. I don't suppose I am going to die
+to-night."</p>
+
+<p>And Katherine, blushing "celestial rosy red," hied back to the smart
+young man, who was reposing himself on the only seat the entrance
+boasted, and conjecturing that if this fine, fair, soft-spoken girl was
+to be the old miser's heir, she would be almost deserving of his own
+matrimonial intentions.</p>
+
+<p>"My uncle begs me to apologize to you, Mr. Stephens, but he is so much
+accustomed to Mr. Newton, and in such a nervous state, that he would
+prefer waiting till that gentleman can come."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, very well; only I wish I had known before&mdash;I came up here at some
+inconvenience; and also wish Mr. Liddell could be persuaded that delays
+are dangerous."</p>
+
+<p>"The delay is not for very long. I am sorry you had this fruitless
+trouble. Mr. Liddell is very weak."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure if anything could restore him, it would be the care of such a
+nurse as you must be," with a bow and a grin.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you; good-morning," said Katherine, with such an air of decided
+dismissal that the young senior partner at once departed.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Liddell fretted and fumed for an hour or two before he had exhausted
+himself sufficiently to sit still and listen to Katherine's reading; and
+after he had apparently sunk into a doze, he suddenly started up and
+exclaimed: "That idiot, young Stephens, will never think of sending to
+his house. Write&mdash;write to Newton's private residence."</p>
+
+<p>"I think Mr. Stephens will, uncle. He seemed anxious to meet your
+wishes."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be a fool&mdash;do as I bid you! Get the paper and pen. Are you
+ready?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear sir, Let nothing prevent your coming to me to-morrow," he
+dictated; "I want to make my will. It is important that affairs be not
+left in confusion. Yours truly. Give me the pen," he went on, in the
+same breath. "I can sign as well as ever. Now go you yourself and put
+this in the post. I do not trust that woman&mdash;they all stop and gossip,
+and I want this to go by the next despatch."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine, always thankful to be in the air, went readily enough. She
+was distressed to find how the nervous uneasiness of yesterday was
+growing on her. The perpetual companionship of the grim old skeleton,
+her uncle, was making her morbid, she thought; she must ask leave to go
+and spend a day at home to see how her mother was getting on, to refresh
+herself by a game of romps with the children. Why, she felt absolutely
+growing old!</p>
+
+<p>When she re-entered the house she found, much to her satisfaction, that
+the doctor was with Mr. Liddell; and after laying aside her out-door
+dress, she went to the parlor.</p>
+
+<p>"I have been advising Mr. Liddell to try the effect of a few glasses of
+champagne," said the former, who was looking rather grave, Katherine
+thought. "But as there is none in his cellar, he objects. Now you must
+help me to persuade him. I am going on to a patient in Regent's Park,
+and shall pass a very respectable wine-merchant's on my way; so I shall
+just take the law into my own hands and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span> order a couple of bottles for
+you. Consider it medicine. It is wonderful how much more generally
+champagne is used than when you and I were young, my dear sir!" etc.,
+etc., he went on, with professional cheerfulness. But Mr. Liddell did
+not heed him much.</p>
+
+<p>"He is very weak. The action of the heart is extremely feeble," said the
+doctor, when Katherine followed him to the door. "Try and make him take
+the champagne."</p>
+
+<p>Another day dragged through; then Katherine, rather worn with the
+constant involuntary sense of watching which had strained her nerves all
+day, slept soundly and dreamlessly. She woke early next morning, and was
+soon dressed. Mrs. Knapp reported Mr. Liddell to be still slumbering.</p>
+
+<p>"But law, miss, he have had a bad night&mdash;the worst yet, I think. He was
+dreaming and tossing from side to side, and then he would scream out
+words I couldn't understand. I made him take some wine between two and
+three, but I do not think he knew me a bit. I have had a dreadful night
+of it."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine expressed her sympathy, and did what she could to lighten the
+good woman's labors.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Liddell, however, though he looked ghastly, seemed rather stronger
+than usual. He insisted on getting up, and came into the sitting-room
+about eleven.</p>
+
+<p>It was a cold morning, with a thick, drizzling rain. Katherine made up
+the fire to a cheerful glow, and by her uncle's directions placed pen,
+ink and paper on the small table he always had beside him. Then he
+uttered the accustomed commanding "Read," and Katherine read.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly he interrupted her by exclaiming, "Give me the deaths first."</p>
+
+<p>It had been a whim of his latterly to have this lugubrious list read to
+him every day.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine had hardly commenced when she descried Mr. Newton's well-known
+figure advancing from the garden gate.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, here is Mr. Newton!" she exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha! that is well," cried her uncle, with shrill exultation. "Now&mdash;now
+all will go right."</p>
+
+<p>The next moment the lawyer was shown in, and having greeted them,
+proceeded to apologize for his unavoidable absence. "Here I am, however,
+sir," he concluded, "at your service."</p>
+
+<p>"Go&mdash;leave us," said Liddell, abruptly yet not unkindly, to Katherine;
+then, as she left the room, "Finish the deaths for me, will you, before
+we go to business. She had just read the first two. Read&mdash;make haste!"</p>
+
+<p>Somewhat surprised, Mr. Newton took up the paper and continued: "On the
+30th September, at Wimbledon, universally regretted, the Rev. James
+Johnson, formerly minister of "Little Bethel, Bermondsey." On October
+1st, at her residence, Upper Clapton, Esther, relict of Captain
+Doubleday, late of the E. I. C. Service. On the 2nd instant, at
+Bournemouth, Peter Fergusson, of Upper Baker Street, in the
+seventy-fifth year of his age."</p>
+
+<p>"Fergusson dead! and he is three years my junior! Now it is all
+mine&mdash;all!&mdash;all! I shall be able to settle it as I like. I haven't
+eaten<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span> and drunk in vain. I'm strong, quite strong. All the papers are
+there, in my bureau. I'll show them to you. Aha! I thought I'd outlive
+him! I was determined to outlive him!"</p>
+
+<p>With an uncanny laugh he struggled to his feet, and attempted to walk to
+his bedroom, his stick in one hand and the keys he had taken from his
+pocket in the other. For a few steps he walked with a degree of strength
+that astonished Newton; then he gave a deep groan, staggered, and fell
+to the ground with a crash.</p>
+
+<p>Newton rushed to raise him, which he did with some difficulty. The noise
+brought the servant to his assistance.</p>
+
+<p>"Go! fetch Dr. Bilhane," said Mr. Newton, as soon as they had laid the
+helpless body on the bed. "Though I doubt if he can do anything. The old
+man is gone."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2>
+
+<h3>"TEMPTATION."</h3>
+
+
+<p>To Katherine, who was in her own room, the sound beneath came with a
+subdued force, and knowing Mr. Newton was with him, she thought it
+better to stay where she was, for it never struck her that Mr. Liddell
+had fallen.</p>
+
+<p>When, therefore, Mrs. Knapp, with that eagerness to spread evil tidings
+peculiar to her class, rushed upstairs to announce breathlessly that she
+was going for the doctor, but that the poor old gentleman was quite
+dead, Katherine could not believe her.</p>
+
+<p>She quickly descended to the parlor, where she found Mr. Newton standing
+by the fire, looking pale and anxious.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Mr. Newton, he cannot be dead!" cried Katherine. "He seemed
+stronger this morning, and he has fainted more than once. Let me bathe
+his temples." She took a bottle of eau-de-Cologne from the sideboard as
+she spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear young lady, both your servant and I have done what we could to
+revive him, and I fear&mdash;I believe he has passed away. The start and the
+triumph of finding himself the last survivor of the Tontine association
+were too much for his weak heart. I would not go in if I were you: death
+is appalling to the young."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine stopped, half frightened, yet ashamed of her fear. "Oh yes; I
+must satisfy myself that I can do nothing more for him. Can it be
+possible that he will never speak again&mdash;never search for news of that
+other poor old man?" She went softly into the next room, followed by
+Newton, and approaching the bed, laid her hand gently on his brow. "How
+awfully cold!" she whispered, shrinking back in spite of herself at the
+unutterable chill of death. "But he looks so peaceful, so different from
+what he did in life!" She stood gazing at him, silent, awe-struck.</p>
+
+<p>"Come away," said Newton, kindly. "The doctor will be here, I trust, in
+a few minutes, and will be able to give a certificate which will save
+the worry of an inquest."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine obeyed his gesture of entreaty, and went slowly into<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span> the
+front room, where she sat down, leaning her elbows on the table and
+covering her face with her hands, while Mr. Newton closed the door.</p>
+
+<p>It was all over, then, her hopes and fears; the poor wasted life, as
+much wasted and useless as if spent in the wildest and most extravagant
+follies, was finished. What had it left behind? Nothing of good to any
+human being; no blessing of loving-kindness, of help and sympathy, to
+any suffering brother wayfarer on life's high-road; nothing but hard,
+naked gold&mdash;gold which, from what she had heard, would go to one already
+abundantly provided. Ah, she must not think of that gold so sorely
+needed, or bad, unseemly ideas would master her!</p>
+
+<p>But Mr. Newton was speaking. "It is fortunate I was here to be some stay
+to you," he said; "the shock must be very great, and&mdash;" He interrupted
+himself hastily to exclaim, "Here is the doctor! I shall go with him
+into our poor friend's room; let me find you here when I come back."
+Katherine bent her head, and remained in the same attitude, thinking,
+thinking.</p>
+
+<p>How long it was before the kind lawyer returned she did not know; but he
+came and stood by her, the doctor behind him.</p>
+
+<p>"It is as I supposed," said Newton, in a low tone. "Life is quite
+extinct." Katherine rose and confronted them, looking very white.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," added the doctor; "death must have been instantaneous. Your uncle
+was in a condition which made him liable to succumb under the slightest
+shock. Can you give me paper and ink? I will write a certificate at
+once. Then, Miss Liddell, I shall look to you."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine placed the writing materials before him silently, and watched
+him trace the lines; then he handed the paper to Mr. Newton, saying,
+"You will see to what is necessary I presume," and rising he took
+Katherine's hand and felt her pulse. "Very unsteady indeed; I would
+recommend a glass of wine now, and at night a composing draught, which I
+will send. If I can do nothing more I must go on my rounds. I shall be
+at home again about six, should you require my services in any way."</p>
+
+<p>He went out, followed by Mr. Newton, and they spoke together for a few
+moments before the doctor entered his carriage and drove off.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, my dear," said Mr. Newton, when he returned&mdash;the startling event
+of the morning seemed to have taken off the sharp edge of his
+precision&mdash;"what shall you do? I suppose you would like to go home. It
+would be rather trying for you to stay here."</p>
+
+<p>"To go home!" returned Katherine, slowly. "Yes, I should, oh, very much!
+but I will not go. My uncle never was unkind to me, and I will stay in
+his house until he is laid in his last resting place. Yet I do not like
+to stay alone. May I have my mother with me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, by all means. I tell you what, I will drive over and break the
+news to her myself; then she can come to you at once. I have a very
+particular appointment in the city this afternoon, but I shall arrange
+to spend to-morrow forenoon here, and examine the contents of that
+bureau. I have thought it well to take possession of your uncle's keys."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, of course," said Katherine; "you ought to have them. And you will
+go and send my mother to me! I shall feel quite well<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span> and strong if she
+is near. How good of you to think of it!" and she raised her dark
+tearful eyes so gratefully to his that the worthy lawyer's heart kindled
+within him.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear young lady, I have rarely, if ever, regretted anything so much
+as my unfortunate absence yesterday, though had I been able to answer my
+late client's first summons, I doubt if time would have permitted the
+completion of a new will. Now my best hope, though it is a very faint
+one, is that he may have destroyed his last will, and so died
+intestate."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?" asked Katherine, indifferently. She felt very hopeless.</p>
+
+<p>"It would be better for you. You would, I rather think, be the natural
+heir." Katherine only shook her head. "Of course it is not likely.
+Still, I have known him destroy one will before he made another. He has
+made four or five, to my knowledge. So it is wiser not to hope for
+anything. I shall always do what I can for you. Now you are quite cold
+and shivering. I would advise your going to your room, and keeping there
+out of the way. You can do no more for your uncle, and I will send your
+mother to you as soon as I can. I suppose you have the keys of the
+house?"</p>
+
+<p>Katherine bowed her head. She seemed tongue-tied. Only when Mr. Newton
+took her hand to say good-by she burst out, "You will send my mother to
+me soon&mdash;soon!"</p>
+
+<p>Then she went away to her own room. Locking the door, she sat down and
+buried her face in the cushions of the sofa. She felt her thoughts in
+the wildest confusion, as if some separate exterior self was exerting a
+strange power over her. It had said to her, "Be silent," when Mr. Newton
+spoke of the possibility of <i>not</i> finding the will, and she had obeyed
+without the smallest intention to do good or evil. Some force she could
+not resist&mdash;or rather she did not dream of resisting&mdash;imposed silence on
+her. To what had this silence committed her? To nothing. When Mr. Newton
+came and examined the bureau he would no doubt open the drawer of the
+writing-table also. She had locked it, and put the key in the little
+basket where the keys of her scantily supplied store closet and of the
+cellaret lay: there it stood on the round table near the window, with
+her ink-bottle and blotting-book. She sat up and looked at it fixedly.
+That little key was all that intervened between her and rest, freedom,
+enjoyment. The more she recalled her uncle's words and manner on the day
+he had dictated his first note to Mr. Newton, the more convinced she
+felt that he had intended to provide for her, and now his intentions
+would be frustrated, and the will the old man wished to suppress would
+be the instrument by which his possessions would be distributed.</p>
+
+<p>It was too bad. She did not know how closely the hope of her mother's
+emancipation from the long hard struggle with poverty and its attendant
+evils by means of Uncle Liddell's possible bequest had twined itself
+round her heart. Now she could not give it up. It seemed to her that her
+mental grasp refused to relax.</p>
+
+<p>She rose and began to make some little arrangement for her mother's
+comfort, and presently the servant came to ask if she would take some
+tea.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure, miss, you must be faint for want of food, and we are just
+going to have some&mdash;the woman and me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What woman?"</p>
+
+<p>"A very respectable person as Dr. Bilham sent in to&mdash;to attend to the
+poor old gentleman, miss."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! thank you. I could not take anything now. I expect my mother soon;
+then I shall be glad of some tea.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, miss, you'll ring if you want me. And dear me! you ought to have
+a bit of fire. I'll light one up in a minnit."</p>
+
+<p>"Not till you have had your tea. I am not cold."</p>
+
+<p>"You look awful bad, miss!" With this comforting assurance Mrs. Knapp
+departed, leaving the door partially open.</p>
+
+<p>A muffled sound, as if people were moving softly and cautiously, was
+wafted to Katherine as she sat and listened: then a door closed gently;
+voices murmuring in a subdued tone reached her ear, retreating as if the
+speakers had gone downstairs.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine went to the window. It was a wretchedly dark, drizzling
+afternoon&mdash;cold too, with gusts of wind. She hoped Mr. Newton would make
+her mother take a cab. It was no weather for her to stand about waiting
+for an omnibus. Would the time ever come when they need not think of
+pennies?</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly she turned, took a key from her basket, and walked composedly
+downstairs, unlocked the drawer of the writing-table, and took out her
+uncle's last will and testament. Then she closed the drawer, leaving the
+key in the lock, as it had always been, and returned to her room.</p>
+
+<p>Having fastened her door, she applied herself to read the document. It
+was short and simple, and with the exception of a small legacy to Mr.
+Newton, left all the testator possessed to a man whose name was utterly
+unknown to her. Mr. Newton was the sole executor, and the will was dated
+nearly seven years back.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine read it through a second time, and then very deliberately
+folded it up. "It shall not stand in my way," she murmured, her lips
+closing firmly, and she sat for a few minutes holding it tight in her
+hand, as she thought steadily what she should do. "Had my uncle lived a
+few hours more, this would have been destroyed or nullified. I will
+carry out his intentions. I wonder what is the legal penalty for the
+crime or felony I am going to commit? At all events I shall risk it. The
+only punishment I fear is my mother's condemnation. She must never know.
+It is a huge theft, whether the man I rob is rich or poor. I hope he is
+very rich. I know I am doing a great wrong; that if others acted as I am
+acting there would be small security for property&mdash;perhaps for life&mdash;but
+I'll do it. Shall I ever be able to hold up my head and look honest folk
+in the face! I will try. If I commit this robbery I must not falter nor
+repent. I must be consistently, boldly false, and I must get done with
+it before my dearest mother comes. How grieved and disappointed she
+would be if she knew! She believes so firmly in my truthfulness. Well, I
+have been true, and I <i>will</i> be, save in this. Here I will lie by
+silence. Where shall I hide it? for I will not destroy it&mdash;not yet at
+least. No elaborate concealment is necessary."</p>
+
+<p>She rose up and took some thin brown paper&mdash;such as is used in shops to
+wrap up lace and ribbons&mdash;and folded the will in it neatly, tying it up
+with twine, and writing on it, "old MSS., to be destroy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>ed." Then she
+laid it in the bottom of her box. "If my mother sees it, the idea of old
+MS. will certainly deter her from looking at it." She put back the
+things she had taken out and closed the box; then she stood for a moment
+of thought. What would the result be? Who could tell? Some other unknown
+Liddells might start up to share the inheritance. Well, she would not
+mind that much; so long as she could secure some years of modest
+competence to her mother, some help for her little nephews, she would be
+content.</p>
+
+<p>Now that she had accomplished what an hour ago was a scarcely
+entertained idea, she felt wonderfully calm, but curious as to how
+things would turn out, with the sort of curiosity she might have felt
+with regard to the action of another.</p>
+
+<p>She did not want to be still any more, however; she went to and fro in
+her room, dusting it and putting it in order; she rearranged her own
+hair and dress, and then she went to the window to watch for her mother.
+Time had gone swiftly while her thoughts had been so intensely occupied,
+and to her great delight she soon saw a cab drive up, from which Mrs.
+Liddell descended.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine flew to receive her, and in the joy of feeling her mother once
+more by her side she temporarily forgot the sense of a desperate deed
+which had oppressed her.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Liddell had been much shocked by the sudden death of her
+brother-in-law, but her chief anxiety was to fly to Katie, to shorten
+the terrible hours of loneliness in the house of mourning.</p>
+
+<p>She too honestly confessed her regret that the old man had been cut off
+before he could fulfil his intention of making a new will, "though," she
+said to her daughter as they talked together, "we cannot be sure that he
+would have remembered us&mdash;or rather you. But there is no use in thinking
+of what is past out of the range of possibilities. Let us only hope
+whoever is heir will not insist on immediate repayment of that loan. It
+is strange that you should have managed to make the poor old man's
+acquaintance, and to a certain degree succeed with him, only in his last
+days."</p>
+
+<p>"Try and talk of something else, mother dear. It is all so ghastly and
+oppressive! Tell me about Ada and the boys."</p>
+
+<p>"Ada was out when Mr. Newton came. I left a little note telling her of
+your uncle's awfully sudden death, and of my intention of remaining with
+you until after the funeral. What a state of excitement she will be in!
+I have no doubt she will be here to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"Very likely," said Katherine, who was pouring out tea.</p>
+
+<p>"Did Mr. Newton mention to you that your uncle had written to him to
+come and draw up a new will?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I wrote the note, which my uncle signed."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, of course; I had forgotten. But did Mr. Newton say that he had a
+faint hope that he might have destroyed the other will?"</p>
+
+<p>"He did; but it is not probable."</p>
+
+<p>"It would make an immense difference to us if he had."</p>
+
+<p>"Would it?" asked Kate, to extract an answer from her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Newton believes that if he died intestate you would inherit
+everything."</p>
+
+<p>"What! would not the little boys share?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am not sure. But to get away from the subject, which some<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span>how always
+draws me back to it, I have one bit of good news for you, my darling. I
+had a letter from Santley this morning. He will take my novel, and will
+give me a hundred and fifty pounds for it."</p>
+
+<p>"Really? Oh, this is glorious news! I am so delighted! Then you will get
+more for the next; you will become known and appreciated."</p>
+
+<p>"Do not be too sure; it may be a failure. And at present I do not feel
+as if I should ever have any ideas again. My brain seems so weary."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps," whispered Katherine, "you <i>may</i> be able to rest. You are
+looking very tired and ill."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>Somewhat to her own surprise, Katherine slept profoundly that night. The
+delicious sense of comfort and security which her mother's presence
+brought soothed her ineffably. It seemed as if no harm could touch her
+while she felt the clasp of those dear arms.</p>
+
+<p>The early forenoon brought Mr. Newton, and after a little preliminary
+talk respecting the arrangements he had made for the funeral, he
+proposed to look for the will which he had drawn up some years before,
+and which, to the best of his recollection, Mr. Liddell had taken charge
+of himself.</p>
+
+<p>"Might you not wait until the poor old man is laid in his last home?
+asked Mrs. Liddell.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps it would be more seemly," said the lawyer; "but it is almost
+necessary to know who is the heir and who is the executor. Besides, it
+is quite possible that since he signed the will I drew up for him in
+'59, and to which I was executor, he may have made another, of which I
+know nothing, and I may have to communicate with some other executor. I
+will therefore begin the search at once. Would you and your daughter
+like to be present?"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, no," returned Mrs. Liddell.</p>
+
+<p>"I would rather not," said Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Newton proceeded on his search alone, while Mrs. Liddell and her
+daughter went to the latter's room, anxious to keep from meddling with
+what did not concern them.</p>
+
+<p>Scarcely had the former settled herself to write a letter to an old
+friend in Florence with whom she kept up a steady though not a frequent
+correspondence, when she was interrupted by a tap at the door. Before
+she could say "Come in," it was opened to admit Mrs. Frederic Liddell,
+who came in briskly. She had taken out a black dress with crape on it,
+and retouched a mourning bonnet, so that she presented an appearance
+perfectly suited to the occasion.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh dear!" she cried, "I have been in such a state ever since I had your
+note! I thought I should never get away this morning. The stupidity of
+those servants is beyond description. Now do tell all about everything."
+She sat down suddenly, then jumped up, kissed her mother-in-law on the
+brow, and shook hands with Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"There is very little more to tell beyond what I said in my note,"
+returned Mrs. Liddell. "The poor old man never spoke or showed any
+symptom of life after he fell. Mr Newton, of course, will make<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span> all
+arrangements. The funeral will be on Friday, and Katherine and I will
+remain here till it is over."</p>
+
+<p>"And the will?" whispered Mrs. Frederic, eagerly. "Have you found out
+anything about that?"</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Liddell shook her head. "I have not even asked, so sure am I that
+it will not affect us in any way. Mr. Newton is now examining the bureau
+where my brother-in-law appears to have kept all his papers, hoping to
+find the will."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it not cruel to think of all this wealth passing away from us?"
+cried the little woman, in a tearful tone.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not suppose that John Liddell was wealthy," said Mrs. Liddell. "He
+was very careful of what he had, but it does not follow that he had a
+great deal."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, nonsense! My dear Mrs. Liddell, you only say that to keep us quiet.
+Misers always have heaps of money. What do you say, Katherine?"</p>
+
+<p>"That from all I saw I should say he was not rich. He never mentioned
+large sums of money, or&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not mind you," interrupted the young widow. "You always affect to
+despise money."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I do not, Ada. I am only afraid of thinking too much of it."
+Katherine perceived that her mother had wisely abstained from telling
+the whole circumstances to this most impulsive young person.</p>
+
+<p>"And do you mean to say," pursued Mrs. Frederic, who could hardly keep
+still, so great was her excitement, "that the horrid lawyer is rummaging
+through the old man's papers all alone? You ought to be present, Mrs.
+Liddell. You don't know what tricks he may play. He may put a will in
+his own favor in some drawer. It is very weak not to have insisted on
+being present, and shows such indifference to our interests!"</p>
+
+<p>"I am not afraid of Mr. Newton forging a will," said Mrs. Liddell,
+smiling; "and I greatly fear that whoever may profit by the old man's
+last testament, we will not. But I assure you Mr. Newton did ask me to
+assist in the search, and I declined. Indeed I asked him not to search
+while the poor remains were unburied."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, my goodness! you do not mean to say you are pretending to be
+<i>sorry</i> for this rude&mdash;miser!" cried Mrs. Frederic, with uplifted hand
+and eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Personally I did not care about him, but, Ada, death demands respect."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes, of course. Then there is absolutely nothing to do or to hear."</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing," said Katherine, rather shortly.</p>
+
+<p>"Could I go out and buy anything for you? Surely the executors, whoever
+they may be, will give you some money for mourning?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think it at all likely. I will tell you what you can do, Ada:
+go to my large cupboard and bring me," etc., etc.&mdash;sundry directions
+followed. "Katherine and I can quite well do all that is necessary
+ourselves to make a proper appearance on Friday."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well; and I will come to the funeral too, and bring the boys. A
+little crape on their caps and sleeves will be quite enough.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span> They will
+produce a great effect. I dare say if I speak to Mrs. Burnett's friend,
+that newspaper man, he will put an account into the <i>Morning News</i>, with
+all our names. Whatever comes, it would have a good effect."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course you can come if you like, Ada, but I would not bring the
+boys. Children are out of place except at a parent's grave."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I do not agree with you, and I do not think you need grudge my
+poor children that much recognition."</p>
+
+<p>"Poor darlings! Do you believe we could grudge them anything that was
+good for them?" cried Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, there is no knowing! Pray is there any plate in the house,
+Katherine, or diamonds? You know the nephew's wife <i>ought</i> to have the
+diamonds!"</p>
+
+<p>"Do not make me laugh, Ada, while the poor man is lying dead!" exclaimed
+Katherine, smiling. "The idea of plate or diamonds in <i>this</i> house is
+too funny!"</p>
+
+<p>"Then are the spoons and forks only Sheffield ware?" asked her
+sister-in-law. "How mean!"</p>
+
+<p>After a good deal more cross-examination Mrs. Fred rose to depart, her
+pretty childish face clouded, not to say very cross.</p>
+
+<p>"I might have saved myself the trouble of coming here," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"We are very glad to see you, and it will be a great help if you can
+send or bring the things I want."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps, if I wait a little longer, this admirable Mr. Newton may find
+something," resumed Mrs. Fred, pausing, and reluctant to move.</p>
+
+<p>"If he does I will let you know immediately," said Katherine; "but there
+are numbers of little drawers in the bureau; it will take him a long
+time to look through them all."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you seen the inside of it?" asked Mrs. Fred, greedily.</p>
+
+<p>"I have seen my uncle writing at it," returned Katherine; "but I never
+had an opportunity of examining it."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I suppose I had better go. I am evidently not wanted here!"
+exclaimed Mrs. Frederic, longing to quarrel with some one, being in that
+condition of mind aptly described as "not knowing what to be at."
+Finding no help from her auditors, she went reluctantly away.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish poor Ada would not allow her imagination to run away with her.
+It will be such a disappointment when she finds it is all much ado about
+nothing," said Mrs. Liddell, as she returned to her letter. "I am
+afraid, Katie dear, you have had a great shock; you do not look a bit
+like yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"I feel dazed and stupid, but I dare say I shall be all right
+to-morrow." She took a book and pretended to read, while her mother's
+pen scratched lightly and quickly over the paper.</p>
+
+<p>The light was beginning to change, when a message from Mr. Newton
+summoned both mother and daughter to the sitting-room, where they found
+him awaiting them.</p>
+
+<p>"I have looked most carefully through the bureau, and can find no sign
+of the will. There are various papers and account-books, a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span> very clear
+statement of his affairs, and about a hundred and fifteen pounds of
+ready money, but no will. I have also looked in his writing-table
+drawer, his wardrobe, and every possible and impossible place. It may be
+at my office, though I am under the impression he took charge of it
+himself. There is a possibility he may have deposited it at his banker's
+or his stock-broker's, though that is not probable."</p>
+
+<p>"It is curious," remarked Mrs. Liddell, feeling she must say something.</p>
+
+<p>"Pray," resumed Newton, addressing Katherine, "have you ever seen him
+tearing up or burning papers?"</p>
+
+<p>She thought for a moment, and then said quietly, "No, I never have."</p>
+
+<p>"I can do no more here, at least to-day," Newton went on. "I must bid
+you a good-afternoon. You may be sure I will leave nothing undone to
+discover the missing will, and I can only say I earnestly hope I may not
+be successful."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2>
+
+<h3>"FRUITION."</h3>
+
+
+<p>The funeral over, Mrs. Liddell and her daughter went back to their
+modest home, feeling as though they had passed through some strange
+dream, which had vanished, leaving "not a wrack behind."</p>
+
+<p>To Katherine it was like fresh life to return to the natural cheerful
+routine of her daily cares and employments, to struggle good-humoredly
+with indifferent servants, to do battle with her little nephews over
+their lessons, to walk with them and tell them stories. At times she
+almost forgot that the diligently sought will lay in its
+innocent-looking cover among her clothes, or that any results would flow
+from her daring and criminal act; then again the consciousness of having
+weighted her life with a secret she must never reveal would press
+painfully upon her, and make her greedy for the moment when Mr. Newton
+would relinquish the search, and she should reap the harvest she
+expected.</p>
+
+<p>She never believed that her uncle was as rich as Ada supposed, but she
+did hope for a small fortune which might secure comfort and ease.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Frederic Liddell was a real affliction during this period. The idea
+of inheriting John Liddell's supposed wealth was never absent from her
+thoughts, and seldom from her lips. Even the boys were infected by her
+gorgeous anticipations.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall have a pony like that, and a groom to ride beside me," Cecil
+would cry when his attention was caught by any young equestrian. "And I
+will give you a ride, auntie. Shall you have a carriage too, or will you
+drive with mammy?"</p>
+
+<p>"And I shall have a beautiful dog, like Mrs. Burnett's, and a garden
+away in the country," was Charlie's scheme. "You shall come and dig in
+it, auntie."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Do not think of such things, my dears," was auntie's usual reply. "I am
+afraid we shall never be any richer than we are; so you must be diligent
+boys, and work hard to make fortunes for yourselves."</p>
+
+<p>"Where did Uncle Liddell keep all his money?" was one of Cecil's
+questions in reply. "Did he keep it in big bags downstairs? He hadn't a
+nice house; it was quite a nasty one."</p>
+
+<p>"Had he a big place in a cave, with trees that grow rubies and diamonds
+and beautiful things?" added Charlie.</p>
+
+<p>"Why doesn't mamma buy us some ponies now?" continued Cis; "we should be
+some time learning to ride."</p>
+
+<p>"I will not listen to you any more if you talk so foolishly. Try and
+think of something else&mdash;of the Christmas pantomime. You know grannie
+says you shall go if you do your lessons well," returned Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"It isn't silly!" exclaimed Cecil. "Mammy tells us we must take care of
+her when we are rich men, and that we shall be able to hold up our heads
+as high as any one. <i>I</i> can hold up my head <i>now</i>."</p>
+
+<p>Such conversations were of frequent occurrence, and kept Katherine in a
+state of mental irritation.</p>
+
+<p>Toward the end of October Mrs. Burnett brought relief in the shape of an
+invitation to Mrs. Frederic.</p>
+
+<p>The Burnett family were spending the "dark days before Christmas" at
+Brighton, and thither hied the lively young widow in great glee. Things
+generally went smoother in her absence; the boys were more obedient, the
+meals more punctual.</p>
+
+<p>Nevertheless Katherine observed that her mother did not settle to her
+writing as usual. Occasionally she shut herself up in the study, but
+when Katherine came in unexpectedly she generally found her resting her
+elbow on the table and her head on her hand, gazing at the blank sheet
+before her, or leaning back in her chair, evidently lost in thought.</p>
+
+<p>"You do not seem to take much to your writing, mother dear," said
+Katherine one morning as she entered and sat down on a stool beside her.</p>
+
+<p>"In truth I cannot, Katie. I do not know how it is, but no plots will
+come. I have generally been able to devise something on which to hang my
+characters and events; but my invention, such as it is&mdash;or rather
+was&mdash;seems dried up and withered. What shall I do if my slight vein is
+exhausted? Heaven knows I produced nothing very original or remarkable,
+but my lucubrations were saleable, and I do not see how we can do
+without this source of income."</p>
+
+<p>"You only want rest," returned Katherine, taking her hand and laying her
+cheek against it. "Your fancy wants a quiet sleep, and then it will wake
+up fresh and bright. Take a holiday; put away pen, ink, and paper; and
+you will be able to write a lovely story long before the money we expect
+for your novel is expended."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so." She paused, and then resumed, with a sigh: "I ought to have
+more sense and self-control at my age, but I confess that the
+uncertainty about John Liddell's will absorbs me. Suppose,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span> Katie, that
+his money were to come to you. Imagine you and I rich enough not to be
+afraid of the week after next! Why, our lives would be too blissful."</p>
+
+<p>"They would," murmured Katherine. "When do you think we shall know?"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot tell. All possible search must be made before the law can be
+satisfied. My own impression is that your uncle <i>did</i> destroy his will,
+intending to make a different distribution of his money, and to provide
+for you."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I believe he did," said Katherine, quietly. "I wish&mdash;oh, I <i>do</i>
+wish my uncle had had time to divide his property between us all; then
+there would be no ill feeling. But I suppose Cis and Charlie will get
+some, even if no will is found?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have no idea. If poor Fred had lived, I suppose he would take a
+share."</p>
+
+<p>They sat silent for some minutes. Then Kate rose and very deliberately
+shut up her mother's writing-book, collected her papers and rough
+note-book, and locked them away in her drawer. "Now, dearest mother,"
+she said, "promise me not to open that drawer for ten days at least,
+unless a very strong inspiration comes to you. By that time we may know
+something certain about the will, and at any rate you will have had
+change of occupation. Then put on your bonnet and let us go to see our
+friend Mrs. Wray. Perhaps she may let us see her husband's studio, and
+if he is there we are sure to have some interesting talk. We both sorely
+need a change of ideas."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>Mrs. Frederic Liddell returned from Brighton in a very thoughtful mood.
+She said she had had a "heavenly visit." Such nice weather&mdash;such a
+contrast to dirty, dreary, depressing London! She had met several old
+acquaintances, they had had company every night, and had she only had a
+third evening dress her bliss would have been complete. As it was, a
+slight sense of inferiority had taken the keen edge off her joy. "At any
+rate, the men didn't seem to think there was much amiss with me. Sir
+Ralph Brereton and Colonel Ormonde were really quite troublesome. I do
+not much like Sir Ralph. I never know if he is laughing at me or not,
+though I am sure I do not think there is anything to laugh at in me.
+Colonel Ormonde is so kind and sensible! Do you know, Mrs. Liddell, he
+says <i>I</i> ought to see Mr. Newton myself, to look after the interests of
+my darling boys, and&mdash;and try to ascertain the true state of affairs.
+That is what Colonel Ormonde says, and I suppose you wouldn't mind, Mrs.
+Liddell?" she ended, in a rather supplicating tone; for she was just a
+little in awe of her mother-in-law, kind and indulgent though she was.</p>
+
+<p>"Go and see Mr. Newton by all means, Ada, if you feel it would be any
+satisfaction to you; but until the right time comes it will be very
+useless to make any inquiries. We leave it all to Mr. Newton."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you and Katherine are so cold and immovable; you are not a bit like
+me. I am all sensitiveness and impulse. Well, if it is not raining cats
+and dogs I <i>will</i> go into that awful City and see Mr. Newton
+to-morrow."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Would it not be well to make an appointment?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh dear no! I will take my chance; I would not write. Katie dear, I
+have torn all the flounce off my black and white dinner dress; you are
+so much more clever with your needle than I am, would you sew it on for
+me to-morrow?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I cannot, Ada&mdash;not to-morrow at least. I am busy altering mother's
+winter cloak, and she has nothing warm to put on until it is finished. I
+will show you how to arrange the flounce, and you will soon do it
+yourself if you try."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well"&mdash;rather sulkily. "I am sure I was intended to be a rich
+man's wife, I am <i>so</i> helpless."</p>
+
+<p>"And I am sure I was born under 'a three-half-penny constellation,' as
+L. E. L. said, for I rather like helping myself," returned Katherine,
+laughing. "Only I should like to have a little exterior help besides."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know, Katherine, I am afraid you are very proud. I believe you
+think yourself the cleverest girl in the world."</p>
+
+<p>"I should be much happier if I did," said Katherine, good-humoredly.
+"Don't be a goose, Ada; let my disposition alone. I am afraid it is too
+decidedly formed to be altered."</p>
+
+<p>"Colonel Ormonde was asking for you," resumed Mrs. Frederic, fearing she
+had allowed her temper too much play. "He is quite an admirer of yours."</p>
+
+<p>"I am much obliged to him. Would you like to come to the theatre
+to-night? Mr. and Mrs. Wray have a box at the Adelphi, and have offered
+us two places. My mother thought you might like to go."</p>
+
+<p>"With the Wrays? No, thank you. I never seem to get on with them; and if
+Colonel Ormonde happens to be there (and he might, for he is in town
+to-day), I should not care to be seen with them; they are not at all in
+society, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"True," said Katherine, with perfect equanimity. "Then, dear mother, do
+come. Nothing takes you out of yourself so much as a good play. I shall
+enjoy it more if you are with us."</p>
+
+<p>After a little discussion Mrs. Liddell agreed to go, and Mrs. Frederic
+retired to unpack, and to see what repairs were necessary, in a somewhat
+sulky mood.</p>
+
+<p>The following morning Mrs. Liddell's head was aching so severely that
+her daughter would not allow her to get up. She therefore gave her
+sister-in-law an early luncheon, and saw her set forth on her visit to
+Mr. Newton. She was a little nervous about it; she wished Katherine to
+go with her, and yet she did not wish it.</p>
+
+<p>She attired herself completely in black, and managed to give a mournful
+"distressed widow" aspect to her toilette: the little woman was an
+artist in her way, so long as her subject was self and its advantages.
+Then Katherine devoted herself to her mother, who had taken a chill. It
+grieved her to see how the slightest indisposition preyed upon her
+strength.</p>
+
+<p>The period of waiting was terribly long and wearing. Had she, after all,
+committed herself to an ever-gnawing loss of self-respect to enrich
+another? Katherine asked herself this question more than once.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>She had refrained from troubling Mr. Newton with fruitless questions or
+impatient expressions, and her mother admired her forbearance. But in
+truth Catherine hated to approach the subject of her possible
+inheritance, though she never faltered in her purpose of keeping the
+existence of her uncle's will a profound secret.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Frederic Liddell returned from her visit to the friendly lawyer
+rather sooner than Katherine expected.</p>
+
+<p>The moment she entered the drawing-room, where the latter was dusting
+the few china and other ornaments, her countenance evinced unusual
+disturbance.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure," she began, in a very high key, "if I had known what I was
+going to encounter, I should have stayed at home. There's no justice in
+this world for the widow and the fatherless."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot believe that Mr. Newton could be rude or unkind!" exclaimed
+Katherine, much startled.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not say he was," returned Mrs. Fred, snappishly. "But either he is
+a stupid old idiot, or he has been telling me abominable stories. I
+don't&mdash;I can't believe them! Do you know he says he, they, all the old
+rogues together, believe that wretched miser had destroyed his will and
+died intestate, and that every penny will be yours; not a sou comes to
+the widow and children of the nephew. It is preposterous. It is the most
+monstrous injustice. If it is law, an act of Parliament ought to be
+passed to&mdash;to do away with it. Fancy your having everything, and me, my
+boys and myself, dependent on <i>you</i>!"&mdash;scornful emphasis on "you."</p>
+
+<p>"Is this possible?" exclaimed Katherine, dropping her duster in dismay.
+"I thought that the property would be divided between the boys and
+myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, that is only common-sense! If you <i>do</i> get everything you will be
+well rewarded for your three months' penal servitude. You knew what you
+were about, though you <i>do</i> despise rank and riches."</p>
+
+<p>"But, Ada, I suppose my uncle would have destroyed his will whether I
+had been there or not."</p>
+
+<p>"No. Mr. Newton's idea is that he intended to make a new will, probably
+leaving you a large sum, and so destroyed the old one. Mr. Newton thinks
+he grew to like you. Oh! you played your cards well! But it is too hard
+to think you cut out my dar-arling boys," she ended, with a sob.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine grew very white; this outburst of fury roused her conscience.
+She pulled herself together in an instant of quick thought, however.
+"This is folly. What I have done will benefit the boys more than
+myself," she reflected.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not wonder at your being vexed, Ada," she said, gently. "But
+fortunately one is not compelled to act according to law. If the whole
+of the fortune, whatever it may be, becomes mine, do you think I would
+keep it all to myself?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I don't know" said Mrs. Frederic, who had now subsided into
+the sulks. "When people get hold of money they seldom like to part with
+it; and I know you do not like <i>me</i>?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why should you think so, Ada? We may not agree in our tastes, but that
+is no reason for dislike; and you know how glad I am to be of use to
+you, both for your own sake and poor Fred's."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, I would rather not be dependent on you or any one. But there! I
+do not believe what that stupid old man says&mdash;I do not believe such a
+horrible law exists. I shall write and consult Colonel Ormonde, and find
+out if I could not dispute the will&mdash;no, not the will&mdash;the property. I
+should not like to give up my rights."</p>
+
+<p>"Please, Ada, do not speak so loudly. My mother had just fallen asleep
+before you came in; and she had such a bad night!"</p>
+
+<p>"Loud? I am not talking loudly. You mean to insinuate I am in a
+passion? I am nothing of the kind. I am perfectly cool, but
+determined&mdash;determined to have justice, and my fair share of this man's
+wealth!"</p>
+
+<p>"It may not be wealth; it may be only competence, and it is not ours to
+share yet."</p>
+
+<p>"Not yours, you mean; that is what you <i>thought</i>, Katherine. And as to
+wealth, I believe that cruel old miser was <i>enor</i>mously rich! Where are
+the boys?"</p>
+
+<p>"Out walking with Lottie. I am <i>so</i> glad they were not in to hear all
+this! Do not talk to them of being rich, dear Ada; it puts unhealthy
+ideas into their minds, and&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Upon my word! I like to hear <i>you</i>, a mere girl, not quite nineteen
+yet, advising me, a mother, a married woman, about my own children. You
+need not presume on your expected riches. <i>I'll</i> never play the part of
+a poor relation, and submit to be lectured by <i>you</i>."</p>
+
+<p>Her sister-in-law's stings and passing fits of ill-humor never irritated
+Katherine unless they worried her mother, nor did this most unwonted
+outburst of irrepressible indignation, but it distressed her. "Come,
+Ada, don't be cross," she said. "It was perhaps want of tact in me to
+suggest anything, though my idea is right enough. It is quite natural
+that you should be awfully vexed. Perhaps Mr. Newton <i>is</i> wrong; at all
+events, if the law is unjust, <i>I</i> need not act unjustly, and believe me,
+I <i>will</i> not."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope not," returned the young widow, a little mollified. "I always
+believe you haven't a bad heart, Katherine, though you have a
+disagreeble sullen temper. Now <i>I</i> am too open; you see the worst of me
+at once; but I do not remember unkindness; and if you do what is right
+in this, I&mdash;I shall always speak of you as you deserve. Do get me
+something to eat; I am awfully hungry, and though I hate beer, I will
+take some; it is better than nothing. How <i>you</i> go on on water I cannot
+imagine; it will ruin your digestion."</p>
+
+<p>So they went amicably enough into the dining-room together, one to be
+ministered to, the other to minister.</p>
+
+<p>Here the boys joined them; but for a wonder their mother was silent
+respecting her visit to the lawyer, and soon went away to write to
+Colonel Ormonde, on whom she had conferred, unasked, the office of prime
+counsellor and referee. This opened up a splendid field for letters full
+of flattering appeals to his wisdom and judgment, and touching little
+confessions of her own weakness, folly, and need for guidance.<br /><br /></p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">Dear Miss Liddell</span>,&mdash;I should be glad if you could call on
+Tuesday next about one o'clock. I have various documents to show<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span> you,
+or I should not give you the trouble to come here. If Mrs. Liddell is
+disengaged and could come also it would be well. I am yours faithfully,<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 24em;" class="smcap">A. Newton</span>."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>Such was the letter which the first post brought to Katherine about six
+weeks after the death of John Liddell.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine, who always rose and dressed first, found it on the table when
+she went down to give the boys their breakfast, to coax the fire to burn
+brightly if it was inclined to be sulky, and to make the coffee for her
+mother and Mrs. Fred.</p>
+
+<p>As soon as she had seen the two little men at work on their bread and
+milk she flew back to her mother.</p>
+
+<p>"Do read this! Do you think that Mr. Newton wants me because I am to
+have my uncle's money at last?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I do. There can be no other reason for his wishing to see you,
+dearest child. What a wonderful change it will make if this is the case!
+I can then cease, to mourn the failure of my poor powers, and let the
+publishers go free. My love, I did not think anything could affect you
+so much. You are white and trembling."</p>
+
+<p>"I have been more anxious than you knew," returned Katherine, who felt
+strangely overcome, curiously terrified, at the near approach of
+success&mdash;the success she had ventured on so daring an act to secure. "I
+greatly feared some other claimant&mdash;some other will, I mean&mdash;might be
+found."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I feared too. Yet there could be no claimant, apart from another
+will. Poor George, your uncle's only son, was killed, I remember. Take a
+little water, dear, and sit down. No, I did not fear another claimant
+when I thought, but I feared to hope too much."</p>
+
+<p>"I feel all right now, mother. Such a prospect does not kill. Suppose we
+say nothing to Ada&mdash;she will worry our lives out&mdash;not at least till we
+know our fate certainly?"</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps it will be better not."</p>
+
+<p>"And whatever I get we will share with the dear children, and give Ada
+some too. Oh, darling mother, think of our being alone together again,
+and tolerably at ease!"</p>
+
+<p>It would be wearisome to the reader were the details of the interview
+with Mr. Newton minutely recorded.</p>
+
+<p>He was evidently relieved and delighted to announce that all attempts to
+find the will had failed, and explained at some length to his very
+attentive listeners the steps to be taken and the particulars of the
+property bequeathed; how it devolved on Katherine to take out letters of
+administration; how at her age she had the power of choosing her own
+guardian for the two years which must elapse before she was of age; and
+finally that the large amount of which she had become mistress was so
+judiciously invested that he (Mr. Newton) could advise no change save
+the transference of stock to her name.</p>
+
+<p>As it dawned upon Katherine that the sum she inherited amounted to
+something over eighty thousand pounds, she felt dizzy with surprise and
+fear. She had no idea she had been playing for such stakes. The sense of
+sudden responsibility pressed upon her; her hands trembled and her cheek
+paled.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"My dear young lady, you look as if you had met a loss instead of
+gaining a fortune," said Mr. Newton, looking kindly at her. "I have no
+doubt you will make a good use of your money, and I trust will enjoy
+many happy days."</p>
+
+<p>"But my nephews, my sister-in-law, do they get nothing?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not a penny. Of course you can, when of age, settle some portion upon
+them."</p>
+
+<p>"I certainly will; but in the mean time&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"In the mean time I will take care that you have a proper allowance."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, dear Mr. Newton. Do get me something big enough to make us
+all comfortable, and I can share with Ada&mdash;with Mrs. Frederic. I do so
+want to take my mother abroad, and I could not leave Ada and the boys
+unless they were well provided for."</p>
+
+<p>"Make your mind easy; the court will allow you a handsome income. So you
+must cheer up, in spite of the infliction of a large fortune," added Mr.
+Newton, with unwonted jocularity.</p>
+
+<p>"Both Katherine and myself are warmly grateful for your kind sympathy,"
+said Mrs. Liddell, softly. Then, after a short pause, she asked, "Do you
+know what became of Mr. Liddell's unfortunate wife?"</p>
+
+<p>"She died eleven or twelve years ago. The family of&mdash;of the man she
+lived with had the audacity to apply for money, on account of her
+funeral, I think, and so I came to know she was dead. It was a sad
+business. The poor woman had a wretched life, but I don't think she was
+in any want."</p>
+
+<p>"I only asked, because if she was in poverty&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh," interrupted the lawyer, "if she were alive, she would have her
+share of the estate, as her marriage was never dissolved."</p>
+
+<p>A short pause ensued, and then Newton asked if Miss Liddell would like
+some money, as he would be happy to draw a check for any sum she
+required. Then, indeed, Katherine felt that her days of difficulty were
+over.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>Mrs. Liddell and her daughter were in no hurry to leave their humble
+home. In truth Katherine was more frightened than elated at the amount
+of property she had inherited, and would have felt a little less guilty
+had she only succeeded in obtaining a moderate competence.</p>
+
+<p>A curious stunned feeling made her incapable of her usual activity for
+the first few days, and averse even to plan for the future.</p>
+
+<p>She kept her sister-in-law quiet by a handsome present of money
+wherewith to buy a fresh outfit for herself and her boys. Finally she
+roused up sufficiently to persuade Mrs. Liddell to see an eminent
+physician, for she did not seem to gather strength as rapidly as her
+daughter expected.</p>
+
+<p>The great man, after a careful examination, said there was nothing very
+wrong; the nervous system seemed to be a good deal exhausted, and the
+bronchial attack of the previous year had left the lungs delicate, but
+that with care she might live to old age.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He directed, however, that Mrs. Liddell should go as soon as possible to
+a southern climate. He recommended Cannes or San Remo&mdash;indeed it would
+be advisable that several winters in future should be spent in a more
+genial atmosphere than that of England.</p>
+
+<p>This advice exactly suited the wishes both of Katherine and her mother.</p>
+
+<p>How easy it was to make arrangements in their altered circumstances! How
+magical are the effects of money! How quickly Katherine grew accustomed
+to the unwonted ease of her present lot! <i>If</i>&mdash;oh, if&mdash;she were ever
+found out, how should she bear it? How could she endure the pinch of
+poverty, added to the poison of shame? But the idea that all this wealth
+was really <i>hers</i> gained on her, while her fears were lulled to sleep by
+a pleasant sense of comfort and security.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Frederic Liddell was a good deal disturbed on hearing that her
+mother-in-law was ordered abroad.</p>
+
+<p>"Pray what is to become of <i>me</i>?" was her first question when Katherine
+announced the doctor's verdict. They were sitting over the fire in the
+drawing-room, after the boys had said good-night.</p>
+
+<p>"Would you prefer staying in England?" asked Mrs. Liddell.</p>
+
+<p>"For some reasons I should, but you know I <i>must</i> have something to live
+on."</p>
+
+<p>"I know that," returned Katherine. "As I cannot execute any any deed of
+gift for two years, I think I had better give you an allowance for
+yourself and the boys, and let you do as you like. I have talked with
+Mr. Newton about it."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, dear, I think it <i>would</i> be the best plan," said Mrs. Frederic,
+amiably. "I have not the least scruple in taking the money, because you
+know it ought really to be ours."</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly," returned Katherine, with a slight smile, and she named so
+liberal a sum that even Mrs. Fred was satisfied.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I am sure that is very nice, dear," she said; "and when you are
+of age will you settle it on my precious boys?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will," replied Katherine, deliberately; "and I hope always to see a
+great deal of them."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course you will, but you will not long be Katherine Liddell. When
+Mr. Wright comes, my boys will get leave to stay with their mother as
+much as they like."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think I shall easily forget them, even if Mr. Wright appears,"
+said Katherine, good-humoredly.</p>
+
+<p>"What a strange girl Katie is!" pursued her sister-in-law. "Was she
+never in love, Mrs. Liddell? Had she never any admirers?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not that I know of, Ada."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! I have been in love many times!" cried Katherine, laughing. "Don't
+you remember, mother, the Russian prince I used to dance with at Madame
+du Lac's juvenile parties?&mdash;I made quite a romance about him; and that
+young Austrian&mdash;I forget his name&mdash;whom we met at Stuttgart, Baron
+Holdenberg's nephew; he was charming, to say nothing of Lohengrin and
+Tannhauser. I have quite a long list of loves, Ada. Oh, I <i>should</i> like
+to dance again! To float round to the music of a delightful Austrian
+band would be charming."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"My dear Katherine, that is all nonsense, as you will find out one day."
+Then, after some moments of evidently severe reflection, her brows knit,
+and her soft baby-like lips pressed together she said: "I think I should
+like to move nearer town, and get a nice nursery governess for Cis and
+Charlie, and&mdash;Don't you think it would be a good plan?"</p>
+
+<p>"The governess, yes, as they will lose their present one when Katherine
+goes. But why not stay on here till next autumn, when the lease or
+agreement expires? You will have it all to yourself in about ten days,
+and it will be quite large enough," said Mrs. Liddell.</p>
+
+<p>"Stay on here!" began her daughter-in-law, in a high key, and with a
+look of great disgust. She stopped herself suddenly, however, smoothed
+her brow, and added, "Well, I will think about it," after which, with
+unusual self-control, she changed the subject, and talked gravely about
+governesses, their salaries and qualifications, till it was time to go
+to bed.</p>
+
+<p>A few days after this conversation the house was invaded by a host of
+applicants for the post of instructress to the two little boys. Every
+shade of complexion, all possible accomplishments, the most varied and
+splendid testimonials, were presented to the bewildered little widow, in
+consequence of her application to a governesses' institution. She was
+fain to ask Katherine to help her in choosing, much to the latter's
+satisfaction, as she did not like to offer assistance, though she wished
+to influence the choice of a preceptress. Together they fixed on a
+quiet, kindly looking young woman, to whom both took rather a fancy, and
+Katherine felt very much relieved to know that this important point was
+settled.</p>
+
+<p>But Mrs. Frederic did not seem at ease; there was a restlessness about
+her, a disinclination to leave the house, that attracted Katherine's
+notice, although she was much occupied with preparations for their
+departure. At last the mystery was solved.</p>
+
+<p>One afternoon Mrs. Liddell and Katherine had been a good deal later than
+usual in returning home, having determined to finish their shopping and
+take a few days' complete rest before starting on their travels.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Frederic met them with a heightened color and a curious embarrassed
+look. The drawing room was lit by a splendid fire, and sweet with the
+perfume of abundant hot-house flowers; there was something vaguely
+prophetic in the air.</p>
+
+<p>"Do come to the fire, dear Mrs. Liddell; you must be so cold! I have
+been quite uneasy about you," she exclaimed, effusively.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you had a visitor, Ada?" asked Katherine, whose suspicions were
+aroused.</p>
+
+<p>"I have, and I want to tell you all about it. I am far too candid to
+keep anything from those I love. My visitor was Colonel Ormonde. He
+asked me to marry him, and&mdash;and, dear Mrs. Liddell&mdash;Katherine&mdash;I hope
+you will not be offended, but I&mdash;I said I would," burst forth Mrs.
+Frederic; and then she burst into tears.</p>
+
+<p>There was a minute's silence. Katherine flushed crimson, and did not
+speak, but Mrs. Liddell said, kindly: "My dear Ada, if you think Colonel
+Ormonde will make you happy and be kind to the<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span> boys, you are quite
+right. I never expected a young creature like you to live alone for the
+rest of your existence, and I believe Colonel Ormonde is a man of
+character and position."</p>
+
+<p>"He is indeed," cried Ada, falling on her mother-in-law's neck. "You are
+the wisest, kindest woman in the world. And you, Katherine?"</p>
+
+<p>"I <i>do</i> hope you will be <i>very, very</i> happy," responded Katherine; "but
+I must say I think he is rather too old for you. That, however, is your
+affair."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, of course it is"&mdash;leaving Mrs. Liddell to hug Katherine. "I am
+quite fond of him; that is, I esteem and like him. Of course I shall
+never love any one as I did my dear darling Fred; but I do want some one
+to help me with the boys, and Marmaduke (that's his name) is quite fond
+of them. So now, dear Mrs. Liddell, I will stay on here till&mdash;till I am
+married, if you don't mind."</p>
+
+<p>"It is the best thing you can do, Ada. I wish we could stay and be
+present at your marriage."</p>
+
+<p>"But that is impossible," cried Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"And not at all necessary," added Mrs. Frederic, hastily. "My friend
+Mrs. Burnett will help me in every way, and I have been trouble enough
+already."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think so," said Mrs. Liddell, quietly. "But I am very weary. I
+will go to my room. Katie dear, bring me some tea presently."</p>
+
+<p>And the widow escaped to rest, perhaps to weep over the bright boy so
+dear to her, so soon forgotten by the wife of his bosom.</p>
+
+<p>Not many days after, Katherine and her mother set forth upon their
+travels, leaving nothing they regretted save the two little boys,
+respecting whose fate Katherine felt anything but satisfied. Of this she
+said nothing to her mother. And so, with temporary forgetfulness of the
+deed which was destined to color her whole life, she saw the curtain
+fall on the first act of her story.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2>
+
+<h3>"A NEW PHASE."</h3>
+
+
+<p>"An interval of three weeks&mdash;six months&mdash;ten years," as the case may
+be&mdash;"is supposed to have elapsed since the last act." This is a very
+commonly used expression in play-bills, and there seems no just cause or
+impediment why a story-teller should not avail himself of the same
+device to waft the patient reader over an uneventful period, during
+which the hero or heroine has been granted a "breathing space" between
+the ebb and flow of harrowing adventures and moving incidents.</p>
+
+<p>It was, then, more than two years since the last chapter, and a still
+cold day at the end of February&mdash;still and somewhat damp&mdash;in one of the
+midland shires&mdash;say Clayshire. The dank hedges and sodden fields had a
+melancholy aspect, which seemed to affect a couple of horsemen who were
+walking their jaded, much-splashed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span> horses along a narrow road, or
+rather lane, which led between a stretch of pasture-land on one side and
+a ploughed field on the other. The red coats and top-boots of both were
+liberally besprinkled with mud; even their hats had not quite escaped.
+Their steeds hung their heads and moved languidly; both horses and
+riders had evidently had a hard day's work. Presently the road sloped
+somewhat steeply to a hollow sheltered at one side by a steep bank
+overgrown with brushwood and large trees. The country behind the
+huntsmen was rather flat and very open, but from this point it became
+broken and wooded, sloping gradually up toward a distant range of low
+blue hills.</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, you blundering idiot!" exclaimed the elder of the two men, pulling
+up his horse, a powerful roan, as he stumbled at the beginning of the
+descent. He was a big, heavy man with a red face, thick gray mustache,
+and small, angry-looking eyes. "He'll break my neck some day."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't take away his character," returned his companion, laughing.
+"Remember he has had a hard run, and you are not a feather-weight." The
+speaker was tall (judging from the length of the well-shaped leg which
+lay close against his horse's side), large-framed, and bony; his plain
+strong face was tanned to swarthiness by exposure to wind and weather;
+moreover, a pair of deep-set dark eyes and long, nearly black mustache
+showed that he had been no fair, ruddy youth to begin with.</p>
+
+<p>"No, by Jove!" exclaimed the first speaker. "I don't understand how it
+is that I grow so infernally stout. I am sure I take exercise enough,
+and live most temperately."</p>
+
+<p>"Exercise! Yes, for five or six months; the rest of the twelve you do
+nothing. And as to living temperately, what with a solid breakfast, a
+heavy luncheon, and a serious dinner, you manage to consume a great deal
+in the twenty-four hours."</p>
+
+<p>"Come, De Burgh! Hang it, I rarely eat lunch."</p>
+
+<p>"Only when you can get it. Say two hundred and ninety times out of the
+three hundred and sixty-five days of the year."</p>
+
+<p>"I admit nothing of the sort. The fact is, what I eat goes into a good
+skin. Now you might <i>cram</i> the year round and be a bag of bones at the
+end of it."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank God for all his mercies," replied De Burgh. "The fact is, you are
+a spoiled favorite of fortune, and in addition to all the good things
+you have inherited you pick up a charming wife who spoils you and
+coddles you in a way to make the mouth of an unfortunate devil like
+myself water with envy."</p>
+
+<p>"None of that nonsense, De Burgh," complacently. "The heart of a
+benedict knoweth its own bitterness, though I can't complain much. If
+you hadn't been the reckless <i>roue</i> you are, you might have been as well
+off as myself."</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh laughed. "You see, I never cared for domestic bliss. I hate
+fetters of every description, and I lay the ruin of my morals to the
+score of that immortal old relative of mine who persists in keeping me
+out of my heritage. The conviction that you are always sure of an
+estate, and possibly thirty thousand a year, has a terrible effect on
+one's character."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"If you had stuck to the Service you'd have been high up by this time,
+with the reputation you made in the Mutiny time, for you were little
+more than a boy then."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, or low down! Not that I should have much to regret if I were. I
+have had a lot of enjoyment out of life, however, but at present I am
+coming to the end of my tether. I am afraid I'll have to sell the few
+acres that are left to me, and if that gets to the Baron's ears, good-by
+to my chance of his bequeathing me the fortune he has managed to scrape
+together between windfalls and lucky investments. The late Baroness had
+a pot of money, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"I know there's not much property to go with the title."</p>
+
+<p>"A beggarly five thousand a year. I say, Ormonde, are you disposed for a
+good thing? Lend me three thousand on good security? Six per cent., old
+man!"</p>
+
+<p>"I am not so disposed, my dear fellow! I have a wife and my boy to think
+of now."</p>
+
+<p>"Exactly," returned the other, with a sneer. "You have a new edition of
+Colonel Ormonde's precious self."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, your sneers don't touch me! You always had your humors; still I am
+willing to help a kinsman, and I will give you a chance if you like.
+What do you say to a rich young wife&mdash;none of your crooked sticks?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's an awful remedy for one's financial disease, to mortgage one's
+self instead of one's property; still I suppose I'll have to come to it.
+Who is the proposed mortgagee?"</p>
+
+<p>"My wife's sister."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!"</p>
+
+<p>The tone of this "Oh!" was in some unaccountable way offensive to
+Colonel Ormonde. "Miss Liddell comes of a very good old county family I
+can tell you," he said, quickly; "a branch of the Somerset Liddells; and
+when I saw her last she was the making of an uncommon fine woman."</p>
+
+<p>"But your wife was a Mrs. Liddell, was she not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. This girl is her sister-in-law, really, but Mrs. Ormonde looks on
+her as a sister."</p>
+
+<p>"Hum! She <i>has</i> the cash? I suppose you know all about it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, yes, you may be sure of sixty or seventy thousand, which would
+keep you going till Lord de Burgh joins the majority."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, that might do; so 'trot her out.'"</p>
+
+<p>"She is coming to stay with us in a week or two, before the hunting is
+quite over, so you will be down here still."</p>
+
+<p>"I suspect I shall. The lease of the lodge won't be out till next
+September, and I may as well stay there as anywhere."</p>
+
+<p>"Katherine Liddell is quite unencumbered; she has neither father nor
+mother, nor near relation of any kind; in fact Mrs. Ormonde and myself
+are her next friends, and in a few weeks she will be of age."</p>
+
+<p>"All very favorable for her," said De Burgh, in his careless, commanding
+way. His tones were deep and harsh, and though unmistakably one of the
+"upper ten," there was a degree of roughness in his style, which,
+however, did not prevent him from being<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span> rather a favorite with women,
+who always seemed to find his attentions peculiarly flattering.</p>
+
+<p>"Come," cried Ormonde, "let us push on. I am getting chilled to the
+bone, and we are late enough already."</p>
+
+<p>He touched his horse with the spur, and both riders urged their steeds
+to a trot. Turning a bend of the road, they came suddenly upon a young
+lady accompanied by two little boys, in smart velvet suits. They were
+walking in the direction of Castleford&mdash;walking so smartly that the
+smaller of the two boys went at a trot. "Hullo!" cried Colonel Ormonde,
+pulling up for an instant. "What are you doing here? I hope the baby has
+not been out so late?"</p>
+
+<p>"Baby has gone to drive with mother," chorussed the boys eagerly, as if
+a little awed.</p>
+
+<p>"All right! Time you were home too," and he spurred after De Burgh.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Ormonde's boys?" asked the latter.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; have you never seen them?"</p>
+
+<p>"I knew they existed, but I cannot say I ever beheld them before."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Mrs. Ormonde never bores people with her brats."</p>
+
+<p>"After they are out of infancy," returned the other, dryly.</p>
+
+<p>A remark which helped to "rile" Colonel Ormonde, and he said little more
+till they reached their destination, and both retired to enjoy the
+luxury of a bath before dressing for dinner.</p>
+
+<p>John de Burgh was a distant relation of Ormonde's, but having been
+thrown together a good deal, they seemed nearer of kin than they really
+were. De Burgh was somewhat overbearing, and dominated Colonel Ormonde
+considerably. He was also somewhat lawless by nature, hating restraint
+and intent upon his own pleasure. The discipline of military life, light
+as it is to an officer, became intolerable to him when the excitement
+and danger of real warfare were past, and he resigned his commission to
+follow his own sweet will.</p>
+
+<p>Ultimately he became renowned as a crack rider, and one of the best
+steeple-chase jockeys on the turf in all competitions between gentlemen.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Ormonde considered him quite an important personage, heir to an old
+title, and first or second cousin to a host of peers. It took many a day
+to accustom her to think of her husband's connections without a sense of
+pride and exultation, at which Ormonde laughed heartily whenever he
+perceived it. On his side De Burgh thought her a very pretty little toy,
+quite amusing with her small airs and graces and assumption of
+fine-ladyism, and he showed her a good deal of indolent attention, at
+which her husband was rather flattered.</p>
+
+<p>The rector of the parish and one or two officers of Colonel Ormonde's
+old regiment, which happened to be quartered at a manufacturing town a
+few miles distant, made up the party at dinner that evening, and
+afterward they dropped off one by one to the billiard-room, till Mrs.
+Ormonde and De Burgh found themselves <i>tete-a-tete</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you wear black every night because it suits you down to the ground?"
+he asked, after very deliberately examining her from<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span> head to foot, when
+he had thrown down a newspaper he had been scanning.</p>
+
+<p>"No; I am in mourning. Don't you see I have only black lace and jet, and
+a little crape?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! and that constitutes mourning, eh? Well, there is very little
+mourning in your laughing eyes. Who is dead?"</p>
+
+<p>"My mother-in-law."</p>
+
+<p>"Your mother-in-law! I didn't know Ormonde&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I mean Mrs. Liddell; and I am quite sorry for her; she was wonderfully
+fond of me, and very kind."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, what an angel you must be to fascinate a <i>belle-mere</i>! Then the
+dear departed must be the mother of that Miss Liddell whom Ormonde was
+recommending to me this afternoon?"</p>
+
+<p>"Who&mdash;my husband? How silly! She would not suit you a bit."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Ormonde thought her fortune might."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, her fortune! that is another thing. But she will not be so very
+rich if she fulfils her promise to settle part of her fortune on my
+boys. You see, if their poor father had lived, he would have shared
+their uncle's money with his sister. Now it is too hideously unjust that
+my poor dear boys should have nothing, and Katherine is very properly
+going to make it up to them."</p>
+
+<p>"A young woman with a very high sense of justice. A good deal under the
+influence of her charming sister-in-law, I presume."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, rather," returned Mrs. Ormonde, with an air of superiority.
+"Katherine is a mere enthusiastic school-girl, easily imposed upon. Both
+Colonel Ormonde and myself feel bound to look after her."</p>
+
+<p>"Will she let you?" asked De Burgh, dryly.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course she will. She knows nothing of the world, or at least very
+little, for she did not go much into society while they were abroad."</p>
+
+<p>"Has she been abroad?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; Mrs. Liddell was out of health when Katherine came into this
+money, and they have been away in Italy and Germany and Paris for quite
+two years. They were on their way home when Mrs. Liddell was taken ill.
+She died in Paris, of typhoid fever, just before Christmas."</p>
+
+<p>"Two years in Italy, Germany, and Paris," repeated De Burgh; "she can't
+be quite a novice, then."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, she thinks she knows a great deal; and she <i>is</i> a nice girl, though
+curious and fanciful. I like her very much indeed, but I do not fancy
+<i>you</i> would. She is certainly obstinate. Instead of coming direct to us,
+and making her home here, as we were quite willing she should, she has
+gone to Miss Payne, a woman who, I believe, exists by acting chaperon to
+rich girls with no relations. Fancy, she has absolutely agreed to live
+with this Miss Payne for a year before consulting us, or asking our
+consent&mdash;or&mdash;or anything!"</p>
+
+<p>"Is she not a minor?"</p>
+
+<p>"She will be of age in a week or two, and it makes me quite nervous to
+think that other influences may prevent her keeping her promise to my
+boys. It is a mercy she did not marry some greedy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span> foreigner while she
+was under age. Fortunately, men never seemed to take a fancy to
+Katherine."</p>
+
+<p>"They will be pretty sure to take a fancy to her money."</p>
+
+<p>"I think she lived so quietly people did not suspect her of having any.
+She is awfully cut up about the death of her mother, and does not go
+anywhere. I hope she will come down here next week. The only person I am
+afraid of is a horrid stiff old lawyer who seems to be her right hand
+man. He went over to Paris when Mrs. Liddell died, and did everything,
+instead of sending for Colonel Ormonde! I felt quite hurt about it."</p>
+
+<p>"Ha! a shrewd old lawyer is bad to beat," said De Burgh, looking at his
+lively informant with half-closed eyes and an amused expression. "I
+wouldn't be too sure of your sister if I were you. Under such guidance
+the young lady may alter her generous intentions."</p>
+
+<p>"Pray do not say such horrible things, Mr. De Burgh!" cried Mrs.
+Ormonde, growing very grave, even pathetic, and looking inclined to cry.
+"What would become of me&mdash;I mean us&mdash;if she changed her mind? 'Duke
+would be furious; he would never forgive me."</p>
+
+<p>"Pooh! nonsense! a man would forgive a woman like you anything."</p>
+
+<p>"A woman, perhaps, but not his wife," she returned, shaking her head.
+"But I won't think of anything so dreadful. I am quite sure Katie will
+never break her word; she is awfully true."</p>
+
+<p>"That is rather an alarming character. You make me quite curious. What
+is she like&mdash;anything like you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not a bit. You know, she is only my sister-in-law. She is tall and
+large, and much more decided"&mdash;looking up in his face with a caressing
+smile.</p>
+
+<p>"I understand. Not a delicate little darling, made for laughter and
+kisses, and sugar, and spice, and all that's nice, like <i>you</i>." This
+with an insolent, admiring look. "Not a woman to fall in love with, but
+useful as a wife to keep one's household up to the collar."</p>
+
+<p>"Really, Mr. De Burgh, you are very shocking! You must not say such
+things to me."</p>
+
+<p>"Mustn't I? How shall you prevent me? I am a relative, you know. You
+can't treat me as a stranger."</p>
+
+<p>"You are quite too audacious&mdash;" she was beginning, when a slim young
+cornet came back from the billiard-room.</p>
+
+<p>"The Colonel wants you, Mrs. Ormonde," he said; "and you too, De Burgh.
+We are not enough for pool, and you play a capital game, Mrs. Ormonde."</p>
+
+<p>"What are the stakes?" asked De Burgh, rising readily enough.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I can't play well at all," said Mrs. Ormonde, following him with
+evident reluctance. "Certainly not when Colonel Ormonde is looking on."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, never mind him. I'll screen you from his hypercritical eyes,"
+returned De Burgh, as he held the door open for her to pass out.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>So it was, after a spell of heavenly tranquility, as Katherine and her
+mother were on their way to England, intending to make a home in or near
+London, Mrs. Liddell had been struck down with fever, and Katherine was
+left unspeakably desolate. Then she turned to her old friend Mr. Newton,
+and found him of infinite use and comfort.</p>
+
+<p>A short space of numb inaction followed, during which she fully realized
+the loneliness of her position, and from which she roused herself to
+plan her future.</p>
+
+<p>At the time Mrs. Liddell was first attacked with fever they had just
+renewed their acquaintance with a Miss Payne, whom they had met in Rome
+and at Berlin. She was not unknown in society, for she came of a good
+old county family, and was half-sister of the Bertie whose name has
+already appeared in these pages.</p>
+
+<p>Their father, with an old man's pride in a handsome only son, had left
+the bulk of his fortune to Bertie, while Hannah, who had ministered to
+his comfort and borne his ill-humor, inherited only a paltry couple of
+hundred a year, with a fairly well furnished house in Wilton Street,
+Hyde Park. Her brother would have willingly added to this pittance, but
+she sternly refused to accept what did not of right belong to her.
+Bertie went with his regiment to India, whence he returned a wiser, a
+poorer, and a physically weaker man.</p>
+
+<p>His sister, whose business instincts were much too strong to permit her
+wrapping up such a "talent" as a freehold house in the napkin of
+unfruitful occupation, looked round to see how she could best turn it to
+account. Accident threw in her way a girl of large fortune with no
+relations, whose guardians, thankful to find a respectable home for her,
+readily agreed to pay Miss Payne handsomely for taking charge of the
+orphan. Her first <i>protegee</i> married well, under her auspices, and from
+henceforth her house was rarely empty. Sometimes she accepted a roving
+commission and travelled with her charge, meanwhile letting her house in
+town, so making a double profit. It was on one of these expeditions that
+she was introduced to Mrs. and Miss Liddell. There was an air of
+sincerity and common-sense about the composed elderly gentlewoman which
+rather attracted the former, and, when they met again in Paris, Miss
+Payne came to Katie in her trouble and proved a brave and capable nurse;
+nor was she unsympathetic, though far from effusive. So, finding that
+Miss Payne's last young lady had left her, Katherine, with the approval
+of Mr. Newton, proposed to become her inmate for a year&mdash;an arrangement
+entirely in accordance with Miss Payne's wishes.</p>
+
+<p>"I did not know you were acquainted with Miss Liddell," she said one
+evening when she was sitting with her brother, Katherine having retired
+early, as she often did. "It is quite a surprise to me."</p>
+
+<p>"I can hardly say I am acquainted with her; I happened to be of some
+slight use to her once, and I met her after by accident, when we spoke;
+that is all."</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder she did not mention it to me."</p>
+
+<p>"I imagine she hardly knew my name." Miss Payne uttered an inarticulate
+sound between a h'm and a groan, by which she generally expressed
+indefinite dissent and disapprobation. Then she rose<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span> and walked to the
+dwarf bookcase at the end of the room to fetch her tatting. She was tall
+and slight. Following her, you might imagine her young, for her figure
+was good and her step brisk. Meeting her face to face, her pale,
+slightly puckered cheeks, closely compressed lips, keen light eyes, and
+crisp pepper-and-salt hair&mdash;Cayenne pepper, for it had once been
+red&mdash;suggested at least twenty or twenty-five additional years as
+compared with the back view.</p>
+
+<p>Returning to her seat, she began to tat, slowing drawing each knot home
+with a reflective air.</p>
+
+<p>"That woman is hunting her up," she exclaimed suddenly, after a few
+minutes' silence, during which Bertie looked thoughtfully at the
+fire&mdash;his quiet face, with its look of unutterable peace, the strongest
+possible contrast to his sister's hard, shrewd aspect.</p>
+
+<p>"What woman?" asked, as if recalled from a dream.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Ormonde. There was a telegram from her this afternoon. She has
+been worrying Miss Liddell to go to them ever since she set foot in
+England; and as that won't do, she is coming up to-morrow to see what
+personal persuasion will do."</p>
+
+<p>"I dare say Mrs. Ormonde is fond of her sister-in-law. She is too well
+off to have any mercenary designs."</p>
+
+<p>"Is that all your experience has taught you?" (contemptuously). "If
+there is any truth in hand-writing, that Mrs. Ormonde is a fool. Her
+letter after Mrs. Liddell's death, which Katherine showed me because it
+touched her, was the production of an effusive idiot. I don't trust
+sentimentalists; they seldom have much honesty or justice. Katherine
+Liddell is a little soft too, but she is by no means so asinine as the
+others I have had. Wait, however&mdash;wait till some man takes her fancy;
+that is the divining-rod to show where the springs of folly lie."</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Liddell is a good deal changed," returned Bertie, slowly. "She
+looks considerably older. No, that is not the right expression: I mean
+she seems more mature than when I saw her before. What she says is said
+deliberately; what she does is with the full consciousness of what she
+is doing; but she looks as if she had suffered."</p>
+
+<p>"She has," said Miss Payne, with an air of conviction. "Her grief for
+her mother was, is, deep and real. I don't believe in floods of
+tears&mdash;they are a relief."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; and though she looks so pale and sad, she is not a whit less
+beautiful than she was."</p>
+
+<p>"Beautiful!" repeated Miss Payne. "I rather admire her myself, but I
+don't think any one could call her beautiful."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps not. There is so much expression in her face, such feeling in
+her eyes, that not many really beautiful women would stand comparison
+with her."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Payne sniffed, and then she smiled. "She is not a commonplace young
+woman, though I fear she is easily imposed upon. I am afraid she may be
+snapped up by some plausible fortune-hunter."</p>
+
+<p>Bertie frowned slightly. "I trust she may be guided to happiness with
+some good, God-fearing man," he said, and then, he bid his sister
+good-night somewhat abruptly.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Meantime, Katherine sat plunged in thought beside the fire in her
+bedroom. She was not given to weeping, but she was profoundly sad. To
+find herself again in London without her mother seemed to renew the
+intense grief which had indeed lost but little of its keenness. Never
+had a mother been more terribly missed. They had been such sympathetic
+friends, such close companions; they had had such a hearty respect for
+and appreciation of each other's qualities, such a pleasant
+comprehension of each other's different tastes, that it would be hard to
+fill the place of the dear, lost comrade with whom she had hitherto
+walked hand in hand. It soothed her to think of the delightful
+tranquility Mrs. Liddell had enjoyed for the last two years, of the
+untroubled sweetness of their intercourse, of her mother's last
+contented words: "I am quite happy, dear. Your future is secure, and you
+have never given me a moment's pain. We have had such delightful days
+together!"</p>
+
+<p>How could she have borne to have seen a pained, anxious look&mdash;such a
+look as was once familiar to them&mdash;in those dear eyes, as they closed
+forever on this mortal scene! Oh, thank God for the heavenly security of
+those last days whatever the price she had paid for them!</p>
+
+<p>Motherless, she was utterly desolate. It would be long, long before she
+could find any one to fill her mother's place, if she ever did. For the
+present she was satisfied to stay with Miss Payne, but she did not think
+she could ever love her. The idea of residing with Colonel Ormonde and
+his wife was distasteful. The most attractive scheme was to beg her
+little nephews from their mother, and take them to live with her. She
+was almost of age, and <i>felt</i> old enough to set up for herself. As she
+pondered on these things she felt bitterly that, rich or poor, a
+homeless woman is a wretched creature.</p>
+
+<p>At last she went to bed, and lay for a while watching the fire-light as
+it cast flickering shadows, thinking of the tender, watchful love which
+had dropped away out of her life; and with the murmured words, "Dear,
+dear mother!" on her lips she fell asleep.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>The next day broke bright and clear, though cold, and having kept
+Katherine at home all day, Mrs. Ormonde made her appearance in time for
+afternoon tea.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear, dearest Katherine!" cried the little woman, fluttering in, all
+fur and feathers, in the richest and most becoming morning toilette,
+looking prettier and younger than ever, "I am <i>so</i> delighted to see you
+once more! Why have you staid in town, instead of coming straight to
+us?" and she embraced her tall sister-in-law effusively.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine returned her embrace. For a moment or two she could not
+command her voice; the sight of the known childish face, the sound of
+the shrill familiar voice, brought a flood of sudden sorrow over her
+heart; but Mrs. Ormonde was not the sort of woman to whom she could
+express it.</p>
+
+<p>"And <i>I</i> am very glad to see <i>you</i>, Ada! How well you are looking&mdash;even
+younger and fairer than you used!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I am uncommonly well; and you, dear, you are looking pale and ill
+and older! You will forgive me, but I am quite distressed. You must come
+down to Castleford at once."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Thank you. Where are the boys? I hoped you would bring them."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Colonel Ormonde thought they would be too troublesome for me in a
+hotel, so I left them behind. They were awfully disappointed, poor
+dears; but it is better <i>you</i> should come down and see them. Cecil is
+going to school after Easter, and I believe Charlie must go soon."</p>
+
+<p>"I long to see them," said Katherine, assisting her visitor to take off
+her cloak.</p>
+
+<p>"And <i>I</i> long to show you my new little boy," cried Mrs. Ormonde,
+drawing a chair to the fire, and putting her small, daintily shod feet
+on the fender. "He is a splendid child, amazingly forward for six
+months."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad you are so happy, Ada; I shall be pleased to make the
+acquaintance of my new nephew. I suppose I may consider him a sort of
+nephew?"</p>
+
+<p>"My dear, of <i>course</i>! Colonel Ormonde, as well as myself, is proud to
+consider you his aunt. Yes, I am very happy&mdash;though Ormonde <i>is</i> rather
+provoking sometimes; still, he is not half bad, and I know how to manage
+him. You are <i>such</i> a favorite with my husband, Katie. He admires you so
+much, I sometimes threaten to be jealous&mdash;why, what is the matter,
+dear?"</p>
+
+<p>Katherine had suddenly covered her face with her handkerchief and burst
+into tears.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not mind me, Ada!" she said, when she could speak. "It was just that
+name; no one has called me Katie except my mother and you, and the idea
+that I should never hear her speak again overpowered me for a moment."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Ormonde was puzzled. Not knowing what to do in face of a great
+grief, she took out her own pocket-handkerchief politely.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course, dear," she said; "it is quite natural. I was awfully cut up
+when I heard of your sad loss&mdash;and mine too, for I am sure Mrs. Liddell
+loved me like her own child; it was quite wonderful for a mother-in-law.
+I was afraid to speak to you about her, but I am sure she would like you
+to live with us; it is your natural home. And&mdash;and she would, I am sure,
+be pleased if she can know what is going on here below, to see that you
+fulfilled your kind intentions to her poor little grandsons." These last
+words with some hesitation.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine kept silence, and still held her handkerchief to her eyes. So
+Mrs. Ormonde resumed: "A good, religious girl like you, Katherine, must
+feel that it is right to submit to the will of&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, yes; I know all about that," interrupted Katherine, who was rather
+irritated than soothed by her sister-in-law's attempt at preaching; and
+recovering herself, she added: "I will not worry you with my tears. Tell
+me how the boys get on with Colonel Ormonde."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well indeed, especially Cecil. 'Duke is very kind. They have a
+pony, and quite enjoy the country; but now that we have a boy of our
+own, we feel doubly anxious that Cis and Charlie should be permanently
+provided for; so do, dear, come back with me, and talk it all over with
+my husband. He is <i>such</i> a good man of business."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Katherine smiled faintly; she had not seen the drift of Mrs. Ormonde's
+remarks at first; there was no mistaking them now. A slightly
+mischievous sense of power kept her from setting her sister-in-law's
+mind at rest immediately.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think it necessary to consult with Colonel Ormonde, Ada, for I
+have quite made up my mind what to do. I think you may trust your boys
+to me. I must see Mr. Newton and arrange many matters, so I do not think
+I can go to you just yet. Then, I do not like to be in the way, and I
+could <i>not</i> mix in society just yet. Oh, I am not morbid or sentimental,
+but some months of seclusion I <i>must</i> have."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Ormonde played with the tassel of the screen with which she
+sheltered her face from the fire while she thought: "What can she really
+mean to do? I wonder if she is engaged to any one, and waiting for him
+here? Once she is married, good-by to a settlement. She is awfully
+deep!" Then she said aloud, coaxingly, "Oh, we are very quiet
+home-staying people. We have a few men to stay now and again, but we
+never give big dinners. Tell me the truth, dear, are you not engaged? It
+would be but natural. A charming girl like you, with a large fortune,
+could not escape a multitude of lovers."</p>
+
+<p>"You are wrong, Ada. I am not engaged, and I have no lovers. Of course a
+prince or two and a German graf did me the honor of proposing to annex
+my property, taking myself with it. Any well-dowered girl may expect
+such offers in Continental society; but they did not affect me."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no; certainly not! It will be an Englishman. Quite right. And 'Duke
+must find out all about him. You know, dear, you would marry ever so
+much better from <i>my</i> house than you possibly could <i>here</i>, with a
+person who, after all, merely keeps a <i>pension</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"If Miss Payne could hear you!" said Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I should never say it to her. But, Katherine, now is your time,
+when you are of age, and before you marry&mdash;now is the time to settle
+whatever you intend to settle on my poor little boys. I am sure you will
+excuse me for mentioning it, won't you? Between you and me, I don't
+think 'Duke would have married if he had not believed you would provide
+for Cis and Charlie. I don't know what would become of us if they were
+thrown on his hands."</p>
+
+<p>"You need not fear," cried Katherine, quickly. "My nephews shall never
+cost Colonel Ormonde a sou."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I was sure you wouldn't, dear, you are such a kind, generous
+creature, so unselfish. I do hate selfishness, and though the allowance
+you now give is very handsome&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I am to make it a little larger," put in Katherine, good-humoredly, as
+Mrs. Ormonde paused, not knowing how to finish her sentence. "Be
+content, Ada; you shall have due notice when I have made all my plans. I
+have a good deal to do, for I ought to make my will too."</p>
+
+<p>"Your will! Oh yes, to be sure. I never thought of that. But if you
+marry it will be of no use."</p>
+
+<p>"Until I <i>am</i> married it will be of use."</p>
+
+<p>"And when do you intend to come to us?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, some time next month."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so. I want to come up for a while after Easter, and am trying to
+get the Colonel to take a house; <i>that</i> depends on you a good deal. If
+you would join me in taking a house for three months he would agree at
+once."</p>
+
+<p>"But I have just agreed to stay with Miss Payne for a year."</p>
+
+<p>"How foolish! how short-sighted!" cried Mrs. Ormonde. "You will be just
+lost in a second-rate place like this."</p>
+
+<p>"It will suit me perfectly. I only want rest and peace at present. I
+dare say it will not be so always."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I know there is no use in talking to you. You will go your own
+way. Only, as I am in town, <i>do</i> come to my dressmaker's. Though you had
+your mourning in Paris, do you know, you look quite dowdy. You'll not
+mind my saying so?"</p>
+
+<p>"I dare say I do. Miss Payne got everything for me."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, are you going to give yourself into her hands blindfold? I am
+afraid she is a designing woman. You really must get some stylish
+dresses. You must do yourself justice."</p>
+
+<p>"I have as many as I want, and there is no need of wasting money, even
+if you have a good deal. How many poor souls need food and clothes!"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Katherine, if you begin to talk in that way, you will be robbed and
+plundered to no end."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope not. Here is tea, and Miss Payne. I will come and see you
+to-morrow early, and bring some little presents for the boys."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2>
+
+<h3>"I WAS A STRANGER AND YE TOOK ME IN."</h3>
+
+
+<p>Mrs. Ormonde lingered as long as she could. Bond Street was paradise to
+her, Regent Street an Elysian Field. While she staid she gave her
+sister-in-law little peace, and until she had departed Katherine did not
+attempt to go into business matters with Mr. Newton. She was half
+amused, half disgusted, at Mrs. Ormonde's perpetual reminders, hints,
+and innuendoes touching the settlement on her boys. Ada was the same as
+ever, yet Katherine liked her for the sake of the memories she evoked
+and shared.</p>
+
+<p>It was quite a relief when she left town, and Katherine felt once more
+her own mistress. Her heart yearned for her little nephews, but she felt
+it was wiser to wait and see them at home rather than send for them at
+present. She greatly feared that the new baby, the son of a living,
+prosperous father, was pushing the sons of the first husband&mdash;who had
+taken his unlucky self out of the world, where he had been anything but
+a success&mdash;from their place in her affections.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime she held frequent consultations with Mr. Newton, who was very
+devoted to her service, and anxious to do his best for her. He
+remonstrated earnestly with her on her over-generosity to her nephews.
+"Provide for them if you will, my dear young lady, but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span> believe me you
+are by no means called upon to <i>divide</i> your property with them. Do not
+make them too independent of you; hold something in your hand. Besides,
+you do not know what considerations may arise to make you regret too
+great liberality."</p>
+
+<p>"I have very little use for money now," said Katherine, sadly.</p>
+
+<p>"You have always been remarkably moderate in your expenditure," returned
+the lawyer, who had the entire management of her affairs. "But now you
+will probably like to establish yourself in London, say, for
+headquarters."</p>
+
+<p>"Not for the present. I shall stay where I am until some plan of life
+suggests itself."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps you are right, and certainly you are a very prudent young
+lady."</p>
+
+<p>This conversation took place in Mr. Newton's office, and after some
+further discussion Katherine was persuaded to settle a third instead of
+the half of her property on her nephews, out of which a jointure was to
+be paid to Mrs. Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I could have the boys with me," said Katherine, as she rose to
+leave Mr. Newton.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear Miss Liddell, take care how you saddle yourself with the
+difficult task of standing <i>in loco parentis</i>; leave the very serious
+responsibilities of bringing up boys to the mother whose they are. At
+your age, and with the almost certainty of forming new ties, such a step
+would be very imprudent."</p>
+
+<p>"At all events I shall see how they all get on at Castleford before I
+commit myself to anything. You will lose no time, dear Mr. Newton, in
+getting this deed ready for my signature. I do not want to say anything
+about it till it is 'signed, sealed, and delivered.'"</p>
+
+<p>"It shall be put in hand at once. When shall you be going out of town?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not for ten days or a fortnight."</p>
+
+<p>"The sooner the better. I do not like to see you look so pale and sad.
+Excuse me if I presume in saying so. Well, I don't think your uncle ever
+did a wiser act than in destroying that will of his before he made
+another. The extraordinary instinct he had about money must have warned
+him that his precious fortune would be best bestowed on so prudent yet
+so generous a young lady as yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't praise me, Mr. Newton," said Katherine, sharply. "Could you see
+me as I see myself, you would know how little I deserve it."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I should know nothing of the kind," returned the old lawyer,
+smiling. Katherine was a prime favorite with him&mdash;quite his ideal of a
+charming and admirable woman. All he hoped was that when the sharp edge
+of her grief had worn off she would mix in society and marry some highly
+placed man worthy of her, a Q.C., if one young enough could be found,
+who was on the direct road to the woolsack.</p>
+
+<p>The evening of this day Bertie Payne came in, as he often did after
+dinner. Katherine was always pleased to see him. He brought a breath of
+genial life into the rather glacial atmosphere of Miss Payne's
+drawing-room. Yet there was something soothing to Katherine in the
+orderly quiet of the house, in the conviction,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span> springing from she knew
+not what, that Miss Payne liked her heartily in her steady,
+undemonstrative fashion. She never interfered with Katherine in any way;
+she was ready to go with her when asked, or to let her young guest go on
+her own business alone and unquestioned, while she saw to her comfort,
+and proved much more companionable than Katherine expected.</p>
+
+<p>On this particular evening which marked a new mental epoch for Katherine
+Liddell, the two companions were sitting by the fire in Miss Payne's
+comfortable though rather old-fashioned drawing-room, the curtains
+drawn, the hearth aglow, Miss Payne engaged on a large piece of
+patchwork which she had been employed upon for years, while Katherine
+read aloud to her. This was a favorite mode of passing the evening; it
+saved the trouble of inventing conversation&mdash;for Miss Payne was not
+loquacious&mdash;and it was more sympathetic than reading to one's self. Miss
+Payne, it need scarcely be said, had no patience with novels; biography
+and travels were her favorite studies; nor did she disdain history,
+though given to be sceptical concerning accounts of what had happened
+long ago. She had never been so happy and comfortable with any of her
+<i>protegees</i> as with Katherine, though, as she observed to her brother,
+she did not expect it to last. "Stay till she is a little known, and the
+mothers of marriageable sons get about her; then it will be the old
+thing over again&mdash;dress, drive, dance, hurry-scurry from morning till
+night. However, I'll make the most of the present."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Payne, then, and her "favored guest" were cozily settled for the
+evening when Bertie entered.</p>
+
+<p>"May I present myself in a frock coat?" he asked, as he shook hands with
+Katherine. "I have had rather a busy day, and found myself in your
+neighborhood just now, so could not resist looking in."</p>
+
+<p>"At your usual work, I suppose," said Miss Payne, severely. "Pray have
+you had anything to eat?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I assure you. I dined quite luxuriously at Bethnal Green about an
+hour and a half ago."</p>
+
+<p>"Ha! at a coffee-stall, I suppose; a cup of coffee and a ha'p'orth of
+bread. I must insist on your having some proper food." Miss Payne put
+forth her hand toward the bell as she spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not give yourself the trouble; I really do not want anything, nor
+will I take anything beyond a cup of tea." Bertie drew a chair beside
+Katherine, asked what she was reading, and talked a little about the
+news of the day. Then he fell into silence, his eyes fixed on the fire,
+a very grave expression stilling his face.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you thinking of?" asked his sister. "What misery have you been
+steeping yourself in to-day?"</p>
+
+<p>"Misery indeed," he echoed. Then, meeting Katherine's eyes fixed upon
+him, he smiled. "Of course I see misery every day," he continued, "but I
+don't like to trouble you with too much of it. To-day I met with an
+unusually hard case, and I am going to ask you for some help toward
+righting it."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me what you want," said Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you sure the story is genuine?" asked Miss Payne.</p>
+
+<p>"I am quite sure. I went into Bow Street Police Court to-day,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span> intending
+to speak to the sitting magistrate about some children respecting whom
+he had asked for information, when I was attracted by the face of a
+woman who was being examined; she was poorly clad, but evidently
+respectable&mdash;like a better class of needle-woman. I never saw a face
+express such despair. It seemed she had been caught in the act of
+stealing two loaves from the shop of a baker. The poor creature did not
+deny it. Her story was that she had been for some years a widow; that
+she had supported herself and two children by needle-work and
+machine-work. Illness had impoverished her and diminished her
+connection, other workers having been taken on in her absence. In short
+she had been caught in that terrible maelstrom of misfortune from which
+<i>no</i> one can escape without a helping hand. Her sewing machine was
+seized for rent; one article after another of furniture and clothes went
+for food; at last nothing was left. She roamed the city, reduced to beg
+at last, and striving to make up her mind to go to the workhouse, the
+cry of the hungry children she had left in her ears. At several bakers'
+shops she had petitioned for food and had been refused. At last,
+entering one while the shop-girl's back was turned, she snatched a
+couple of small loaves and rushed out into the arms of a policeman, who
+had seen the theft through the window."</p>
+
+<p>"And would the magistrate punish her for this?" asked Katherine,
+eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"He must. Theft is theft, whatever the circumstances that seem to
+extenuate it. Nothing, no need, gives a right to take what does not
+belong to you. But, for all that, I am certain the poor creature has
+been honest hitherto, and deserves help. She is committed to prison for
+stealing, and I promised her I would look to her children; so I have
+been to see them, and took them to the Children's Refuge that you were
+kind enough to subscribe to, Miss Liddell. To-morrow we must do what we
+can for the mother. I imagine it is worse than death to her to be put in
+prison."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not wonder at it," ejaculated Miss Payne. "And in spite of what
+you say, Bertie, I should not like to give any materials to be made up
+by a woman who deliberately stole in broad daylight."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not see that the light made any difference," returned Bertie; and
+they plunged into a warm discussion. Katherine soon lost the sense of
+what they were saying. Her heart was throbbing as if a sudden stunning
+blow had been dealt her, and the words, "Theft is theft, whatever the
+circumstances that seem to extenuate it," beat as if with a
+sledge-hammer on her brain.</p>
+
+<p>If for a theft, value perhaps sixpence, this poor woman, who had been
+driven to it by the direst necessity, was exposed to trial, to the gaze
+of careless lookers-on, to loss of character, to the exposure of her
+sore want, to the degradation of imprisonment, what should be awarded to
+her, Katherine Liddell, an educated gentlewoman, for stealing a large
+fortune from its rightful owner, and that, too, under no pressure of
+immediate distress? True, she firmly believed that had her uncle not
+been struck down by death he would have left her a large portion of it;
+that she had a better right to it than a stranger.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span> Still that did not
+alter the fact that she was a thief. If every one thus dared to infringe
+the rights of others, what law, what security would remain?</p>
+
+<p>These ideas had never quite left her since the day she had written
+"Manuscript to be destroyed" on the fatal little parcel, which had been
+ever with her during her various journeyings since. More than once she
+had made up her mind to destroy it, but some influence&mdash;some terror of
+destroying this expression of what her uncle once wished&mdash;had stayed her
+hand; her courage stopped there. Perhaps a faint foreshadowing of some
+future act of restitution caused this reluctance, unknown to herself,
+but certainly at present no such possibility dawned upon her. She felt
+that she held her property chiefly in trust for others, especially her
+nephews. Often she had forgotten her secret during her mother's
+lifetime, but the consciousness of it always returned with a sense of
+being out of moral harmony, which made her somewhat fitful in her
+conduct, particularly as regarded her expenditure, being sometimes
+tempted to costly purchases, and anon shrinking from outlay as though
+not entitled to spend the money which was nominally hers. Nathan's
+parable did not strike more humiliating conviction to Israel's erring
+king than Bertie Payne's "ower true tale." At length she mastered these
+painful thoughts, and sought relief from them in speech.</p>
+
+<p>"What do you think of doing for this poor woman?" she asked, taking a
+screen to shelter her face from the fire and observation.</p>
+
+<p>"I have not settled details in my own mind yet," he said; "but as soon
+as she is released I must get her into a new neighborhood and redeem her
+sewing-machine. Then, if we can get her work and help her till she
+begins to earn a little, she may get on."</p>
+
+<p>"Pray let me help in this," said Katherine, earnestly. "I live quite a
+selfish life, and I should be thankful if you will let me furnish what
+money you require."</p>
+
+<p>"That I shall with great thankfulness. But, Miss Liddell, if you are
+anxious to find interesting work, why not come and see our Children's
+Refuge and the schools connected with it? Then there is an association
+for advancing small sums to workmen in time of sickness, or to redeem
+their tools, which is affiliated to a ladies' visiting club, the members
+of which make themselves acquainted personally with the men and their
+families."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be most delighted to go with you to both, but I do not think I
+could do any good myself. I am so reluctant to preach to poor people,
+who have so much more experience, so much more real knowledge of life,
+than I have, merely because they <i>are</i> poor."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not want you to do so, but I think personal contact with the
+people you relieve is good both for those benefited and their
+benefactor."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose it is; and those poor old people who cannot read or are
+blind, I am quite willing to read to them if they like it."</p>
+
+<p>"I can find plenty for you to do, Miss Liddell," Bertie was beginning
+when his sister broke in with:</p>
+
+<p>"This is quite too bad, Bertie. You know I will not have you dragging my
+young friends to catch all sorts of disorders in the slums. You must be
+content with Miss Liddell's money."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Miss Payne, I really do wish to see something of the work on which your
+brother is engaged, and&mdash;forgive me if I seem obstinate&mdash;I am resolved
+to help him if I can."</p>
+
+<p>The result of the conversation was that the greater portion of the
+contents of Miss Liddell's purse was transferred to Bertie's, and he
+left them in high spirits, having arranged to call for Katherine the
+next day in order to escort her to the Children's Refuge and some other
+institutions in which he took an interest.</p>
+
+<p>From this time for several weeks Katherine was greatly occupied in the
+benevolent undertakings of her new friend. The endless need, the
+degradations of extreme poverty, the hopeless condition of such masses
+of her fellow-creatures, depressed her beyond description. She would
+gladly have given to her uttermost farthing, but it would be a mere drop
+in the ocean of misery around.</p>
+
+<p>"Even if we could supply their every want, and give each family a decent
+home," she said to Bertie one evening as she walked back with him, "they
+would not know how to keep it or to enjoy it. If the men, and the women
+too, have not the tremendous necessity to labor that they may live, they
+relax and become mere brutes. We must, above all things, educate them."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, education is certainly necessary; but the most ignorant being who
+has laid hold on the Rock of Ages, who has received the spirit of
+adoption whereby he can cry, 'Abba, Father!' has a means of elevation
+and refinement beyond all that books and art can teach," cried Bertie,
+with more warmth than he usually allowed himself to show.</p>
+
+<p>"You believe that? I cannot say I do. We need other means of moral and
+intellectual life besides spiritualism. At least I have tried to be
+religious, but I always get weary."</p>
+
+<p>"That is only because you have not found the straight and true road,"
+said Bertie, earnestly. "Pray, my dear Miss Liddell&mdash;pray, and light
+will be given you."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you&mdash;you are very good," murmured Katherine "At all events,
+though we can do but little, it is a comfort to help some of these poor
+creatures, especially the children and old people."</p>
+
+<p>"It is," he returned. "And if it be consolatory to minister to their
+physical wants, how much more to feed their immortal souls!"</p>
+
+<p>Katherine was silent for a few minutes, and then said: "It is impossible
+they can think much about their souls when they suffer so keenly in
+their bodies. Poverty and privation which destroy self-respect cannot
+allow of spiritual aspiration. Is it to be always like this&mdash;one class
+steeped in luxury, the other grovelling in cruel want?"</p>
+
+<p>"Our Lord says, 'Ye have the poor always with you,'" returned Bertie.
+"Nor can we hope to see the curse of original sin lifted from life here
+below until the great manifestation; in short, till Shiloh come."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think so? I do not like to think that Satan is too strong for
+God," said Katherine, thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p>Bertie replied by exhorting her earnestly not to trust to mere human
+reason, to accept the infallible word of God, "and so find safety and
+rest." Katherine did not reply.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I think you could help me in a difficult case," said Bertie, a few days
+after this conversation.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" said Katherine, looking up from the book she was reading by
+the fire after dinner. "What help can I possibly give?"</p>
+
+<p>"Hear my story, and you will see."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be most happy if I can help you. Pray go on."</p>
+
+<p>"You know Dodd, the porter and factotum at the Children's Refuge? Well,
+Dodd has a mother, a very respectable old dame, who keeps a very mild
+sweety shop, and also sells newspapers, etc. Mrs. Dodd, besides these
+sources of wealth, lets lodgings, and seems to get on pretty well. Now
+Dodd came to me in some distress, and said, 'Would you be so good, sir,
+as to see mother? she wants a word with you bad, very bad.' I of course
+said I was very ready to hear what she had to say. So I called at the
+little shop, which I often pass. I found the old lady in great trouble
+about a young woman who had been lodging with her for some time. She,
+Mrs. Dodd, did not know that her lodger was absolutely ill, but she
+scarcely eats anything, she never went out, she sometimes sat up half
+the night. Hitherto she had paid her rent regularly, but on last
+rent-day she had said she could only pay two weeks more, after which she
+supposed she had better go to the workhouse. When first she came she
+used to go out looking for work, but that ceased, and she seemed in a
+half-conscious state. As I was a charitable gentleman, would I go and
+speak to her? Well, rather reluctantly, I did. I went upstairs to a
+dreary back room, and found a decidedly lady-like young woman, neatly
+dressed enough, but ghastly white with dull eyes. She seemed to be
+dusting some books, but looked too weary to do much. She was not
+surprised or moved in any way at seeing me. When I apologized for
+intruding upon her, she murmured that I was very good. Then I asked if I
+could help her in any way. She thanked me, but suggested nothing. When I
+pressed her to express her needs, she said that life was not worth
+working for, but that she supposed they would give her something to do
+in the workhouse, and she would do it. As for seeking work, she could
+not, that she was a failure, and only cared not to trouble others. I was
+quite baffled. She was so quiet and gentle, and spoke with such
+refinement, that I was deeply interested. I called again this morning,
+and she would hardly answer me. As she is young (not a great deal older
+than yourself), perhaps a lady&mdash;a woman&mdash;might win her confidence. She
+seems to have been a dressmaker. Could you not offer her some
+employment, and draw her from the extraordinary lethargy which seems to
+dull her faculties? No mind can hold out against it; she will die or
+become insane."</p>
+
+<p>"It is very strange. I should be very glad to help her, but I feel
+afraid to attempt anything. I shall be so awkward. What can I say to
+begin with?"</p>
+
+<p>"Your offering her work would make an opening. Do try. I am sure her
+case needs a woman's delicate touch."</p>
+
+<p>"I will do my best," said Katherine. "It all sounds terribly
+interesting. Shall I go to-morrow?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, by all means. I am so very much obliged to you. I feel you will
+succeed."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Don't be too sure."</p>
+
+<p>The next day, a drizzling damp morning, Katherine, feeling unusually
+nervous, was quite ready when Bertie called for her. The drive to Camden
+Town seemed very long, but it came to an end at last, all the sooner
+because Bertie stopped the cab some little way way from the sweety shop.</p>
+
+<p>"I have brought a young lady to see your invalid," said Bertie,
+introducing Katherine to Mrs. Dodd, a short broad old lady, with a shawl
+neatly pinned over her shoulders, a snowy white cap with black ribbons,
+and a huge pair of spectacles, over which she seemed always trying to
+look.</p>
+
+<p>"I'm sure it's that kind of you, sir. And I <i>am</i> glad you have come. The
+poor thing has been offering me a nice black dress this morning to let
+her stay on. It's the last decent thing she has. I expect she has been
+just living on her clothes. I'll go and tell her. Maybe miss will come
+after me, so as not to give her time to say no?"</p>
+
+<p>Katherine cast a troubled look at Bertie. "Don't wait for me," she said;
+"your time is always so precious. I dare say I can get a cab for
+myself." And she followed Mrs. Dodd up a steep narrow dark stair.</p>
+
+<p>"Here is a nice lady come to see you," said Mrs. Dodd, in a soothing
+tone suited to an infant or a lunatic.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no; I don't want any lady; I would rather not see any lady," cried
+a voice naturally sweet-toned, but now touched with shrill terror.
+Curiously enough, this token of fear gave Katherine courage. Here was
+some poor soul wanting comfort sorely.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not forbid me to come in," she said, walking boldly into the room,
+and addressing the inmate with a kind bright smile. "I very much want
+some needle-work done, and I shall be glad if you will undertake it."
+While she spoke, Mrs. Dodd retired and softly closed the door. Katherine
+found herself face to face with a ladylike-looking young woman, small
+and slight&mdash;slight even to extreme thinness&mdash;fair-skinned, with large
+blue eyes, delicate features, a quantity of fair hair carelessly coiled
+up, and with white cheeks. The strange pallor of her trembling lips, the
+despair in her eyes, the shrinking, hunted look of face and figure,
+almost frightened her visitor. "I hope you are not vexed with me for
+coming in," faltered Katherine, deferentially; "but they said you wanted
+employment, and I should like to give you some. You must be ill, you
+look so pale. Can I not be of some use to you?"</p>
+
+<p>The girl's pale cheek flushed as, partially recovering herself, she
+stood up holding the back of her chair, her eyes fixed on the floor; she
+seemed endeavoring to speak, but the words did not come. At last, in a
+low, hesitating voice: "You are too good. I have tried to find work
+vainly; now I do not think I have the force to do any." The color faded
+away from the poor sunken cheeks, and the eyes hid themselves
+persistently under the downcast lids.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure you are very weak," returned Katherine, tenderly, for there
+was something inexpressibly touching in the hopelessness of the
+stranger's aspect. "But some good food and the prospect of employment
+will set you up, When you are a little stronger and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span> know me better you
+will perhaps tell me how Mr. Payne and I can best help you. We all want
+each other's help at times; and life must not be thrown away, you know.
+I do not wish to intrude upon you, but you see we are nearly of an age,
+and we ought to understand and help each other. It is my turn now; it
+may be yours by-and-by."</p>
+
+<p>"Mine!" with unspeakable bitterness.</p>
+
+<p>"Do sit down," said Katherine, who felt her tears very near her eyes,
+"and I will sit by you for a little while. Why, you are unfit to stand,
+and you are so cold!" She pulled off her gloves, and taking one of the
+poor girl's hands in both her own soft warm ones, chafed it gently. No
+doubt practically charitable people would smile indulgently at
+Katherine's enthusiastic sympathy; but she was new to such work, and
+felt that she had to deal with no common subject. Whether it was the
+tender tone or the kindly touch, but the hard desperate look softened,
+and big tears began to roll down, and soon she was weeping freely,
+quietly, while she left her hand in Katherine's, who held it in silence,
+feeling how the whole slight frame shook with the effort to control
+herself.</p>
+
+<p>At length Katherine rose and went downstairs to take counsel with Mrs.
+Dodd. "She seems quite unable to recover herself. Ought she not to have
+a little wine or something?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, miss; it's just <i>that</i> she wants. She is nigh starved to death."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you any wine?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, no, miss; but there's a tavern round the corner where you can get
+very good port from the wood. I'll send the girl for a pint."</p>
+
+<p>"Pray do, and quickly, and some biscuits or something; here is some
+money. What is her name?"</p>
+
+<p>"Trant&mdash;Miss Trant," returned Mrs. Dodd, knowing who her interrogator
+meant. "Leastways we always called her miss, for she is quite the lady."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine hurried back, and found Miss Trant lying back in her chair
+greatly exhausted. With instinctive tact Katherine assumed an air of
+authority, and insisted on her patient eating some biscuits soaked in
+wine.</p>
+
+<p>Presently Miss Trant sat up, and, as if with an effort raised her eyes
+to Katherine's. "I am not worth so much trouble," she said. "You deserve
+that I should obey you. It is all I can do to show gratitude. If, then,
+you will be content with very slow work, I will thankfully do what you
+wish; but I must have time."</p>
+
+<p>"So you shall," cried Katherine, delightedly. "You shall have plenty of
+time to make me a dress; that will be more amusing than plain work. I
+will bring you the material to-morrow, and if you fit me well, you know,
+it may lead to a great business;" and she smiled pleasantly.</p>
+
+<p>"What is your name?" asked the patient, feebly. Katherine told her. "You
+are so good, you make me resigned to live."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you care to read?"</p>
+
+<p>"I used to love it; but I have no books, nor could I attend to the sense
+of a page if I had."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"If you sit here without book or work, I do not wonder at your being
+half dead."</p>
+
+<p>"Not nearly half dead yet; dying by inches is a terribly long process. I
+am dreadfully strong."</p>
+
+<p>"I will not listen to you if you talk like that. Well, I will bring you
+some books&mdash;indeed, I will send you some at once if you will promise to
+read and divert your thoughts. To-morrow afternoon I will come, you
+shall take my measure (I like to be made to look nice), and you shall
+begin again."</p>
+
+<p>"Begin again! Me! That would be a miracle."</p>
+
+<p>"Now try and get a little sleep," said Katherine, "your eyes look so
+weary. You want to stop thinking, and only sleep can still thought. When
+you wake you shall find some of the new magazines, and you must try and
+attend to them."</p>
+
+<p>"I will, for your sake."</p>
+
+<p>"Good-by, then, till to-morrow;" and having pressed her hand kindly,
+Katherine departed.</p>
+
+<p>It was quite a triumph for Katherine to report her success to Bertie
+that evening. Miss Payne rather shook her head over the whole affair.</p>
+
+<p>"I must say it puts me on edge altogether to hear you two rejoicing over
+this young woman's condescension in accepting the work you lay at her
+feet, while such crowds of starving wretches are begging and praying for
+something to do; and here is a mysterious young woman with lady-like
+manners and remarkable eyes, taken up all at once because she won't eat
+and refuses to speak. It isn't just. I suspect there is something in her
+past she does not like to tell."</p>
+
+<p>"Your <i>resume</i> of the facts makes Mr. Payne and me seem rather foolish,"
+said Katherine. "Yet I am convinced she is worth helping, and that no
+common methods will do to restore to her any relish for life. She
+interests me. I may be throwing away my time and money, but I will risk
+it."</p>
+
+<p>"It is hard to say, of course, whether she is a deserving object or
+not," added Bertie, thoughtfully; "and I have been taken in more than
+once."</p>
+
+<p>"More than once?" echoed his sister in a peculiar tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Still, I feel with Miss Liddell that this girl's, Rachel Trant's, is
+not a common case," continued Bertie.</p>
+
+<p>"Her very name is suggestive of grief," said Katherine, "and she, too,
+refuses to be comforted. I am sure she will tell me her story later. Her
+landlady says she never receives or sends a letter, and does not seem to
+have a creature belonging to her. Such desolation is appalling."</p>
+
+<p>"And shows there is something radically wrong," added Miss Payne.</p>
+
+<p>"I acknowledge that it has a dubious appearance," said Bertie, and
+turned the conversation.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine was completely taken out of herself by the interest and
+curiosity excited by her meeting with Rachel Trant. She visited her
+daily, and saw that she was slowly reviving. She took a wonderful
+interest in the dress which Katherine had given her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span> to make, and,
+moreover, succeeded in fitting her admirably. She was evidently weak and
+unequal to exertion, yet she worked with surprising diligence. Her
+manner was very grave and collected&mdash;respectful, yet always ready to
+respond to Katherine's effort to draw her out.</p>
+
+<p>The subject on which she spoke most readily was the books Katherine lent
+her. Her taste was decidedly intelligent and rather solid. To the
+surprise of her young benefactress, she expressed a distaste for
+novels&mdash;stories, as she called them. "I used to care for nothing else,"
+she said; "but they pain me now." She expressed herself like an
+educated, even refined, woman; and though she said very little about
+gratitude, it showed in every glance, in the very tone of her voice, and
+in her ready obedience to whatever wish Katherine expressed. The
+greatest sacrifice was evidently compliance with her new friend's
+suggestion that she should take exercise and breathe fresh air.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Payne, after critically examining Katherine's new garment, declared
+it really well made, inquired the cost, and finally decided that she
+would have an every-day dress for herself, and that "Miss Trant" should
+make it up. Then Katherine presented the elegant young woman who waited
+on her with a gown, promising to pay for the making if she employed her
+protegee.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Trant" could not conceal her reluctance to come so far from the
+wilds of Camden Town; but she came, closely muffled in a thick gauze
+veil, doubtless to guard against cold in the chill March evening.
+Katherine was immensely pleased to find that both gowns gave
+satisfaction, though the "elegant young woman's" praise was cautious and
+qualified.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>RECOGNITION.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"After all, life is inexhaustible," said Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>She was speaking to Rachel Trant, who had laid aside her work to speak
+with the good friend who had come, as she often did, to see how she was
+going on and to cheer her.</p>
+
+<p>"Life is very cruel," she returned. "Neither sorrow nor repentance can
+alter its pitiless law.</p>
+
+<p>"Still, there are compensations." Katherine did not exactly think what
+she was saying; her mind was filled with the desire of knowing her
+interlocutor's story.</p>
+
+<p>"Compensations!" echoed Rachel. "Not for those who deserve to suffer,
+nor, indeed, often for the innocent. I don't think we often find vice
+punished and virtue rewarded in history and lives&mdash;true stories, I
+mean&mdash;as we do in novels."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine did not reply at once; she thought for a moment, and then,
+looking full into Rachel's eyes, said: "I wonder how you came to be a
+dressmaker? You have read a great deal for a girl who must have had her
+hands full all day. I am not asking this from idle curiosity, but from
+real interest."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I may well believe you. I should like to tell you much; but&mdash;" She
+paused and grew very white for a second, her lips trembling, and a
+troubled look coming into her eyes. "I always loved reading," she
+resumed; "it has been almost my only pleasure, though I was apprenticed
+to a milliner and dressmaker when little more than sixteen. Then I went
+to work with another, a very great person in her way, and I like the
+work. Still I used to think I was a sort of lady; my poor mother
+certainly was."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure of it," cried Katherine, impulsively. "I quite feel that
+<i>you</i> are."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," said Rachel, in a very low voice, the color rising to her
+pale cheek. "My mother was so sweet and pretty," she continued, "but so
+sad! I was an orphan at ten years old, and then a very stiff,
+severe-looking woman, the sister of my father, had charge of me. I was
+sent to a school, a kind of institution, not exactly a charity school,
+for I know something was paid for me. It was a very cold sort of place,
+but I was not unhappy there. I had playfellows&mdash;some kind, some
+spiteful. One of the governesses was very good to me, and used to give
+me books to read. Had she remained, things might have been very
+different; but she left long before I did. The rare holidays when I was
+permitted to visit my father's sister were terrible days to me. She
+could not bear to see me. I felt it. She seemed to think my very
+existence was an offence. I was ashamed of living in <i>her</i> presence. Of
+my father I have a very faint recollection. He died abroad, and I
+remember being on board ship for a long time with my mother. When I was
+sixteen my father's sister sent for me, and told me that the money my
+mother left was nearly exhausted, and what remained ought to provide me
+with some trade or calling by which I could earn my own bread; that she
+did not think I was clever enough to be a governess, so she advised my
+to apprentice myself to a dressmaker. I had seen enough of teaching in
+school, so I took her advice. At the same time she gave me some papers
+my mother had left for me. <i>They</i> fully explained why my existence was
+an offence&mdash;why I belonged to nobody. It was a bitter hour when I read
+my dear mother's miserable story. I felt old from that day. Well, I
+thanked my father's sister&mdash;mind you, she was not my aunt&mdash;for what she
+had done, and promised she should never more be troubled with me. I have
+kept my word."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine, infinitely touched by the picture of sorrow and loneliness
+this brief story conjured up, took and pressed the thin quivering hand
+that played nervously with a thimble. Rachel glanced at her quickly,
+compressed her lips for an instant, and went on:</p>
+
+<p>"I will try and tell you all. You ought to know. As far as work went, I
+did very well. I loved to handle and drape beautiful stuffs&mdash;I enjoy
+color&mdash;and it pleased me to fit the pretty girls and fine ladies who
+came to our show-rooms. It was even a satisfaction to make the plain
+ones look better. I should have made friends more easily with my
+companions but for the knowledge of what I was. Even this I might have
+got over&mdash;I am not naturally morbid&mdash;but I could not share their chatter
+and jests, or care for their love affairs. They were not bad, poor
+things! but simply ordinary girls of a class<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span> to which it would have
+been, perhaps, better for me to belong. With my employers I did fairly
+well. They were sometimes just, sometimes very unjust; but when I was
+out of my time, and receiving a salary, I found I was a valued
+<i>employee</i>. Then it came into my mind that I should like to found a
+business&mdash;a great business. It seemed rather a 'vaulting ambition' for
+so humble a waif as myself. But I began to save even shillings and
+sixpences. I tried to kill my heart with these duller, lower aims, it
+ached so always for what it could not find. I began to think I was
+growing so useful to madame that she might make me a partner; for even
+in millinery mental training is of use." She stopped, and clasping her
+hands, she rested them on her knee for a few moments of silence, while
+her brow contracted as if with pain. "It is dreadfully hard to go on!"
+she exclaimed at length, and her voice sounded as if her mouth were
+parched.</p>
+
+<p>"Then do not mind now; some other time," said Katherine, softly.</p>
+
+<p>"No," cried Rachel, with almost fierce energy; "I <i>must</i> finish. I
+cannot leave <i>you</i> ignorant of my true story." She paused again, and
+then went on quickly, in a low tone: "I don't think I was exactly
+popular&mdash;certainly not with the men employed in the same house. I was
+thought cold and hard, and to me they were all utterly uninteresting.
+One or two of the girls I liked, and they were fond of me." Another
+pause. Then she pushed on again: "One evening I went out with another
+girl and her brother&mdash;at least she said he was her brother&mdash;to see the
+illuminations for the Queen's birthday. In Pall Mall we got into a crowd
+caused by a quarrel between two drunken men. I was separated from my
+companions, and one of the crowd, also tipsy, reeled against me. I
+should have been knocked down but for a gentleman who caught me; he had
+just come down the steps from one of the clubs. I thanked him. He kindly
+helped me to find my companions. He came on with us almost to the door
+of Madame Celine's house. He talked frankly and pleasantly. Two days
+after I was going to the City on madame's business. He met me. He said
+he had watched for me. There! I cannot go into details. We met
+repeatedly. For the first time in my life I was sought, and, as I
+believed, warmly loved. I knew the unspeakable gulf that opened for me,
+but I loved him. At last there was light and color in my
+poverty-stricken existence." She stopped, and a glow came into her sad
+eyes. "I was bewildered, distracted, between the passion of my heart and
+the resistance of my reason. I ceased to be the efficient assistant I
+had been. I was rebuked, and looked upon coldly. Six months after I had
+met <i>him</i> first, I gave madame warning. I said I was going into the
+country. So I was, but not alone. No one asked me any questions; no one
+had a right. I belonged to no one, was responsible to no one, could
+wound no one. I was quite alone, and, oh, so hungry for a little love
+and joy!" She paused, and then resumed rapidly, "I was that man's
+unwedded wife for nearly two years." She rested her arm on the table,
+and hid her face with her hand.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine listened with unspeakable emotion. The eloquent blood flushed
+cheek and throat with a keen sense of shame. She had read<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span> and heard of
+such painful stories, but to be face to face with a creature who had
+crossed the Rubicon, overpassed the great gulf, which separates the
+sheep from the goats was something so unexpected, so terrible, that she
+could not restrain a passionate burst of tears. "Ah," she murmured at
+last, "you were cruelly deceived, no doubt. You are too hard upon
+yourself. You&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"No, Miss Liddell; I am trying to tell you the whole truth. The man I
+loved never deceived me&mdash;never held put any hope that we could marry. He
+was not rich; there were impediments&mdash;what, I never knew. But I thought
+such love as he professed, and at the time felt for me, would last; and
+so long as he was mine, I wanted nothing more. Have you patience to hear
+more, or have I fallen too low to retain your interest?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, no! tell me everything."</p>
+
+<p>"I was very happy&mdash;oh, intensely happy for a while. Then a tiny cloud of
+indifference, thin and shifting like morning mist, rose between us. It
+darkened and lowered. He was a hasty, masterful man, but he was never
+rough to me. Gradually I came to see that time had changed me from a joy
+to a burden. How was it I lived? How was it I shut my eyes and hoped? At
+last he told me he was obliged to go abroad, but that he could not take
+me with him; and then proposed to establish me in some such undertaking
+as my late employer's. When he said <i>that,</i> I knew all was over; that
+nothing I could do or say would avail; that I had been but a toy; that
+he could not conceive what my nature was, nor the agony of shame, the
+torture of rejected love, he was inflicting. I contrived to keep silent
+and composed. I knew I had no right to complain: I had risked all and
+lost. I managed to say we might arrange things later, and he praised me
+for being a sensible, capital girl. I had seen this coming, or I don't
+suppose I could have so controlled myself. But I could not accept his
+terms. I had a little money and some jewels; I thought I might take
+these. So I wrote a few lines, saying that I needed nothing, that he
+should hear of me no more, and I went away out into the dark. If I could
+only have died then! I was too great a coward to put an end to my life.
+Why do I try to speak of what cannot be put into words? Despair is a
+grim thing, and all life had turned to dust and ashes for me. I could
+not even love him, though I pined for the creature I <i>had</i> loved, who
+once understood me, but from whose heart and mind I had vanished when
+time dulled his first impression, and to whom I became even as other
+women were. But as I could not die, I was obliged to work, and there was
+but one way. I dreaded to be found starving and unable to give an
+account of myself, so I applied to one of those large general shops
+where they neither give nor expect references. There I staid for some
+months, so silent, so steeled against everything, that no one cared to
+speak to me. I dare not even think of that time. I do not understand how
+I managed to do anything. At last I grew dazed, made blunders, and was
+dismissed. I wandered here. I failed to find employment, and felt I
+could do no more. Still death would <i>not</i> come, I think my mind was
+giving<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span> way when <i>you</i> came. Now am I worth helping, now that you know
+all?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I will do my best for you. Suffering such as yours must be
+expiation enough," cried Katherine, her eyes still wet. "Put the past
+behind you, and hope for the better days which <i>will</i> come if you strive
+for them. But, oh! tell me, did <i>he</i> never try to find you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I saw advertisements in the paper which were meant for me; but
+after a while they ceased, and no doubt I was forgotten. I reaped what I
+had sown. Few men, I imagine, can understand that there are hearts as
+true, as strong, as tenacious, among women such as I am as among the
+irreproachable, the really good. I have no real right to complain; only
+it is <i>so</i> hard to live on without hope or&mdash;" She stopped abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>"Hope will come," said Katherine, gently; "and time will restore your
+self-respect. I should be so glad to see you build up a new and better
+life on the ruins of the past! I am sure there is independence and
+repose before you, if you will but fold down this terrible page of your
+life and never open it again."</p>
+
+<p>"And can you endure to touch me&mdash;to be to me as you have been?" asked
+Rachel, her voice broken and trembling.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine's answer was to stretch out her hand and take that of her
+<i>protegee</i>, which she held tenderly. "Let us never speak of this again,"
+she said. "Bury your dead out of sight. All you have told me is sacred;
+none shall ever know anything from me. Let us begin anew. I am certain
+you are good and true; and how can one who has never known temptation
+judge you?"</p>
+
+<p>Rachel bent her head to kiss the fair firm hand which held hers; then
+she wept silently, quietly, and said, softly, in an altered voice, "I
+will do <i>whatever</i> you bid me; and while you are so wonderfully good to
+me I will not despair."</p>
+
+<p>There was an expressive silence of a few moments. Then Katherine began
+to draw on her gloves, and trying to steady her voice and speak in her
+ordinary tone, said:</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Payne is going to make you known to a lady who may be of great use
+to you in obtaining customers. I have not met her myself, but should you
+receive a note from Mrs. Needham, pray go to her at once. There is no
+reason why you should not make a great business yet. I should be quite
+proud of it. Now I must leave you. Promise me to resist unhappy
+thoughts. Try to regain strength, both mental and physical. Should you
+see Mrs. Needham before I come again, pray ask quite two-thirds more for
+making a dress than I paid, for both your work and your fit are
+excellent."</p>
+
+<p>With these practical words Katherine rose to depart. Rachel followed her
+to the door, and timidly took her hand. "Do you understand," she said,
+"all you have done for me? You have given me back my human heart,
+instead of the iron vise that was pressing my soul to death. I will live
+to be worthy of you, of your infinite pity."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine had hardly recovered composure when she reached home. The sad
+and shameful story to which she had listened had not arrested the flow
+of her sympathy to Rachel. There was something striking in the strength
+that enabled her to tell such a tale<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span> with stern justice toward herself,
+without any whining self-exculpation. What a long agony she must have
+endured! Katherine's tears were ready to flow afresh at the picture her
+warm imagination conjured up. Weak and guilty as Rachel was to yield to
+such a temptation, what was her wrong-doing to that of the man who,
+knowing what would be the end thereof, tempted her?</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>Castleford was an ordinary comfortable country house, standing in not
+very extensive grounds. The scenery immediately around it was flat and
+uninteresting, but a few miles to the south it became undulating, and
+broken with pretty wooded hollows, but north of it was a rich level
+district, and as a hunting country second only to Leicestershire.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Ormonde was a keen sportsman, and when he had reached his
+present grade had gladly taken up his abode in the old place, which had
+been let at a high rent during his term of military service. Castleford
+was an old place, though the house was comparatively new. It had been
+bought by Ormonde's grandfather, a rich manufacturer, who had built the
+house and made many improvements, and his representative of the third
+generation was considered quite one of the country gentry.</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Ormonde was fairly popular. He was not obtrusively hard about
+money matters, but he never neglected his own interests. Then he
+appreciated a good glass of wine, and above all he rode straight. Mrs.
+Ormonde was adored by the men and liked by the women of Clayshire
+society, Colonel Ormonde being considered a lucky man to have picked up
+a charming woman whose children were provided for.</p>
+
+<p>That fortunate individual was sitting at breakfast <i>tete-a-tete</i> with
+his wife one dull foggy morning about a month after Katherine Liddell
+had returned to England. "Another cup, please," he said, handing his in.
+Mrs. Ormonde was deep in her letters. "What an infernal nuisance it is!"
+he continued, looking out of the window nearest him. "The off days are
+always soft and the 'meet' days hard and frosty. The scent would be
+breast-high to-day." Mrs. Ormonde made no reply. "Your correspondence
+seems uncommonly interesting!" he exclaimed, surprised at her silence.</p>
+
+<p>"It is indeed," she cried, looking up with a joyful and exultant
+expression of countenance. "Katherine writes that she has signed a deed
+settling twenty thousand on Cis and Charlie, the income of which is to
+be paid to me until they attain the age of twenty-one, for their
+maintenance, education, and so forth; after which any sum necessary for
+their establishment in life can be raised or taken from their capital,
+the whole coming into their own hands at the age of twenty-five. Dear
+me! I hope they will make me a handsome allowance when they are
+twenty-five. I really think Katherine might have remembered <i>me</i>." She
+handed the letter to her husband.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, little woman, you have your innings now, and you must save a pot
+of money," he returned, in high glee. "What a trump that girl is! and,
+by Jove! what lucky little beggars your boys are! I can tell you I was
+desperately uneasy for fear she might marry<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span> some fellow before she
+fulfilled her promise to you. Then you might have whistled for any
+provision for your boys; no man would agree to give up such a slice of
+his wife's fortune as this. I know I would not. Women never have any
+real sense of the value of money; they are either stingy or extravagant.
+I am deuced glad I haven't to pay all <i>your</i> milliner's bills, my dear.
+I am exceedingly glad Katherine has been so generous, but I'll be hanged
+if it is the act of a sensible woman."</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind; there is quite a load off my heart. I think I'll have a new
+habit from Woolmerhausen now."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, I gave you one only two years ago."</p>
+
+<p>"Two years ago! Why, that is an age. And <i>you</i> need not pay for this
+one."</p>
+
+<p>"I see she says she will pay us a visit if convenient. Of course it is
+convenient. I'll run up to town on Sunday, and escort her down next day.
+The meet is for Tuesday. And mind you make things pleasant and
+comfortable for her, Ada. She would be an important addition to our
+family. A handsome, spirited girl with a good fortune to dispose of
+would be a feather in one's cap, I can tell you."</p>
+
+<p>"You'll find her awfully fallen off, Ormonde, and her spirits seem quite
+gone. Still I shall be very glad to have her here. But I do not see why
+you should go fetch her. You know Lady Alice Mordaunt is coming on
+Saturday."</p>
+
+<p>"What does that matter? I shall only be away one evening; and between
+you and me, though Lady Alice is everything that is nice and correct,
+she is enough to put the liveliest fellow on earth to sleep in half an
+hour."</p>
+
+<p>"How strange men are!" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde, gathering up her letters
+and putting them into the pocket of her dainty lace and muslin apron.
+"Nice, gentle, good women never attract you; you only care for bold&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Vivacious, coquettish, attractive little widows, like one I once knew,"
+said the Colonel, laughing, as he carefully wiped his gray moustache.</p>
+
+<p>"You are really too absurd!" she exclaimed, sharply. "Do you mean to say
+I was ever bold?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; I only mean to say you are an angel, and a deuced lucky angel in
+every sense into the bargain! Now, have you any commissions? I am going
+to Monckton this morning, and I fancy the dog-cart will be at the door.
+Where's the boy? I'll take him and nurse down to the gate with me if
+they'll wrap up. The little fellow is so fond of a drive."</p>
+
+<p>"My dear 'Duke!&mdash;such a morning as this! Do you think I would let the
+precious child out?"</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense! Do not make a molly-coddle of him. He is as strong as a
+horse. Send for him anyway. I haven't seen him this morning. And be sure
+you write a proper letter to Katherine Liddell; you had better let me
+see it before it goes."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I shall do nothing of the kind. Do you think I never wrote a
+letter in my life before I knew you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, go your own way," retorted the Colonel, beating a retreat to save a
+total rout.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>In due course Katherine received an effusive letter of thanks, and a
+pressing invitation to come down to Castleford on the following Monday,
+and saying that as the hunting season was almost over, they would be
+very quiet till after Easter, when Mrs. Ormonde was going to town for a
+couple of months, ending with an assurance that the dear boys were dying
+to see her, and that Colonel Ormonde was going to London for the express
+purpose of escorting her on her journey.</p>
+
+<p>"It is certainly not necessary," observed Katherine, with a smile,
+"considering how accustomed I am to take care of myself. Still it is
+kindly meant, and I shall accept the offer." This to Miss Payne, as they
+rose from luncheon where Katherine had told her the contents of her
+letter.</p>
+
+<p>"Ahem! No doubt they are anxious to show you every attention. Would you
+like to take Turner with you? I could spare her very well." Turner was
+the maid expressly engaged to wait upon Miss Liddell.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no, thank you, I want so little waiting on. Lady Alice Mordaunt will
+be with Mrs. Ormonde, and will be sure to have a maid, so another might
+be inconvenient."</p>
+
+<p>"My dear Miss Liddell, if you will excuse me for thrusting advice upon
+you, I would say that 'considering' people is the very best way to
+prevent their showing you consideration."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you really think so? Well, it is really no great matter."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you shall not want Turner? Then I shall give her a holiday. Her
+mother or her brother is ill, and she wants to go home. Servants'
+relations always seem to be ill. It must cost them a good deal."</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt. Will you come out with me? I have some shopping to do, and
+your advice is always valuable."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be very pleased, and I will say I shall miss you when you
+leave&mdash;miss you very much."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," said Katherine, gently. "I believe you will as you say so."</p>
+
+<p>Without fully believing Ada's rather exaggerated expressions of
+gratitude and affection, Katherine was soothed and pleased by them. She
+was so truthful herself that she was disposed to trust others, and the
+hearty welcome offered her took off from the sense of loneliness which
+had long oppressed her. Hers was too healthy a nature to encourage
+morbid grief. To the last day of her life she remembered her mother with
+tender, loving-regret; but the consolation of knowing that her later
+days had been so happy, that she had passed away so peacefully, did much
+toward healing the wounds which were still bleeding.</p>
+
+<p>On the appointed Monday Colonel Ormonde made his appearance in the early
+afternoon, and found Katherine quite ready to start. He was stouter,
+louder, bluffer, than ever. When Miss Payne was introduced to him he
+honored her with an almost imperceptible bow and a very perceptible
+stare. Turning at once to Katherine, he exclaimed:</p>
+
+<p>"What! in complete marching order already? I protest I never<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span> knew a
+woman punctual before. But I always saw you were a sensible girl. No
+nonsense about you. Why, my wife told me you were looking ill. I don't
+see it. At any rate Castleford air will soon bring back your roses."</p>
+
+<p>"I am feeling and looking better than when I came over, and Miss Payne
+has taken such good care of me," said Katherine, who did not like to see
+the lady of the house so completely over-looked.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! that's well. You know you are too precious a piece of goods to be
+tampered with. I believe Bertie Payne is a nephew of yours," he added,
+addressing Miss Payne&mdash;"a young fellow who was in my regiment three or
+four years ago, the Twenty-first Dragoon Guards?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is my brother," returned Miss Payne, stiffly.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! Hope he is all right. Have scarcely seen him since he has gone, not
+to the dogs, but to the saints, which is much the same thing. Ha! ha!
+ha!"</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed it is not, Colonel Ormonde!" cried Katherine. "If every one was
+as good as Mr. Payne, the world would be a different and a better
+place."</p>
+
+<p>"Hey! Have you constituted yourself his champion? Lucky dog! Come, my
+dear girl, we must be going. Are you well wrapped up? It is deuced cold,
+and we have nearly three miles to drive from the station."</p>
+
+<p>He himself looked liked a mountain in a huge fur-lined coat.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-by, then, dear Miss Payne. I suppose I shall not see you again for
+a fortnight or three weeks."</p>
+
+<p>"By George! we sha'n't let you off with so short a visit as that! Say
+three years. Come, march; we haven't too much time." Throwing a brief
+"good-morning" at the "old maid" of uncertain position, the Colonel
+walked heavily downstairs in the wake of his admired young guest.</p>
+
+<p>Monckton was scarcely four hours from London, but when the drive to
+Castleford was accomplished there was not too much time left to dress
+for dinner.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Ormonde was awaiting Katherine in the hall, which was bright with
+lamps and fire-light; behind her were her two boys.</p>
+
+<p>When Katherine had been duly welcomed. Mrs. Ormonde stood aside, and the
+children hesitated a moment. Cecil was so much grown, Katherine hardly
+knew him. He came forward with his natural assurance, and said,
+confidently: "How d'ye do, auntie? You have been a long time coming."</p>
+
+<p>Charlie was more like what he had been, and less grown. He hesitated a
+moment, then darted to Katherine, and throwing his arms round her neck,
+clung to her lovingly. She was infinitely touched and delighted. How
+vividly the past came back to her!&mdash;the little dusty house at Bayswater,
+the homely establishment kept afloat by her dear mother's industry, the
+small study, and the dear weary face associated with it. How ardently
+she held the child to her heart! How thankfully she recognized that here
+was something to cherish and to live for!</p>
+
+<p>"They may come with me to my room?" she said to her hostess.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, certainly!&mdash;only if you begin that sort of thing you will never be
+able to get rid of them."</p>
+
+<p>"I will risk it," said Katherine, as she followed Mrs. Ormonde upstairs
+to a very comfortable room, where a cheerful fire blazed on the hearth.</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid you find it rather small, but I was obliged to give the
+best bedroom to Lady Alice&mdash;<i>noblesse oblige</i>, you know. I am sure you
+will like her, she is so gentle; I think her father was very glad to let
+her come, as she can see more of her <i>fiance</i>. They are not to be
+married till the autumn, so&mdash;Oh dear! there is the second bell. Cis, run
+away and tell Madeline to come and help your auntie to dress; and you
+too, Charlie; you had better go too."</p>
+
+<p>"He may stay and help me to unpack."</p>
+
+<p>"Why did you not bring your maid, dear? It is just like you to leave her
+behind; but we could have put her up; and you will miss her dreadfully."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think either of us has been so accustomed to the attentions of
+a maid as not to be able to do without one," returned Katherine,
+smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"You know <i>I</i> always had a maid in India," said Mrs. Ormonde, with an
+air of superiority. "Don't be long over your toilet; Ormonde's cardinal
+virtue is punctuality."</p>
+
+<p>In spite of the hindrance of her nephew's help, Katherine managed to
+reach the drawing-room before Lady Alice or the master of the house.
+Mrs. Ormonde was talking to an elderly gentleman in clerical attire
+beside the fireplace, and at some distance a tall, dignified-looking man
+was reading a newspaper. Mrs. Ormonde was most becomingly dressed in
+black satin, richly trimmed with lace and jet&mdash;a brilliant contrast to
+Katherine, in thick dull silk and crape, her snowy neck looking all the
+more softly white for its dark setting: the only relief to her general
+blackness was the glinting light on her glossy, wavy, chestnut brown
+hair.</p>
+
+<p>"You have been very quick, dear," said the hostess. "I am going to send
+you in to dinner," she added, in a low tone, "with Mr. Errington, our
+neighbor. He is the head of the great house of Errington in Calcutta,
+and the <i>fiance</i>, of Lady Alice; but Colonel Ormonde must take her in.
+Mr. Errington!" raising her voice. The gentleman thus summoned laid down
+his paper and came forward. "Let me introduce you to my sister, Miss
+Liddell." Mr. Errington bowed, rather a stately bow, as he gazed with
+surprised interest at the large soft eyes suddenly raised to his, then
+quickly averted, the swift blush which swept over the speaking face
+turned toward him, the indescribable shrinking of the graceful figure,
+as if this stranger dreaded and would fain avoid him. It was but for a
+moment; then she was herself again, and the door opening to admit Lady
+Alice, Errington hastened to greet her with chivalrous respect, and
+remained beside her chair until Colonel Ormonde entered with the butler,
+who announced that dinner was ready.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2>
+
+<h3>IN THE TOILS.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The drawing and dining rooms at Castleford were at opposite sides of a
+large square hall, and even in the short transit between them Errington
+felt instinctively that Miss Liddell shrank from him. The tips merely of
+her black-gloved fingers rested on his arm, while she kept as far from
+him as the length of her own permitted. At table her host was on her
+right, and Lady Alice opposite, next to the rector, who was the only
+invited guest; Errington was always expected, and had returned from a
+distant canvassing expedition, for the present member for West Clayshire
+was believed to be on the point of retiring on account of ill health,
+and Mr. Errington of Garston Hall, intended to offer himself for
+election to the free and independent.</p>
+
+<p>He had had a fatiguing day, but scarcely admitted to himself how much
+more restful a solitary dinner would have been, with a cigar and some
+keen-edged article or luminous pamphlet in his own comfortable library
+afterward, than making conversation at Colonel Ormonde's table. However,
+to slight the lady who had promised to be his wife was impossible, so he
+exerted himself to be agreeable.</p>
+
+<p>The rector discussed some parish difficulties with his hostess, while
+Colonel Ormonde, though profoundly occupied with his dinner, managed to
+throw an observation from time to time to his young neighbors.</p>
+
+<p>"Rode round by Brinkworth Heath in two hours and a half," he was saying
+to Lady Alice, when Katherine listened. "That was fair going. I did not
+think you would have got Mrs. Ormonde to start without an escort."</p>
+
+<p>"We had an escort. Lord Francis Carew and Mr. De Burgh came over to
+luncheon, and they rode with us."</p>
+
+<p>"Ha, Errington! you see the result of leaving this fair lady's side all
+unguarded! These fellows come and usurp your duties."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think I should wish Lady Alice to forego any amusement because I
+am so unlucky as to be prevented from joining her?" returned Errington,
+in a deep mellow voice.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine looked across the table to see how Lady Alice took the remark,
+but she was rearranging some geraniums and a spray of fern in her
+waistband, and did not seem to hear. She was a slight colorless girl of
+nineteen, with regular features, an unformed though rather graceful
+figure, and a distinguished air.</p>
+
+<p>Errington caught the expression of his neighbor's face as she glanced at
+his <i>fiancee</i>, a sympathetic smile parting her lips. It was rarely that
+a countenance had struck him so much, which was probably due to his odd
+but strong impression that his new acquaintance, was both startled and
+displeased at being introduced to him&mdash;an impression very strange to
+Errington, as he was generally welcomed by all sorts and conditions of
+men, and especially of women.</p>
+
+<p>The silence of Lady Alice did not seem to disturb her lover; he turned
+to Katherine and asked, "Were you of the riding party to-day!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No," she replied, meeting his eyes fully for an instant, and then
+averting her own, while the color came and went on her cheek; "I only
+arrived in time for dinner."</p>
+
+<p>"Have I ever met this young lady before?" thought Errington, much
+puzzled. "Have I ever unconsciously offended or annoyed her? I don't
+think so; yet her face is not quite strange to me." And he applied
+himself to his dinner.</p>
+
+<p>"I fancy you have had rather a dull time of it in town?" said Colonel
+Ormonde, leaning back, while the servants removed the dishes.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I was not dull," replied Katherine, glad to turn to him. "I was
+very comfortable, and of course not in a mood to see many strangers or
+to go anywhere. Then I was interested in Mr. Payne's undertakings; they
+are quite as amusing as amusements."</p>
+
+<p>"Bertie Payne! to be sure; the nephew or brother of your doughty
+chaperon. He is always up to some benevolent games. Queer fellow."</p>
+
+<p>"He is very, <i>very</i> good," said Katherine, warmly, "and he <i>does</i> so
+much good; only the amount of evil is overpowering."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Errington; "I am afraid such efforts as Payne's are mere
+scratching of the surface, and will never touch the root of the evil."</p>
+
+<p>"I suspect he is a prey to impostors of every description," said Colonel
+Ormonde, with a fat laugh. "He is always worrying for subscriptions and
+God knows what. But I turn a deaf ear to him."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot say I do always," remarked Errington. "While we devise schemes
+of more scientific amelioration, hundreds die of sharp starvation or
+misery long drawn out. Payne is a good fellow, and enthusiasts have
+their uses."</p>
+
+<p>"You are so liberal yourself, Mr. Errington," cried Mrs. Ormonde, "I
+dare say you are often imposed upon in spite of your wisdom."</p>
+
+<p>"My wisdom!" repeated Errington, laughing. "What an original idea, Mrs.
+Ormonde! Did you ever know I was accused of wisdom?" he added,
+addressing Lady Alice.</p>
+
+<p>"Papa says you are very sensible," she returned, seriously.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course," cried Mrs. Ormonde. "Why, he has written a pamphlet on 'Our
+Colonies,' and something wonderful about the state of Europe&mdash;didn't he,
+Mr. Heywood?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," returned the rector. "I suspect our future member will be a
+cabinet minister before the world is many years older."</p>
+
+<p>Lady Alice looked up with more of pleasure and animation than she had
+yet shown. Errington bent his head.</p>
+
+<p>"Many thanks for your prophecy;" and he immediately turned the
+conversation to the ever-genial topics of hunting and horses. Then Mrs.
+Ormonde gave the signal of retreat to the drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p>Here Katherine looked in vain for her nephews.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose the boys have gone to bed, Ada?"</p>
+
+<p>"To bed! oh yes, of course. Why, it is more than half past eight; it
+would never do to keep them up so late. Would you like to see baby boy
+asleep? he looks quite beautiful."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I should, very much," returned Katherine, anxious to gratify the
+mother.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Come, then," cried Mrs. Ormonde, starting up with alacrity. As the
+invitation was general, Lady Alice said, in her gentle way.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you; I saw the baby yesterday."</p>
+
+<p>"She has really very little feeling," observed Mrs. Ormonde, as she went
+upstairs with her sister-in-law. "She never notices baby."</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid I should not notice children much if they did not belong to
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"My dear Katherine, you are quite different. Of course Lady Alice is
+sweet and elegant, but not clever. Indeed, I cannot see the use of
+cleverness to women. There is a fine aristocratic air about her. After
+all, there is nothing like high birth. I assure you it is a high
+compliment her being allowed to stay here. Her aunt, Lady Mary Vincent,
+is a very fine lady indeed, and chaperons Lady Alice. But her father,
+Lord Melford, is a curious, reckless sort of man, always wandering
+about&mdash;yachting and that kind of thing; he is rather in difficulties
+too. They are glad enough to send her down here to see something of
+Errington. You know Errington is a very good match; he has bought a
+great deal of the Melford property, and when old Errington dies he will
+be immensely rich. The poor old man is in miserable health; he has not
+been down here all the winter. I believe the wedding is to take place in
+June; we will be invited, of course; you see Colonel Ormonde is so
+highly connected that I am in a very different position from what I was
+accustomed to. And you, dear, you <i>must</i> marry some person of rank;
+there is nothing like it."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Katherine, with a sigh, "everything is changed."</p>
+
+<p>"Fortunately!" cried the exultant Mrs. Ormonde, opening the door of a
+luxuriously appointed nursery.</p>
+
+<p>"Here, nurse, I have brought Miss Liddell to see Master Ormonde."</p>
+
+<p>A middle-aged woman, well dressed, and of authoritative aspect, rose
+from where she sat at needle-work, and came forward.</p>
+
+<p>"I have only just got him to sleep, ma'am," she said, almost in a
+whisper, "and if he is awoke now, I'll not get him off again before
+midnight."</p>
+
+<p>"We'll be very careful, nurse. Is he not a fine little fellow,
+Katherine?" and she softly turned back the bedclothes from the sturdy,
+chubby child, who had a somewhat bull dog style of countenance and a
+beautifully fair skin.</p>
+
+<p>"How ridiculously like Colonel Ormonde he is!" whispered Katherine. "I
+do not see any trace of you."</p>
+
+<p>"No; he is quite an Ormonde. He is twice as big as either Cis or Charlie
+was at his age."</p>
+
+<p>After a few civil comments Katherine suggested their visiting the other
+children.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps it would be wiser not to go," said the mother; "they will not
+be so sound asleep as baby, and&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"You must indulge me this once, Ada. I long to look at them."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! of course, dear; ring for Eliza, nurse; she will show Miss Liddell
+the way. I must go back; it would never do to leave Lady Alice so long
+alone."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Do not apologize," said Katherine, with a curious jealous pang, as she
+noted Mrs. Ormonde's indifference to the children of her first poor
+love-match.</p>
+
+<p>A demure, flat-faced girl answered the bell, and led Katherine down
+passages and up a crooked stair to another part of the house.</p>
+
+<p>Here she was shown into a room sparsely supplied with old furniture.
+There was a good fire, and a shaded lamp stood on a large table, where a
+girl sat writing.</p>
+
+<p>"Here is a lady to see the young gentlemen," said the nurse-maid. The
+young scribe started up, looking confused.</p>
+
+<p>"If it would not disturb them," said Katherine, gently, "I should like
+to see my nephews in their sleep."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Miss Liddell!" exclaimed the governess, a younger, commoner-looking
+person than Katherine had chosen before she left England. "This is their
+bedroom," and she led Katherine through a door opposite the fireplace
+into an inner room. There in their little beds lay the boys who were all
+of kith or kin left to Katherine Liddell.</p>
+
+<p>How lovingly she bent over and gazed at them!</p>
+
+<p>Cecil had grown much. He looked sunburnt and healthy. One arm was thrown
+up behind his head, the other stretched straight and stiff beside him,
+ending in a closely clinched little brown fist. His lips, slightly
+apart, emitted the softly drawn regular breath of profound slumber, and
+the smile which some pleasant thought had conjured up before he closed
+his eyes still lingered round his mouth. Katherine longed to kiss him,
+but feared to break his profound and restful slumbers. She passed to
+Charlie. His attitude was quite different. He had thrown the clothes
+from his chest, and his pinky white throat was bare; one little hand lay
+open on the page of a picture-book at which he had been looking when
+sleep overtook him; the other was under his soft round cheek; his sweet
+and still baby face was grave if not sad. He looked like a little angel
+who had brought a message to earth, and was grieved and wearied by the
+sin and sorrow here below. Katherine's heart swelled with tenderest love
+as she gazed upon him, and unconsciously she bent closer till her lips
+touched his brow. Then a little hand stole into hers, and, without
+moving, as though he had expected her, he opened his eyes and whispered,
+"Will you come and kiss me every night, as grannie did?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will, my darling, every night."</p>
+
+<p>"Will grannie <i>never</i> come and kiss me again?"</p>
+
+<p>"Never, Charlie! She will never come to either of us in this life." A
+big tear fell on the boy's forehead.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't cry, auntie; she loves us all the same." And he kissed the fair
+cheek which now lay against his own as his aunt knelt beside his bed.</p>
+
+<p>"Go to sleep, dear love; to-morrow you shall take me to see your garden
+and the pony."</p>
+
+<p>"You will be sure to come?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, quite sure."</p>
+
+<p>In a few minutes the clasp of the warm little hand relaxed, and
+Katherine gently disengaged herself.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The boys are no longer first in their mother's heart," thought
+Katherine, as she returned to the drawing-room. "Were they ever first?
+They are&mdash;they might become all the world to me. They might fill my life
+and give it a fresh aspect. The new ties at which Mr. Newton hinted can
+never exist for me. Could I accept an honorable man and live with a
+perpetual secret between us? Could I ever confess? No. My most hopeful
+scheme is to be a mother to these children. And oh! I do want to be
+happy, to feel the joy in life that used to lift up my spirit in the old
+days when we were struggling with poverty! I <i>will</i> throw off this load
+of self-contempt. I have not really injured any one."</p>
+
+<p>In the drawing-room Colonel Ormonde was seated beside Lady Alice, making
+conversation to the best of his ability. She looked serenely content,
+and held a piece of crochet, the kind of fancy-work which occupied the
+young ladies in the "sixties." The rector and Mr. Errington were in deep
+conversation on the hearth-rug, and Mrs. Ormonde was reading the paper.</p>
+
+<p>"So you have been visiting the nursery?" said the Colonel, rising and
+offering Katherine a chair. "Your first introduction to our young man, I
+suppose?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. What a great boy he is!&mdash;the picture of health!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, he is a Trojan," complacently. "The other little fellows are
+looking well, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very well indeed. Cis is wonderfully grown; but Charlie is much what he
+was."</p>
+
+<p>"He'll overtake his brother, though, before long," said Colonel Ormonde,
+encouragingly, as he rang and ordered the card-table to be set.</p>
+
+<p>"You play whist, I suppose? We want a fourth."</p>
+
+<p>"I am quite ignorant of that fascinating game," returned Katherine, "and
+very sorry to be so useless."</p>
+
+<p>"It <i>is</i> lamentable ignorance! Lady Alice, will you take compassion on
+us? No?&mdash;then we <i>must</i> have Errington."</p>
+
+<p>Errington did not seem at all reluctant, and the two young ladies were
+left to entertain each other.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine, who had gone to the other end of the room to look at some
+water-color drawings, came back and sat down beside her. Lady Alice
+looked amiable, but did not speak, and Katherine felt greatly at a loss
+what to say.</p>
+
+<p>"What very fine work!" she said at length, watching the small,
+weak-looking hands so steadily employed.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, it is a very difficult pattern. My aunt, Lady Mary, never could
+manage it, and she does a great deal of crochet, and is very clever."</p>
+
+<p>"It seems most complicated. I am sure I could never do it."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you crochet much?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not at all."</p>
+
+<p>"Then," with some appearance of interest, "what <i>do</i> you do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! various things; but I am afraid I am not industrious. I would
+rather mend my clothes than do fancy work."</p>
+
+<p>"Mend your clothes!" repeated Lady Alice, in unfeigned amazement.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I assure you there is great pleasure in a symmetrical patch."</p>
+
+<p>"But does not your maid do that?"</p>
+
+<p>"Now that I have one, she does. However, you must show me how to
+crochet, if you will be so kind; my only approach to fancy-work is
+knitting. I can knit stockings. Isn't that an achievement?"</p>
+
+<p>"But is it not tiresome?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! I can knit like the Germans, and talk or read."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it possible?" A long pause.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Ormonde says you are very learned and studious," said Lady Alice,
+languidly.</p>
+
+<p>"How cruel of her to malign me!" returned Katherine, laughing. "Learned
+I certainly am not; but I am fond of indiscriminate reading, though not
+studious."</p>
+
+<p>"I like a nice novel, with dreadful people in it, like Miss St. Maur's.
+Have you read any of hers?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think so. I do not know the name."</p>
+
+<p>"The St. Maurs are Devonshire people&mdash;a very old country family, I
+believe. Still, when she writes about the season in London, I don't
+think it is very like." Another pause.</p>
+
+<p>"You have been in Italy, I think, Lady Alice?" recommenced Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes, often. Papa is always cruising about, you know, and we stop at
+places. But I have never been in Rome."</p>
+
+<p>"Yachting must be delightful."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not like it; I am always ill. Aunt Mary took me to Florence for a
+winter."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you enjoyed that, I dare say," said Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"I got tired of it. I do not care for living abroad; there is nothing to
+do but to go to picture-galleries and theatres."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that is a good deal," returned Katherine, smiling. "Where do you
+like to live, Lady Alice?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, in the country. I am almost sorry Mr. Errington has a house in
+town. I am so fond of a garden, and riding on quiet roads! I am afraid
+to ride in London. The country is so peaceful! no one is in a hurry."</p>
+
+<p>"What a happy, tranquil life she will lead under the &aelig;gis of such a man
+as Mr. Errington!" thought Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you play or sing?" asked Lady Alice, for once taking the initiative.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, in a very amateur fashion."</p>
+
+<p>"Then," with more animation, "perhaps you would play my accompaniments
+for me; I always like to stand when I sing. Mrs. Ormonde says she
+forgets her music. Is it not odd?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, people in India do as little as possible. I shall be very pleased
+to play for you. Shall we practice to-morrow?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes; immediately after breakfast. There is really nothing to do
+here."</p>
+
+<p>"Immediately after breakfast I am going out with the boys&mdash;Mrs.
+Ormonde's boys. Have you seen them? But we shall have plenty of time
+before luncheon."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Are you fond of children?" slowly, while her busy needle paused and she
+undid a stitch or two.</p>
+
+<p>"I am fond of these children; I do not know much about any other."</p>
+
+<p>"Beverley's children (my eldest brother's) are very troublesome; they
+annoy me very much." Silence while she took up her stitches again. "The
+worst of this pattern is that if you talk you are sure to go wrong."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I will find a book and not disturb you," said Katherine,
+good-humoredly. She felt kindly and indulgent toward this gentle
+helpless creature, who seemed so many years younger than herself, though
+barely two, in fact. That she was Errington's <i>fiancee</i> gave her a
+curious interest in Katherine's eyes. She would willingly have done him
+all possible good; she was strangely attracted to the man she had
+cheated. There was a simple natural dignity about him that pleased her
+imagination, yet she almost dreaded to speak to him, lest the very tones
+of her voice, the encounter of their eyes, should betray her.</p>
+
+<p>At last Errington, looking at his watch, declared that as the rubber was
+over, he must say good-night.</p>
+
+<p>"What, are you not staying here to-night?" said Colonel Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>"No; I have a good deal of letter-writing to get through to-morrow, so
+did not accept Mrs. Ormonde's kind invitation."</p>
+
+<p>"You'll have a deuced cold drive. Come over on Thursday, will you? Old
+Wray, the banker, is to dine here, and one or two Monckton worthies.
+Stay till Tuesday or Wednesday. The next meets are Friday and Monday, on
+this side of the county. There will not be many more this season."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you; I shall be very happy." He crossed to where Lady Alice still
+sat placidly at work, and made his adieux in a low tone, holding her
+hand for a moment longer than mere acquaintanceship warranted, and
+having exchanged good-nights, left the room, followed by his host.</p>
+
+<p>There was a good fire in Katherine's bedroom, and having declined the
+assistance of Mrs. Ormonde's maid, she put on her dressing-gown and sat
+down beside it to think. She was still quivering with the nervous
+excitement she had striven so hard and so successfully to conceal.</p>
+
+<p>When Mrs. Ormonde had given her rapid explanation of who Errington was,
+and without a pause presented him, Katherine felt as if she must drop at
+his feet. Indeed, she would have been thankful if a merciful
+insensibility had made her impervious to his questioning eyes. <i>She</i>
+well knew who he was.</p>
+
+<p>He was the real owner of the property she now possessed. The will she
+had suppressed bequeathed all John Liddell's real and personal property
+to Miles Errington, only son of his old friend Arthur Errington, of
+Calton Buildings, London, E. C., and Calcutta. She, the robber, stood in
+the presence of the robbed. Did he know by intuition that she was
+guilty? How grave and questioning his eyes were! Why did he look at her
+like that? How he would despise her and forbid his affianced wife to be
+outraged by her presence if he knew!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>He looked like a high-minded gentleman. If he seemed almost sternly
+grave, his smile was kind and frank, and she had made herself unworthy
+to associate with such men as he.</p>
+
+<p>But he was rich. He did not need the money she wanted so sorely. What of
+that? Did his abundance alter the everlasting conditions of right and
+wrong? Perhaps if she had not attempted to play Providence for the sake
+of her family, and let things follow their natural course, Mr. Errington
+might have spared a few crumbs from his rich table&mdash;a reasonable
+dole&mdash;to patch up the ragged edges of their frayed fortunes. Then she
+would not be oppressed with the sense of shame, this weight of riches
+she shrank from using. She had murdered her own happiness; she had
+killed her own youth. Never again could she know the joyousness of
+light-hearted girlhood, while nothing the world might give her could
+atone for the terrible trespass which had broken the harmony of her
+moral nature by the perpetual sense of unatoned wrong-doing. How she
+wished she had never come to Castleford! True, her seeing Mr. Errington
+did not make her guilt a shade darker, but oh, how much more keenly she
+felt it under his eyes! And now she could not rush away. She must avoid
+all eccentricities lest they might possibly arouse suspicion. Suspicion?
+What was there to suspect? No one would dream of suspicion. Then that
+will! She would try and nerve herself to destroy it, though it seemed
+sacrilege to do so. Whatever she did, however, she must think of Cis and
+Charlie. Having committed such an act, her only course was to bear the
+consequences, and do her duty by the innocent children, whose fate would
+be cruel enough should she indulge in any weak repentance or seek relief
+in confession. She had burdened herself with a disgraceful secret, and
+she must bear it her life long. It gave her infinite pain to face Miles
+Errington, yet while at one moment she longed to fly from him, the next
+she felt an extraordinary desire to hear him speak, to learn the
+prevailing tone of his mind, to know his opinions. There was an
+earnestness in his look and manner that appealed to her sympathies. He
+was a just, upright gentleman. What would he think of the dastardly deed
+by which she had robbed him?</p>
+
+<p>"I must not think of it. I must try and forget I ever did it, and be as
+good and true as I can in all else. And the will! I must destroy it. I
+am sure my poor old uncle meant to do away with it. Perhaps if it were
+clean gone I might feel more at rest. How strange it is that instead of
+growing accustomed to the contemplation of my own dishonesty I become
+more keenly alive to the shame of my act as time rolls on! Perhaps if I
+am brave and resolute I may conquer the scorpion stings of
+self-reproach. How dear those two sweet peaceful years have cost me!
+Would I undo it all to save myself these pangs? No. Then I suppose to
+bear is to conquer one's fate."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2>
+
+<h3>CROSS PURPOSES.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The first ten days at Castleford would have been dull indeed to
+Katherine but for the society of Cis and Charlie in the mornings, and
+the interest she took in watching Errington (who was of course a
+frequent visitor) in the evenings.</p>
+
+<p>Though she avoided conversing with him as much as possible, he was a
+constant study to her. He was different from all the men she had
+previously met. She often wondered if anything could disturb him or
+hurry him. Had he ever climbed trees and torn his clothes, or thrashed
+an adversary? Had he any weaknesses, or vivid joys, or passionate
+longings? Yet he did not seem a prig. His manner, though dignified, was
+easy and natural; his eyes, though steady and penetrating, were kindly;
+his bearing had the repose of strength. It was too awful to contemplate
+what his estimate of herself would be if he knew; but then he must
+<i>never</i> know!</p>
+
+<p>As it was, he seemed inclined to be friendly and communicative, pleased
+when he met her strolling in the garden with Lady Alice, and gratified
+to find that she could accompany his <i>fiancee's</i> songs. Indeed he said
+he had never heard Lady Alice sing so well as when Miss Liddell played
+for her.</p>
+
+<p>Apart from the boys and Errington, Katherine found time hang very
+heavily on her hands. The aimless lingering over useless fancy-work or
+second-rate novels, the discussion of such gossip as their
+correspondence supplied, by means of which Mrs. Ormonde and Lady Alice
+got through the day, were infinitely wearisome to her.</p>
+
+<p>Miles Errington was one of those happy individuals said to be born with
+a silver spoon in his mouth. The only son of a wealthy father, who,
+though enriched by trade, had come of an old Border race, he had had the
+best education money could procure. More fortunate still in the
+endowments of nature, he was well formed, strong, active, and blessed
+with perfect health; while mentally he was intelligent and reflective,
+thoughtful rather than brilliant, and by temperament profoundly calm. He
+had never got into scrapes or committed extravagance. He was the despair
+of managing mammas and fascinating young married women; yet he was not
+unpopular with either sex. Men respected his strong, steady character,
+his high standard, his sound judgment in matters affecting the stable
+and the race-course; women were attracted by his obligingness and
+generosity. Still he was the sort of man with whom few became intimate,
+and none dared take a liberty. Preserved by his fortunate surroundings
+and strong tranquil nature from difficulties or temptations, he could
+hardly understand the passionate outbreaks of weaker and more fiery men.</p>
+
+<p>His greatest physical pleasure was an exciting run with the hounds; his
+deepest interest centred in politics; though never indulging in
+sentiment, he was an earnest patriot. Whether he<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> could be moved by more
+personal feelings remained to be proved. At present the sources of
+tenderer affection, if they existed, lay so deep below the strata of
+reason and common-sense that only some artesian process could pierce to
+the imprisoned spring's and set the "water of life" free, perhaps to
+bound, geyser-like, into the outer air.</p>
+
+<p>Having travelled by sea and land, and looked into the social and
+political condition of many countries, having mixed much with men and
+women at home and abroad, Errington thought it time to take his place in
+the great commonwealth&mdash;to marry, and to try for a seat in the House of
+Commons. He therefore selected Lady Alice Mordaunt. She was rather
+pretty, graceful, gentle, and quite at his service. He really like her
+in a sort of fatherly way; he looked forward with quiet pleasure to
+making her very happy, and did not doubt she would in his hands mature
+into a sufficient companion, for though Errington was not naturally a
+selfish man, his life and training disposed him to look on those
+connected with him as on the whole created for him.</p>
+
+<p>He had been absent for two or three days, having gone up to town to
+visit his father, who had been somewhat seriously unwell, and as he rode
+toward Castleford he gave more thought than usual to his young
+<i>fiancee</i>. In truth, a visit to Colonel Ormonde was a great bore to him.
+He had nothing in common with the Colonel, whose pig-headed conservatism
+jarred on Errington's broader views, while his stories and reminiscences
+were exceedingly uninteresting, and sometimes worse. Mrs. Ormonde's
+small coquetries, her airs and graces, were equally unattractive to him.
+Still it was well to have Lady Alice at Castleford, within easy reach,
+while there was so much to occupy his time and attention in the country.
+As soon as he was sure of his election he would hasten his marriage, and
+perhaps get the honey-moon over in time to take his seat while there was
+still a month or two of the session unexpired.</p>
+
+<p>From Lady Alice it was an easy transition of thought to the new guest at
+Castleford. Where had he seen her face? and with what was he associated
+in her mind? Nothing agreeable; of that he was quite sure. The vivid
+blush and indescribable shrinking he had noticed more than once (and
+Errington, like most quiet men, was a close observer) seemed
+unaccountable. Miss Liddell was far from shy; she was well-bred and
+evidently accustomed to society; her avoidance had therefore made the
+more impression. His experience of life had hitherto been exceedingly
+unemotional, and Katherine's unexpected betrayal of feeling puzzled him
+not a little.</p>
+
+<p>At this point in his reflections he had reached that part of the road
+where it dipped into a hollow, on one side of which the Melford woods
+began. A steep bank rose on the right, thickly studded with beech and
+oak trees, still leafless, but the scanty, yellowish grass which grew
+beneath them was tufted with primroses and violets.</p>
+
+<p>As Errington came round a bend in the little valley the sound of shrill,
+childish laughter came pleasantly to his ear, and the next minute
+brought him in sight of a lady in mourning whom he recognized
+immediately, and two little boys, who were high up the back, busily
+engaged filling a basket with sweet spring blossoms.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Errington paused, dismounted, and raising his hat, approached her.</p>
+
+<p>"I did not expect so meet <i>you</i> so far afield," he said. "You are not
+afraid of a long walk."</p>
+
+<p>"My nephews have led me on from flower to flower," she returned, again
+coloring brightly, but not shrinking from his eyes. "Now I think it is
+time to go home."</p>
+
+<p>"It is not late," he returned. "How is every one at Castleford?"</p>
+
+<p>"Quite well. Lady Alice has lost her cold, and regained her voice&mdash;she
+was singing this morning," said Katherine, smiling as if she knew the
+real drift of his question.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad to hear it," he returned, soberly.</p>
+
+<p>Errington and Lady Alice did not write to each other every day.</p>
+
+<p>"Auntie," cried Cis, "the basket is quite full. If you open your
+sunshade and hold it upside-down, I can fill that too."</p>
+
+<p>"No dear; you have quite enough. We must go back now."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, not yet, please?" The little fellow came tumbling down the bank,
+followed by Charlie, who immediately caught his aunt's hand and
+repeated, "Not yet, auntie!"</p>
+
+<p>"These are Mrs. Ormonde's boys, I suppose?" said Errington.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; have you never seen them before?"</p>
+
+<p>"Never. And have you not had enough climbing?" he added, good-humoredly,
+to Charlie.</p>
+
+<p>"No, not half enough!" cried Cis. "There's <i>such</i> a bunch of violets
+just under that biggest beech-tree, nearly up at the top! Do let me
+gather them&mdash;just those; do&mdash;do&mdash;do!"</p>
+
+<p>"Very well; do not go too fast, or you will break your neck."</p>
+
+<p>Both boys started off, leaving their basket at Katherine's feet.</p>
+
+<p>"I remember now," said Errington, looking at her, "where I saw I saw you
+before. Is was two&mdash;nearly three&mdash;years ago, at Hyde Park corner, when
+that elder boy had a narrow escape from being run over."</p>
+
+<p>"Were <i>you</i> there?" she exclaimed, so evidently surprised that Errington
+saw the impulse was genuine. "I recollect Mr. Payne and Colonel Ormonde;
+but I did not see <i>you</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"Then where <i>have</i> you met me?" was at his lips, but he did not utter
+the words.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Payne was of real service; I did nothing. The little fellow had a
+close shave."</p>
+
+<p>"He had indeed," said Katherine, thoughtfully, with downcast eyes; then,
+suddenly raising them to his, she said, as if to herself, "And you were
+there too! How strange it all is!"</p>
+
+<p>"I see nothing so strange in it, Miss Liddell," smiling good-humoredly.
+"Have you any superstition on the subject?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; I am not superstitious; yet it was curious&mdash;I mean, to meet by
+accident on that day just before&mdash;" She stopped. "And now I am connected
+with Colonel Ormonde, living with Mr. Payne's sister and&mdash;and talking
+here with&mdash;<i>you</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"These coincidences occur perpetually when people move in the same set,"
+returned Errington, feeling absurdly curious, and yet not knowing how to
+get at the train of recollection or association which underlay her
+words&mdash;words evidently unstudied and impulsive.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I suppose so. And, you know&mdash;Mr. Payne," Katherine continued,
+quickly&mdash;"how good he is! He lives completely for others."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I believe him to be thoroughly, honestly good. How hard he toils,
+and with what a pitiful result!"</p>
+
+<p>"I wish he would go. Why does he stand there making conversation?"
+thought Katherine, while she said aloud: "I don't see that. If every one
+helped two or three poor creatures whom they knew, we should not have
+all this poverty and suffering which are distracting to think about."</p>
+
+<p>"I doubt it; it would be more likely to pauperize the whole nation."</p>
+
+<p>Here Charlie and Cis, with earth-stained knees and hands&mdash;the latter
+full of violets&mdash;reluctantly descended. Adding these to the basket
+already overflowing, they had a short wrangle as to who should carry it,
+and then Katherine turned her steps homeward. Errington passed the
+bridle over his arm, and to her great annoyance, walked beside her.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you, then, disposed to give yourself to faith and to good works?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know. I should like to help those who want, but I fear I am
+too fond of pleasure to sacrifice myself&mdash;at least I was and I suppose
+the love will return. Of course it is easy to give money; it is hard to
+give one's self."</p>
+
+<p>"You seem very philosophic for so young a lady."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not young," said Katherine, sadly; "I am years older than Lady
+Alice."</p>
+
+<p>"How many&mdash;one or two?" asked Errington, in his kind, fatherly, somewhat
+superior tone, which rather irritated her.</p>
+
+<p>"The years I mean are not to be measured by the ordinary standard; even
+<i>you</i> must know that some years last longer&mdash;no, that is not the
+expression&mdash;press heavier than others."</p>
+
+<p>"Even I? Do you think I am specially matter-of-fact?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have no right to think you anything, for I do not know you; but you
+give me that impression."</p>
+
+<p>"I dare say I am; nor do I see why I should object to be so considered."</p>
+
+<p>Here Cecil, who got tired of a conversation from which he could gather
+nothing, put in his oar: "Are you Mr. Errington?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am. How do you know my name?"</p>
+
+<p>"I saw you going out with the Colonel to the meet&mdash;oh, a long while ago!
+And Miss Richards and nurse were talking about you."</p>
+
+<p>"They said you had a real St. Bernard dog&mdash;one that gets the people out
+of the snow," cried Charlie. "Will you let him come here? I want to see
+him."</p>
+
+<p>"<i>You</i> had better come and pay him a visit."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes, thank you!" exclaimed Cis. "Auntie will take us, perhaps.
+Auntie will take us to the sea-side, and then we shall bathe, and go in
+boats, and learn to row."</p>
+
+<p>"Cis, run with me to that big tree at the foot of the hill. Auntie will
+carry the basket," cried Charlie, and the next moment they were off.</p>
+
+<p>"Fine little fellows," said Errington. "I like children."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am going to ask Mrs. Ormonde to lend them to me for a few months, for
+they are all I have of kith or kin."</p>
+
+<p>"They are not at all like you," returned Errington, letting his quiet,
+but to her most embarrassing, eyes rest upon her face.</p>
+
+<p>"Yet they are my only brother's children." Here Katherine paused with a
+sense of relief; they had reached a stile where a footway led across
+some fields and a piece of common overgrown with bracken and gorse. It
+was the short-cut to Castleford, by which Cecil had led her to the
+Melford Woods.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, do come round by the road, auntie," he exclaimed; "perhaps Mr.
+Errington will let me ride his horse."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know if <i>he</i> will, Cis, but I certainly will not. I am tired
+too, dear, and want to get home the shortest way I can, so bid Mr.
+Errington good-by, and come with me. No, don't shake hands; yours are
+much too dirty."</p>
+
+<p>"Never mind; when you are a big boy I'll give you a mount. Good by,
+Master Charlie&mdash;<i>you</i> are Charlie, are you not? Till we meet at dinner,
+Miss Liddell." He raised his hat, and divining that she wished him to
+let her get over the stile unassisted, he mounted his horse and rode
+swiftly away.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure he would have given me a ride if you had gone by the road,
+auntie," said Cecil, reproachfully.</p>
+
+<p>"I could not have allowed, you, dear; so do not think about it."
+Errington meanwhile rode on, unconsciously slackening his pace as he
+mused. "No, she certainly has never seen me before, yet she knows me.
+How? She was very glad to get rid of me just now. Why? I am inoffensive
+enough. There is something uncommon about her; she gives me the idea of
+having a history, which is anything but desirable for a young woman.
+What fine eyes she has! She is something like that Sibyl of Guercino's
+in the Capitol. Why does she object to me? It is rather absurd. I must
+make her talk, then I shall find out."</p>
+
+<p>Here his horse started, and broke the thread of his reflections. By the
+time the steed had pranced and curvetted a little, Errington's thoughts
+had turned into some of their usual graver channels, and Katherine
+Liddell was&mdash;well, not absolutely forgotten.</p>
+
+<p>The object of his reflections reached the house rather late for the
+boys' tea, and expecting to find her hostess and Lady Alice enjoying the
+same refreshment, she gave her warm out-door jacket to Cecil, who
+immediately put it on as the best mode of taking it upstairs, and went
+into Mrs. Ormonde's morning-room, where afternoon tea was always served.
+It was a pleasant room in warm summer weather, as its aspect was east,
+and the afternoons were cool and shady there; but of a chill evening at
+the end of March it was cold and dim, and needed the glow of a good fire
+to make it attractive.</p>
+
+<p>Daylight still lingered to the sky, but was fast fading, and the dancing
+light of a cheerful fire was a pleasant contrast to the gray shadows
+without. The room was very nondescript; its furniture was of the spidery
+fashion which ruled when the "first gentleman" held the reins; thin hard
+sofas and scanty draperies were supplemented by Persian rugs and showy
+cushions, while various speci<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span>mens of doubtful china crowded the
+mantel-piece and consoles. Mrs. Ormonde was quite innocent of original
+taste, but was a quick, industrious imitator, while of comfortable
+chairs she was a most competent judge.</p>
+
+<p>Quite sure of finding Mrs. Ormonde, Lady Alice, and Miss
+Brereton&mdash;another visitor&mdash;refreshing themselves after their out-door
+exercise, and intending to announce the pleasant news of Errington's
+return, Katherine exclaimed, "Lady Alice!" as she crossed the threshold,
+then seeing no one, stopped.</p>
+
+<p>"Lady Alice is not here," said a strong, harsh voice, and a tall figure
+in a shooting-coat and gaiters rose from the depths of a large
+arm-chair, the back of which was toward the door and stood before her.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine was slightly startled, but guessed it was one of two guests
+expected to arrive that day. She advanced, therefore, and said, "Mrs.
+Ormonde is unusually late, but I am sure she will soon be here."</p>
+
+<p>"Meantime tea is quite ready. It has stood twice the regulation five
+minutes; and is there any just cause or impediment why it should not be
+poured out?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not that I am aware of," returned Katherine, taking off her hat and
+smoothing back her hair, which showed golden tints in the fitful
+fire-light.</p>
+
+<p>The low tea-table was set before the fire, she drew a chair beside it
+and removed the cozy from the teapot.</p>
+
+<p>Recognizing De Burgh from Mrs. Ormonde's description, she felt that he
+was even more at home at Castleford than herself, and she also came to
+the conclusion that he knew who she was. She had been prepared by Mrs.
+Ormonde's evident admiration to dislike De Burgh, having made up her
+mind that he would prove an empty-headed, insolent grandee, whose
+pretensions imposed upon her sister-in-law's somewhat slender
+experience, and whose life was probably given up to physical enjoyment.
+He had not, however, the aspect of a mere pleasure-seeker. His dark,
+strong face and bony frame looked as if he could work as well as play.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you take sugar?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, thank you; neither sugar nor cream."</p>
+
+<p>"Neither? That is very self-denying!"</p>
+
+<p>"Not self-denying! Were I foolish enough to do what I did not like, I
+should take the sugar and cream. They do not happen to please my
+palate."</p>
+
+<p>"It is well we do not all like the same things."</p>
+
+<p>"It is indeed!" He held his cup untasted for a moment, looking
+thoughtfully into the fire. "Tea is the best drink you can have in
+difficult, fatiguing journeys. Even the gold-diggers of Australia know
+that. They drink hard enough when they are on the spree, but when at
+work in earnest they stick to the teapot," he said, turning his eyes
+full upon her with a cool, critical gaze, which half amused, half
+irritated her. It was curious to sit there talking easily with a total
+stranger. Perhaps she ought to have left him to himself, but it was not
+much matter. Looking toward the window to avoid her companion's eyes,
+she exclaimed:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It is raining quite fast! I am glad I brought the children home before
+this shower."</p>
+
+<p>"An avant-courier of April. You were walking with Mrs. Ormonde's boys,
+then?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I take them out every day."</p>
+
+<p>"An uncommonly good-looking governess," thought De Burgh. "You have not
+been here long, I think?" he said.</p>
+
+<p>"About three weeks. The boys are quite used to me now, and enjoy their
+walks, for I take them outside the grounds," said Katherine, feeling
+sure that De Burgh must guess who she was.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed! You are a daring innovator. I suppose they were kept on the
+premises till you came?"</p>
+
+<p>"They were; and it is always tiresome to be kept within bounds."</p>
+
+<p>"I quite agree with you. The sentiment is extremely natural, only young
+ladies rarely confess it."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you ought to know better than I do. You give me the idea of being a
+plucky woman."</p>
+
+<p>"You must be quick in gathering ideas," said Katherine, dryly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; some subjects inspire me," he returned, handing in his cup.
+"Another, please. I am a bit of a physiognomist. I think I could give a
+rough sketch of your character." He stirred the fire to a brighter blaze
+and added, "It is so deuced dark since that shower came on I can hardly
+see you, but I will tell you my ideas, if you care to hear them."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I should," she returned, laughing. "It will be curious to hear the
+result of an instantaneous estimate. Why, five minutes ago you had never
+seen me."</p>
+
+<p>"Five minutes? No; ten at least. Well, then, I should say you are a
+remarkably plucky girl, though perhaps not impervious to panic. And, let
+me see," fixing his keen, fierce eyes on hers, "gifted with no small
+power of enjoyment. With a strong dash of the rebel in you, and&mdash;well, I
+could tell you more, but I won't."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine laughed good-humoredly.</p>
+
+<p>"Have I hit it off?" he asked, after waiting for her to speak.</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot tell. Do we ever know ourselves?"</p>
+
+<p>"That's true; but few admit their ignorance. I begin to think that you
+are dangerous, in addition to your other qualities, as you can refrain
+from discussing yourself; that is a bait which draws out most women."</p>
+
+<p>"And most men," added Katherine. "We haven't much to reproach each other
+with on that score."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I must admit that. Self is a fascinating topic."</p>
+
+<p>"Some more tea?" asked Katherine, demurely.</p>
+
+<p>"No, thank you. I am not absolutely insatiable. Tell me," he went on,
+with a quaint familiarity which was not offensive, "how can a girl with
+your nature&mdash;mind, I have not told half I guess&mdash;how can you stand your
+life here&mdash;walking about with those brats, making tea while the others
+are out amusing themselves, hammering away at the same round day after
+day? You are made for different things."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I should not care to live at Castleford all the days of my life," said
+Katherine, a little surprised by his question, and feeling there was a
+mistake somewhere; "but I do not intend to stay long."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, indeed! How do you get on with Mrs. Ormonde? She doesn't worry you
+about the boys? She is a jolly, pretty little woman; but you are not
+exactly the sort of young lady I should have fancied would be her
+choice."</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?" asked Katherine, beginning to see his mistake.</p>
+
+<p>"Because"&mdash;began De Burgh, looking full at her, and then paused. "You
+are too handsome by half!" were the words on his lips, but he did not
+utter them; he substituted, "You don't seem quite the thing for Mrs.
+Ormonde."</p>
+
+<p>"She finds I suit her admirably," said Katherine, gravely.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't quite understand"&mdash;De Burgh was beginning, when the door opened
+to admit Mrs. Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Mr. De Burgh, I did not expect you so early; but I am glad
+Katherine was here to give you your tea. It is not necessary to
+introduce you. I was afraid you would have been caught in that shower,
+Katie."</p>
+
+<p>"We just escaped it. I hope Lady Alice has found shelter, or she will
+renew her cold."</p>
+
+<p>"You are Miss Liddell, then?" said De Burgh, as he placed a chair for
+Mrs. Ormonde and took her cloak.</p>
+
+<p>"To be sure. Didn't you guess who she was?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. De Burgh guessed a good deal, but he did not guess my identity,"
+said Katherine, handing her a cup of tea.</p>
+
+<p>"What! Were you playing at cross questions and crooked answers?"</p>
+
+<p>"Something of that sort," he returned, and changed the subject by asking
+if they had heard how Errington's father was.</p>
+
+<p>"Better, I suppose, for Mr. Errington has returned. He met us when we
+were in Melford Woods."</p>
+
+<p>"I dare say he met Alice and Miss Brereton, then," said Mrs. Ormonde;
+"they were riding in that direction."</p>
+
+<p>"Lady Alice will be taken care of, then," said Katherine, and taking her
+hat she went away, seeing that Mrs. Ormonde was quite ready to absorb
+the conversation.</p>
+
+<p>"So that is Katherine Liddell," said De Burgh, looking after her,
+regardless of Mrs. Ormonde's declaration that she was going to scold
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. Is she not like what you expected?"</p>
+
+<p>"Expected? I did not expect anything; but she isn't a bit like what you
+described."</p>
+
+<p>"How so? Did I say too much?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, a great deal too much, but the wrong way."</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why, you talked as if she was a regular gushing school-girl, ready to
+swallow any double-barrelled compliment one chose to offer, whereas she
+is a finely developed woman, by Jove! with brains too, or I am much
+mistaken. Why, my charming little friend, she is older in some ways than
+you are."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, nonsense. You need not flatter <i>me</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"It's not flattery, it's&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The arrival of the riding party with the addition of Errington prevented
+him from finishing his sentence.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2>
+
+<h3>HANDLING THE RIBBONS.</h3>
+
+
+<p>De Burgh was told off to take Katherine in to dinner that day and the
+next, and bestowed a good deal of his attention on her during the
+evening. He rather amused her, for he was a new type to her. The men she
+had met during her sojourn on the Continent were chiefly polished French
+and Italians, whose softness and respectful manner to women were perhaps
+exaggerated, and a sprinkling of diplomatic and dilettante Englishmen.
+De Burgh's style was curiously&mdash;almost roughly&mdash;frank, yet there was an
+unmistakable air of distinction about him. He seemed not to think it
+worth while to take trouble about anything, yet he could talk well when
+by chance a topic interested him, Katherine would have been very dull
+had she not perceived that he was attracted by her. She was by no means
+so exalted a character as to be indifferent to his tribute; nevertheless
+she was half afraid of the cynical, outspoken, high-born Bohemian, who
+seemed to have small respect for people or opinions. She showed little
+of this feeling, however, having held her own with spirit in their
+various arguments, as, it need scarcely be said, they rarely agreed.</p>
+
+<p>"What is this mysterious piece of work I see constantly in your hands?"
+asked De Burgh, taking his place beside Katherine when the men came in
+after dinner a few days after his arrival.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a black silk stocking for Cecil."</p>
+
+<p>"One of the nephews, eh? So you are capable of knitting! It must be a
+dreary occupation."</p>
+
+<p>"No; it becomes mechanical, and it is better than sitting with folded
+hands."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not sure it is. I have great faith in natures that can take
+complete rest&mdash;men who can do nothing, absolutely nothing&mdash;and so create
+a reserve fund of fresh energy for the next hour of need. There is no
+strength in fidgety feverishness."</p>
+
+<p>"There is not much feverishness in knitting," returned Katherine,
+beginning a new row.</p>
+
+<p>"There is very little feverishness about <i>you</i>, yet you are not placid.
+I am extending and verifying my original estimate of your character, you
+see."</p>
+
+<p>"A most interesting occupation," said Katherine, carelessly.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Yes</i>, most interesting. I wish I had more frequent opportunities of
+studying it; but one never sees you all day. Where do you hide
+yourself?"</p>
+
+<p>"I take long rambles with the children, and&mdash;" She paused.</p>
+
+<p>"Does it amuse you to play nurse-maid?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, at present. Then my nephews and I were playfellows long ago."</p>
+
+<p>"I imagine it is a taste that will not last."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps not."</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Brereton and Lady Alice, with Errington and myself, are going to
+ride over to Melford Abbey to-morrow. You will, I hope, be of the
+party?"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you. I do not ride."</p>
+
+<p>"It is rather refreshing to meet a young lady who is not horsy, but it
+is a loss to yourself not to ride."</p>
+
+<p>"I dare say it is. Yet what one has never known cannot be a loss. I am
+sorry I was not accustomed to ride in my youth."</p>
+
+<p>"It is not too late to learn, remote as that period must be," said De
+Burgh, smiling. "You are in the headquarters of horsemen and horsewomen
+at present. Appoint me your riding-master, and in a couple of months I
+shall be proud of my pupil."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not particularly brave," she returned, "and the experiment would
+produce more pain than pleasure."</p>
+
+<p>"Pain! nothing of the kind. I have a capital lady's horse, steady as a
+rock, splendid pacer, temper of an angel. He is quite at your service.
+Let me telegraph for him, and begin your lessons the day after
+to-morrow." De Burgh raised himself from his lounging position, and
+leaned forward to urge his pleading more earnestly. "Let me persuade
+you. You will thank me hereafter."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," said Katherine, shaking her head. "It is too late. I shall
+never learn how to ride, but I should like to know how to drive."</p>
+
+<p>"There I can be of use to you too. You will want an instructor. Pray
+take me!"</p>
+
+<p>The last words, spoken a little louder than the rest, caught Mrs.
+Ormonde's ear as she was crossing the room, and she paused beside her
+sister-in-law to ask, "Take him for what?&mdash;for better or worse,
+Katherine?"</p>
+
+<p>"Blundering little idiot!" thought De Burgh; while Katherine answered,
+with remarkable composure.</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing so formidable; only to be my instructor in the art of driving."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, and do you accept?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I shall be very pleased to learn. I should like to be able to
+'conduct' a pair of ponies, as the French would say."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah yes! and cut a dash in the Park," said Mrs. Ormonde, taking the seat
+De Burgh reluctantly vacated for her. "I don't see why she should not,
+Mr. De Burgh; do you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not, provided only Miss Liddell can handle the ribbons."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well, Katherine: you devote yourself to acquire the art here, and
+then join us in a house in town this spring. I was reading the
+advertisements in the <i>Times</i> to-day. I always look at the houses to
+let, and there is one to let in Chester Square which would suit us
+exactly; that is, if you will join. She ought to have a season in town,
+ought she not, Mr. De Burgh?"</p>
+
+<p>He looked keenly at Katherine, and smiled. "Yes, Miss Liddell<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span> ought to
+taste the incomparable delights of the season by all means. Life is
+incomplete without it."</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to experience it certainly, for once, but I shall be more
+in the mood for such excitements next year&mdash;<i>perhaps</i>," returned
+Katherine, gravely.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my dear Katie, never put things off! At all events, be presented.
+That would be a sort of beginning; and I am to be presented too, so we
+might go together."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not intend to be presented," said Katherine; "it would be needless
+trouble. I have not the least ambition to go to court."</p>
+
+<p>"But, Katherine, it is absolutely necessary to take your proper position
+in society. It is not, Mr. De Burgh?"</p>
+
+<p>"What is your objection?" asked De Burgh, disregarding his hostess. "Are
+you too radical, or too transcendental, or what?"</p>
+
+<p>"Neither. I simply do not care to go, and do not see the necessity of
+going."</p>
+
+<p>"You were always the strangest girl!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, a good deal
+annoyed. "But still, if you were with <i>us</i>, you might see a good deal&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"You know, Ada, I am fixed for this year, and would not change even if I
+could."</p>
+
+<p>"Forgive me for interrupting you," said Errington, coming from the next
+room. "But if you are disengaged, Lady Alice would be greatly obliged by
+your playing for her."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly," cried Katherine. She had a sort of pleasure in obliging
+Errington, and Lady Alice for his sake; and putting her knitting into
+its little case, she rose and accompanied him to what was called the
+music-room, because it contained a grand piano and an old, nearly
+stringless violin.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think," said De Burgh, looking after her, "that your
+sister-in-law is quite as much under your influence as you fancy."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, don't you?" cried Mrs. Ormonde, feeling a flash of dislike to
+Katherine thrill through her. It was terribly trying to find an admirer,
+of whom she was so proud, drawn from her by that "tiresome, obstinate
+girl"; it was also enough to vex a saint to see her turn a deaf ear to
+her more experienced and highly placed sister's suggestion. "When you
+know a little more of her you will see how obstinate and headstrong she
+is."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! troublesome qualities those, especially in a rich woman, and a
+handsome one to boot. There is something very taking about that
+sister-in-law of yours, Mrs. Ormonde. If I were Lady Alice I wouldn't
+trust Errington with her: she would be a dangerous rival."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, nonsense! Do you think our Admirable Crichton could go wrong?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know. If he ever does, he'll go a tremendous cropper."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Mr. De Burgh, if you would like to go in and win, you had better
+make the running now. Once she 'comes out' in town, you will find a host
+of competitors."</p>
+
+<p>"Ha! I suppose you think a rugged fellow like me would have little or no
+chance with the curled darlings of May Fair and South Kensington?" Mrs.
+Ormonde looked down on her fan, but did not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span> speak. De Burgh laughed.
+"Who is going to bring her out?" he asked.</p>
+
+<p>"I am," with dignity.</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh's reply was short and simple. He said, "Oh!" and the
+interjection (is there an interjection now?&mdash;I am not young enough to
+know) brought the color to Mrs. Ormonde's cheek and a frown to her fair
+brow. "The young lady is, on the whole, original," he continued. "She
+does not care to be presented."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you believe her? I don't. She only said so from love of
+contradicting."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I believe her; she does not care about it now; but she will
+probably get the court fever after a plunge into London life. Who is
+singing?&mdash;that is something different from the penny whistling Lady
+Alice gives us."</p>
+
+<p>"Why it must be Katherine! It is the first time she has sung since she
+came. She is always afraid of breaking down, she says. I don't believe
+she has sung since the death of her mother." De Burgh's only reply was
+to walk into the next room. Leaving Mrs. Ormonde in a state of
+irritation against him, Katherine, and the world in general.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine was singing a gay Neapolitan air. She had a rich, sympathetic
+voice, and sang with arch expression.</p>
+
+<p>Errington stood beside her, and Lady Alice, the rector's wife and one or
+two other guests, were grouped round.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you. That is thoroughly Italian. You must have studied a good
+deal," said Errington, who rather liked music, and was accustomed to the
+best.</p>
+
+<p>"Very nice indeed," added Lady Alice. "Very nice" was her highest
+praise. "I should like to learn the song."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think it would suit you," observed Errington.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Katherine, I had no notion you could 'tune up' in this way," cried
+Colonel Ormonde. "Give us another, like a good girl; something
+English&mdash;'Robin Adair.' There was a fellow in 'ours' used to sing it
+capitally."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot sing it, Colonel Ormonde. I am very sorry."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Katherine! I have heard you sing it a hundred times," cried Mrs.
+Ormonde, joining them. "Why, it was a great favorite with poor dear Mrs.
+Liddell."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot sing it, Ada," repeated Katherine, quick and low. As she spoke
+she caught Errington's eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"No one ought to dictate to a songstress," he said, very decidedly.
+"Give us anything you like, so long as you sing."</p>
+
+<p>Kate bent her head, feeling that he understood her, and her hands
+wandered over the keys for a minute; then, with a glance at Colonel
+Ormonde, she began "Jock o' Hazeldean."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine was not the kind of girl to nurse her grief, to dwell upon it
+with morbid insistence: but she remembered, warmly, lovingly. At times
+gusts of passionate regret swept over her and shook her self-control,
+and she dared not attempt her mother's favorite song; the mere request
+for it called up a cloud of memories. She saw the dear face, the sweet
+faded blue eyes that used to dwell upon her so tenderly, with such
+unutterable content. No other eyes<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span> would ever look upon her thus; never
+again could she hope for such perfect sympathy as she had once known.</p>
+
+<p>"Does that make up for 'Robin Adair,' Colonel Ormonde?" she said when
+the song was ended.</p>
+
+<p>"A very good song and very well sung, but it's not equal to 'Robin
+Adair.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Lady Alice, will you try that duet of Helmer's?" asked Katherine; and
+Lady Alice graciously assented.</p>
+
+<p>"I shall miss your accompaniment dreadfully when I leave," she said,
+when the duet was accomplished. "I feel so sure when you play, and you
+help me. I hope you will come and see me. Lady Mary, my aunt, would be
+very pleased; don't you think she would?" to Errington, appealingly.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly. I hope, Miss Liddell, you will not desert Alice. If you will
+permit it, Lady Mary Vincent will have the pleasure of calling on you."</p>
+
+<p>"That will be very kind," returned Katherine, softly. If this man were
+safely married and settled, she thought, she would like to be friends
+with his wife, and serve him in any way she could. If his eyes did not
+always confuse and distress her, how much she could like him!</p>
+
+<p>As she rose from the piano, De Burgh, who had been speaking aside with
+Colonel Ormonde, left him to join her. "I have settled it all with
+Ormonde," he said. "I am to have the pony-carriage and the dun ponies
+(not those Mrs. Ormonde generally drives) to-morrow; so, if it does not
+rain, I'll give you your first lesson; that is, <i>if</i> you will allow me."</p>
+
+<p>"You are very prompt," returned Katherine, "and very good to take so
+much trouble. If it is fine, then, to-morrow. Pray arm yourself with
+patience. Are not the dun ponies rather frisky?"</p>
+
+<p>"Spirited, but free from vice. Ormonde had them from <i>my</i> stables. It's
+no use learning to drive with dull, inanimate brutes. You'll consider
+yourself engaged?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do, if Mrs. Ormonde does not want me to go anywhere with her."</p>
+
+<p>"She will not," said De Burgh, confidently.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-night," returned Katherine. "Tell Mrs. Ormonde I have stolen away,
+for I have a slight headache."</p>
+
+<p>"What? going already?" cried De Burgh. "No more songs? The evening,
+then, is over."</p>
+
+<p><br /></p>
+
+<p>The following day was soft and bright. March had evidently made up his
+martial mind to go out in a lamb-like fashion, and De Burgh was
+unusually amiable and communicative. "When shall you be ready to start?"
+he asked, following Katherine from the breakfast-table.</p>
+
+<p>"To start where?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"What! have you forgotten our plans of last night?" was his
+counter-question. "I am to give you your first lesson in driving this
+morning. I only wait your orders before going to see the ponies put in.
+We had better take advantage of the fine morning."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, that's right, De Burgh; make hay while the sun shines,"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> said
+Ormonde, with his usual tact and jocularity. "But it would be better to
+have tried a quieter pair than Dick and Dandie."</p>
+
+<p>"I think you may trust Miss Liddell to me," returned De Burgh,
+impatiently. "Well, when shall I bring round the trap?"</p>
+
+<p>"Whenever you like. I am afraid you have set yourself a tiresome task."</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh laughed. "If you prove careless or disobedient, why, I'll not
+repeat the dose. In half an hour, then, I'll have the carriage at the
+door."</p>
+
+<p>That half-hour was spent by Katherine in explaining to Cis and Charlie
+that she could not go out with them that day, for the morning was
+promised to De Burgh, and after luncheon she had undertaken to try over
+the song which had pleased her with Lady Alice, who was to leave the
+next day. The little fellows thought themselves very ill-used. But Miss
+Richards, who had greatly prized her deliverance from long muddy rambles
+since Katherine's advent, promised to take them to fish in a stream
+which ran between the Castleford and Melford properties.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you suppose I shall dare to touch the reins of these terrible
+creatures?" said Katherine when De Burgh dashed up to the door, and held
+the spirited, impatient animals steady with some difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>"We'll get rid of some of the steam first, and you will get accustomed
+to their playfulness," he returned. "Here, Ormonde, haven't you a rug
+for Miss Liddell? It may come on to rain."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; here you are;" and Colonel Ormonde, who was examining the
+turn-out, tucked up his fair guest carefully, and warned them to be back
+in good time, as he wanted De Burgh to ride over with him to see some
+horses which were for sale a mile or two at the other side of Monckton.</p>
+
+<p>"What a frightful pace;" said Katherine, after they had whirled out of
+the gates, yet feeling comforted by De Burgh's evident mastery of the
+ponies.</p>
+
+<p>"You are not frightened? Don't you think I can manage them?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am not comfortable, because I am not accustomed to horses and furious
+driving."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, they will settle down presently. Where shall we go&mdash;through
+Garston? It's a fine place. Perhaps you have seen it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have not, and I should like to see it very much." She was delighted
+with the suggestion. It would be a help to her, a consolation, to see so
+visible a token of Errington's wealth.</p>
+
+<p>"Curious fellow, Errington," resumed De Burgh. "I suppose he is about
+the only man who isn't spoiled by the most unbroken prosperity. Still, a
+fellow who never did anything wrong in his life is rather uninteresting;
+don't you think so?"</p>
+
+<p>"Has he never done anything wrong? That seems rather incredible."</p>
+
+<p>"If he has, he has kept it deucedly close. But you are right; it is very
+incredible."</p>
+
+<p>They drove on for a while in silence. It was a delicious morning&mdash;a blue
+sky flecked with fleecy white clouds, bright sunlight, birds singing,
+hedges budding, all nature welcoming the first sweet in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span>toxication of
+renewed youth stirring in her veins. Katherine loved the spring-time,
+and felt its influence profoundly, but it was the first spring in which
+she had been alone; this time last year she&mdash;they&mdash;had been at
+Bordighera. How heavenly fair it had been! But De Burgh was speaking:</p>
+
+<p>"You did not hear, or rather heed, what I said, Miss Liddell; that's not
+civil."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed it is not&mdash;forgive me. What did you say?"</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you like country life best, as you demolished Mrs. Ormonde's
+scheme respecting a house in town so promptly?"</p>
+
+<p>"I enjoy looking at the country, but I know nothing of country life. I
+am not sure I should like it."</p>
+
+<p>"What's your objection to drawing-rooms and balls&mdash;the season
+generally?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not object; but is my deep mourning suited to these gayeties, Mr.
+De Burgh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, no. I beg your pardon. Mrs. Ormonde started it, you know. I fancy
+it would take double-distilled mourning to keep her out of the swim."</p>
+
+<p>"It is impossible for one nature to judge another which is totally
+different, fairly."</p>
+
+<p>"Very true and very prudent. I have not got to the bottom of your
+character yet, but I am pursuing my studies," said De Burgh, with a grim
+sort of smile. "You see they are settling down to their work now,"
+pointing his whip to the ponies. "I'll give you the reins in a minute or
+two."</p>
+
+<p>"I think I ought to begin with something quieter," said Katherine,
+looking at them uneasily.</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh laughed. "There is a nice stretch of level road before
+us&mdash;nothing to interfere with you. Change places with me, if you please.
+Here, put the reins between your fingers&mdash;so; now a turn of the wrist
+guides them. I'll hold your hand for a bit. You had better not let the
+whip touch them&mdash;so. There you are. I'll show you how to handle the
+ribbons before you are a fortnight older; that is if you will come out
+every day with me."</p>
+
+<p>"Would you take that trouble?" exclaimed Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"I can take a good deal of trouble if I like my work. Now hold them
+steady, and keep your eye on them. When we come to the trees, on there,
+turn to the left."</p>
+
+<p>"So far there doesn't seem to be much difficulty; they seem to go all
+right of their own accord," she said, after a few minutes.</p>
+
+<p>"They are a capital pair; but there is nothing to disturb them."</p>
+
+<p>For the rest of the way to Garston, De Burgh only spoke to give the
+lesson he had undertaken, and Katherine found herself growing interested
+and pleased. When they entered the gates, however, she asked him to take
+the reins. She wanted to look about her, to remark the surroundings of
+Errington's house.</p>
+
+<p>It was a fine place, somewhat flat, perhaps, but beautiful with splendid
+trees, and a small lake, through which ran the stream in another part of
+which Cis and Charlie were going to fish. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span> house stood well, the
+grounds were admirably laid out and perfectly kept; evidences of wealth
+were on all sides.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose it costs a great deal of money to keep up a place like this,"
+said Katherine, breaking a silence which had lasted some minutes: De
+Burgh never troubled himself to speak unless he really had something to
+say.</p>
+
+<p>"I shouldn't care to live here on less than ten thousand a year," he
+returned, glancing round.</p>
+
+<p>"And has Mr. Errington all that money?"</p>
+
+<p>"His father has a good deal more. He bought this place for him, I
+believe. Old Errington is very wealthy, and on his last legs, from what
+I hear."</p>
+
+<p>"Ten thousand a year! What a quantity of money!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hem! I think I could get through it without much trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you have always been rich?"</p>
+
+<p>"Rich! I have been on the verge of bankruptcy all my life. I never knew
+what it was to have enough money."</p>
+
+<p>"But you seem to have gone everywhere and done everything."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, by discounting my future at a ruinous rate," he returned, with a
+sort of reckless candor that amused his hearer. "You scarcely understand
+me, I suppose."</p>
+
+<p>"I think I do. I know how uncomfortable it is to want money."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed! Still, it's not so hard on women as on men."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?"</p>
+
+<p>"We want so much more."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you have so many more chances of earning it."</p>
+
+<p>"Earning it! Oh, that is a new view of the case!"</p>
+
+<p>"I should not mind doing it; that is, if I could succeed."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know, I took you for your nephews' governess. It never crossed
+my mind you were an heiress. As a rule, heiresses are revolting to the
+last degree."</p>
+
+<p>"I feel the compliment."</p>
+
+<p>"Remember, I like their money, only I object to its being encumbered."</p>
+
+<p>"You are wonderfully frank, Mr. De Burgh."</p>
+
+<p>"I dare say you said 'brutally frank' in your thoughts, Miss Liddell,
+and you are right. I am rather a bad lot, and a little too old to mend.
+But let it be a saving clause in your mind, if I ever recur to it, that
+the fact of your being nice enough for the governess impelled me to
+offer driving lessons to the heiress. Will you take the reins? You might
+hold them forever if you choose."</p>
+
+<p>"Not yet, thank you&mdash;when we get out on the road again," returned
+Katherine, not seeing or seeming to see his covert meaning. "You are
+surely not a democrat?"</p>
+
+<p>"A democrat? No. I have no particular view as regards politics; but if
+the devil ever got so completely the upper hand in this world as to
+leave it without a class to serve and obey <i>us</i>, their natural
+superiors, I'd decline to stay here any longer, and descend by the help
+of a bullet to lower regions, where I should have better society."</p>
+
+<p>"More congenial society, I am sure," said Katherine, laughing, though
+revolted by his tone. She felt it would never do to show she was. "You
+are quite different from any one <i>I</i> ever met. Do you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span> know, you give me
+the idea of a wicked Norman Baron in the Middle Ages."</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh laughed, as if he rather enjoyed the observation. "I know," he
+said; "a regular melodramatic villain, 'away with him to the lowest
+dungeon beneath the castle moat' sort of fellow, who would draw a Jew's
+teeth before breakfast and roast a restive burgher after. I wonder,
+considering you possess the two strongest attractions for men of this
+description&mdash;money and (may I say it?) beauty&mdash;that you trust yourself
+with me."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! you concealed your vile opinions successfully; so you see I could
+not know my danger," returned Katherine, laughing. "You are not at all a
+modern man."</p>
+
+<p>"I accept the compliment."</p>
+
+<p>"Which I did not intend for one. When we get through the gates I will
+take the reins again."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly; but the ponies' heads will be turned homeward, and I am
+afraid they will pull. They have steadied down wonderfully." The rest of
+the drive was spent in careful instruction, and Katherine was surprised
+to find how quickly the time had gone when they reached the house.</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh interested her in spite of her dislike of the opinions and
+sentiments he expressed. There was something picturesque about the man,
+and she felt that he was attracted to her in a curious and almost
+alarming manner. Yet she was conscious of an inclination to play with
+fire. It was some time since she felt so light-hearted. The sight of
+Errington's luxurious surroundings seemed to take something from the
+load upon her conscience, and this sense of partial relief gave
+brilliancy to her eyes, as the fresh balmy air gave her something of her
+former rich coloring.</p>
+
+<p>"By Jove!" cried Colonel Ormonde, as Katherine took her place at
+luncheon, "your drive has agreed with you. I've never seen you look so
+well. You must pursue the treatment. How did she get on, De Burgh?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not so badly. But Miss Liddell is more timid than I expected. She'll
+get accustomed to the look of the cattle in a little while. Courage is
+largely made up of a habit. I'll take some of that cold lamb, Ormonde."
+And De Burgh spoke no more till he had finished his luncheon.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know, Miss Liddell, that my father was an old friend of your
+uncle's?" said Errington that evening, as he placed himself beside her
+on a retired sofa, while Miss Brereton was executing some gymnastics on
+the piano. "I have just been taking to Ormonde about him. I remember
+having been sent to call upon him&mdash;long ago, when I was at college, I
+think. He lived in some wild north-land; I remember it was a great way
+off. Then my father went for a trip to Calcutta, and I fancy lost sight
+of his old chum."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine grew red and white as he spoke; she could only murmur, "Yes, I
+was told they had been friends."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you must accept me as a hereditary friend," said Errington,
+kindly. "I shall tell my father that I have made your acquaintance,
+though he does not take much interest in anything now, I am sorry to
+say."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry&mdash;" faltered Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"Both Lady Alice and I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you in town,"
+continued Errington, having waited in vain for her to finish her
+sentence. "I am going to see her safely in her aunt's charge to-morrow,
+and shall not return, I fancy, till you have left."</p>
+
+<p>"You are both very good. I shall be most happy to see you again,"
+returned Katherine, mastering her forces, though she felt ready to fly
+and hide her guilty head in any corner. Errington felt that she was
+unusually uneasy and uncomfortable with him, so made way the more
+readily for De Burgh, who monopolized her for rest of the evening.</p>
+
+<p>The next day was wet, and for a week the weather was unsettled, so that
+Katherine had only one more lesson in driving before the party broke up,
+and De Burgh too was obliged to leave.</p>
+
+<p>But Katherine prolonged her stay. Charlie, in ardor for fishing, had
+slipped into the river and caught a severe, feverish cold.</p>
+
+<p>The way in which he clung to his auntie, the evident comfort he derived
+from her presence, the delight he had in holding her cool soft hand in
+his own burning little fingers, made him impossible for her to leave
+him. By the time he was able to sit up and play with his brother, poor
+Charlie was a pallid little skeleton, and his auntie bade him a tender
+adieu, determined to lose no time in finding sea-side quarters for the
+precious invalid.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2>
+
+<h3>TAKING COUNSEL.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Miss Payne was busy looking over several cards which lay in a small
+china dish on her work-table. It was early in the forenoon, and she
+still wore a simple muslin cap and a morning gown of gray cashmere. Her
+mouth looked very rigid and her eyes gloomy. To her enters her brother,
+fresh and bright, a smile on his lips and a flower in his button-hole.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Payne vouchsafed no greeting. Looking at him sternly, she asked,
+"Well! what do you want?"</p>
+
+<p>"To ask at what hour Miss Liddell arrives, and if I am to meet her at
+the station."</p>
+
+<p>"She is not coming to-day," snapped Miss Payne; "she is not coming till
+Saturday."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" In a changed tone, "I hope she is all right?"</p>
+
+<p>"It's hard to answer that. It seems one of the nephews has had a
+feverish cold, and she did not like to leave him. I do not feel sure
+there is not some real reason under this, for she adds that she is
+anxious to see and consult me about some matter she has much at heart.
+Perhaps there is a man at the bottom of it."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope not," said Bertie, quietly, "unless she has found some former
+friend at Castleford. I do not think Miss Liddell is the sort of girl to
+accept a man on five or six weeks' acquaintance, and she has scarcely
+been at Castleford so long."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It is impossible to fathom the folly of women when a lover is in the
+case."</p>
+
+<p>"You are hard, Hannah."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not care whether I am or not. I don't want to lose Miss Liddell
+before the time agreed for."</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt she is a profitable&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"It is no question of profit," interrupted Miss Payne, grimly. "Whether
+she goes or whether she stays she is bound to me financially for twelve
+months. But I am interested in Katherine, and it will be far better for
+her to stay on here and feel her way before she launches into the whirl
+of what they call society. I want to save her for a while from the wild
+rush of dressing, driving, dining, dancing, that has swept away all my
+girls sooner or later. Look here: the mothers are flocking round her
+already." She began to take the cards out of the dish and read the
+names: "Lady Mary Vincent, 23 Waldegrave Crescent; she is a sister of
+that Lord Melford who ran such a rig years ago. <i>Her</i> boys are still at
+Eton. I suppose she comes because her niece and Miss Liddell have struck
+up a friendship at Castleford. Then here are Mrs. and Miss Alford; we
+all knew them in Rome; there's a son <i>there</i>; they are respectable
+people, well off, and fighting their way up judiciously enough. Lady
+Barrington; <i>she</i> has a nephew, but she will be useful. Mr. and Mrs.
+Tracey; they were at Florence, and have a couple of daughters; there may
+be a nephew or a cousin, but I never heard of one; they are pleasant,
+sensible, artistic people, who just enjoy themselves and don't trouble.
+Lady Mildred Reptan, Miss Brereton, John de Burgh; I don't know these.
+All these people evidently think she is in town, or have only just come
+themselves, but you see the outlook."</p>
+
+<p>"John de Burgh," repeated Bertie, thoughtfully. "I remember something
+about him; nothing particularly good. I believe he is on the turf. Yes,
+he is a famous steeple-chase rider, and rather fast&mdash;not too desirable a
+follower for Miss Liddell."</p>
+
+<p>"She met him at Castleford, and I rather think he is related to Colonel
+Ormonde." Miss Payne put back the cards in the dish as she spoke, and
+remained silent for some instants.</p>
+
+<p>"You will be glad when Miss Liddell returns," said Bertie.</p>
+
+<p>"So will you," she returned, tartly. "But I hope you won't dip into her
+purse so freely as you used for your reformed drunkards and ragged
+orphans. It was <i>too</i> bad."</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Liddell never waits to be asked. She seems on the lookout for
+cases on which to bestow money. As she has plenty, why should I hesitate
+to accept it?"</p>
+
+<p>Miss Payne slowly rubbed her nose with the handle of a small hook she
+used for pulling out the loops of her tatting. "Katherine Liddell is an
+uncommon sort of girl," she said, "but I like her. I have an idea that
+she likes me better than any of the others did, yet there are not many
+things on which we agree. She is a little flighty in some ways, but she
+has some sense too, some notion of the value of money; she does not lose
+her dead about dress, nor does she buy costly baubles at the jewellers'.
+She, certainly wastes a good many pounds on books, when a three-guinea
+subscription to Mudie's would<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span> answer the purpose quite as well. Then
+she is honestly deeply grieved at the loss of her mother, but she does
+not parade it, or nurse it either, and I think she has some opinion of
+<i>my</i> judgment. Still she is a little unsettled, and not quite happy."</p>
+
+<p>"I think she deserves to be happy," observed Bertie, with an air of
+conviction&mdash;"if any erring mortal can deserve anything."</p>
+
+<p>"We seldom get our deserts, either way, <i>here</i>; indeed, this world is so
+upside down I am inclined to believe there must be another to put it
+straight."</p>
+
+<p>"We have fortunately better proof than that," returned her brother,
+gravely.</p>
+
+<p>"I must say I feel very curious to know what Katherine's plan is; I am
+terrible afraid there is a man in it."</p>
+
+<p>"Nothing more probable;" and Bertie fell into a fit of thought. "You
+know Mrs. Needham!" he asked suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I just know her."</p>
+
+<p>"She is a most earnest, energetic woman, though we are not quite of one
+mind on all subjects. She wants to secure Miss Liddell's assistance in
+getting up a bazar for the Stray Children's Home. I shall bring her to
+call on you."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't!"&mdash;very emphatically. "I know more than enough people already,
+and I don't want any well-dressed beggars added to the number."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I will not interfere; but that is of little consequence. If Mrs.
+Needham wants to come, she'll come."</p>
+
+<p>"I hate these fussy subscription-hunting women!" cried Miss Payne.</p>
+
+<p>"She does <i>not</i> hunt for subscriptions, nor does she take any special
+interest in religious matters, but she approves of this particular
+charity. She is an immensely busy woman, and writes in I don't know now
+many newspapers."</p>
+
+<p>"Newspapers! And are our opinions made up for us by rambling hussies of
+<i>that</i> description?"</p>
+
+<p>Bertie burst out laughing. "If Mrs. Needham heard you!" he exclaimed.
+"She considers herself 'the glass of fashion and the mould of form,' the
+most successful and important woman in the world&mdash;the English world."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Payne's only reply was a contemptuous upward toss of the head. "If
+you will be at Euston Square on Saturday to meet the five-fifty train
+from Monckton," she resumed, "I should be obliged to you&mdash;Miss Liddell
+travels alone&mdash;and you can dine with us if you like after, unless you
+are going to preach the gospel somewhere."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you. Why do you object to my preaching?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because I like things done decently and in order. You are not ordained,
+and there are plenty of churches and chapels, God knows, for people to
+go to, if they would wash their faces and be decent. Now I can't stay
+here any longer, so good-by for the present." She took up a little
+basket containing an old pair of gloves, large scissors, and a ball of
+twine, and walked briskly away to attend to the plants in her diminutive
+conservatory.</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh did not prolong his absence; he returned to Castleford<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span> while
+Katherine was still in attendance on the little invalid; but he found
+his stay neither pleasant nor profitable. Katherine was far too much
+occupied nursing her nephew to give any time or attention to her
+impatient admirer.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Liddell is a peculiar specimen of her sex," he growled, in his
+usual candid and unaffected manner, as he and Colonel Ormonde sat alone
+over their wine. "She never leaves those brats. She must know that it's
+not every girl <i>I</i> should take the trouble of teaching, and yet she
+throws over each appointment I make. Does she intend to adopt your
+wife's boys? Adopted sons are an appendage no man would like to accept
+with a bride, be she ever so well endowed."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, she will forget them as soon as she falls in love! You must carry
+on the siege more vigorously."</p>
+
+<p>"How the deuce are you to do it when you never get within hail of the
+fortress? There is something peculiar about Katherine Liddell I can't
+quite make out. If she were a commonplace woman, angular, squinting, or
+generally plain, I could go in and win and collar the cash without
+hesitation, but somehow or other I can't go into the affair in this
+spirit. I want the woman as well as the money."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I see no reason why you shouldn't have both. Your faintness of
+heart never lost <i>you</i> any fair lady, I am sure, Jack."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps not." And he smoked meditatively for a minute or two.</p>
+
+<p>"Then you will not leave us to-morrow?" said Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>"When does <i>she</i> go up to town?" asked De Burgh.</p>
+
+<p>"On Monday, I believe."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I'll run up the day after to-morrow. Old De Burgh has just come
+back from the Riviera. I'll go and do the dutiful, and tell him I have
+found a suitable partner for my joys and sorrows; it will score to my
+credit. He doesn't half like me, you know. Then I'll have a dozen better
+chances to cultivate Miss Liddell in town, and away from your nursery,
+than I have here. Give me her address. She is a frank, unconventional
+creature, and won't mind coming out with me alone."</p>
+
+<p>"Very true. Mrs. Ormonde has persuaded me to take her to town for a
+couple of months; so we'll be there to back you up."</p>
+
+<p>"Good! Meanwhile I will do my best for my own hand. If she starts on
+Monday, I'll pay my respects to the peerless one by the time she has
+swallowed her luncheon on Tuesday," said De Burgh, with a harsh laugh.</p>
+
+<p>Thus it came to pass that De Burgh's card was amongst those preserved
+for Katherine's inspection; but she postponed her departure first to
+Wednesday, next to Saturday, and De Burgh grew savagely impatient when
+Colonel Ormonde informed him of these changes in a private note.</p>
+
+<p>When at last she did arrive, Miss Payne was struck by the look of
+renewed hope and cheerfulness in her young friend's face. Her movements
+even were more alert, and her voice had lost its languid tone.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought you would find it difficult to get away," said Miss<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span> Payne,
+as she assisted her to remove her travelling dress. "But I am very
+pleased to see you again, and to see you looking more like yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"I <i>feel</i> more like my old self," returned Katherine, actually kissing
+Miss Payne&mdash;a kind of treatment exceedingly new to her.</p>
+
+<p>"In fact, I am full of a project which will, I hope, make me much
+happier. I will tell you all about it after dinner, if we are alone.
+Your advice will be of great value to me."</p>
+
+<p>"Such as it is, I shall be glad to give it; though I do not suppose
+you'll take it unless it suits your wishes."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps not," said Katherine, laughing; "but I think it will."</p>
+
+<p>"She is going to marry some fortune-hunting scamp," thought Miss Payne.
+"I was afraid no good would come of her visit to that little dressy
+dolly sister-in-law of hers." She only said, "Dinner will be ready in
+half an hour, and we shall be quite alone."</p>
+
+<p>Then she went quickly down stairs to her brother, who was gazing out of
+the window, but not seeing what he looked at.</p>
+
+<p>"You can't dine here to-day, Bertie," said Miss Payne, abruptly, as she
+entered the room.</p>
+
+<p>"And why not?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because she wants to have some confidential conversation with me after
+dinner, and we must be alone."</p>
+
+<p>"Have you any idea what it will be about?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; and I am astonished at your putting the question. You may come in
+after church to-morrow if you like."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you. I shall be rather late, as I am going to an open-air service
+beyond Whitechapel."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I do hope you'll get something to eat after. Are <i>you</i> going to
+preach?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. I seldom preach. I haven't the gift of eloquence."</p>
+
+<p>"Which means you have a little common-sense left. Really, Gilbert, for a
+man of thirty-five, or nearly thirty-five, you are too credulous."</p>
+
+<p>"It is my nature to be so," he returned, laughing. "Well, good-by to
+you. It is really unkind to turn me out in this unceremonious fashion."
+So saying, with his usual sweet-tempered compliance he departed.</p>
+
+<p>"What a good boy he is!" said Miss Payne to herself, looking at the
+grate, while by a dual brain action she made a brief calculation as to
+how much longer she must burn coal. "He ought to have been a girl. Why
+don't rich young women see that he is the very stuff to make a pleasant
+husband, instead of those monsters of strength and determination that
+fools of women make gods of, and themselves door mats for, and often
+find to be only big pumpkins after all?"</p>
+
+<p>Miss Payne's anticipations were of the gloomiest when, after their
+quickly despatched dinner, she settled herself between the fire and
+window with her favorite tatting, drawing up the knots with vicious
+energy. She opened proceedings by an interrogative "Well?" and closed
+her mouth with a snap.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, my dear Miss Payne," began Katherine, who had settled herself
+comfortably in a corner of the sofa, "I have an important<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span> plan in my
+mind, and I want your co-operation. I should have written to you about
+it, only I waited to get Colonel Ormonde's consent."</p>
+
+<p>"It's a man!" ejaculated Miss Payne to herself.</p>
+
+<p>"To begin: I was not at all satisfied with the boys when I first went to
+Castleford. They were not exactly neglected, but they were quite
+secluded. Mrs. Ormonde scarcely saw them, and their governess or
+attendant was not at all lady-like; she speaks with a London accent and
+misplaces her <i>h'</i>s; altogether she is not the sort of person I should
+have placed with the boys. Then the poor little fellows clung to me and
+monopolized me as if I had been their mother; they made me feel like
+one. Moreover, I seemed to see my own dear mother and hear her voice
+when they spoke to me. She loved them so much!"</p>
+
+<p>Katherine paused suddenly, but almost immediately resumed: "The
+youngest, Charlie, is not yet seven, and is very delicate. He has had
+rather a sharp attack of bronchitis. I am very anxious about him. How I
+want to take them to the sea-side next month, and to keep them there all
+the summer, and I want your help to find a nice place. I know nothing of
+the English coast. More than this: I feel I could not get on without
+you, so you must come with us. Suppose, dear Miss Payne, we take a house
+with a garden near the sea, and you let this one? I will gladly pay all
+extra cost, while our original agreement, as far as I myself am
+concerned, shall hold good."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Payne listened attentively to this long speech, the expression of
+her countenance relaxing; but she did not reply at once.</p>
+
+<p>"I think," she said, after a moment's thought, "that you are exceedingly
+liberal, but I am not sure you are wise. As far as I am concerned, I
+should like your plan very much. I do not profess to be fond of
+children, but I dare say these little boys would not interfere with me.
+As regards yourself, if you keep the children for the whole summer, it
+is possible Mrs. Ormonde might be inclined to leave them with you
+altogether, and this would create a burden for you&mdash;a burden you are by
+no means called upon to bear. It is a dangerous experiment."</p>
+
+<p>"Not to me," returned Katherine, thoughtfully. "In fact it is a
+consummation for which I devoutly wish. I should like to adopt my
+nephews."</p>
+
+<p>"That would certainly be foolish. It would not be kind to the children,
+Katherine (as you wish me to call you). In the course of a year or two
+you will marry, and then the creatures who had learned to love you and
+look on you as a mother would be again motherless. Do not take them from
+their natural guardian."</p>
+
+<p>"What you say is very reasonable. You cannot know how certain I feel
+that I shall <i>not</i> marry. However, let us leave all that to arrange
+itself in the future; let us think of the present. Colonel and Mrs.
+Ormonde are coming up to town, for two or three months, in May, and I do
+not like the idea of Cis and Charlie being left behind; so will you help
+me, my dear Miss Payne? Shall you mind a spring and summer in some quiet
+sea-side place?"</p>
+
+<p>Again Miss Payne reflected before she spoke. "I should rather<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span> like it:
+and your idea of letting this house is a good one. Yes, I shall be happy
+to assist you as far as I can. The first question is, where shall we
+go?"</p>
+
+<p>"That, I am sure, <i>you</i> know best."</p>
+
+<p>An interesting disquisition ensued. Miss Payne rejected Bournemouth,
+Weymouth, Worthing, Brighton, and Folkestone, for what seemed to
+Katherine sufficient reason, and finally recommended Sandbourne, a quiet
+and little-known nook on the Dorsetshire coast, as being mild but not
+relaxing, not too near nor too far from town, and possessing fine sands,
+while the country round was less bare and flat than what usually lies
+near the coast.</p>
+
+<p>Finally the "friends in council" decided to go down and look at the
+place. "For," observed Miss Payne, "if we are to go away the beginning
+of next month, we have little more than a fortnight before us."</p>
+
+<p>"By all means," cried Katherine, starting up. "Let us go to-morrow; we
+might 'do' the place in a day, and come back the next. You are really a
+dear, to fall into my views so readily."</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow? Oh! that's a little too fast; the day after, if you like.
+Now I wish you would look at these cards; they have all been left for
+you in the last few days."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine took and looked over them with some running comments. "Mrs.
+Tracy! I shall be quite glad to see them again; they were always so kind
+and pleasant. Lady Mary Vincent! I did not think she would call so soon;
+I think I must go and see her to-morrow. I rather like her niece, Lady
+Alice Mordaunt; she is a nice, gentle girl. She is to be married very
+soon to a man who interested me a good deal; such a thoughtful, clever
+man, but rather provokingly composed and perfect&mdash;a sort of person who
+never makes a mistake."</p>
+
+<p>"He must be a remarkable person," said Miss Payne.</p>
+
+<p>"He will soon be in Parliament, and has some of the qualities which make
+a statesman, I imagine. I shall watch his progress." Here Katherine took
+up a card, and while she read the inscription, "John Fitzstephen de
+Burgh," a slight smile crept round her lips. "I had no idea <i>he</i> was in
+town, or that he would take the trouble of calling on me so soon. I
+thought he was too utterly offended."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?" asked Miss Payne, looking at her curiously.</p>
+
+<p>"He is rather ill-tempered, I fancy, and he was vexed because I
+preferred staying with Charlie to going out with him: he offered to
+teach me how to drive; so I believe, like the rich young man in the
+gospel, he went away in desperation."</p>
+
+<p>"Hum! Is <i>he</i> a rich young man?"</p>
+
+<p>"He is not young, and I am not sure about his being rich. He has a
+hunting-lodge and horses, yet I don't fancy he is rich. He is a sort of
+relation of the Ormondes."</p>
+
+<p>"I suspect he is a spendthrift, and would like <i>your</i> money."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, very likely; but, my dear Miss Payne, you need not warn me; I am
+quite sufficiently inclined to believe that the men who show me
+attention are thinking more of what I have than what <i>I</i> am. Believe me
+it is not an agreeable frame of mind. Mr. De Burgh is a strange sort of
+character. He amuses me; he is not a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span> bit like a modern man. He doesn't
+seem to think it worth while to conceal what he feels or thinks. There
+is an odd well-bred roughness about him, if I may use such an
+expression; but I greatly prefer him to Colonel Ormonde."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you do? Colonel Ormonde is just an average man," added Miss Payne.</p>
+
+<p>"I should hope the general average is higher; but I must not be
+ill-natured. He has always been very kind to me."</p>
+
+<p>This was a pleasant interlude to Katherine. She had succeeded in hushing
+her heart to rest for a while, in banishing the thoughts which had long
+tormented her. Nothing had comforted and satisfied her as did this
+project of adopting her nephews. It is true she had not yet announced
+it, but in her own mind she resolved that once they were under her wing,
+she would not let them go again, unless indeed something quite
+unforeseen occurred; nor did she anticipate any difficulties with their
+mother. She would thus secure a natural legitimate interest in life, and
+make a home, which to a girl of her disposition was essential. Yet she
+knew well that in renouncing the idea of marriage she was denying one of
+the strongest necessities of her nature. The love and companionship of a
+man in whom she believed, for whom she could be ambitious, who would
+link her with the life and movement of the outer world, who would be the
+complement of her own being, was a dream of delight. Not that she felt
+in the least unable to stand alone, or fancied she was too delicate to
+take care of herself, but life without the love of another self could
+never be full and perfect. She was too true a woman not to value deeply
+the tenderness of a man; yet she had firmly resolved in justice to
+herself, in fairness to any possible husband, to renounce that crown of
+woman's existence. It was the only atonement she could make. Well, at
+least her loving care of these dear little boys, who were in point of
+fact motherless, would in some degree expiate her evil deed, and would
+keep her heart warm and her mind healthy.</p>
+
+<p><br /></p>
+
+<p>Possessed of the true magic, "money," obstacles faded away. The
+expedition to Sandbourne was most successful. Katherine was brighter
+than Miss Payne had ever seen her before. The day was sunny, the place
+looked cheerful and picturesque. It lay under a wooded hill, ending in a
+bold rocky point, which sheltered it and a wide bay from the easterly
+winds. A splendid stretch of golden sands offered a playground for the
+racing waves, and an old tower crowned an islet near the opposite point
+of the land, which there lay low, and was covered with gorse and
+heather.</p>
+
+<p>There was an objectionable row of lodging-houses, against which must be
+entered a low, red-brick, ivy-grown inn, old-fashioned, picturesque, and
+comfortable. One or two villas stood in their own grounds but were
+occupied, and one, evidently older was shut up.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps because it was inaccessible, perhaps because it had a pleasant
+outlook across the bay to the island and tower at its western extremity,
+Katherine at once determined it was the very place to suit them, and
+made her way to the local house agent to see what<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span> could be done toward
+securing it. Cliff Cottage was not on his books, said the agent; but if
+the lady wished "he would apply to the owner, who had gone with his wife
+in search of health to the Riviera. In the meantime there is Amanda
+Villa, at the other end of Beach Terrace, very comfortable and elegantly
+furnished"&mdash;pointing to a glaring white edifice with a Belvedere tower
+in would-be Italian style. "I don't think you could find anything
+better." But the aspect of Amanda Villa did not please either lady, so
+they returned to Cliff Cottage: and remarking a thin curl of blue smoke
+from one of the chimneys, they ventured to make their way to a side
+entrance, where their knocking was answered by an old deaf caretaker,
+who, for a consideration, permitted them to inspect the house. It proved
+to be all Katherine wished. Though the furniture was scanty and worn, it
+was clean and well kept, and "We can easily get what is necessary," she
+concluded, with the sense of power which always goes with a full purse.</p>
+
+<p>"Let us go back to the agent and get the address of the owner."</p>
+
+<p>"Better make your offer through him," returned Miss Payne, and Katherine
+complied.</p>
+
+<p>The days which succeeded seemed very long. Katherine had taken a fancy
+to the quaint pretty abode, and was impatient to be settled there with
+her boys. There was a "preparatory school for young gentlemen," which
+was an additional attraction to Sandbourne, both children being
+extremely ignorant even for their tender years; and Katherine was
+greatly opposed to Colonel Ormonde's intention of sending Cecil away to
+a boarding-school. She wished him to have some preliminary training
+before he was plunged into the difficulties of a large boarding-school.
+To Colonel Ormonde her will was law, and if only she could get the house
+she wanted, all would go well.</p>
+
+<p>Of course Katherine lost no time in visiting her <i>protegee</i> Rachel. She
+had written to her during her absence to let her feel that she was not
+forgotten; and the replies were not only well written and expressed, but
+showed a degree of intelligence above the average.</p>
+
+<p>When Katherine entered the room where Rachel sat at work she was touched
+and delighted at the sudden brightening of Rachel's sunken eyes, the
+joyous flush that rose to her cheek.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh!" she exclaimed, "I did not expect you so soon. How good of you to
+come!" She placed a chair, and in reply to Katherine's friendly
+question, "How have you been going on?" Rachel gave an encouraging
+account of herself. Mrs. Needham had introduced her to two families,
+both of whom wished her to work in the house, which, though infinitely
+disagreeable to her, she did not like to refuse.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps," she added, "the counter-irritation was good for me, for I
+feel more braced up. And of all your many benefits, dear Miss Liddell,
+nothing has done me so much good as the books you sent me, except the
+sight of yourself. Do not think I am exaggerating, but I am a mere
+machine, resigned to work because I must not die, save when I see you
+and speak to you; then I feel I can live&mdash;that I have something to live
+for, to show I am not unworthy of your trust<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span> in me. Perhaps time will
+heal even such wounds as mine. Is it not terrible to try and live
+without hope?"</p>
+
+<p>"But you must hope, Rachel. You are not alone. I feel truly, deeply
+interested in you; believe me, I will always be your friend. You are
+looking better, but I want to see your eyes less hollow and your mouth
+less sad. We are both young, and life has many lights and shades for us
+both, so far as we can anticipate."</p>
+
+<p>A long and confidential conversation ensued, in the course of which
+Katherine quite forgot there was any difference of position between
+herself and the humble dressmaker whom her bounty of purse and heart had
+restored.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVIII" id="CHAPTER_XVIII"></a>CHAPTER XVIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>"MRS. NEEDHAM."</h3>
+
+
+<p>When Katherine returned that afternoon she found Miss Payne was not
+alone. On the sofa opposite to her sat a lady&mdash;a large, well-dressed
+lady&mdash;with bright black eager eyes, and a high color. She held open on
+her lap a neat black leather bag, from which she had taken some papers,
+and was speaking quickly, in loud dictatorial tones, when Katherine came
+in.</p>
+
+<p>"Here is Miss Liddell," said Miss Payne.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! I am very glad," cried the large lady, starting up and letting the
+bag fall, much of its contents scattering right and left.</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Needham, Miss Liddell," said Miss Payne, with the sort of rigid
+accent which Katherine knew expressed disapprobation.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you&mdash;don't trouble!" exclaimed Mrs. Needham, as Katherine
+politely bent down to collect the letters, note-book, memorandum, etc.
+"So sorry! I am too careless in small matters. Now, my dear Miss
+Liddell, I must explain myself. Mr. Payne and I are deeply interested in
+the success of a bazar which I am trying to organize, and he suggested
+that I should see you and make our objects thoroughly clear."</p>
+
+<p>With much fluency and distinctness she proceeded to describe the origin
+and progress of the work she advocated, showing the necessity for a new
+wing to the "Children's Refuge," and entreating Katherine's assistance
+at the bazar.</p>
+
+<p>This Katherine gently but firmly declined. "I shall be most happy to
+send you a check, but more I cannot undertake," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, that is very good of you; and in any case I am very pleased to
+have made your acquaintance. Mr. Payne has told me how ready you are to
+help in all charitable undertakings. Now in an ordinary way I don't do
+much in this line; my energies have been directed to another channel. I
+am not what is generally called a religious woman; I am too broad in my
+views to please the orthodox; but, at the same time, religion is in our
+present stage essential."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am sure religion is much obliged to you," observed Miss Payne. "How
+do you and my brother get on?"</p>
+
+<p>"Remarkably well. <i>I</i> think him rather a fanatic; he thinks me a pagan.
+But we both have common-sense enough to see that each honestly wishes to
+help suffering humanity, and on that broad platform we meet. Mr. Payne
+tells me you don't know much of London, Miss Liddell. I can help you to
+see some of its more interesting sides. I shall be most happy, though I
+am a very busy woman. I am a journalist, and my time is not my own."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed?" cried Katherine. "You mean you write for newspapers?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; that is, I get what crumbs fall from the press<i>men's</i> table. They
+get the best work and the best pay; but I can work as well as most of
+them, and sometimes mine goes in in place of what some idle,
+pleasure-loving scamp has neglected. Let me see"&mdash;pulling out her
+watch&mdash;"five minutes to four. I must not stay. I have to look in at Mrs.
+Rayner's studio; she has a reception, and will want a mention of it.
+Then there are Sir Charles Goodman's training schools for deaf-mutes and
+the new Art Photography Company's rooms to run through before I go to
+the House of Commons to do my 'Bird's-eye View' letter for the
+Australian mail to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"My dear Mrs. Needham, you take my breath away!" exclaimed Katherine. "I
+am sure you could show me more of London&mdash;I mean what I should like to
+see&mdash;than any one else."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well. Let me know when you come back to town, and you shall hear a
+debate if you like. I am not a society woman, but I have the <i>entree</i> to
+most places. Now good-morning&mdash;good-morning. You see your agreeable
+conversation has made me forget the time." And shaking hands cordially,
+she hastened away.</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Our</i> agreeable conversation," repeated Miss Payne, with a somewhat
+cynical accent. "I wonder how many words you and I uttered! Why she
+makes me stupid. Really Gilbert ought not to inflict such a tornado on
+us."</p>
+
+<p>"I like her," said Katherine; "there is something kind and true about
+her. I should like to see some of the places she goes to and the work
+she does. She seems happy enough, too. I must not forget to write to her
+and send that check I promised."</p>
+
+<p>"Hem! If you give right and left you'll not have much left for
+yourself," growled Miss Payne. Katherine laughed.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, by-the-way," resumed her chaperon, "I forgot to tell you that
+Colonel Ormonde arrived, shortly after you went out, with a large basket
+of flowers. He was vexed at missing you. He came up about some business,
+and wanted to take you to see some one. However, he could not come back.
+I can't say that I think he is well mannered. He was quite rough and
+brusque, and asked with such an ill-bred sneer if you were off on any
+private business with my brother."</p>
+
+<p>"I can't help thinking that he was annoyed because I appointed Mr. Payne
+co-trustee with Mr. Newton to my deed of gift," said Katherine,
+thoughtfully. "But I know I could not have chosen a better man."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I believe so," returned his sister, graciously. "He is coming to
+dinner, so you can give him your check."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>It was a great day for Cis and Charlie when they arrived in London to
+stay with "auntie," who was at the station to receive and convey them to
+Wilton Street.</p>
+
+<p>Charlie still looked pale and thin enough to warrant a general treatment
+of cuddling and coddling calculated to satisfy any affectionate young
+woman's heart. They were to sleep at Miss Payne's residence, in order to
+be rested and fresh for their journey to the sea-side next day.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Payne herself was unusually amiable, for she had let her house
+satisfactorily for the greater part of the season, and this as Katherine
+paid for the Sandbourne villa, was clear gain.</p>
+
+<p>When the boys and their auntie drove up to Miss Payne's abode she was a
+good deal annoyed to find De Burgh at the door in the act of leaving a
+card. He hastened to hand her out of the carriage, exclaiming:</p>
+
+<p>"This is the first bit of luck I have had for weeks. You always manage
+to be out when I call. Come along, my boys. What lucky little fellows
+you are to come to town for the season!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, but we are not going to stay in town. We are going to the sea-side
+to bathe, and to sail in boats, and&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Run in, Charlie, like a good boy," interrupted Katherine. "Your tea
+will be quite ready."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you will think me horribly intrusive if I ask you to let me
+come in?" said De Burgh. There was something unusually earnest in his
+tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, not at all," returned Katherine, politely, though she would have
+much preferred bidding him good-morning. "Here, Sarah, pray take the
+boys to their room and get their things off. I am sure they want their
+tea."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Payne's sedate elderly house-maid looked quite elated as she took
+Charlie's hand and, preceded by Cecil, led him upstairs.</p>
+
+<p>"Are you really 'out' when I come?" asked De Burgh when they reached the
+drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine took off her hat and pushed her hair off her brow as she
+seated herself in a low chair.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I think so. I do not usually deny myself to any visitor." She
+looked up, half amused, half interested, by the almost imploring
+expression of his usually hard face.</p>
+
+<p>"I rather suspect I am not a favored guest?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you say that, Mr. De Burgh? am I uncivil?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. What a fool I am making of myself! Tell me, are you really going
+away to-morrow to bury yourself alive?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am <i>really</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"After all, I believe you are right. <i>I</i> am always bored in London.
+Women think it a paradise."</p>
+
+<p>"I like London so well that I shall probably make it my headquarters."</p>
+
+<p>"It's rather premature for you to make plans, isn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Whether it is or not, I have arranged my future much to my own
+satisfaction."</p>
+
+<p>"The deuce you have! What, at nineteen?"</p>
+
+<p>"Is that an attempt to find out my age?" asked Katherine, laughing.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"No! for I fancy I know it. How far is this place you are going to from
+town, and how do you get to it?"</p>
+
+<p>"The journey takes about three hours and a half, and you travel by the
+Southwestern line."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I intend to have the pleasure of running down to see you
+presently, if you will permit me."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, of course, we shall be very happy to see you."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so," said De Burgh, with a smile. "I don't think you are very
+encouraging. If there are any decent roads about this place, shall we
+resume the driving lessons?"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you"&mdash;evasively. "I think of buying a donkey and
+chaise&mdash;certainly a pony for the boys."</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh laughed. "I suppose there is some boating to be had there. I
+shall certainly have a look at the place, even if I be not admitted to
+the shrine." There was a pause, during which De Burgh seemed in profound
+but not agreeable thought; then he suddenly exclaimed: "By-the-way, have
+you heard the news? Old Errington died, rather sudden at last, some time
+last night."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" cried Katherine, roused to immediate attention. "I am very
+sorry to hear it. The marriage will then be put off. You know they were
+going to have it nearly a month sooner than was at first intended,
+because Mr. Errington feared the end was near. He was with his father, I
+hope?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I believe he hardly left him for the last few days. Now the
+wedding cannot take place for a considerable time."</p>
+
+<p>"It will be a great disappointment," observed Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"To which of the happy pair?"</p>
+
+<p>"To both, I suppose," she returned.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think they cared a rap about each other?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I do indeed. Every one has a different way of showing their
+feelings, and Mr. Errington is <i>quite</i> different from <i>you</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"Different&mdash;and immensely superior, eh?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did not say so, Mr. De Burgh."</p>
+
+<p>"No, certainly you did not, and I have no right to guess at what you
+think. You are right. I am very different from Errington; and <i>you</i> are
+very different from Lady Alice. I fancy, were you in her place, even the
+irreproachable bridegroom-elect would find he had a little more of our
+common humanity about him than he suspects," said De Burgh, his dark
+eyes seeking hers with a bold admiring glance.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine's cheek glowed, her heart beat fast with sudden distress and
+anger. De Burgh's suggestion stirred some strange and painful emotion.</p>
+
+<p>"You are in a remarkably imaginative mood, Mr. De Burgh," she said,
+haughtily. "I cannot see any connection between myself and your ideas."</p>
+
+<p>"Can't you? Well, my ideas gather round you very often."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish he would go away; he is too audacious," thought Katherine. While
+she said, "I think Mr. Errington will be sorry for his father; I believe
+he has good feeling, though he is so cold and quiet."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, he has every virtue under the sun! At any rate he ought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span> to be fond
+of him, for I fancy the old man has toiled all his life to be able to
+leave his son a big fortune."</p>
+
+<p>"Has he no brothers or sisters?"</p>
+
+<p>"Two sisters, I believe, older than himself; both married."</p>
+
+<p>There was another pause. Katherine would not break it. She felt
+peculiarly irritated against De Burgh. His observations had greatly
+disturbed her. She could not, however, tell him to go, and he stood
+there looking perfectly at ease. This awkward silence was broken by the
+welcome appearance of Cecil, who burst into the room, exclaiming:
+"Auntie, tea is quite ready! There is beautiful chicken pie and buttered
+cakes, and <i>such</i> a beautiful cat!"</p>
+
+<p>"What! for tea, Cis?" said Katherine, letting him catch her hand and try
+to drag her away.</p>
+
+<p>"No&mdash;o. Why, what a silly you are! Puss is asleep in an arm-chair. Do
+come, auntie. The lady said I was tell you that tea was <i>quite</i> ready."</p>
+
+<p>"Which means that the audience is over," said De Burgh; "and I rather
+think you are not sorry." He smiled&mdash;not a pleasant smile. "Well, young
+man, did you never see me before?"&mdash;to Cecil, who was staring at him in
+the deliberate, persistent way in which children gaze at objects which
+fascinate yet partly frighten them.</p>
+
+<p>"I was thinking you were like&mdash;" The little fellow paused.</p>
+
+<p>"Like whom?"</p>
+
+<p>Cis tightened his hold on his auntie's hand, and still hesitated.</p>
+
+<p>"Whom is Mr. De Burgh like?" asked Katherine, amused by the boy's
+earnestness.</p>
+
+<p>"Like the wicked uncle in the 'Babes in the Wood.' Auntie gave it to me.
+Such a beautiful picture book!"</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh laughed heartily and good-humoredly. "I can tell you, my boy,
+you would not find me a bad sort of uncle if it were ever my good
+fortune to call you nephew."</p>
+
+<p>"But I have no uncle&mdash;only auntie," returned Cis.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, a very pearl of an auntie. Try and be a good boy. Above all, do
+what you are bid. I never did what I was bid, and you see what I have
+come to."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think there is much the matter with you," said Cis, eying him
+steadily. Then, with a sudden change in the current of his thoughts, he
+cried, "Do come, auntie; the cakes will be quite cold."</p>
+
+<p>"I will keep you no longer from the banquet," said De Burgh. "I know you
+are wishing me at&mdash;well, my probable destination; so good-by for the
+present." Then, to Cecil: "Shall I come and see you at&mdash;what is the name
+of the place?&mdash;Sandbourne, and take you out for a sail in a boat&mdash;a big
+boat?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, please."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you come with me, though I <i>am</i> like the wicked uncle?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, if auntie may come too."</p>
+
+<p>"If she begs very hard she may. Well, good-morning, Miss Liddell. I'll
+not forget Sandbourne, <i>via</i> Southwestern Railway." So saying, De Burgh
+shook hands and departed.</p>
+
+<p>The next day Miss Payne escorted her suddenly increased party to their
+marine retreat, returning the following afternoon to attend to the
+details of letting her house, for which she had had a good offer.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Then came a breathing space of welcome repose to Katherine. The
+interest&mdash;nay, the trouble&mdash;of the children drew her out of herself, and
+dwarfed the past with the more urgent demands of the present. Cliff
+Cottage was a pretty, pleasant abode. The living rooms, which were of a
+good size, two of them opening with bay-windows on the pleasure-ground
+which surrounded the house on three sides, were, with the bedrooms over
+them, additions to a very small abode.</p>
+
+<p>These Katherine succeeded in making pretty and comfortable. To wake in
+the morning and hear the pleasant murmur of the waves; to open her
+window to the soft sweet briny air, and look out on the waters
+glittering in the early golden light; to listen to the laughter and
+shrill cries of Cis and Charlie chasing each other in the garden, and
+feel that they were her charge&mdash;all this contributed to restore her to a
+healthy state of mind, to strengthen and to cheer her.</p>
+
+<p>Cecil, to his dismay at first, was dispatched every morning to school,
+where he soon made friends and began to feel at home. Charlie Katherine
+taught herself, as he was still delicate. Then a pony was added to the
+establishment, and old Francois, ex-courier and factotum, used to take
+the young gentlemen for long excursions each riding turn about on the
+quiet, sensible little Shetland.</p>
+
+<p>The pale cheeks which helped to make Charlie so dear to his aunt began
+to show something of a healthy color before the end of May, and
+Katherine sometimes laughed to find herself boasting of Cecil's parts
+and progress to Miss Payne. But the metamorphosis wrought by the young
+magicians in this important personage was the most remarkable of the
+effects they produced. Had Miss Liddell been less pleasant and
+profitable, it is doubtful if Miss Payne would have consented to allow
+children&mdash;boys&mdash;to desecrate the precincts of her spotless dwelling;
+they were in her estimation extremely objectionable. Katherine was,
+however, a prime favorite; she had touched Miss Payne as none of her
+former inmates ever did.</p>
+
+<p>Years of battling with the world had coated her heart with a tolerably
+hard husk; but there was a heart beneath the stony sheath, and by some
+occult sympathy Katherine had pierced to the hidden fount of feeling,
+and her chaperon found there was more flavor and warmth in life than she
+once thought.</p>
+
+<p>When, therefore, she had completed her business in London and was
+settled at Cliff Cottage, she was surprised to find that the boys did
+<i>not</i> worry her; nay, when they came racing to meet her in wild delight
+to show a tangled dripping mass of shells and sea-weed which they had
+collected in their wading, scrambling wanderings on the shore and among
+the rocks, she found herself unbending, almost involuntarily, and
+examining their treasures with unfeigned interest. Then Cecil's very
+fluent descriptions of his experiences at school, his escapades, his
+torn garments, the occasional quarrels between the two boys, their
+appropriation of Francois, and their breakages&mdash;all seemed to grow
+natural and pardonable when the young culprits ran to take her by the
+hand, and looked in her face with their innocent, trusting eyes. On the
+whole, Miss Payne had never been so happy before, and Katherine forgot
+the shifting sands on which she was uprearing the graceful fabric of her
+tranquil life.</p>
+
+<p>Sometimes they lured Bertie to spend a couple of days with them<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span>&mdash;days
+which were always marked with a white stone. What arguments and rambles
+Katherine enjoyed with him, and what goodly checks she drew to further
+his numerous undertakings!</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh did not fail to carry out his threat of inspecting Sandbourne.
+He found a valid excuse in a commission from Colonel Ormonde to advise
+Miss Liddell respecting a pair of ponies she had asked him to buy for
+her.</p>
+
+<p>His visit was not altogether displeasing. No woman is quite indifferent
+to a man who admires her in the hearty, wholesale way which De Burgh did
+not try to conceal. Katherine was much too feminine not to like the
+incense of his devotion, especially when he kept it within certain
+limits. She did not credit him with any deep feeling; but in spite of
+her strong conviction that he was attracted by her money, she recognized
+a certain sincerity in his liking for herself. She enjoyed the idea of
+humbling his immense assurance, believing that any pain she might
+inflict would be short-lived, while he was amazed to find how swiftly
+the hours flew past when he allowed himself to spend a couple of days at
+Sandbourne&mdash;surprised to feel so little of the contemptuous bitterness
+with which he generally regarded his fellow-creatures, and sometimes
+wondered if it were possible that something more simple than even his
+boyish self had come back to him.</p>
+
+<p>Still, Bertie Payne was a more welcome guest than De Burgh, in spite of
+his unspoken but evident devotion. With Bertie she could speak openly of
+matters on which she would not touch when with the other. To Bertie she
+could talk of the mysteries of life, and argue on questions of belief.
+She was touched by the eagerness he showed to convert her to his own
+extremely evangelical views, and though differing from him on many
+points, she deeply respected the sincerity of his convictions.</p>
+
+<p>The degree of favor shown by her to "that psalm-singing Puritan," as De
+Burgh termed him, was gall and wormwood to the latter, and indeed so
+irritated his spirit that he was driven to speak of the annoyance it
+caused him to Mrs. Ormonde, of whose discretion and judgment he had but
+a poor opinion.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime no one heard or saw anything of Errington, who was supposed to
+be deep in the settlement of his father's affairs, and winding up the
+estate, as the well-known house of Errington ceased to exist when the
+head and founder was no more. Lady Alice had gone to stay with her
+brother and sister-in-law, who lived abroad, as it was impossible for
+her to enter into the gayeties of the season under existing
+circumstances, and the marriage was postponed until the end of July.</p>
+
+<p>In short, a lull had stilled the actors in this little drama. The stream
+of events had entered one of the quiet pools which here and there hold
+the most rapid current tranquil for a time.</p>
+
+<p>With Mrs. Ormonde all went well. She had the newest and most charming
+gowns and bonnets, mantles and hats. She found herself very well
+received by society, and quite a favorite with Lady Mary Vincent, who
+was a very popular person. So much occupied was the pretty little woman
+that May was nearly over before she could find time to accept her
+sister-in-law's repeated invitation to Cliff Cottage.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am going down to Sandbourne on Friday," she said to De Burgh one
+evening as she was waiting for her carriage after a musical party at
+Lady Mary Vincent's.</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed! I thought you were going last Monday."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I could not go on Monday. But if I don't go on Friday I do not
+think I shall manage my visit at all. Tell me, what does Katherine find
+to keep her down there? Is it Bertie Payne?"</p>
+
+<p>"How can I tell? She seems contented enough. For that matter, she might
+find my society equally attractive. Payne does not go down as often as I
+do."</p>
+
+<p>"No?&mdash;but then Katherine has a leaning to sanctity, and you are no
+saint."</p>
+
+<p>"True. By-the-way, talking of saints, there is a report that old
+Errington's affairs were not left in as flourishing a condition as was
+expected."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, nonsense! It is some mere ill-natured gossip."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so. I think I will come down on Saturday and escort you back to
+town."</p>
+
+<p>"Pray do; it will enliven us a little." A shout of "Mrs. Ormonde's
+carriage!" cut short the conversation, and Mrs. Ormonde did not see De
+Burgh again until they met at Cliff Cottage.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Ormonde's visit, long anticipated, did not prove an unmixed
+pleasure. She objected to what she considered the terribly long drive of
+some five miles from the railway station to Katherine's secluded
+residence; she turned up her pretty little nose at the smallness of the
+cottage and its general homeliness; she evinced an unfriendly spirit
+toward Miss Payne, who was perfectly unmoved thereby; and when the boys,
+well washed and spruced up, approached her, not too eagerly, she
+scarcely noticed them. This, of course, reacted on the little fellows,
+who showed a decided inclination to avoid her.</p>
+
+<p>She was tired after a warm journey and previous late hours, and
+dreadfully afraid that sea air and sun together would have a ruinous
+effect on her complexion. When, however, she had had tea and made a
+fresh toilette, she took a less gloomy view of life at Sandbourne, and
+having recovered her temper, she remembered it would be wiser not to
+chafe her sister-in-law.</p>
+
+<p>"To be sure," thought the astute little woman, "the boys' settlement is
+out of her power to revoke; but it would be rather good if she came to
+live with us, instead of filling the pockets of this prim, presumptuous,
+self-satisfied old maid. I am sure she is awfully selfish, and I do hate
+selfishness."</p>
+
+<p>So reflecting, she descended serene and smiling. Half an hour after, she
+had so completely recovered herself as to declare she had never seen the
+boys look so well, that they were quite grown, etc., etc.</p>
+
+<p>After dinner Cecil displayed his exercise and copy books, and received a
+due meed of praise, not unmixed with a little sarcastic remark or two
+respecting the wonderful effect of his aunt's influence, which did not
+escape the notice of her son, who felt, though he did not understand
+why, that she was not quite so well pleased as she affected to be.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And don't you feel dreadfully dull here?" asked Mrs. Ormonde, as the
+sisters-in-law strolled along the beach under the shelter of the east
+cliff, which hid them from the bright morning sunlight.</p>
+
+<p>"No, not as yet. I should not like to live here always; but at present I
+like the place. You must confess it is very pretty."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, just now, when the weather is fine. When you have rain and a gale,
+it must be fearfully dreary."</p>
+
+<p>"We have had some rough days, but the bay has a beauty of its own even
+in a storm, and we shall not be here in the winter."</p>
+
+<p>"De Burgh runs down to see you pretty often?" asked Mrs. Ormonde, after
+a short pause. The old regimental habit of calling men by their surnames
+still returned when she was off guard.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," replied Katherine, calmly; "he seems to enjoy a day by the
+sea-side."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Ormonde laughed&mdash;a hard laugh. "I dare say <i>you</i> enjoy it too."</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. De Burgh is not particularly sympathetic to me, but I like him
+better than I did."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I dare say he makes himself very pleasant to you, and I never knew
+him show attention to an unmarried woman before, nor to many married
+women either. Of course it would be absurd to suppose that if you had
+not a good fortune you would see quite so much of him."</p>
+
+<p>"Naturally," returned Katherine. "I fancy my money would be of great use
+to him; so it would to most men. That does not affect me. If it is an
+incentive to make them agreeable and useful, why, so be it."</p>
+
+<p>"I did not expect to hear <i>you</i> talk like that. Now I hate and despise
+mercenary men."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you see, the man or the woman <i>must</i> have money or there can be
+no marriage."</p>
+
+<p>"How worldly you have grown, Kate!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, in a superior
+tone. She did not perceive anything but sober seriousness in her
+sister-in-law's tone, and was infinitely annoyed at her taking the
+insinuations against De Burgh's disinterestedness with such
+indifference. "I suppose you think it would be a very fine thing to be
+Baroness De Burgh, and go to court with all the family jewels on."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall certainly not go as Katherine Liddell."</p>
+
+<p>"Pray, why not? Ah, yes; it would all be very fine! But I am too deeply
+interested in you, dear, not to warn you that De Burgh would make a very
+bad husband; he has such a horrid, sneering way sometimes; and as to
+being faithful&mdash;constancy is a thing unknown to him."</p>
+
+<p>"What would Colonel Ormonde say if he knew you gave his favorite kinsman
+so bad a character?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, my dear Katherine, you must not betray me! Duke would be furious.
+But of course your happiness is my first consideration."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," returned Katherine, gravely.</p>
+
+<p>"And Mr. Payne, how does he like Mr. De Burgh's visits here?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think he minds"&mdash;seriously. "I should be sorry if he were
+annoyed. I am very fond of Bertie Payne."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>This declaration somewhat bewildered Mrs. Ormonde. But before she could
+find suitable words to reply, Charlie came running to meet them, jumping
+up to kiss his aunt first, and cried; "Mr. De Burgh has come. I saw him
+driving up to the hotel outside the omlibus."</p>
+
+<p>"The omnibus!" repeated Mrs. Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>"He would find no other conveyance from the train unless he ordered one
+previously," said Katherine, laughing.</p>
+
+<p>"Dear me! I suppose he will be here directly. How early he must have
+started!" in a tone of annoyance. "I feel so hot and uncomfortable after
+this dreadfully long walk, I <i>must</i> change my dress before I see any
+one." And she hastened on.</p>
+
+<p>After holding his aunt's hand for a while, Charlie darted away to
+overtake Francois, whom he perceived at a little distance.</p>
+
+<p>"I declare, Katherine, you are quite supplanting me with those boys!"
+exclaimed their mother, querulously.</p>
+
+<p>"Ada, I would not for the world wean them from you, if&mdash;I
+mean"&mdash;stopping the words which rushed to her lips. "I should be sorry.
+But you have new ties&mdash;another boy. Could you not spare Cis and Charlie
+to me&mdash;for I have no one?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure that is your own fault. However, if after three or four
+months' experience you are not tired of them, I shall be very much
+surprised."</p>
+
+<p>On reaching the house, Mrs. Ormonde went straight to her own apartment
+to "refit," and Katherine sat down in the smaller drawing or morning
+room, which looked west and was cool. She had not been there many
+minutes before De Burgh was announced.</p>
+
+<p>"Alone!" he exclaimed. "Where is Mrs. Ormonde?"</p>
+
+<p>"She will be here immediately."</p>
+
+<p>"Has she persuaded you to return with her? I wish you would. Lady G&mdash;&mdash;
+gives a dinner at Richmond on Thursday; it will be rather amusing. I
+know most of the fellows who are going, and I think you would enjoy it.
+You like good talkers, I know."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you; I have refused."</p>
+
+<p>"Absolutely?"</p>
+
+<p>"Absolutely."</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh came over and leaned his shoulder against the side of the
+window opposite to where Katherine sat.</p>
+
+<p>"What are you thinking of, if I may ask, Miss Liddell?" he said. "You
+have scarcely heard what I said. They are not pleasant thoughts, I
+fancy."</p>
+
+<p>"No," she returned, glad to put them into words that she might exorcise
+them. "Ada has just reproached me with supplanting her with her boys,
+and it made me feel, as Americans say 'bad.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Why?" he asked. "Why should you not? I would lay long odds that you
+love them more than she does. You are more a real mother to them. Why
+are you always straining at gnats? You really lose a lot of time, which
+might be more agreeably occupied, worrying over the rights and wrongs of
+things. Follow my example: go straight ahead for whatever you desire,
+provided it's not robbery, and let things balance themselves."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Has that system made you supremely happy?"</p>
+
+<p>"Happy! Oh, that is a big word. I have had some splendid spurts of
+enjoyment; and now I have an object to win. It will give me a lot of
+trouble; it's the heaviest stake I ever played for; but it will go hard
+with me if I don't succeed."</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh had been looking out at the stretch of water before him as he
+spoke, but at his last words his eyes sought Katherine's with a look she
+could not misunderstand. She shivered slightly, an odd passing sense of
+fear chilling her for a moment as she turned to lay her hat upon the
+table near, saying, in a cold, collected tone.</p>
+
+<p>"You must always remember that the firmest resolution cannot insure
+success."</p>
+
+<p>"It goes a long way toward it, however," he replied.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, there is Cis!" cried Katherine, glad to turn the conversation,
+"come back from school. Are you not earlier than usual, Cis?"&mdash;as the
+boy came bounding over the grass to the open window.</p>
+
+<p>"No, auntie; it is one o'clock."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, young man," said De Burgh, who was not sorry to be interrupted,
+as he felt he was treading dangerous ground, and with instinctive tact
+endeavored always to keep friends with Katherine's pets, "I have brought
+you a present, if auntie will allow you to keep it."</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?&mdash;a box of tools, real tools? I do so want a box of tools!
+But auntie is afraid I will cut myself."</p>
+
+<p>"No; it's a St. Bernard puppy that promises to turn out a fine dog."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you! thank you! that <i>is</i> nice. I don't think you are a bit
+like the wicked uncle now. May I go and fetch it now, this moment?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not till after dinner, dear."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, isn't it jolly! A real St. Bernard dog!"&mdash;capering about. "You
+<i>are</i> a nice man!"</p>
+
+<p>"What <i>are</i> you making such a noise for, Cis?" exclaimed his mother
+coming in, looking admirably well, fresh, becomingly dressed. "Go away,
+dear, and be made tidy for your dinner. Well, Mr. De Burgh, I never
+dreamed of your arriving so early. Did you get up in the middle of the
+night?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not exactly. The fact is, I must drive over to Revelstoke late this
+evening and catch the mail train. I have a command to dine with the
+Baron to-morrow, to talk over some business of importance, and dared not
+refuse, as you can imagine. The everlasting old tyrant has been quite
+amiable to me of late."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you'll not be here to escort me back to town, and I hate
+travelling alone!" cried Mrs. Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>"Unfortunately no," said De Burgh. "But I have a piece of news for you
+that will freeze the marrow in your bones: Errington is completely
+ruined."</p>
+
+<p>"Impossible!" cried both his hearers at once.</p>
+
+<p>"It's too true, I assure you. When, after the old man's death, he began
+to look into things with his solicitor, he was startled to find certain
+deficiencies. Then the head clerk, the manager, who had<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span> everything in
+his hands&mdash;bossed the show, in short&mdash;disappeared, and on further
+examination it proved that the whole concern was a mere shell, out of
+which this scoundrel had sucked the capital. There was an awful amount
+of debt to other houses, several of which would have come down, and
+ruined the unfortunates connected with them, if Errington had not come
+forward and sacrificed almost all he possessed to retrieve the credit of
+his name. He says he ought to have undertaken the risks as well as
+reaped the profit of the concern. Garston Hall is advertised for sale;
+so is the house in Berkley Square; his stud is brought to the
+hammer&mdash;everything is given up. What he'll do I haven't an idea. But I
+must say I think his sense of honor is a little overstrained."</p>
+
+<p>"And Lady Alice!" ejaculated Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"Of course Melford will soon settle that, if it is not settled already,
+for a good deal was done before the matter got wind. There hasn't been
+such a crash for a long time. In short, Errington is utterly, completely
+ruined."</p>
+
+<p>"I never heard of such a fool!" cried Mrs. Ormonde. "It was bad enough
+to be disappointed of the wealth old Errington was supposed to have left
+behind him, but to give up everything! Why, he is only fit for a lunatic
+asylum. What an awful disappointment for poor Lady Alice!"</p>
+
+<p>Katherine did not, could not speak. The rush of sorrow for the heavy
+blow which had fallen on the man she had robbed, the shame and
+self-reproach, which had been lulled asleep for a while, which now woke
+up with renewed power to torment and irritate&mdash;these were too much for
+her self-control, and while Mrs. Ormonde and De Burgh eagerly discussed
+the catastrophe, she kept silence and struggled to be composed.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIX" id="CHAPTER_XIX"></a>CHAPTER XIX.</h2>
+
+<h3>CONFESSION.</h3>
+
+
+<p>"Errington is completely ruined!" De Burgh's words repeated themselves
+over and over again in Katherine's ears through the darkness and silence
+of her sleepless night. What would become of him&mdash;that grave, stately
+man who had never known the touch of anything common or unclean? How
+would he live? And what an additional blow the rupture of his engagement
+with Lady Alice! He was certainly very fond of her. It was like him to
+give up all he possessed to save the honor of his name, but how would it
+be if he were penniless? Had <i>she</i> not robbed him, he might have enough
+to live comfortably after satisfying every one. As she thought, a
+resolution to restore what she had taken formed itself in her mind.
+Perhaps if he could show that he had still a solid capital, his
+engagement to Lady Alice need not be broken off. If she could restore
+him to competence, he would not refuse some provision for the poor dear
+boys. Were she secure on <i>this</i> point, she would be happier without the
+money than with it. But the humiliation of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span> confession&mdash;and to <i>such</i> a
+father confessor? How could she do it? Yet it must be done.</p>
+
+<p>"Good gracious, Katherine, you look like a ghost!" was Mrs. Ormonde's
+salutation when the little party met at breakfast next morning. "Pray
+have you seen one?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I have been surrounded by a whole gallery of ghosts all
+night&mdash;which means that a bad conscience would not let me sleep."</p>
+
+<p>"What nonsense! Why, you are a perfect saint, Kate, in some ways; but in
+others I must say you are foolish; yes, dear, I must say it&mdash;<i>very</i>
+foolish."</p>
+
+<p>"I dare say I am," returned Katherine; "but whether I am or not, I have
+an intense headache, so you must excuse me if I am very stupid."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure you want change, Katherine. Do come back with me to town.
+There is quite time enough to put up all you want before 11, and the
+train goes at 11.10. There is a little dance, 'small and early' at Lady
+Mary Vincent's this evening, and I know she would be delighted to see
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think hot rooms the best cure for a headache," observed Miss
+Payne; "and till yesterday Katherine had been looking remarkably well.
+She was out boating too long in the sun."</p>
+
+<p>"You are very good to trouble about me, Ada. My best cure is quiet. I
+will go and lie down as soon as I see you off, and I dare say shall be
+myself again in the evening. I may come up to town for a day or two
+before you return to Castleford, but I will let you know."</p>
+
+<p>Nothing more was said on the subject then, but when Katherine returned
+from the station after bidding her sister-in-law good-by, Miss Payne met
+her with a strong recommendation to take some "sal volatile and water,
+and to lie down at once."</p>
+
+<p>"I did not, of course, second Mrs. Ormonde's suggestions&mdash;the idea of
+your going for rest or health to <i>her</i> house!&mdash;but I am really vexed to
+see you look so ill. How do you feel?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very well disposed to follow your good advice. If I could get some
+sleep, I should be quite well." Katherine smiled pleasantly as she
+spoke. She was extremely thankful to secure an hour or two of silence
+and solitude.</p>
+
+<p>During the night her heart, her brain, were in such a tumult she could
+not think consecutively. Alone in her room, and grown calmer, she could
+plan her future proceedings and screw her courage to the desperate
+sticking-point of action such as her conscience dictated.</p>
+
+<p>She fastened her door and set her window wide open. After gazing for
+some time at the sea, golden and glittering in the noonday sun, and
+inhaling the soft breeze which came in laden with briny freshness, she
+lay down and closed her eyes. But though keeping profoundly still, no
+restful look of sleep stole over her set face; no, she was thinking
+hard, for how long she could not tell. When, however, she came
+downstairs to join Miss Payne at tea, the anxious, nervous, alarmed
+expression of her eyes had changed to one of gloomy composure.</p>
+
+<p>"Though I do not care to stay with Ada, I want to go to town to-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span>morrow
+for a little shopping, and to see Mr. Newton if I can. I will take the
+quick train at half-past eight and return in the evening. You might send
+to meet the nine o'clock express. Should anything occur to keep me, I
+will telegraph."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well"&mdash;Miss Payne's usual reply to Katherine's propositions. "But
+are you quite sure you feel equal to the journey?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, quite equal," returned Katherine, with a short deep sigh. "I
+believe it will do me good."</p>
+
+<p><br /></p>
+
+<p>That Errington had been stunned by the blow which had fallen so suddenly
+upon him cannot be disputed. His first and bitterest concern was dread
+lest the character of his father's house, which had always stood so
+high, lest the honor of his own name, should suffer the smallest
+tarnish. It was this that made him so eager to ascertain the full
+liabilities of the firm, so ready to sacrifice all he possessed so that
+no one save himself should be the loser. "If I accepted a handsome
+fortune from transactions over which I exercised no supervision, I must
+hold myself doubly responsible for the result," he argued, and at once
+set to work to turn all he possessed into money.</p>
+
+<p>In truth the prospect of poverty did not dismay him.</p>
+
+<p>His tastes were very simple. It was the loss of power and position,
+which wealth always bestows, which he would feel most, and the necessity
+of renouncing Lady Alice.</p>
+
+<p>This was imperative. Yet it surprised him to perceive how little he felt
+the prospect of parting with her on his own account. Indeed he was
+rather ashamed of his indifference. It was for Lady Alice he felt. It
+would be such a terrible disappointment&mdash;not that Errington had much
+personal vanity. He hoped and thought Lady Alice Mordaunt liked him in a
+calm and reasonable manner, which is the best guarantee for married
+happiness. But it was the loss of a tranquil home, a luxurious life, an
+escape from the genteel poverty of a deeply embarrassed earl's daughter
+to the ease and comfort of a rich man's wife, that he deplored for her.
+Poor helpless child! she would probably find a rich husband ere long who
+would give her all possible luxuries, for a noble's daughter of high
+degree is generally a marketable article. But he, Miles Errington, would
+have been kind and patient. Would that other possible fellow be kind and
+patient too? Knowing his own sex, Errington doubted it. He had a certain
+amount of the generosity which belongs to strength. To children, and the
+kind of pretty, undecided women who rank as children, he was wonderfully
+considerate. But it was quite possible that were he married to a
+sensible, companionable wife he might be exacting.</p>
+
+<p>At present it seemed highly improbable that he should ever reach a
+position which would enable him to commit matrimony. Thirty-four is
+rather an advanced age at which to begin life afresh.</p>
+
+<p>The prospect of bachelorhood, however, by no means dismayed him. Indeed
+it was more a sense of his social duties as a man of fortune and a
+future senator that had impelled him to seek a wife, not an irresistible
+desire for the companionship of a ministering spirit. He was truly
+thankful that his marriage had bean delayed,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span> and that he was not
+hampered by any sense of duty toward a wife in his design of sacrificing
+his all to save his credit.</p>
+
+<p>After the first few days of stunning surprise, Errington set vigorously
+to work to clear the wreck. Garston was advertised; his stud, his
+furniture&mdash;everything&mdash;put up for sale, and his own days divided between
+his solicitor and his stock-broker. His first step was to explain
+matters to his intended father-in-law, who, being an impulsive,
+self-indulgent man, swore a good deal about the ill-luck of all
+concerned, but at once declared the engagement must be at an end.</p>
+
+<p>As Lady Alice was still in Switzerland with her brother and his wife, it
+was considered wise to spare her the pain of an interview. Lord Melford
+explained matters to his daughter in an extremely outspoken letter,
+enclosing one from Errington, in which, with much good feeling, he bade
+her a kindly farewell. To this she replied promptly, and a week saw the
+extinction of the whole affair. Errington could not help smiling at this
+"rapid act." It was then about three weeks after the blow had fallen&mdash;a
+warm glowing June morning. Errington's man of business had just left
+him, and he had returned to his writing-table, which was strewn, or
+rather covered, with papers (nothing Errington ever handled was
+"strewn"), and continued his task of making out a list of his
+private liabilities, which were comparatively light, when his
+valet&mdash;not yet discharged, though already warned to look for another
+master&mdash;approached, with his usually impassive countenance, and
+presented a small note.</p>
+
+<p>Errington opened it, and to his inexpressible surprise read as follows:<br /><br /></p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 2em;" class="smcap">"To Mr. Errington</span>,&mdash;Allow me to speak to you alone.<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 22em;" class="smcap">Katherine Liddell</span>."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>"Who brought this?" asked Errington, suppressing all expression as well
+as he could.</p>
+
+<p>"A young person in black, sir&mdash;leastways I think she's young."</p>
+
+<p>"Show her in; and, Harris, I am engaged if any one calls."</p>
+
+<p>Errington went to the door to meet his most unexpected visitor. The next
+moment she stood before him. He bowed with much deference. She bent her
+head in silence, but did not offer to shake hands. She wore a black
+dress and a very simple black straw hat, round which a white gauze veil
+was tied, which effectually concealed her face.</p>
+
+<p>"Pray sit down," was all Errington could think of saying, so astonished
+was he at her sudden appearance.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine took a seat opposite to his. She unfastened and took off her
+veil, displaying a face from which her usual rich soft color had faded,
+sombre eyes, and tremulous lips. Looking full at him, she said, without
+greeting of any kind, "Do you think me mad <i>to</i> come here?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am a little surprised; but if I can be of any use&mdash;" Errington began
+calmly. She interrupted him.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope to be of use to <i>you</i>. No one except myself can explain how or
+why; that is the reason I have intruded upon you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You do not intrude, Miss Liddell. I am quite at your service; only I
+hope you are not distressing yourself on my account."</p>
+
+<p>"On yours and my own." Her eyes sank, and her hands played nervously
+with the handle of a small dainty leather bag she carried, as she
+paused. Then, looking up steadily, and speaking in a monotonous tone, as
+if she were repeating a lesson, with parched lips she went on: "I did
+you a great wrong some years ago. I was sorry, but I had not the courage
+to atone until I learned (only yesterday) that you had lost, or rather
+given up, your fortune, and that your engagement might be broken off. (I
+<i>must</i> speak of these things. You will forgive me before I come to an
+end.) Then I felt something stronger than myself that forced me to tell
+you all." Her heart beat so hard that her voice could not be steadied.
+She stopped to breathe.</p>
+
+<p>"I fear you are exciting yourself needlessly," said Errington, quite
+bewildered, and almost fearing that his visitor's brain was affected.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, listen!&mdash;do listen! My uncle, John Liddell, your father's old
+friend, left all his money to you. I hid the will, and succeeded as next
+of kin. The property amounts to something more than eighty thousand
+pounds, and I have not spent half the income, so there are some savings
+besides. Can you not live comfortably on that, and marry Lady Alice?"</p>
+
+<p>Errington gazed at her for a moment speechless. A sigh of relief broke
+from Katherine. The color rose to her cheeks, her throat, her small
+white ears, and then slowly faded.</p>
+
+<p>"I can hardly understand you, Miss Liddell. I fear you are under the
+effect of some nervous hallucination."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not. I can prove I am not." She drew forth the packet inscribed
+"MS. to be destroyed," and laid it before him. "There is the will. Thank
+God I never could bring myself to destroy it. Here, pray read it." She
+opened the document and handed it to him.</p>
+
+<p>There were a few moments' dead silence while Errington hastily skimmed
+the will. "<i>I</i> am most reluctantly obliged to believe you," he said at
+length. "But what an extraordinary circumstance! How"&mdash;looking earnestly
+at her&mdash;"how did it ever occur to you to&mdash;to&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"To commit a felony?" put in Katherine, as he paused.</p>
+
+<p>"No; I was not going to use such a word," he said, gravely, but not
+unkindly.</p>
+
+<p>"If you have time to listen I will tell you everything. Now that I have
+told the ugly secret that has made a discord in my life, I can speak
+more easily." But her sweet mouth still quivered.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, tell me all," said Errington, more eagerly than perhaps he had
+ever spoken before.</p>
+
+<p>In a low but more composed voice Katherine gave a rapid account of the
+circumstances which led to her residence with her uncle: of her intense
+desire to help the dear mother whose burden was almost more than she
+could bear; then of the change which came to the old miser&mdash;his
+increasing interest in herself, and finally of his expressed intention
+to change his will&mdash;as she hoped, in her favor; of her leav<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span>ing it, by
+his direction, in the writing-table drawer; of his terribly sudden
+death.</p>
+
+<p>Then came the great temptation. "When Mr. Newton said that if the will
+existed it would be in the bureau, but that as he had been on the point
+of making another, so he (Mr. Newton) hoped he had destroyed the last,"
+continued Katherine, "a thought darted through my brain. Why should it
+be found? <i>He</i> no longer wished its provisions to be carried out. I
+should not, in destroying or suppressing it, defeat the wishes of the
+dead. I determined, if Mr. Newton asked me a direct question, I would
+tell him the truth; if not, I would simply be silent. In short, I
+mentally <i>tossed</i> for the guidance of my conduct. Silence won. Mr.
+Newton asked nothing; he was too glad that everything was mine. He has
+been very, very good to me. I imagined that half my uncle's money would
+go to my brother's children, but it did not; so when I came of age I
+settled a third upon them. Of course the deed of gift is now but so much
+waste paper, and for them I would earnestly implore you to spare a
+little yearly allowance for education, to prepare them to earn their own
+bread. I feel sure you will do this, and I do deeply dread their being
+thrown on Colonel Ormonde's charity; their lot would be very miserable.
+My poor little boys!" Her voice broke, and she stopped abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>Errington's eyes dwelt upon her, almost sternly, with the deepest
+attention, while she spoke. Nor did he break silence at once; he leaned
+back in his chair, resting one closed hand on the table before him. At
+last he exclaimed: "I wish you had not told me this! I could not have
+imagined you capable of such an act."</p>
+
+<p>"And more," said Katherine; "although I wish to make what reparation I
+can, had that act to be done again&mdash;even with the anticipation of this
+bitter hour&mdash;I'd do it."</p>
+
+<p>She looked straight into Errington's eyes, her own aflame with sudden
+passion. He was silent, his brow slightly knit, a puzzled expression in
+his face. The natural motion of his mind was to condemn severely such a
+lawless sentiment, yet he could not resist thinking of those brilliant
+speaking eyes, nor help the conviction that he had never met a real live
+woman before. It was like a scene on the stage; for demonstrative
+emotion always appeared theatrical to him, only it was terribly earnest
+this time.</p>
+
+<p>"You would not say so were you calmer," said Errington, in a curious
+hesitating manner. "Why&mdash;why did you not come and tell me your need for
+your uncle's money? Do you think I am so avaricious as to retain the
+fortune, or all the fortune, that ought to have been yours, when I had
+enough of my own?"</p>
+
+<p>"How could I tell?" she cried. "If I knew you then as I do now I
+<i>should</i> have asked you, and saved my soul alive; but what did the name
+of Errington convey to me? Only the idea of a greedy enemy! Are men so
+ready to cast the wealth they can claim into the lap of another? When
+you spoke to me that day at Castleford I thought I should have dropped
+at your feet with the overpowering sense of shame. But withal, when I
+remember my disappointment, my utter inability to help my dear
+overtasked mother, round whom the net of difficulty, of debt, of
+fruitless work, was drawing closer and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span> closer, I again feel the
+irresistible force of the temptation. You, who are wise and strong and
+just, might have resisted; but"&mdash;with a slight graceful gesture of
+humility&mdash;"you see what I am."</p>
+
+<p>"If you had stopped to think!" Errington was beginning with unusual
+severity, for he was irritated by the confusion in his own mind, which
+was so different from his ordinary unhesitating decision between right
+and wrong.</p>
+
+<p>"But when you love any one very much&mdash;so entirely that you know every
+change of the dear face, the meaning even of the drooping hand or the
+bend of the weary head; when you know that a true brave heart is
+breaking under a load of care&mdash;care for you, for your future, when it
+will no longer be near to watch over and uphold you&mdash;and that no thought
+or tenderness or personal exertion can lift that load, only the magic of
+gold, why, you would do almost anything to get it. Would you not if you
+loved like <i>this</i>?" concluded Katherine. She had spoken rapidly and with
+fire.</p>
+
+<p>"But I never have," returned Errington, startled.</p>
+
+<p>"Then," said she, with some deliberation, "wisdom for you is from one
+entrance quite shut out." She pressed her handkerchief to her eyes, and
+was very still during a pause, which Errington hesitated to break.</p>
+
+<p>"It is no doubt lost breath to excuse myself to a man of your character,
+only do believe I was not meanly greedy! Now I have told you everything,
+I readily resign into your hands what I ought never to have taken.
+And&mdash;and you will spare my nephews wherewithal to educate them? Do what
+I can, this is beyond my powers, but I trust to your generosity not to
+let them be a burden on Colonel Ormonde. I leave the will with you." She
+made a movement as if to put on her veil.</p>
+
+<p>"Listen to me, Miss Liddell," said Errington, speaking very earnestly
+and with an effort. "You are in a state of exaltation, of mental
+excitement. The consciousness of the terrible mistake into which you
+were tempted has thrown your judgment off its balance. I do not for an
+instant doubt the sincerity of your proposition, but a little reflection
+will show you I could not entertain it."</p>
+
+<p>"Why not? I am quite willing to bear the blame, the shame, I deserve,
+rather than see you parted from the woman who was so nearly your wife,
+who would no doubt suffer keenly, and who&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Pray hear me," interrupted Errington. "To part with Lady Alice is a
+great aggravation of my present troubles; but considering the kind of
+life to which we were both accustomed, and which she had a right to
+expect, I am sincerely thankful she was preserved from sharing my lot.
+Alone I can battle with life; distracted by knowing I had dragged <i>her</i>
+down, I should be paralyzed. I shall always remember with grateful
+regard the lady who honored me by promising to be my wife, but I shall
+be glad to know that she is in a safe position under the care of a
+worthier man than myself. <i>That</i> matter is at rest forever. Now as to
+using the information you have placed in my power, you ask what is
+impossible. First, it is evident that the late Mr. Liddell fully
+intended to alter his will in your favor. It would have been most unjust
+to have bestowed his fortune to me. I am extremely glad it is yours."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"But," again interrupted Katherine, "why should you not share it at
+least? Why should you be penniless while I am rich with what is not
+mine?"</p>
+
+<p>"I shall not be absolutely penniless," said Errington, smiling gravely.
+"Even if I were," he continued, with unusual animation, "do you think me
+capable of rebuilding my fortune on your disgrace? or of inventing some
+elaborate lie to account for the possession of that unlucky will? No
+amount of riches could repay me for either. I dare say the temptation
+you describe was irresistible to a nature like yours, and I dare say too
+the punishment of your self-condemnation is bitter enough. Now you must
+reflect that your duty is to keep the secret to which you have bound
+yourself. If you raise the veil which must always hide the true facts of
+your succession, you would create great unhappiness and confusion in
+Colonel Ormonde's family, and injure the innocent woman whom he would
+never have married had he not been sure you would provide for the boys.
+It would so cruel to break up a home merely to indulge a morbid desire
+for atonement. No, Miss Liddell. Be guided by me; accept the life you
+have brought upon yourself. <i>I</i>, the only one who has a right to do it,
+willingly resign what ought to have been yours without your
+unfortunately illegal act. Your secret is perfectly safe with me. Time
+will heal the wounds you have inflicted on yourself and enable you to
+forget. Leave this ill-omened document with me; it is safer than in your
+hands. Indeed there is no use in keeping it."</p>
+
+<p>"But what&mdash;what will become of <i>you?</i>" she asked, with strange
+familiarity, the outcome of strong excitement which carried her over all
+conventional limits.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I have had some training in the world both of men and books, and I
+hope to be able to keep the wolf from the door."</p>
+
+<p>"Would you not accept part at least&mdash;a sum of money, you know, to begin
+something?" asked Katherine, her voice quivering, her nerves relaxing
+from their high tension, and feeling utterly beaten, her high resolves
+of sacrifice and renunciation tumbling about her, like a house of cards,
+at the touch of common-sense.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not think any arrangements of the kind practicable," returned
+Errington, with a kind smile. "I understand your eagerness to relieve
+your conscience by an act of restitution, but now you are exonerated. I
+ask nothing but that you should forgive yourself, and knit up the
+ravelled web of your life. The fortune ought to be yours&mdash;is
+yours&mdash;shall be yours."</p>
+
+<p>"Will you promise that if you ever want help&mdash;money help&mdash;you will ask
+me? I shall have more money every year, for I shall never spend my
+income."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall not want help," he returned, quietly. "But though it is not
+likely we shall meet again, believe me I shall always be glad to know
+you are well and happy. Let this painful conversation be the last we
+have on this subject. For my part, I grant you plenary absolution."</p>
+
+<p>"You are good and generous; you are wise too; your judgment constrains
+me. Yet I hope I shall <i>never</i> see you again. It is too humiliating to
+meet your eyes." She spoke brokenly as she tied the white veil closely
+over her face.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Nevertheless we part friends," said Errington, and held out his hand.
+She put hers in it. He felt how it trembled, and held it an instant with
+a friendly pressure. Then he opened the door and followed her to the
+entrance, where he bowed low as she passed out.</p>
+
+<p>Errington returned at once to his writing-table and his calculations. He
+took up his pen, but he did not begin to write. He leaned back in his
+chair and fell into an interesting train of thought. What an
+extraordinary mad proceeding it was of that girl to conceal the will! It
+was strangely unprincipled. "How impossible it is to trust a person who
+acts from impulse! The difference between masculine and feminine
+character is immense. No man with a grain of honor in him would have
+done what she did; only some dastardly hound who could cheat at cards.
+And she&mdash;somehow she seems a pure good woman in spite of all. I suppose
+in a woman's sensitive and weaker nature good and evil are less
+distinct, more shaded into each other. After all, I think I would trust
+my life to the word of this daring law-breaker." And Errington recalled
+the expressive tones of her voice, surprised to feel again the strange
+thrill which shivered through him when she had looked straight into his
+eyes, her own aglow with momentary defiance, and said, "Had it to be
+done again, I'd do it!" He had never been brought face to face with real
+emotion before. He knew such a thing existed; that it led like most
+things to good and to evil; that it was exceedingly useful to poets, who
+often touched him, and to actors, who did not; but in real every-day
+life he had rarely, if ever, seen it. The people with whom he associated
+were rich, well born, well trained; a crumpled rose leaf here and there
+was the worst trouble in their easy, conventional, luxurious lives. Of
+course he had met men on the road to ruin who swore and drank and
+gambled and generally disgraced themselves. Such cases, however, did not
+affect him much; he only touched such characters with moral tongs. Now
+this delicate, refined girl had humbled herself before him. Her sweet
+varying tones, her moist glowing eyes, the indescribable tremulous
+earnestness which was the undertone of all she said, her determined
+efforts for self-command, made a deep impression on him. Was she right
+when she said that from him "wisdom by one entrance was quite shut out?"
+At all events he felt, though he did not consciously acknowledge it even
+to himself, that this impulsive, inexperienced girl, whom he strove to
+look down upon from the unsullied heights of his own integrity, had
+revealed to him something of life's inner core which had hitherto been
+hidden from his sight.</p>
+
+<p>But all this dreaming was unpardonable waste of time when so much
+serious work lay before him. So Errington resolutely turned from his
+unusual and disturbing reverie, dipped his pen in the ink, and began to
+write steadily.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XX" id="CHAPTER_XX"></a>CHAPTER XX.</h2>
+
+<h3>PLENARY ABSOLUTION.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Katherine never could distinctly remember what she did after leaving
+Errington. She was humbled in the dust&mdash;crushed, dazed. She felt that
+every one must perceive the stamp of "felon" upon her.</p>
+
+<p>The passionate desire to restore his rightful possessions to Errington,
+to confess all, had carried her through the dreadful interview. She was
+infinitely grateful to him for the kind tact with which he concealed the
+profound contempt her confession must have evoked, but no doubt that
+sentiment was now in full possession of his mind. It showed in his
+unhesitating, even scornful, rejection of her offered restitution. She
+almost regretted having made the attempt, and yet she had a kind of
+miserable satisfaction in having told the truth, the whole truth, to
+Errington; anything was better than wearing false colors in his sight.</p>
+
+<p>It was this sense of deception that had embittered her intercourse with
+him at Castleford; otherwise she would have been gratified by his grave
+friendly preference.</p>
+
+<p>How calm, how unmoved, he seemed amid the wreck of his fortunes. Yes,
+his was true strength&mdash;the strength of self-mastery. How different, how
+far nobler than the vehemence of De Burgh's will, which was too strong
+for his guidance! But Lady Alice could never have loved
+Errington&mdash;never&mdash;or she would have loved on and waited for him till the
+time came when union might be possible. Had <i>she</i> been in her place! But
+at the thought her heart throbbed wildly with the sudden perception that
+<i>she</i> could have loved him well, with all her soul, and rested on him,
+confident in his superior wisdom and strength&mdash;a woman's ideal love. And
+before this man she had been obliged to lay down her self-respect, to
+confess she had cheated him basely, to resign his esteem for ever! It
+was a bitter punishment, but even had she been stainless and he a free
+man, she, Katherine, was not the sort of girl <i>he</i> would like. She was
+too impulsive, too much at the mercy of her emotions, too quick in
+forming and expressing opinions. No; the feminine reserve and
+tranquility of Lady Alice were much more likely to attract his
+affections and call forth his respect. This was an additional ingredient
+of bitterness, and Katherine felt herself an outcast, undeserving of
+tenderness or esteem.</p>
+
+<p>The weather was oppressively warm and sunless. A dim instinctive
+recollection of her excuse for coming to town forced Katherine to visit
+some of the shops where she was in the habit of dealing, and then she
+sat for more than a weary hour in the Ladies' Room at Waterloo Station,
+affecting to read a newspaper which she did not see, waiting for the
+train that would take her home to the darkness and stillness in which
+friendly night would hide her for a while. The journey back was a
+continuation of the same tormenting dream-like semi-consciousness, and
+by the time she reached Cliff Cottage she felt physically ill.</p>
+
+<p>"It was dreadfully foolish to go up to town in this heat," said<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span> Miss
+Payne, severely, when she brought up some tea to Katherine's room, where
+she retreated on her arrival. "I dare say you could have written for
+what you wanted."</p>
+
+<p>"Not exactly"&mdash;with a faint smile.</p>
+
+<p>"I never saw you look so ill. You must take some sal volatile, and lie
+down. If there had been much sun, I should have said you had had a
+sunstroke. I hope, however, a good night's rest will set you up."</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt it will; so I will try and sleep now."</p>
+
+<p>"Quite right. I will leave you, and tell the boys you cannot see them
+till to-morrow." So Miss Payne, who had a grand power of minding her own
+affairs and abstaining from troublesome questions, softly closed the
+door behind her.</p>
+
+<p><br /></p>
+
+<p>It took some time to rally from the overwhelming humiliation of this
+crisis. Katherine came slowly back to herself, yet not quite herself.
+Miss Payne had been so much disturbed by her loss of appetite, of
+energy, of color, that she had insisted on consulting the local doctor,
+who pronounced her to be suffering from low fever and nervous
+depression. He prescribed tonics and warm sea-water baths, which advice
+Katherine meekly followed. Soon, to the pride of the Sandbourne
+&AElig;sculapius, a young practitioner, she showed signs of improvement, and
+declared herself perfectly well.</p>
+
+<p>Perhaps the tonic which had assisted her to complete recovery was a
+letter which reached her about a week after the interview that had
+affected her so deeply. It was addressed in large, firm, clear writing,
+which was strange to her.<br /><br /></p>
+
+<p>"I venture to trouble you with a few words," (it ran) "because when last
+I saw you I was profoundly impressed by the suffering you could not
+hide. I cannot refrain from writing to entreat you will accept the
+position in which you are placed. Having done your best to rectify what
+is now irrevocable, be at peace with your conscience. I am the only
+individual entitled to complain or interfere with your succession, and I
+fully, freely make over to you any rights I possess. Had your uncle's
+fortune passed to me, it would have been an injustice for which I should
+have felt bound to atone: nor would you have refused my proposition to
+this effect. Consider this page of your life blotted out, casting it
+from your mind. Use and enjoy your future as a woman of your nature, so
+far as I understand it, can do. It will probably be long before I see
+you again&mdash;which I regret the less because it might pain you to meet me
+before time has blunted the keen edge of your self-reproach. Absent or
+present, however, I shall always be glad to know that you are well and
+happy.</p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 4em;">"Will you let me have a line in reply?</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 6em;">"Yours faithfully,</span><br />
+<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 12em;">Miles Errington</span>."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+
+<p>The perusal of this letter brought Katherine the infinite relief of
+tears. How good and generous he was! How heartily she admired him! How
+gladly she confessed her own inferiority to him! Forgiven by him, she
+could face life again with a sort of humble cour<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span>age. But oh! it would
+be impossible to meet his eyes. No; years would not suffice to blunt the
+keen self-reproach which the thought of him must always call up&mdash;the
+shame, the pride, the dread, the tender gratitude. Long and passionately
+she wept before she could recover sufficiently to write him the reply he
+asked. Then it seemed to her that the bitterness and cruel remorse had
+been melted and washed away by these warm grateful tears. He forgave
+her, and she could endure the pressure of her shameful secret more
+easily in future. At last she took her pen, and feeling that the lines
+she was about to trace would be a final farewell, wrote:<br /><br /></p>
+
+
+<p>"My words must be few, for none I can find will express my sense of the
+service <i>yours</i> have done me. I accept your gift. I will try and follow
+your advice. Shall the day ever come when you will honor me by accepting
+part of what is your own? Thank you for your kind suggestion not to meet
+me; it would be more than I could bear. Yours, <span class="smcap"  style="margin-left: 8em;">Katherine</span>."<br /><br /></p>
+
+
+<p>Then with deepest regret she tore up his precious letter into tiny
+morsels, and striking a match, consumed them. It would not do to incur
+the possibility of such a letter being read by any third pair of eyes.
+Moreover, she was careful to post her reply herself. And so, as
+Errington said, that page of her story was blotted out, at least, from
+the exterior world, but to her own mind it would be ever present: round
+this crisis her deepest, most painful, ay, and sweetest memories would
+cling. It was past, however, and she must take up her life again.</p>
+
+<p>She felt something of the weakness, the softness, which convalescents
+experience when first they begin to go about after a long illness, the
+dreamy, quiet pleasure of coming back to life. The boys continued to be
+her deepest interest. So time went on, and no one seemed to perceive the
+subtle change which had sobered her spirit.</p>
+
+<p>The season was over, and Mrs. Ormonde descended on Cliff Cottage for a
+parting visit. She had only given notice of her approach by a telegram.</p>
+
+<p>"You know you are quite too obstinate, Katherine," she said, as the
+sisters-in-law sat together in the drawing-room, waiting for the cool of
+the evening before venturing out. "You never came to me all through the
+season except once, when you wanted to shop, and now you refuse to join
+us at Castleford in September, when we are to have really quite a nice
+party: Mr. De Burgh and Lord Riversdale and&mdash;oh! several really good
+men."</p>
+
+<p>"I dare say I do seem stupid to you, but then, you see, I know what I
+want. You are very good to wish for me. Next year I shall be very
+pleased to pay you a visit."</p>
+
+<p>"Then what in the world will you do in the winter?"</p>
+
+<p>"Remain where I am&mdash;I mean with Miss Payne&mdash;and look out for a house for
+myself."</p>
+
+<p>"But, my dear, you are much too young to live alone."</p>
+
+<p>"I am twenty-one now; I shall be twenty-two by the time I am settled in
+a house of my own. And, Ada, I am going to ask you a favor. Lend me your
+boys to complete my respectability."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What! for altogether? Why, Katherine, you will marry, and&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, suppose I do, that need not prevent my having the comfort of my
+nephews' company until the fatal knot is tied."</p>
+
+<p>"Now, dear Katherine, <i>do</i> tell me&mdash;<i>are</i> you engaged to any one? Not a
+foreigner?&mdash;anything but a foreigner!"</p>
+
+<p>"At present," said Katherine, with some solemnity, "I am engaged to two
+young men."</p>
+
+<p>"My dear! You of all young girls! I am astonished. There is nothing so
+deep, after all, as a demure young woman. I suppose you are in a scrape,
+and want Colonel Ormonde to help you out of it?"</p>
+
+<p>"I think I can manage my own affairs."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be too sure. A girl with money like you is just the subject for a
+breach-of-promise case. Do I know either of these men?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, both."</p>
+
+<p>"Who are they?" cried Mrs. Ormonde, with deepening interest.</p>
+
+<p>"Cis and Charlie," returned Katherine, laughing.</p>
+
+<p>"I really cannot see anything amusing in this sort of stupid
+mystification," cried Mrs. Ormonde, in a huff.</p>
+
+<p>"Pray forgive me; but your determination to marry me out of hand tempts
+me to such naughtiness. However, be forgiving, and lend me the boys till
+next spring. They might go to Castleford for Christmas."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no," interrupted Mrs. Ormonde, hastily. "I forgot to mention that
+Ormonde has almost promised to spend next Christmas in Paris. It is such
+a nuisance to be in one's own place at Christmas; there is such work
+distributing blankets and coals and things. If one is away, a check to
+the rector settles everything. I assure you the life of a country
+gentleman is not all pleasure."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you will let me have the boys?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, dear, if you really like it, I do not see, when you have such a
+fancy, why you should not be indulged."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you. And I may choose a school for Cis?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure the neither Ormonde nor I would interfere; just now it is of
+no great importance. But&mdash;of course&mdash;that is&mdash;I should like some
+allowance for myself out of their money."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course you should have whatever you are in the habit of receiving."</p>
+
+<p>After this, Mrs. Ormonde was most cordial in her approbation of
+everything suggested by her sister-in-law. The friendly conversation was
+interrupted by the entrance of Cecil with his satchel over his shoulder.
+He went straight to his young aunt and hugged her.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Cis, I see you don't care for mother now," exclaimed Mrs.
+Ormonde, easily moved to jealousy, as she always was.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes, I do! only you don't like me to jump on you, and auntie doesn't
+mind about her clothes." And he kissed her heartily.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you want to come back to Castleford?"</p>
+
+<p>"What, now? when the holidays begin next week?"&mdash;this with a rueful
+expression. "Why, we were to have a sailing boat, and old Norris the
+sailor and his boy are to come out every evening."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you don't want to come?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Oh, mayn't we stay a little longer, mother? It <i>is</i> so nice here!"</p>
+
+<p>"You may stay as long as your aunt cares to keep you, for all I care,"
+cried Mrs. Ormonde, somewhat spitefully.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, thank you, mother dear&mdash;thank you!" throwing his arms round her
+neck. "I'll be such a good boy when I come back; but it <i>is</i> nice here.
+Then you have baby, and he does not worry you as much as we do."
+Katherine thought this a very significant reply.</p>
+
+<p>"There! there!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, disengaging herself from the warm
+clinging arms. "Go and wash your hands; they are frightfully dirty."</p>
+
+<p>"It's clean dirt, mother. I stopped on the beach to help Tom Damer to
+build up a sand fort."</p>
+
+<p>"Why did Miss North let you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I was by myself! I don't want <i>any</i> one to take care of me," said
+Cecil, proudly.</p>
+
+<p>"Good heavens! do you let the child walk about alone?" cried Mrs.
+Ormonde, with an air of surprise and indignation.</p>
+
+<p>"Run away to Miss North," said Katherine, and as Cecil left the room she
+replied: "As Cecil is nine years old, Ada, and a very bright boy, I
+think he may very well be let to take care of himself. The school is not
+far, and he cannot learn independence too soon."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps so. But of course you know better than I do. You were always
+more learned, and all that; besides, you are not over anxious, as a
+mother would be."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor careless either," said Katherine thinking of the nights at
+Castleford when she used to steal to the bedside, of little feverish,
+restless Charlie, while his mother kept within the bounds of her own
+luxurious chamber.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no; certainly not," returned Mrs. Ormonde, remembering it was as
+well not to offend so strong a person as she felt Katherine to be. "Only
+Cecil is a tiresome, self-willed boy, and very likely to get into
+mischief."</p>
+
+<p>"If you wish it, Ada, I shall, of course, have him escorted to and fro
+to school."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, just as you like. I suppose you know the place better than I do."</p>
+
+<p>"Colonel Ormonde has never come down to see me," resumed Katherine,
+after a pause. "You must tell him I am quite hurt."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, dear, you must know that Duke is rather vexed with you."</p>
+
+<p>"Vexed with me! Why?" asked Katherine, opening her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"You see, he thinks you ought to have come to us for a while; and then
+De Burgh came back from this last time in such a bad temper that my
+husband thought you were not behaving well to him&mdash;making a fool of him,
+in short; inviting him down here to amuse yourself, and then refusing
+him, if you <i>did</i> refuse."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I did not; for Mr. De Burgh never gave me an opportunity," cried
+Katherine, indignantly. "Nor did I ever ask him here. I cannot prevent
+his coming and lodging at the hotel. I am quite ready to talk to him,
+because he amuses me, but I am not bound<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span> to marry every man who does.
+Tell Colonel Ormonde so, with my compliments."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure <i>I</i> don't want you to marry De Burgh! Indeed, I am surprised
+at Duke; but you see, being chums and relations (and men stick together
+so), that he only thinks of De Burgh, who, <i>entre nous</i>, has been
+awfully fast. He <i>is</i> amusing, and very <i>distingue</i>, but I am afraid he
+only cares for your money, dear."</p>
+
+<p>"Very likely," returned Katherine, with much composure.</p>
+
+<p>"Then another reason why the Colonel does not care to come down is that
+he has a great dislike to that Miss Payne. <i>She</i> is really hostess here,
+and it worries Duke to have to be civil to her."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?" asked Katherine. "I can imagine her being an object of perfect
+indifference; but dislike&mdash;no!"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, dear, men never like that sort of women;&mdash;people, you know, who
+eke out their living by&mdash;doing things, when they are plain and old.
+Handsome adventuresses are quite another affair&mdash;they are amusing and
+attractive."</p>
+
+<p>"How absurd and unreasonable!"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, of course; they are all like that. Then he thinks Miss Payne has a
+bad and dangerous influence on you. He disapproves of your living on
+with her, for you don't take the position you ought, and&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>Katherine laughed good-humoredly as Mrs. Ormonde paused, not knowing
+very well how to finish her speech. "Colonel Ormonde will hide the light
+of his countenance from me, then, I am afraid, for a long time; for I
+like Miss Payne, and I am going to stay with her for the period agreed
+upon; and I will <i>not</i> marry Mr. De Burgh, nor will I let him ask me to
+do so, for there is a degree of honesty about him which I like. You may
+repeat all this to your husband, Ada, and add that but for a lucky
+chance his wife and myself would have been among the sort of women who
+eke out their living by doing things. I don't think I should be afraid
+of attempting self-support if all my money were swept away."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't talk of such a thing!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, turning pale. "Thank
+God what you have settled on the boys is safe!"</p>
+
+<p>Katherine's half-contemptuous good humor carried her serenely through
+this rather irritating visit, but the totally different train of thought
+which it evoked assisted her to recover her ordinary mental tone. It
+was, however, touched by a minor key of sadness, of humility (save when
+roused by any moving cause to indignation), which gave the charm of soft
+pensiveness to her manner.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Ormonde was rather in a hurry to go back to town, as she had
+important interviews impending with milliner and dressmaker prior to a
+visit to Lady Mary Vincent at Cowes, from which she expected the most
+brilliant results, for the little woman's social ambition grew with what
+it fed upon. Nor did the rational repose of Katherine's life suit her.
+Books, music, out-door existence, were a weariness, and in spite of her
+loudly declared affection for her sister-in-law she found a curious
+restraint in conversing with her.</p>
+
+<p>They parted, therefore, with many kind expressions and much
+satisfaction.</p>
+
+<p>"I will write you an account of all our doings at Cowes. I<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span> expect it
+will be very gay and pleasant there. How I wish you were to be of the
+party, instead of moping here!" said Mrs. Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you. I should like it all, no doubt, but not just now. I will
+keep you informed of our small doings."</p>
+
+<p>So Mrs. Ormonde steamed on her way rejoicing, and Katherine re-entered a
+pretty low pony-carriage in which she drove a pair of quiet, well-broken
+ponies, selected for her by Bertie Payne, whose conversion had not
+obliterated his carnal knowledge of horseflesh. A small groom always
+accompanied her, for though improved by the practice of driving, she did
+not like to be alone with her steeds.</p>
+
+<p>She had nearly reached the chief street of Sandbourne, when a tall
+gentleman in yachting dress strolled slowly round the corner of a lane
+which led to the beach. He paused and raised his hat. She recognized De
+Burgh and drew up.</p>
+
+<p>"And so you are driving in capital style," was his greeting; "all by
+yourself, too. Will you give me a lift back?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly. Where have you come from?"</p>
+
+<p>"Melford's yacht. I escorted my revered relative, old De Burgh, down to
+Cowes. He has a little villa there. As he has grown quite civil of late,
+I think it right to encourage him. Melford was there, and invited me to
+take a short cruise. So I made him land me here just now. The yacht is
+still in the offing. Lady Alice was on board."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" exclaimed Katherine, with much interest. "How is she?"</p>
+
+<p>"So far as one can judge from the exterior, remarkably well, and exactly
+the same as ever. It is rather funny, but they had Renshaw on board too,
+the son of the big brewer who has bought, or is going to buy,
+Errington's house in Berkeley Square. I fancy it is not impossible he
+may come in for Errington's ex-<i>fiancee</i> as well as his ex-residence."</p>
+
+<p>"It cannot be, surely!" cried Katherine, flushing with a curious
+feeling.</p>
+
+<p>"Why not? I don't say immediately. I have no doubt everything will be
+done decently and in order."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it is incomprehensible."</p>
+
+<p>"Not to me. What can&mdash;(Make that little brute on the off side keep up to
+the collar. You want a few lessons from me still.) What can a girl like
+Lady Alice do? She is an earl's daughter. She cannot dig; to beg she is
+ashamed; she must therefore take to herself a husband from the mammon of
+unaristocratic money-grubbers."</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to meet her again&mdash;poor Lady Alice!" said Katherine, more
+to herself than to her companion.</p>
+
+<p>"I think you are wasting your commiseration," he returned. "She seems
+quite happy."</p>
+
+<p>"She may be successful in hiding her feelings."</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh laughed. "Tell me," he asked, "do you really think Errington is
+the sort of fellow women break their hearts about?"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot tell. He seems to me very good and very nice."</p>
+
+<p>"That is a goody-goody description. Well done!"&mdash;as Katherine<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span> guided
+her ponies successfully through the gate of her abode and turned them
+round the gravel sweep. "I must say you have a pretty little nook here."</p>
+
+<p>"Had you arrived an hour sooner you would have seen Mrs. Ormonde. I have
+just seen her off by the 12.30 train. She has been paying us a farewell
+visit, and is gone to Lady Mary Vincent."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed! She will have her cup of pleasure running over there; they live
+in a flutter of gayety all day long."</p>
+
+<p>Here De Burgh sprang to the ground and assisted Katherine to alight.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you lunch with us?" she asked, an additional tinge of color
+mounting to her cheek; for she knew De Burgh was no favorite of Miss
+Payne, who was no doubt rejoicing at the prospect of repose and
+deliverance from their late guest, who generally managed to rub her
+hostess the wrong way.</p>
+
+<p>"You are very kind. I shall be delighted."</p>
+
+<p>While Katherine went ostensibly to put aside her hat&mdash;really to warn
+Miss Payne&mdash;De Burgh strolled into the drawing-room. How cool and fresh
+and sweet with abundant flowers it was! An air of refined homeliness
+about it, the work and books and music on the open piano, spoke of
+well-occupied repose. Its simplicity was graceful, and indicated the
+presence of a cultured woman.</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh wandered to the window&mdash;a wide bay&mdash;and took from a table which
+stood in it a cabinet photograph of Katherine, taken about a year
+before. He was absorbed in contemplating it when she came in, and he
+made a step to meet her. "This is very good," he said. "Where was it
+taken?"</p>
+
+<p>"In Florence."</p>
+
+<p>"It is like"&mdash;looking intently at her, and then at the picture. "But you
+are changed in some indescribable way, changed since I saw you last,
+years ago&mdash;that is, a month&mdash;isn't it a month since you drove me from
+paradise?&mdash;but <i>you</i> don't remember."</p>
+
+<p>"But, Mr. De Burgh, I did not drive you away. You got bored, and went
+away of your own free-will."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall not argue the point with you&mdash;not now; but tell me," with a
+very steady gaze into her eyes, "has anything happened since I left to
+waken up your soul? It was by no means asleep when I saw you last, but
+it has met with an eye-opener of some kind, I am convinced."</p>
+
+<p>"I should not have given you credit for so much imagination, Mr. De
+Burgh."</p>
+
+<p>Here Miss Payne made her appearance, and the boys followed. They were
+treated with unusual good-humor and <i>bonhomie</i> by De Burgh, who actually
+took Charlie on his knee and asked him some questions about boating,
+which occupied them till lunch was announced.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Payne was too much accustomed to yield to circumstances not to
+accept De Burgh's attempts to be amiable and agreeable. He could be
+amusing when he chose; there was an odd abruptness, a candid avowal of
+his views and opinions, when he was in the mood, that attracted
+Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"You <i>are</i> a funny man!" said Cecil, after gazing at him in silence<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span> as
+he finished his repast. "I wish you would come out in the boat with us.
+Auntie said we might go."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well; ask her if I may come."</p>
+
+<p>"He may, mayn't he?"&mdash;chorus from both boys.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, if you really care to come: but do not let the children tease
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you give me credit for being ready to do what I don't like?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can't say I do."</p>
+
+<p>"When do you start on this expedition?"</p>
+
+<p>"About seven, which will interfere with your dinner, for Miss Payne and
+I have adopted primitive habits, and do not dine late; we indulge in
+high tea instead."</p>
+
+<p>"Nevertheless, I shall meet you at the jetty. Till then adieu."</p>
+
+<p>"May we come with you?" cried the boys together&mdash;"just as far as the
+hotel?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, dears; you must stay at home," said Katherine, decidedly.</p>
+
+<p>"Then do let him come and see how the puppy is. He has grown quite big."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I'll come round to the kennel if you'll show me the way," replied
+De Burgh, with a smiling glance at Katherine. "Till this evening, then,"
+he added, and bowing to Miss Payne, left the room, the boys capering
+beside him.</p>
+
+<p>"I should say that man has breakfasted on honey this morning," observed
+Miss Payne, with a sardonic smile. "Does he think that he has only to
+come, to see, and to conquer?"</p>
+
+<p>"He has been quite pleasant," said Katherine. "I wonder why he is not
+always nice? He used to be almost rude at Castleford sometimes." She
+paused, while Miss Payne rose from the table and began to lock away the
+wine. "I wonder what has become of Mr. Payne? He has not been here for a
+long time."</p>
+
+<p>"What made you think of him?" asked his sister, sharply.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose the force of contrast reminded me of him. What a difference
+between Bertie and Mr. De Burgh!&mdash;your brother living only to help
+others, and utterly forgetful of self; he regardless of everything but
+the gratification of his own fancies&mdash;at least so far as we can see."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; Mr. De Burgh can hardly be termed a true Christian. Still, Gilbert
+is rather too weak and credulous. I suspect he is very often taken in."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it not better he should be sometimes, dear Miss Payne, than that
+some poor deserving creature should perish for want of help?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I don't know. Self-preservation is the first law of nature, and
+if that law were more carefully obeyed, fewer would need help."</p>
+
+<p>"Life is an unsolvable problem," said Katherine, and the remark reminded
+her of her humble friend Rachel. She therefore sat down and wrote her a
+kind, sympathetic letter, feeling some compunction for having allowed so
+long an interval to elapse since her last.</p>
+
+<p>Her own troubles had occupied her too much. Now that time was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span> beginning
+to accustom her to their weight, her deep interest in Rachel revived
+even with more than its original force. Katherine did not make intimates
+readily. Let there be ever so small a nook in the mind, ever so tiny an
+incident in the past, which must be hidden from all eyes, and there can
+be no free pass for outsiders, however dear or valued, to the sanctum of
+the heart, which must remain sealed, a whispering gallery for its own
+memories and aspirations. But Rachel Trant never dreamed of receiving
+confidence, nor, after once having strung herself up to tell her sad
+story, did she allude to her bitter past, save by an occasional word
+expressing her profound sense of the new life she owed to Katherine; nor
+did the latter, when talking with her face to face, ever realize that
+there was any social difference between them. Rachel's voice, manner,
+diction, and natural refinement were what might be expected from a
+gentlewoman, only that through all sounded a strain of harsh strength,
+the echo of that fierce despair from whose grip the tender consideration
+of her new friend had delivered her. The evening's sail was very
+tranquil and soothing. De Burgh was agreeable in the best way; that is,
+he was sympathetically silent, except when Katherine spoke to him. The
+boys and their governess sat together in the bow of the boat, where they
+talked merrily together, occasionally running aft to ask more profound
+questions of De Burgh and auntie. Fear of rheumatism and discomfort
+generally kept Miss Payne at home on these occasions.</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh walked with Miss Liddell to her own door, but wisely refused to
+enter. "No," he mused, as he proceeded to his hotel; "I have had enough
+of a <i>solitude a trois</i>. It's an uncomfortable, tantalizing thing, and
+though I have been positively angelic for the last seven or eight hours,
+I can't stand any more intercourse under Miss Payne's paralyzing optics.
+I wonder if any fellow can keep up a heavenly calm for more than
+twenty-four hours? Depends on the circulation of the blood. I wonder
+still more if it is possible that Katherine is more disposed to like me
+than she was? She is somehow different than when I was here last. So
+divinely soft and kind! I have known a score or two of fascinating
+women, and gone wild about a good many, but <i>this</i> is different, why the
+deuce should she <i>not</i> love me? Most of the others did. Why? God knows.
+I'll try my luck; she seems in a propitious mood."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXI" id="CHAPTER_XXI"></a>CHAPTER XXI.</h2>
+
+<h3>"NO."</h3>
+
+
+<p>Next morning's post brought a letter from Bertie, which was a kind of
+complement to Katherine's reflections of the night before. After
+explaining that he had hitherto been unable to take a holiday from his
+various avocations, he promised to spend the following week with his
+sister and Miss Liddell. He then described the success of Mrs. Needham's
+bazar, and proceeded thus:</p>
+
+<p>"Meeting my old friend Mrs. Dodd a few days ago, I was sorry to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span> find
+from her that your favorite, Rachel Trant, had been very unwell. She had
+had a great deal of work, thanks to your kind efforts on her behalf, and
+sat at it early and late; then she took cold. I went to see her, and
+found her in a state of extreme depression, like that from which you
+succeeded in rousing her. I think it would be well if she could have a
+little change. Are there any cheap, humble lodgings at Sandbourne, where
+she might pass a week or two? I shall pass this matter in your hands."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure old Norris's wife would take her in. They have a nice
+cottage, almost on the beach, close to the point."</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt. Really that Rachel of yours is in great luck. I wonder how
+many poor girls in London are dying for a breath of sea-air?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, hundreds, I fear. But then, you see, they have not been brought
+under my notice, and Rachel has; so I will do the best I can for her. I
+am sure she is no common woman."</p>
+
+<p>"At all events she has no common luck."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine lost no time in visiting Mrs. Norris, and found that she was
+in the habit of letting a large, low, but comfortable room upstairs,
+where the bed was gorgeous with a patchwork quilt of many colors, and
+permitting her lodgers to dine in a small parlor, which was her own
+sitting-room.</p>
+
+<p>The old woman had not had any "chance" that season, as she termed it,
+and gladly agreed to take the young person recommended by her husband's
+liberal employer. So Katherine walked back to write both to Bertie and
+their <i>protegee</i>.</p>
+
+<p>During her absence De Burgh had called, but left no message. And
+Katherine felt a little sorry to have missed him, as she thought it
+probable he would go on to town that afternoon, and she wanted to hear
+some tidings of Errington, yet could hardly nerve herself to ask.</p>
+
+<p>The evening was gloriously fine, and as Miss Payne did not like boating,
+the pony-carriage was given up to her, the boys, and Miss North the
+governess, for a long drive to a farm-house where the boys enjoyed
+rambling about, and Miss Payne bought new-laid eggs.</p>
+
+<p>When they had set out, Katherine took a white woolen shawl over her
+arm&mdash;for even in July the breeze was sometimes chill at sundown&mdash;and
+strolled along the road, or rather cart track, which led between the
+cliffs and the sea to the boatman's cottage. She passed this, nodding
+pleasantly to the sturdy old man, who was busy in his cabbage garden,
+and pursued a path which led as far as a footing could be found, to
+where the sea washed against the point. It was a favorite spot with
+Katherine, who was tolerably sure of being undisturbed here. The view
+across the bay was tranquilly beautiful; the older part of Sandbourne
+only, with the pretty old inn, was visible from her rocky seat among the
+bowlders and debris which had fallen from above, while the old tower at
+the opposite point of the bay stood out black and solid against the
+flood of golden light behind it. She sat there very still, enjoying the
+air, the scene, the sweet salt breath of the sea, thinking intently of
+Rachel Trant's experience, of her fatal weakness, of the unpitying
+severity of that<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span> rule of law under which we social atoms are
+constrained to live; of the evident fact that were we but wise and good
+we might always be the beneficent arbiters of our own fate; that there
+are few pleasures which have not their price; and after all, though she,
+Katherine, had paid high for hers, it had not cost too much, considering
+she had been groping in the dimness of imperfect knowledge. Oh, hew she
+wished she had never attempted to act providence to her mother and
+herself, but trusted to Errington's sense of generosity and justice! Of
+course it would have been humiliating to beg from a stranger, yet before
+that stranger she had been compelled to lower herself to the dust, and&mdash;</p>
+
+<p>The unwonted sound of approaching feet startled her. She turned, to see
+De Burgh within speaking distance. "I am like Robinson Crusoe in my
+solitude here," she said, smiling. "I turn pale at the sound of an
+unexpected step, as he did at the print of Friday's foot."</p>
+
+<p>"And to continue the smile," he returned, leaning against a rock near
+her, "the footprint or step, as in Crusoe's case, only announces the
+advent of a devoted slave." He spoke lightly, and Katherine scarce
+noticed what seemed to her an idle compliment.</p>
+
+<p>"I fancied you had gone to town," she said.</p>
+
+<p>"No; I am not going to town; I don't know or care where I am going. Some
+kind friends might say I am on my way to the dogs."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope not," said Katherine, gravely. "I imagine, Mr. De Burgh, that if
+you had some object of ambition&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I should become an Admirable Crichton? I don't think so. There are such
+dreary pauses in the current of all careers!"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course. You would not live in a tornado!"</p>
+
+<p>"I am not so sure"&mdash;laughing. "At all events I shall never be satisfied
+with still life like our friend Errington."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know anything of him? Mrs. Ormonde never mentions his name."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not; when a fellow can't keep pace with his peers, away with
+him, crucify him."</p>
+
+<p>"As long as a few special friends are true&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"If they are," interrupted De Burgh; and Katherine did not resume,
+hoping he would continue the theme, which he did, saying: "He has left
+his big house, gone into chambers somewhere, and has I believe, taken up
+literature, politics, and social subjects. So Lady Mary Vincent says. I
+fancy he is a clever fellow in a cast-iron style."</p>
+
+<p>"What a change for him!"</p>
+
+<p>"I believe there was something coming to him out of the wreck, and I
+think he is a sort of man who will float. I never liked him myself,
+chiefly, I fancy, because I know he doesn't like me. Indeed, I don't
+care for people in general." There was a pause, during which Katherine
+glanced at her companion, and was struck by his sombre expression, the
+stern compression of his lips.</p>
+
+<p>"Did you call at the cottage?" she asked.</p>
+
+<p>"No; you were out this morning, and I did not like to intrude again," he
+laughed. "Growing modest in my sere and yellow days,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span> you see; so I
+thought I should perhaps find you here, as I saw your numerous party
+drive past the hotel."</p>
+
+<p>"I like this corner, and often come here. But, Mr. De Burgh, you look as
+if the times were out of joint."</p>
+
+<p>"So they are"&mdash;suddenly seating himself on a flat stone nearly at
+Katherine's feet, leaning his elbow on another, and resting his head on
+his hand, so as to look up easily in her face.</p>
+
+<p>"What gloomy dark eyes he has!" she thought.</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to tell you why," he went on.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," returned Katherine, who felt a little uneasy.</p>
+
+<p>"I am pretty considerably in debt, to begin with. If I paid up I should
+have about three half-pence a year to live on. Besides my debts I have
+an unconscionably ancient relative whose title and a beggarly five
+thousand a year must come to me when he dies, if he ever dies. This
+venerable impediment has some hundred or more thousands which he can
+bequeath to whom he likes. Hitherto he has not considered me a credit to
+the family. Well, I went to him the other day, on his own invitation,
+and to my amazement he offered to pay my debts&mdash;on one condition."</p>
+
+<p>"I do hope he will," cried Katherine, as De Burgh paused. She was quite
+interested and relieved by the tone of his narrative.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, but there's the rub. I can't fulfil the condition, I fear. It is
+that I should marry a woman rich enough to replace the money my debts
+will absorb; a particular woman who doesn't care for me, and whom,
+knowing the hideous tangle of motives that hangs round the central idea
+of winning her, I am almost ashamed to ask; but a woman that any man
+might court; a woman I have loved from the first moment my eyes met
+hers, who has haunted and distracted me ever since, and who is, I dare
+say, a great deal too good for me; but a creature I will strive to win,
+no matter what the cost of success. This girl or rather (for there is a
+richness and ripeness of nature about her which deserves the term) this
+fair, sweet woman&mdash;I need not name her to you." He stopped, and his
+passionate pleading eyes held hers. Katherine grew white, half with
+fear, half with sincere compassion. She tried to speak. At last the
+words came.</p>
+
+<p>"You make me terribly sad, Mr. De Burgh," she said, with trembling lips.
+"You make me <i>so</i> sorry that I cannot marry you; but I cannot&mdash;indeed I
+cannot. Will Lord De Burgh not pay your debts if he knows you have done
+your best to persuade me to marry you?"</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh laughed a cynical laugh. "You are infinitely practical,
+Katherine. (I am going to call you Katherine for the next few minutes.
+Because I think of you as Katherine, I love to speak your name to
+yourself; it seems to bring me a little nearer to you.) Listen to me.
+Don't you think you could endure me as a husband? I am a better fellow
+than I seem, and mine is no foolish boy's fancy. I am a better man when
+I am near you. Then this old cousin of mine will leave me all he
+possesses if you are my wife, and the Baroness de Burgh, with money
+enough to keep her place among her peers, would have no mean position;
+nor is a husband passionately devoted to you unworthy of
+consideration."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It is not indeed. But, Mr. De Burgh, do you honestly think that
+devotion would last? These violent feelings often work their own
+destruction."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay: God knows they do, amazingly fast," he returned, with a sigh and a
+far-away look. "But what you say applies to all men. If you ever marry
+you must run the risk of inconstancy in the man you accept. I am at
+least old enough and experienced enough to value a good woman when I
+have found one, especially when she does not make her goodness a bore.
+And you&mdash;you have inspired me with something different from anything I
+have ever felt before. Yes, yes," he went on, angrily, as he noticed a
+slight smile on her lips. "I see you try to treat this as only the
+stereotype talk of a lover who wants your money more than yourself; but
+if you listen to the judgment of your own heart, it is true and honest
+enough to recognize truth in another, and it will tell you that,
+whatever my faults (and they are legion), sneaking and duplicity are not
+among them. It is quite true that when first I heard of you I thought
+your fortune would be just the thing to put me right, as I have no doubt
+my dear friend Mrs. Ormonde has impressed upon you, but from the moment
+I first spoke to you I felt, I knew, there was something about you
+different from other women. I also knew that in the effort to win the
+heiress I was heavily handicapped by the sudden strong passion for the
+woman which seized me."</p>
+
+<p>"That surely ought to have been a means of success?" said Katherine, a
+good deal interested in his account of himself.</p>
+
+<p>"No: it made me, for the first time in my life, hesitating,
+self-distrustful, and awfully disgusted at having to take your money
+into consideration. Had you been an ordinary woman, ready to exchange
+your fortune for the social position I could give my wife, and perhaps
+with a certain degree of liking for the kind of free-lance reputation I
+am told I possess, I should have carried my point, and presented the
+future Baroness de Burgh to my venerable kinsman months ago."</p>
+
+<p>"And suppose the unfortunate heiress had been a soft-hearted, simple
+girl?" said Katherine, with a slight faltering in her tones. "Suppose
+she were credulous, loving, attracted by you&mdash;you are probably
+attractive to some women&mdash;and married you believing in your
+disinterested affection?"</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh, who had risen from half-recumbent position, and stood leaning
+against a larger fragment of rock, paused before he replied: "I think
+that I am a gentleman enough not to be a brute, but I rather believe a
+woman of the type you describe would not have a blissful existence with
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure of it. You are quite capable of making the life of such a
+woman too dreadful to think of." She shuddered slightly.</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh looked curiously at her. "If you will have the goodness to
+undertake my punishment," he said, "by marrying me without love, and
+letting me prove how earnestly I could serve you and strive to win it,
+I'll strike the bargain this moment. I have been reckless and
+unfortunate. Now give me a chance; for I <i>do</i> love you, Katherine. I'd
+love you if you were the humblest of undowered women."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The tears stood in her eyes, for the passion and feeling in his voice
+struck home to her.</p>
+
+<p>"I believe it," she said, softly, "and I am almost sorry I cannot love
+you. But I do not, nor do I think I ever could. You will find others
+quite as likely to draw forth your affection as I am. But there are some
+natural barriers of disposition, and&mdash;oh, I cannot define what&mdash;which
+hold us apart. Yet I am interested in you, and would like to know you
+were happy. Yet, Mr. De Burgh, I must not sacrifice my life to you. If I
+did, the result might not be satisfactory even to yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"Sacrifice your life! What an unflattering expression!" cried De Burgh,
+with a hard laugh. "So there is no hope for me?"</p>
+
+<p>Katherine shook her head.</p>
+
+<p>"I felt there was but little when I began," he said, as if to himself.
+"Tell me, are you free? Has some more fortunate fellow than myself
+touched that impregnable heart of yours? I know I have no right to ask
+such a question."</p>
+
+<p>"You have not indeed, Mr. De Burgh. And if I could not with truth say
+'no,' I should be vexed with you for asking it. Weighted as I am with
+money enough to excite the greed of ordinary struggling men, I shall not
+be in a hurry to renounce my comfortable independence."</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh's eyes again held hers with a look of entreaty. "That
+independence will last just as long as your heart escapes the influence
+of the man whom you will love one day; for though love lies sleeping, it
+is in you, and will spring to life some time, all the stronger and more
+irresistible because his birth has not come early. <i>Then</i> you will feel
+more for <i>me</i> than you do now."</p>
+
+<p>"I do feel for you, Mr. De Burgh"&mdash;raising her moist eyes to his.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you"&mdash;taking her hand and kissing it. "Will you, then be my
+friend, and promise not to banish me? I'll be sensible, and give you no
+trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes, certainly," said Katherine, glad to be able to comfort him in
+any way; and she withdrew her hand.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not going to worry you with my presence now," he continued. "I
+shall say good-by for the present. I am going away north. I have entered
+a horse for a big steeple-chase at Barton Towers, and will ride him
+myself. If I win I can hold out awhile longer. You must wish me
+success."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I do, heartily. After this, <i>do</i> give up racing."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well. But"&mdash;pressing her hand hard&mdash;"I'll tell you what I will
+<i>not</i> give up, my hope of winning <i>you</i>, until you are married to some
+one else and out of my reach."</p>
+
+<p>He kissed her hand again, and then, without any further adieu, turned
+away, walking with long swift steps toward the town, not once looking
+back.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank God he is gone!" was Katherine's mental exclamation as the sound
+of his foot-fall died away. She was troubled by his intensity and
+determination, and touched by his unmistakable sincerity. "If I loved
+him I should not be afraid to marry him. I think he might possibly make
+a good husband to a woman he was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span> really attached to; but I have not the
+least spark of affection for him, though there is something very
+distinguished in his figure and bearing; even his ruggedness is
+perfectly free from vulgarity. Yes, he is a sort of man who might
+fascinate some women; but he is terribly wrong-headed. If he keeps
+hoping on until I marry, he has a long spell of celibacy before him. I
+dare say he will be married himself before two years are over."</p>
+
+<p>She sat awhile longer thinking, her face growing softer and sadder. Then
+she rose, wrapped her shawl round her, and walked slowly back to the
+cottage, where she found the rest of the party just returned, joyous and
+hungry.</p>
+
+<p><br /></p>
+
+<p>Bertie came down late on the following Saturday, and brought a note from
+Rachel Trant to Katherine, accepting her offer of quarters at Sandbourne
+with grateful readiness. Katherine was always pleased with her letters;
+they expressed so much in a few words; a spirit of affectionate
+gratitude breathed through their quiet diction.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine was very glad to receive it, for Bertie's accounts of their
+<i>protegee</i> made her uneasy. She had at first refused to move, saying it
+was really of no use spending money upon her, and seemed to be sinking
+back into the lethargic condition from which Katherine had woke her.</p>
+
+<p>Her kind protectress therefore set off early on Monday to tell Mrs.
+Norris she was coming, and to make her room look pretty and cheerful. By
+her orders the boatman's son was despatched to meet their expected
+tenant on her arrival. Miss Payne having arranged a picnic for that day,
+at which Katherine's company could not be dispensed with.</p>
+
+<p>When they returned it was already evening; still Katherine could not
+refrain from visiting her friend. "She will be so strange and lonely
+with people she has never seen before," she said to Bertie. "As soon as
+tea is over I shall go and see her."</p>
+
+<p>"It will be rather late, yet it will be a great kindness. I will go with
+you, and wait for you among the rocks on the beach."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Payne expressed her opinion that it was unwise to set beggars on
+horseback, but offered no further opposition.</p>
+
+<p>The sun had not quite sunk as Katherine and her companion walked
+leisurely by the road which skirted the beach toward the boatman's
+dwelling.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish we could find some occupation that could so fill Rachel Trant's
+mind as to prevent these dreadful fits of depression," began Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"She had plenty of work, and seemed successful in her performance of
+it," he returned; "but it does not seem to have kept her from a
+recurrence of these morbid moods. Loneliness does not appear to suit
+her."</p>
+
+<p>"Sitting from morning till night, unremittingly at work, in silence,
+alone with memories which must be very sad, is not the best method of
+recovering cheerfulness, and unfortunately, Rachel is too much above her
+station to make many friends in it. She wants movement as well as work,"
+remarked Katherine.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"As you consider her so good a dressmaker, it might be well to establish
+her on a larger scale, and give her some of the older girls from our
+Home as apprentices. Looking after and teaching them would amuse as well
+as occupy her."</p>
+
+<p>"It is an idea worth developing!" exclaimed Katherine; and they walked
+on a few paces in silence.</p>
+
+<p>"So De Burgh has been paying you a visit?" said Bertie at length.</p>
+
+<p>"He has been paying Sandbourne a visit. He did not stay with us."</p>
+
+<p>"It is wonderful that he could tame his energies even to stay here a few
+days."</p>
+
+<p>"He was here only two days the last time."</p>
+
+<p>"<i>You</i> cannot have much in common with such a man."</p>
+
+<p>"Not much, certainly; still, he interests me. He has had such a narrow
+escape of being a <i>good</i> man."</p>
+
+<p>"Narrow escape! I should say he never was in much danger of <i>that</i>
+destiny."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps if the door of every heart were opened to us we should see more
+good in all than we could expect." A few words more brought them to the
+boatman's house, where they parted.</p>
+
+<p>Miss Trant was at home, Mrs. Norris said. Katherine ascended the steep
+ladder-like stair, and having knocked at the door, entered the room.
+Rachel was seated in the window, which was wide open. Her elbows rested
+on a small table, and her chin on her clasped hands, while her large
+blue eyes looked steadily out over the bay, which slept blue and
+peaceful below; the lines of her slightly bent figure looked graceful
+and refined, but there was infinite sadness in her pose.</p>
+
+<p>"I am very glad to see you again," said Katherine. Rachel, who was too
+deep in thought to hear her enter, started up to clasp her offered hand.
+Her pale thin face was lit with pleasure, and her grave, almost stern
+eyes softened.</p>
+
+<p>"And so am I. You do not know <i>how</i> glad. Do you know, I began to think
+I never should see you again," and she kissed the hand she held.</p>
+
+<p>"Do not!" said Katherine, bending forward to kiss her brow. "Were you so
+ill, then?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not physically ill, except for my cough; but for all that I felt dying,
+and really I often wonder why you try to keep me alive. I am a trouble
+to you, and I do very little good. Had I not been a coward I should have
+left the world, where I have no particular place, long ago."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you see, I have a sort of superstition that life is a goodly gift
+which must not be cast aside for a whim; and why should you despair of
+finding peace? There is so much that is delightful in life!"</p>
+
+<p>"And so much that is tragic!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, yes! but if we only seek for the sorrowful we destroy our own
+lives, without helping any one. You must let the dead past bury its
+dead."</p>
+
+<p>"How if the dead past comes and crosses your path, and looks you in the
+face?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean, Rachel?"</p>
+
+<p>"You will think me weak and contemptible, but I must confess to you the
+cause of my late prostration."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, do; it may be a relief."</p>
+
+<p>"About a month ago," said Rachel, sitting down by the table opposite
+Katherine, and again resting her elbow on it, while she half hid her
+face by placing her open hand over her eyes, "I was walking to Mrs.
+Needham's with some work I had finished, when, turning into Lowndes
+Square, I came face to face with&mdash;him. It is true I had a thick veil on,
+and my large parcel must have partially disguised me, but he did not
+recognize me. He passed me with the most unconscious composure, and he
+was looking better, brighter, than I had ever seen him. The sight of him
+brought back all the torturing pangs of helpless sorrow for the
+sweetness, the intense happiness I can never know again; the stinging
+shame, the poison of crushed hopes, the profound contempt for myself,
+the sense of being of no value to any one on earth. I think if I could
+have spoken to <i>you</i>, I might have shaken off these fiends of thought;
+but I was alone, always alone: why should I live?"</p>
+
+<p>"Rachel, you <i>must</i> put this cruel man out of your mind. He has been the
+destroyer of your life. Try and cast the idea of the past from you. Life
+is too abundant to be exhausted by one sorrow. You have years before you
+in which to build up a new existence and find consolation. I will not
+listen to another word about your former life; let us only look forward.
+I have a plan for you&mdash;at least Mr. Payne has suggested the idea&mdash;in
+which you can help us and others, and which will need all your time and
+energy. But I will not even talk of this business. We must try lighter
+and pleasanter topics. Not another word about by-gone days will I speak.
+You have started afresh under my auspices, and I mean you to float. Now
+that you are here, Rachel, you must read amusing books, and be out in
+the open air all day. You will be a new creature in a week. You must
+come and see my cottage and my nephews; they are dear little fellows.
+Are you fond of children?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't think I am. I never had anything to do with them. But I would
+rather not go to your house, dear Miss Liddell. I feel as if I could not
+brave Miss Payne's eyes."</p>
+
+<p>"That is mere morbidness. There is no reason why you should fear any
+one. You must discount your future rights. A few years hence, when you
+are a new woman, you will, I am sure, look back with wonder and pity as
+if reading the memoir of another. I <i>know</i> that spells of
+self-forgiveness come to us mercifully."</p>
+
+<p>"When I listen to you, and hear in the tones of your voice more even
+than in your words that you are my friend, that you really care for me,
+that it will be a real joy to you to see me rise above myself, I feel
+that I can live and strive and be something more than a galvanized
+corpse. You give me strength. I wonder if I shall ever be able to prove
+to you what you have done for me. Stand by me, and I <i>will</i> try to put
+the past under my feet. I do not wish to presume on the great goodness
+you have shown me nor to forget the difference between us socially, but
+oh! let me believe you love me&mdash;even me&mdash;with the kindly affection that
+can forgive even while it blames."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Be assured of that, Rachel," cried Katherine, her eyes moist and
+beautiful with the divine light of kindness and sympathy, as she
+stretched out her hand to clasp Rachel's. "I have from the first been
+drawn to you strangely&mdash;it is something instinctive&mdash;and I have firm
+belief in your future, if you will but believe in yourself. You are a
+strong, brave woman, who can dare to look truth in the face. You will be
+useful and successful yet."</p>
+
+<p>Rachel held her hand tightly for a minute in silence; then she said, in
+a low but firm voice: "I will try to realize your belief. I should be
+too unworthy if I failed to do my very best. There! I have discarded the
+past; you shall hear of it no more."</p>
+
+<p>They were silent for a while; then a solemn old eight-day clock with a
+fine tone struck loudly and deliberatedly in the room below. Katherine,
+with a smile, counted each stroke. "Nine!" she exclaimed, when the last
+had sounded; "and though it is 9 P.M., let it be the first hour of your
+new life." She rose, and passing her arm over Rachel's shoulder, kissed
+her once more with sisterly warmth. "Mr. Payne is waiting for me, so I
+must leave you. I have sent you some books; I have but few here. One
+will amuse you, I am sure, though it is old enough&mdash;a translation of the
+<i>Memoirs of Madam d'Abrantes</i>. It is full of such quaint pictures of the
+great Napoleon's court, and does not display much dignity or nobility,
+yet it is an honest sort of book."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you. I don't want novels now; they generally pain me. But my
+greatest solace is to forget myself in a book."</p>
+
+<p>Bertie Payne's visit was a very happy one. The boys adored him, and
+subjects of discussion and difference of opinion never failed between
+Katherine and himself. She consulted him as to what school would be best
+for Cecil, and he advised that he should be left as a boarder at the one
+which he now attended, and where he had made fair progress, when Miss
+Payne and Katherine returned to town.</p>
+
+<p>Bertie looked a new man when he bade them good-by, promising to come
+again soon.</p>
+
+<p>Beyond sending a newspaper which recorded his victory in the Barton
+Towers steeple-chase De Burgh made no sign, and life ran smoothly in its
+ordinary grooves at Sandbourne.</p>
+
+<p>Rachel Trant revived marvellously. The change of scene, the fresh
+salt-air, above all the society of Katherine, who frequently visited and
+walked with her, all combined to give her new life&mdash;even emboldening her
+to look at the future. Her manner, always grave and respectful, won
+reluctant approval from Miss Payne. And the boys were always pleased to
+run to the boatman's cottage with flowers or fruit, and talk to, or
+rather question, their new friend. Rachel seemed always glad to see
+them, though she evidently shrank from returning their visits. She was
+never quite herself, or off guard, except when alone with Katherine.
+Then she spoke out of her heart, and uttered thoughts and opinions which
+often surprised Katherine, and set her thinking more seriously than she
+had ever done before. Finally, hearing from her good old landlady that
+some of her customers had returned to town and were inquiring for her,
+Rachel said it was time her holiday came to an end.</p>
+
+<p>"I feel now that I can bear to live and try to be independent.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span> Indeed
+my life is yours; you have given it back to me, and I will yet prove to
+you that I am not unworthy of your wonderful generosity," she said, the
+morning of the day she was to start for London, as she sat with
+Katherine among the rocks at the point. "The idea of an establishment
+such as Mr. Payne suggests is excellent. It ought to be your property,
+and good property&mdash;I need only be your steward&mdash;while it may be of great
+use to others."</p>
+
+<p>"I feel quite impatient to carry out the project, and we will set about
+it as soon as I return to town," returned Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you write to me sometimes?" asked Rachel, humbly. "I feel as if I
+dare not let you go: all of hope or promise that can come into my
+wrecked life centres in you. While you are my friend I can face the
+world."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Rachel, write to me as often as you like, and I will answer your
+letters. Trust me: I will always be your true friend."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXII" id="CHAPTER_XXII"></a>CHAPTER XXII.</h2>
+
+<h3>"WARP AND WOOF."</h3>
+
+
+<p>When the rough weather of a stormy autumn obliged Katherine to keep
+in-doors she began to feel the monotony of existence by the sad sea
+waves, and to wish for the sociability of London. The end of October,
+then, saw Miss Payne and party re-established in Wilton Street, having
+left Cecil at school. With Charlie, Katherine could not part just yet.
+She intended to keep him till after Christmas, when he was to go to
+school with his brother.</p>
+
+<p>Though town was empty as regarded "society," there was plenty of life
+and movement in the streets, and Katherine, always thankful for
+occupation which drew her thoughts away from her profound regret for the
+barrier which existed between Errington and herself, was glad to be back
+in the great capital. She threw herself into the scheme of establishing
+Rachel Trant as a "court dressmaker" most heartily, and Bertie Payne
+spared time from his multifarious avocations to give important
+assistance. Rachel herself, too, proved to be a wise counsellor, her
+previous training having given her some experience in business.
+Katherine therefore found interesting employment in looking for a small
+house suited to the undertaking.</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Newton was writing busily in his private room one foggy afternoon
+when he was informed that Miss Liddell wished to speak to him.</p>
+
+<p>"Show her in at once," he said, cheerfully, as if pleased, and he rose
+to receive her. "Glad to see you, Miss Liddell, looking all the better
+for your sojourn by the sea-side. Why, it must be nearly six months
+since I saw you."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, quite six months, Mr. Newton. I suppose you have been refreshing
+yourself too, after the fatigues of the season. You must try Sandbourne
+next year. It is a very nice little place."</p>
+
+<p>"Sandbourne? I don't think I know it. But now what do you want, my dear
+young lady? I don't suppose you come here merely for pleasure."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I assure you it always gives me great pleasure," said Katherine, with a
+sweet, sunny smile. "You have always been my very good friend."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, a sincere one, at all events," returned the dry old lawyer, whose
+aridity was not proof against the charm of his young client.</p>
+
+<p>"I must not waste your time," she resumed, drawing her chair a little
+nearer the table behind which he was ensconced. "I want to buy a house
+which I have seen, and I want you to attend to all details connected
+with it."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh&mdash;ah! Well, a good house would not be a bad investment; it would be
+very convenient to have a residence in London."</p>
+
+<p>"It is not for myself; it is a speculation."</p>
+
+<p>"A speculation? What put that into your head?"</p>
+
+<p>Whereupon Katherine told him her story.</p>
+
+<p>"I think it rather a mad undertaking," was Mr. Newton's verdict. "These
+projects seldom succeed. I don't care for clever interesting young women
+who have no one belonging to them and cannot corroborate their stories.
+How do you know she was not dismissed from Blackie &amp; Co.'s for theft?"</p>
+
+<p>Katherine laughed. "I certainly do not know," she said, "but I <i>feel</i> it
+is quite as impossible for her to steal as it is for myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Feel!&mdash;feel!" (impatiently). "Just so: impostors thrive on the good
+feelings of&mdash;of the simple."</p>
+
+<p>"You were going to say fools," said Katherine. "Don't let us waste time,
+my dear Mr. Newton," she went on, with good-humored decision. "We shall
+never agree on such a topic; and I am going to buy this house, or
+another of the same kind if this proves not to be desirable; and I
+should be very sorry to employ any one but you to arrange the purchase."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you know your own mind, and how to threaten&mdash;eh, Miss Liddell?" he
+returned, with a smile. "I must know more about the tenement before I
+can consent to act for you."</p>
+
+<p>"It is an ordinary three-storied house, with a couple of rooms built out
+at the back, in a small street where there are a few shops; but it is
+near Westbourne Terrace, and therefore in a region of good customers.
+The late owner has been succeeded by a son, who seems very anxious to
+get rid of it. The price asked is seven hundred and fifty pounds, and I
+believe the taxes are under ten pounds. Do, dear Mr. Newton, look into
+the matter, and get it settled as soon as possible, and on the best
+terms you can."</p>
+
+<p>"Hum! and the furniture? Do you undertake that too?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of course. Don't you see, I can do it all out of the money I have not
+been able to use. There is quite three thousand pounds on deposit in the
+bank. You know you wrote to me only a month ago about letting the money
+lie idle. I shall employ it now, for my <i>protegee</i>, Miss Trant, will be
+my only manager. I will pay her wages, and whatever profit after comes
+to me."</p>
+
+<p>"A very unknown quantity," said the lawyer, drily. "Still, the house
+can't run away, and I suppose will aways let for fifty or sixty pounds a
+year."</p>
+
+<p>"Fifty, I think."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I will look into the matter. Is it in habitable repair?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"It seems so. Do your best to have the purchase completed as soon as
+possible, dear Mr. Newton. I want to start my modiste in good time to
+catch the home-coming people."</p>
+
+<p>"Believe me, it is an unwise project," said Newton, thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p>"I know you think so, and you are right to counsel me according to your
+conscience; but as I am quite determined, you must not let me go to a
+stranger for help."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well; give me the address."</p>
+
+<p>"Seven Malden Street, Paddington. Bell &amp; Co., house agents, in Harrow
+Road, have it on their books."</p>
+
+<p>"Good! I'll get a surveyor to see to sanitary arrangements, etc. Now
+that, as usual, you have conquered again and again, tell me something of
+yourself. Are you tired of the little nephews yet?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed. I have been happier with them than I dared hope to be when
+I was left alone nearly a year ago, yet"&mdash;Her voice faltered and her
+soft dark eyes filled.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, yes," hastily, with a man's dread of tears; "you couldn't get over
+that all at once. But you know it is a very Quixotic business taking
+those boys; and Mrs. Ormonde is not the woman to relieve you should any
+difficulty arise."</p>
+
+<p>"But when boys are well provided for there never can be a difficulty.
+Ah, Mr. Newton, what a wonderful magician money is! What would become of
+me without it? It is almost worth risking anything to get it."</p>
+
+<p>"Or, apparently, to get rid of it," remarked Mr. Newton. "By-the-way,
+that was a tremendous smash of Errington's. Did you hear anything about
+him?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," rather faintly.</p>
+
+<p>"The reason I mention him is that, curiously enough, <i>he</i> was the man
+your uncle left everything to in that will he very fortunately
+destroyed. Of course I should only mention it to you: though now all is
+passed and gone, it is of no importance. He has behaved very well. I am
+told he has turned to literature. It's a pity he did not follow his
+profession; but it would be rather late in the day for that. I think you
+must find these rooms rather stuffy and warm after the sea-breezes, for
+you are looking pale and fagged again."</p>
+
+<p>"I feel a headache coming on," said Katherine, pulling herself together.
+"I hope you will pay me a visit someday. I should like to show you my
+dear little Charlie. He has a great look of my mother, especially his
+eyes; they are <i>just</i> like hers."</p>
+
+<p>"If you will allow me to come some Sunday&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly. You will sympathise with Miss Payne. She shares your
+deep-rooted distrust of your fellow-creatures. Yet even <i>she</i> has some
+faint faith in Rachel Trant."</p>
+
+<p>"That is the best symptom about the affair I have yet heard of.
+By-the-bye, this Miss Payne has made you comfortable? she has been a
+successful experiment?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very successful indeed. I quite like her, and respect her; but I shall
+not stay longer than the time I agreed for. I want to make a home for
+the boys and myself."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"What! Will Mrs. Ormonde give them up?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not avowedly, but they will ultimately glide into my hands."</p>
+
+<p>"I trust you will not regret the charge you are taking on yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not fear failure. These children are a great source of pleasure to
+me."</p>
+
+<p>A few more words, a promise on Mr. Newton's part to hurry matters, and
+Katherine, bidding him adieu for the present, descended to the brougham
+which she usually hired for distant expeditions. Ordering the coachman
+to stop at Howell&amp; James', Katherine leaned back and reflected on the
+interview with Mr. Newton. No doubt he thought he had given her a good
+deal of curious information. If he only knew what a living lie she was!
+Her duplicity met her at every turn, and cried shame upon her. However,
+she had the pardon and permission of him against whom she had chiefly
+offended; that counted for much. Still, it was too hard a punishment
+that the ghost of her transgression should thus cry out against her, and
+she had done her best to rectify it. She felt profoundly depressed. It
+was an effort to execute the commissions intrusted to her by Miss Payne.
+These performed, she was leaving the shop, when a gentleman who was
+passing rapidly almost ran against her. He paused and raised his hat as
+if to apologize. It was Errington.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Liddell!" he exclaimed, a startled, pleased look animating his
+eyes. "I understood you were out of town. I hardly hoped to meet you
+again."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine flushed up, and then grew white. "I have been out of town ever
+since&mdash;" Since what?&mdash;that turning-point in her life when she confessed
+all to him?</p>
+
+<p>"And I have been <i>in</i> town," rejoined Errington. "It is not nearly so
+bad as some people imagine. Where are you staying?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I am always with Miss Payne, in Wilton Street."</p>
+
+<p>"I remember. But I am keeping you standing. May I come and see you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no; I would rather not," cried Katherine, with an irresistible
+impulse which she regretted the next moment.</p>
+
+<p>"You are always frank," said Errington, with a kind smile, yet in a
+disappointed tone. "I will not intrude, then. How are your nephews, and
+Mrs. Ormonde? I seem to have lost sight of every one, for I have become
+a very busy man."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I know," she returned, her color going and coming, her heart
+beating so fast she could hardly speak. "I must seem so rude! But I have
+read some of your papers in <i>The Age</i>. It must, indeed, take time and
+study to produce such articles."</p>
+
+<p>"And patience on the part of a young lady to wade through them."</p>
+
+<p>"No; they always interest me, even when a little over my head. Though I
+do not want you to come and see me, I am always so glad to hear about
+you, to know you are well."</p>
+
+<p>"Then why avoid me?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"How can I help it?"&mdash;looking at him with dewy eyes and quivering lips.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I must accept your decision. I wish&mdash;But I will not detain you."
+He opened the carriage door and handed her in.</p>
+
+<p>For an instant her eyes sought his with a wistful, deprecating look,
+then she said, "Tell him 'home,' please," and she drove off.</p>
+
+<p>The encounter unhinged her for the day. Why had he crossed her path, and
+why had she allowed herself to reject his friendly offer to come and see
+her? Yet it would have made her miserable to bear the quiet scrutiny of
+his eyes through a whole visit. He had evidently quite forgiven her, but
+that could not restore her self-respect or render her less keenly alive
+to the silent reproach of his presence. And yet it was pleasant to hear
+him speak, his voice was so clear, so well modulated, so intelligent.
+And how well he looked!&mdash;better and brighter than she had ever seen him.
+It was evident that he was not breaking his heart about Lady Alice. How
+could she have given him up?</p>
+
+<p>Though nothing was more natural or probable than that they should meet
+when both lived in the same town, huge as it is, it was an immense
+surprise to Katherine, who had somehow come to the conclusion that they
+were never to set eyes on each other again. This impression upset her.
+She was constantly on the outlook for Errington wherever she drove or
+walked, and the composure which she had been diligently, and with a sort
+of sad resignation to Errington's wishes, building up, was replaced by a
+feverish, restless anticipation of she knew not what.</p>
+
+<p>The result was increased eagerness to see the completion of her
+dressmaking scheme, and she made Mr. Newton's life a burden to him till
+all was accomplished.</p>
+
+<p>In this she found a shrewd assistant in Mrs. Needham, who took up the
+cause furiously, and drove hither and thither, exhorting, entreating,
+commanding, and really bringing in customers, somewhat to Katherine's
+surprise, as she did not expect much wool from so great a cry.</p>
+
+<p>Shortly before Christmas Miss Trant's establishment was in full working
+order, a couple of clever assistants had been engaged, and Rachel
+herself seemed to wake up to the full energy of her nature under the
+spur of responsibility.</p>
+
+<p>The affair was not brought to a conclusion, however, without a struggle
+on the part of Mr. Newton against Katherine's resolution not to appear
+in the matter. The house was bought in Rachel Trant's name, the sale was
+made to her, and Miss Liddell's name never appeared. Newton declared it
+to be sheer madness; even Bertie Payne considered it unwise; but
+Katherine was immovable.</p>
+
+<p>"I am Miss Trant's creditor," she said. "If successful, she will pay me:
+if not, why, she will give up the house to me. I have full faith in her,
+and I wish her to be perfectly unshackled in the undertaking. As the
+owner of a house she will more readily obtain any credit she may need."</p>
+
+<p>"Which means," said Mr. Newton, crossly, "that you will<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span> have to pay her
+debts if you ever intend to get possession of the house."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I have made up my mind to the risk," returned Katherine, with
+smiling determination; "so we will say no more about it."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>The unexpected meeting with Errington haunted Katherine for many a day,
+and many a night was broken by unpleasant dreams. She was filled with
+regret for having so hastily refused his proffered visit. Yet had he
+come she would have been uneasy in his presence. She longed to see him
+again; she came home from driving or walking each day with aching eyes
+and dulled heart because she had been disappointed in encountering him.
+Yet she dreaded to meet him, and trembled at the idea of speaking to
+him. She was dismayed at the restless dissatisfaction of her own mind.
+Was she never to find peace? never to know real enjoyment in her
+ill-gotten fortune? Why was it that the image of this man was
+perpetually before her, the sound of his voice in her ears? Then the
+answer of her inner consciousness came to overwhelm her with shame and
+confusion: "Because you love him with all the strength and fervor of a
+heart that has never frittered away its force in senseless flirtations
+or passing fancies." This was the climax of misfortune. To know that the
+one of all others she most looked up to must, in spite of his kind
+forbearance, despise her as a cheat. Surely it was a sufficient
+punishment for a delicately proud woman to know that she had given her
+love unasked. All that remained for her was to hide her deep wounds,
+that by stifling the new and vivid feelings which troubled her they
+would die out, and so leave her in a state of monotonous repose. She
+would endeavor by all possible means to win forgetfulness.</p>
+
+<p>When Cis came back for the Christmas holidays, therefore, he found his
+auntie ready to go out with Charlie and himself to circus and pantomime,
+Polytechnic and wax-works, to his heart's content. It was not a brisk
+frosty Christmas, or she would no doubt have been with them on the ice,
+and the round of boyish dissipations called forth an oracular sentence
+from Miss Payne. "It's just as well those boys are going back to school,
+Katherine. You are more foolish about them than you used to be, and if
+they staid on you would completely ruin them."</p>
+
+<p>Just before the holidays were over, Mrs. Ormonde visited London, or
+rather paused in passing through from the distinguished Christmas
+gathering to which, to her pride and satisfaction, she had been invited
+at Lady Mary Vincent's. The little boys were indifferently glad to see
+her, and with the jealousy inherent in a disposition such as hers she
+was vexed at not being first with her own boys, yet delighted to hand
+over the care and trouble of them to any one who would undertake it.
+These mixed feelings ruffled the bright surface of her self-content,
+inflated as it was by her increasing social success.</p>
+
+<p>She chose to put up at a quiet hotel in Dover Street rather than accept
+Katherine's and Miss Payne's joint invitation to Wilton Street.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I know you will not mind, Katie dear," she said, as she sat at tea (to
+which refreshment she had invited her sister-in-law). "You see if it
+were your own house, quite your own, I should prefer staying with you to
+going anywhere else. As it is&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"You are quite right to please yourself," put in Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you are always kind and considerate. But, do you know, both
+Colonel Ormonde and I are very anxious you should establish yourself on
+a proper footing. Believe me, you do not take the social position you
+ought, living with an obscure old maid like Miss Payne"&mdash;this in a tone
+of strong common-sense. "The proper place for you is with us at
+Castleford in the autumn and winter, and a house in town with us in the
+spring. Then you and I might go abroad sometimes together, and leave
+Ormonde to his turnips and hunting. You would be sure to marry
+well&mdash;quite sure."</p>
+
+<p>"But I am going to settle myself in a house of my own this spring," said
+Katherine, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>Against this project Mrs. Ormonde exhausted herself in eloquent if
+contradictory argument: but finding she made no impression, suddenly
+changed the subject. "That is a very expensive school you have chosen
+for the boys, Katherine. 'Duke thinks it ridiculous. Sixty pounds a year
+for such a little fellow as Cis! and now Charlie will cost as much."</p>
+
+<p>"It is not cheap, certainly; but it is, I think, worth the money. Cecil
+has improved marvellously, and Sandbourne agrees so well with them
+both."</p>
+
+<p>"You will do as you think best, of course. We have the highest regard
+for your opinion. But you must remember that what with clothes and
+travelling and&mdash;oh, and doctors!&mdash;it all comes to more than three
+hundred a year, and at Castleford I could keep them for next to nothing,
+while the stingy trustees you have chosen only allow me four hundred and
+fifty."</p>
+
+<p>"So you have only about a hundred and fifty out of the total for your
+personal expenses, eh?" said Katherine, laughing. "Then you have a
+husband behind you."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I assure you that does not count for much. 'Duke doesn't care to
+spend money, and my having something of my own makes matters wonderfully
+smooth. I am sure you would not like to make any unhappiness between
+us."</p>
+
+<p>"No, certainly not. I think it quite right, as my brother's widow, you
+should have something for yourself as long as you live."</p>
+
+<p>"You really have a great sense of justice, Katherine, I must say! Living
+as you do, dear, you can form no idea what it costs to present an
+appearance when you are in a certain set."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't suppose I ever shall, though I like nice clothes too."</p>
+
+<p>"And look so well in them!" added Mrs. Ormonde, who was always ready,
+when she deemed it necessary, to burn the incense of flattery on her
+sister-in-law's shrine. "By-the-way, that is a very pretty, well-made
+costume you have on. I think you are slighter than you used to be."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"The effect of a good fit. I wish you would employ my dressmaker. She is
+very moderate."</p>
+
+<p>"Is she?"</p>
+
+<p>A short discussion of prices followed, and Mrs. Ormonde declared she
+would call on Miss Trant that very afternoon and bespeak two dresses,
+for all she had were quite familiar to the eyes of her associates.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you have heard or seen nothing of De Burgh lately?" exclaimed
+Mrs. Ormonde, suddenly.</p>
+
+<p>"No, not for a long time."</p>
+
+<p>"He has been away&mdash;somewhere in Hungary, hunting or shooting&mdash;and then
+he has been staying with old Lord de Burgh. They used hardly to speak,
+and now he seems taken into favor. He is a curious sort of man, and he
+can be <i>so</i> insolent! How he will put his foot on people's necks when he
+gets the old man's title and wealth!"</p>
+
+<p>"If they let him," said Katherine, quietly.</p>
+
+<p>"As he is in town, I thought he might have called on you. He was always
+running down to that stupid place in the summer, so I&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. De Burgh!" said a waiter, opening the door with a burst.</p>
+
+<p>"Talk of an angel!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, rising to receive him with a
+welcoming smile. "My sister was just saying it was a long time since she
+had seen you."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine felt annoyed at the thoughtless speech&mdash;if it <i>was</i>
+thoughtless. However, she kept a composed air, though the varying color
+which she never could regulate told De Burgh that she was not unmoved.</p>
+
+<p>"And probably hoped it would be longer," he replied, as he shook hands
+with Mrs. Ormonde, but only bowed to Miss Liddell.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't answer him," cried the former; "such decided fishing does not
+deserve success."</p>
+
+<p>"I will not," said Katherine, with a kind smile. She was too thorough a
+woman not to have a soft corner in her heart for the man who had
+professed, with so convincing an air of sincerity, to love her with all
+his heart.</p>
+
+<p>It did not, however, seem to please or displease him, for he sat down
+beside the tea-table with his usual unaffected ease, and addressed his
+conversation to Mrs. Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>"Just heard from Carew that you were in town, and I have only escaped
+from Pontygarvan, where I have been playing the dutiful kinsman to my
+immortal relative. I don't know which is most to be avoided, his enmity
+or his liking. He is an amusing old cynic at times, but a born despot.
+He only let me away to prosecute a scheme that he has taken up, and
+which I have gone pretty deeply into myself."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde, handing him some tea. "Have you turned
+promoter, or&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I am going to be my own promoter; time only will show how I'll
+succeed. You must both give me your best wishes."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I do," said Mrs. Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh raised his eyes slowly to Katherine's. She had not<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span> spoken.
+"Don't <i>you</i> wish me success? No; I thought you didn't."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you all possible happiness," she said, in a low tone.</p>
+
+<p>"Have you quarrelled with Katherine, or offended her, that she is so
+implacable?" asked Mrs. Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>"Neither, I hope. Now what are you doing in the way of amusement? Have
+you seen a play since you came up? The pantomimes are still on at the
+big theatres. But I want you to come and see <i>Ours</i> at the Prince of
+Wales on Thursday; it's very good in parts. Then if you'll sup with me
+after, at my rooms, I'll get Carew and Brereton and one or two others to
+meet you."</p>
+
+<p>"It would be very nice!" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," returned Katherine. "I am, strange to say, going to a party
+on Thursday."</p>
+
+<p>"To a party! How extraordinary! Where, Katherine?"</p>
+
+<p>"To Lady Barrington's&mdash;a lady I knew in Florence, and who has invited me
+repeatedly."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I am very glad you are coming out of your shell at last.
+Where does this Lady Barrington live?"</p>
+
+<p>"In Lancaster Square, not far from my abode."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, let us say Friday for <i>Ours</i>," said De Burgh; "for I too am going
+to Lady Barrington's on Thursday."</p>
+
+<p>"Then why did you invite us for that evening?" cried Mrs. Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>"I could have gone afterwards. Lady Barrington's gatherings are always
+late."</p>
+
+<p>"You really know every one."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, not every one, Mrs. Ormonde."</p>
+
+<p>"Then our 'play' is not to come off unless Katherine is to be of the
+party"&mdash;rather pettishly.</p>
+
+<p>"If you like I will take you on Thursday, and Miss Liddell (if she will
+allow me) on Friday."</p>
+
+<p>"What nonsense! We will all go together on Friday. Katie, do you think
+this friend of yours would invite me? I don't care to mope here when you
+are out enjoying yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure she would be very pleased to see you. I will write and ask
+her for an invitation as soon as I go home." Katherine rose as she
+spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"Do, like a good girl; and I will go and interview this dressmaker of
+yours. Till to-morrow, then."</p>
+
+<p>The little woman stood on tiptoe to kiss her tall sister-in-law, who
+left the room, followed by De Burgh.</p>
+
+<p>"Haven't I been a reasonable, well-behaved fellow not to have haunted or
+worried you all these months? Will you let me come and tell you how wise
+and staid and prudent I have become?" he said.</p>
+
+<p>He spoke half in jest, but there was a wonderfully appealing look in his
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"I am very glad to hear it, Mr. De Burgh. I hope you will go on and
+prosper."</p>
+
+<p>"And will you shut your doors against me if I call?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; why should I?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Thanks! How heavenly it is to see you again! though you don't look
+quite as bright as you did at Sandbourne. Is this your carriage? I see
+you have not started a turn-out of your own yet."</p>
+
+<p>"And never shall, probably."</p>
+
+<p>"Not, at all events, till you have appointed your 'master of the horse.'
+Good-by till to-morrow night."</p>
+
+<p>He handed her carefully into the brougham, and stood looking after it as
+she drove away.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>A WANDERER RETURNS.</h3>
+
+
+<p>It was quite an event in Katherine's quiet life to go to a party. She
+had never been at one in London, and anticipated it with interest. Both
+in Florence and Paris she had mixed in society and greatly enjoyed it.
+Now she felt a little curious as to the impression she might make and
+receive. Her nature was essentially vigorous and healthy, and threw off
+morbid feelings as certain chemicals repel others inimical to them. She
+would have enjoyed life intensely but for the perpetually recurring
+sense of irritation against herself for having forfeited her own
+self-respect by her hasty action. It would have been somewhat
+humiliating to have taken charity from the hands of Errington, but this
+was as nothing to the crushing abasement of knowing that she had cheated
+him. Still, no condition of mind is constant&mdash;except with
+monomaniacs&mdash;and Katherine was often carried away from herself and her
+troubles.</p>
+
+<p>She was glad, on the whole, that De Burgh was to be at Lady Barrington's
+reception.</p>
+
+<p>She was too genial, too responsive, not to find admiration very
+acceptable. Nor could she believe that a man like De Burgh, hard,
+daring, careless, could suffer much or long through his affections. It
+flattered her woman's vanity, too, that with her he dropped his cynical,
+mocking tone, and spoke with straightforward earnestness. He might have
+ended by interesting and flattering her till she loved him&mdash;for he had a
+certain amount of attraction&mdash;if her carefully resisted feeling for
+Errington had not created an antidote to the poison he might have
+introduced into her life.</p>
+
+<p>Altogether she dressed with something of anticipated pleasure, and was
+not displeased with the result of her toilette.</p>
+
+<p>Her dress was as deeply mourning as it was good taste to wear at an
+evening party. A few folds of gauzy white lisse softened the edge of her
+thick black silk corsage, a jet necklet and comb set off her snowy,
+velvety throat and bright golden brown hair.</p>
+
+<p>"I had no idea you would turn out so effectively!" exclaimed Mrs.
+Ormonde, examining her with a critical eye as they took off their wraps
+in the ladies' cloak-room. "Your dress might have been cut a little
+lower, dear; with a long throat like yours it is very easy to keep
+within the bounds of decency. I wonder you do not buy yourself some
+diamonds; they are so becoming."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I shall wait for some one to give them to me," returned Katherine,
+laughing.</p>
+
+<p>"Quite right"&mdash;very gravely&mdash;"only if I were you I should make haste and
+decide on the 'some one.'"</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Ormonde and Miss Liddell!" shouted the waiters from landing to
+door, and the next moment Lady Barrington, a large woman in black velvet
+and a fierce white cap in which glittered an aigret of diamonds, was
+welcoming them with much cordiality.</p>
+
+<p>"Very happy to see any friend of yours, my dear Miss Liddell! I think I
+had the pleasure of meeting you, Mrs. Ormonde, at Lord Trevallan's
+garden-party last June?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes; were <i>you</i> there?" with saucy surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Algernon," continued Lady Barrington, motioning with her fan to a tall,
+thin youth. "My nephew, Mrs. Ormonde, Miss Liddell. I think Algernon had
+the pleasure of meeting you at Rome?" Katherine bowed and smiled. "Take
+Mrs. Ormonde and Miss Liddell in and find them seats near the piano.
+Signor Bandolini and Madam Montebello are good enough to give us some of
+their charming duets, and are just going to begin. I was afraid you
+might be late."</p>
+
+<p>So Mrs. Ormonde and Miss Liddell were ushered to places of honor, and
+the music began.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see a soul I know," whispered Mrs. Ormonde, presently. "Yet the
+women are well dressed and look nice enough, but the men are decidedly
+caddish."</p>
+
+<p>"London is a large place, with room in it for all sorts and conditions
+of men. But we must not talk, Ada."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Ormonde was silent for a while; and then opening her fan to screen
+her irrepressible desire to communicate her observations, resumed:</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I saw Captain Darrell in the doorway only for a minute, and
+he went away. I hope he will come and talk to us. You were gone when he
+came back from leave&mdash;to Monckton, I mean. He is rather amu&mdash;" A warning
+"hush-sh" interrupted her.</p>
+
+<p>"What rude, ill-bred people!" she muttered, under her breath. And soon
+the duet&mdash;a new one, expressly composed to show off the vocal gymnastics
+of the signore and madame&mdash;came to an end; there was a rustle of relief,
+and every one burst into talk.</p>
+
+<p>"How glad they are it is over!" said Mrs. Ormonde. "Look at that tall
+girl in pink. You see those sparkles in the roses on her corsage and in
+her hair; they are all diamonds. I know the white glitter. What airs she
+gives herself! I suppose she is an heiress, and, I dare say, not half as
+rich as you are."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be too sure. I am no millionaire," began Katherine, when she was
+interrupted by a voice she knew, which said, "I had no idea it was to be
+such a ghastly concern as this!" and turning, she found De Burgh close
+behind her.</p>
+
+<p>"What offends you?" she asked, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"All this trilling and shrieking. There's tea or something going on
+downstairs. You had better come away before they have a fresh burst;
+they are carrying up a big fiddle."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Tea!" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde. "Oh, do take me away to have some!"</p>
+
+<p>"Here, Darrell," said De Burgh, coolly, turning back to speak to some
+one who stood behind him. "Here's Mrs. Ormonde dying for deliverance and
+tea. Come, do your <i>devoir</i>."</p>
+
+<p>Darrell hastened forward, smiling, delighted. With a little pucker of
+the brow and lifting of the eyebrows Mrs. Ormonde accepted his arm.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Miss Liddell," said De Burgh, offering his; and not sorry to
+escape from the heated, crowded room, Katherine took it and accompanied
+him downstairs.</p>
+
+<p>"I did not think you knew Lady Barrington," said Katherine, as he handed
+her an ice.</p>
+
+<p>"Know her? Never heard of her till you mentioned her name the day before
+yesterday."</p>
+
+<p>"How did she come to ask you to her house, then?"</p>
+
+<p>"Let me see. Oh, I went down to the club and asked if any one knew Lady
+Barrington, and who was going to her party. At last Darrell said he was
+a sort of relation, and that he would ask for a card. He did, and here I
+am."</p>
+
+<p>"But you said you were coming."</p>
+
+<p>"So I was. I made up my mind to come as soon as you said you were."</p>
+
+<p>"You are very audacious, Mr. De Burgh!" said Katherine, laughing in
+spite of her intention to be rather distant with him.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think so? Then I have earned the character cheaply. Are they
+going to squall and fiddle all night? I thought it might turn into a
+dance."</p>
+
+<p>"I did not imagine you would condescend to dance."</p>
+
+<p>"Why? I used to like dancing, under certain conditions. Don't fancy I
+haven't an ear for music, Miss Liddell, because I said the performance
+upstairs was ghastly. I am very fond of music&mdash;real sweet music. I liked
+<i>your</i> songs, and I should have liked a waltz with you&mdash;<i>im</i>mensely. You
+know I never met you in society before&mdash;" He stopped abruptly and looked
+at her from head to foot, with a comprehensive glance so full of the
+admiration he did not venture to speak that Katherine felt the color
+mount to her brow and even spread over her white throat, while an odd
+sense of uneasy distress fluttered her pulses. She only said,
+indifferently: "I might not prove a good partner. I have never danced
+much."</p>
+
+<p>"I might give you a lesson in that too, as well as in handling the
+ribbons. And for that there will be a grand opportunity next week. Lord
+De Burgh is coming up, and I shall have the run of his stables, which I
+will take good care shall be well filled. We'll have out a smart pair of
+cobs, and you shall take them round the Park every morning, till you are
+fit to give all the other women whips the go-by."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you seriously believe such a scheme possible?"</p>
+
+<p>"It shall be if you say yes. Do you know that you have brought me luck?
+You have, 'pon my soul! I am A-1 with old De Burgh, and I won a pot of
+money up in Yorkshire, paid a lot of debts, sold<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span> my horses. Now, don't
+you think you ought to be interested in your man Friday? You remember
+our last meeting at Sandbourne&mdash;hey? Don't you think I am going to
+succeed all along the line?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is impossible to say," returned Katherine. "You know there is a
+French proverb&mdash;" She stopped, not liking to repeat it as she suddenly
+remembered the application.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I do know the lying Gallic invention! <i>Heureux au jeu, malheureux
+en amour</i>. I don't believe it. If luck's with you, all goes well; but
+then Fortune is such a fickle jade!"</p>
+
+<p>"I trust you will always be fortunate, Mr. De Burgh," said Katherine,
+gently.</p>
+
+<p>"I like to hear you say so. Now I don't often let my tongue run on as it
+has, but if you'll be patient and friendly, I'll be as mild and
+inoffensive as a youngster fresh from school."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well," said Katherine, smiling and confused. Here she was
+interrupted by the sudden approach of Mrs. Needham, her dark eyes
+gleaming with pleased recognition, and her high color heightened by the
+heat of the rooms. She was gorgeous in red satin, black lace and
+diamonds. "My dear Miss Liddell! I have been looking for you everywhere!
+I want so much to speak to you about a project I have for starting a new
+weekly paper, to be called <i>The Woman's Weekly</i>. There is an empty sofa
+in that little room at the other side of the hall. Do come, and I will
+explain it all. It is likely to do a great deal of good, and to be a
+paying concern into the bargain. You will excuse me for running away
+with Miss Liddell"&mdash;to De Burgh&mdash;"but we have some matters to discuss.
+We shall meet you upstairs afterwards." She swept Katherine away, while
+De Burgh stood scowling. Who was this audacious pirate who had cut out
+his convoy from under the fire of his angry eyes?</p>
+
+<p>"You see, my dear," commenced Mrs. Needham, in a low voice and speaking
+rapidly, "there is an immense field to be cultivated in the humble
+strata of the better working-class, and the paper I wish to establish
+will be quite different from <i>The Queen</i>, more useful and less than
+half-price. No stuff about fashionable marriages in print that is enough
+to blind an eagle, but useful receipts and work patterns, domestic
+information, and a story&mdash;a story is a great point&mdash;a description of any
+great events, and fashion plates, etc." And she poured forth a torrent
+of what she was pleased to term "facts and figures" till Katherine felt
+fairly bewildered.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems a great undertaking," she replied, when she could get a word
+in. "I shall require a great deal of explanation before I can comprehend
+it. Will you not come and see me when we shall be alone, and we can
+discuss it quietly?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly, my dear Miss Liddell&mdash;to-morrow. No; to-morrow I have about
+seven or eight engagements between two and six-thirty. Let me see. I am
+terribly pressed just now; I will write and fix some morning if you will
+come and lunch with me. If you could see your way to taking a few shares
+it would be a great help. Money&mdash;money&mdash;money. Without the filthy lucre
+nothing can be begun or ended. Now tell me how you have been. I have
+been coming to<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span> see you for <i>months</i>, but never get a moment to myself;
+but I have heard of you from Mr. Payne. What a good fellow he is! How is
+Miss Payne?" Katherine replied, and Mrs. Needham rushed on: "Nice party,
+isn't it? There are several literary people here to-night. I did not
+know Lady Barrington went in for literary society, but one picks up a
+little of all sorts when you live abroad for a while. Here is a very
+interesting man. He is coming very much to the front as a political and
+philosophic writer. It is said he is to be the editor of <i>The Empire</i>,
+that new monthly which they say is to take the lead of all the
+magazines. I met him at Professor Kean's last week. I don't think he
+sees me&mdash;Good-evening! Don't think you remember me&mdash;Mrs. Needham. Had
+the pleasure of meeting you at Professor Kean's last Monday. Mr.
+Errington, Miss Liddell!"</p>
+
+<p>"I have already the pleasure of knowing Miss Liddell," he returned, with
+a grave smile and stately bow, as he took the hand Katherine
+hesitatingly held out.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, indeed; I was not aware of it." Errington stood talking with Mrs.
+Needham, or, rather, answering her rapid questions respecting a variety
+of subjects, until she suddenly recognized some one to whom she was
+imperatively compelled to speak. With a hasty, "Will you be so good as
+to take Miss Liddell to her friends?" she darted away with surprising
+lightness and rapidity, considering her size and solidity.</p>
+
+<p>"Would you like to go upstairs?" asked Errington.</p>
+
+<p>"If you please." Katherine was quivering with pain and pleasure at
+finding herself thus virtually alone with the man whose image haunted
+her in spite of her constant determined efforts to banish it from her
+mind.</p>
+
+<p>On the first landing was a conservatory prettily lit and decorated, and
+larger than those ordinarily appended to London houses. "Suppose we rest
+here," said Errington. "From the quiet which reigns above, I think some
+one is reciting and that is not an exhilarating style of amusement."</p>
+
+<p>"I should think not. I have never heard any one attempt to recite in
+England."</p>
+
+<p>"May you long be preserved from the infliction! There are very few who
+can make recitation endurable."</p>
+
+<p>After some enquiries for Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde, and a few
+observations on the beautiful, abundant flowers, Errington said: "Won't
+you sit down? If it is not unpleasant to you, I should like to improve
+this occasion, as I rarely have an opportunity of seeing you."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine complied, and sat down on a settee which was behind a central
+group of tall feathery ferns. She was another creature from the bright
+and somewhat coquettish girl who was always ready to answer De Burgh or
+Colonel Ormonde with keen prompt wit. Silent, downcast, scarcely able to
+raise her eyes to Errington's, yet too fascinated to resist his wish to
+continue their interview.</p>
+
+<p>"I am very glad to meet you here," began Errington in his calm,
+melodious voice. "It is so much better for you to mix with your kind; it
+has a wholesome, humanizing influence, and may I venture to say that you
+are inclined to be morbid?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Can you wonder?" said Katherine, soft and low.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I do. There is no reason why you should not be bright and happy,
+and enjoy the goods the gods&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"No," she interrupted, playing nervously with the flowers in her
+bouquet; "not given by the gods! Stolen from you!" She did not raise her
+eyes as she spoke.</p>
+
+<p>"I do beg you to put that incident out of your mind. We have arranged
+the question of succession, as only I had a right to do. No one else
+need know, and you will, I am sure, make a most excellent use of what is
+now really yours. Forget the past, and allow me to be your friend."</p>
+
+<p>"I am always thinking of you," she said, almost in a whisper. "Yet it is
+always a trial to meet you. I think I would rather not. Tell me," with a
+sudden impulse of tenderness and contrition, looking up to him with
+humid eyes, "are you well and happy? How have you borne the terrible
+change in your life?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am perfectly well and quite happy," returned Errington, with a slight
+smile. "The terrible change, as you term it, has affected me very
+little. I find real work most exhilarating, and slight success is sweet.
+Since I knew that the tangle of my poor father's affairs was
+satisfactorily unravelled, I have been at ease, comparatively. Life has
+many sides. I miss most my horses."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, yes, you must miss them! Well, from what I hear, you seem to be
+making a place for yourself in literature. I am so glad!"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you. And you, may I ask, what are your plans?"</p>
+
+<p>"If you are so good as to care, I am going to take a house and make a
+home for myself and my little nephews. Without any formal agreement,
+Mrs. Ormonde leaves them very much to me. They are a great interest to
+me. And as you are so kind in wishing me to be happy and not morbid, I
+will try to forget. I think I could be happier if you would promise me
+something."</p>
+
+<p>"What?"</p>
+
+<p>"If ever&mdash;" She hesitated; her voice trembled. "If you ever want
+anything," she hurried on, nervously, "anything, even to the half of my
+kingdom, you will deign to accept it from me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will," said Errington, with a kind and, as Katherine imagined, a
+condescending smile.</p>
+
+<p>"He thinks me a weak, impulsive child, who must be forgiven because she
+is scarcely responsible," she said to herself.</p>
+
+<p>"And this preliminary settled, you will admit me to the honor of your
+acquaintance?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Mr. Errington, do not think me ungrateful. But can you not
+understand that, good and generous as you are, your presence overwhelms
+me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Then I will not intrude upon you. Gently and very gravely I accept your
+decree."</p>
+
+<p>They were silent for a moment; then Katherine said, "I was sure you
+would understand me." As she spoke, De Burgh suddenly came round the
+group of ferns and stood before them with an air of displeased surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Why, Miss Liddell! I thought that desperate filibuster in red<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span> satin
+had carried you off. I have sought you high and low. How d'ye do,
+Errington? Haven't seen you this age. Mrs. Ormonde wants to go home,
+Miss Liddell."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose the recitation is over," said Errington, coolly. "I will take
+Miss Liddell to Mrs. Ormonde, whom I have not seen for some time."</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh, therefore, had nothing for it but to walk after the man whom
+he at once decided was a dangerous rival, as indeed he would have
+considered any one in the rank of a gentleman.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Ormonde was quite charmed to see Errington. She had put him rather
+out of her mind. It was a pleasant surprise to meet him once more in
+society, for she had a sort of dim idea his ruin was so complete that he
+must have sold his dress clothes to provide food, and could never,
+therefore, hold up his head in society again.</p>
+
+<p>"It is quite nice to see you once more!" she exclaimed, with a sweet
+smile, after they had exchanged greetings. "Colonel Ormonde will be
+delighted to hear of you. I wish you could come down for a few days'
+hunting. Do give me your address, and Duke will write to you."</p>
+
+<p>"There is my address," he said, taking out his card case and giving her
+a card; "but I fear there is little chance of my getting out of town
+till long after the hunting is over."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you must try. At all events, come and see me. I am at Thorne's
+Hotel, Dover Street, and almost always at home about five. But I leave
+town next week."</p>
+
+<p>Here the hostess sailed up, and touching Errington's arm, said "Sir
+Arthur Haynes, the great authority on international law, you know, wants
+to be introduced to you, Mr. Errington."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Ormonde took the opportunity of saying good-night, and Katherine
+took farewell of Errington with a bow.</p>
+
+<p>"Twenty-four, Sycamore Court Temple. What a come-down for him!" said
+Mrs. Ormonde, looking at the card she held, when they reached the
+cloak-room.</p>
+
+<p>"He seems cheerful enough," said Katherine, irritated at the tone in
+which the observation was made; "and I thought the Temple was rather a
+smart place to live in."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I don't know. Come, it must be late. What a stupid party! How
+cross De Burgh looks! I am sure he has a horrid temper."</p>
+
+<p>In the hall Captain Darrell and De Burgh awaited them. The latter was
+too angry to speak. He handed Katherine into the carriage, and uttering
+a brief good-night, stepped back to make way for Captain Darrell, who
+expressed his pleasure at having met Mrs. Ormonde, and begged to be
+allowed to call next day.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>On the whole, Katherine felt comforted by the assurance of Errington's
+friendly feeling toward her. How cruel it was to be obliged thus to
+reject his kindly advances! But it was wiser. If she met him often, what
+would become of her determination to steel her heart against the
+extraordinary feeling he had awakened? Besides, it could only be the
+wonderful patient benevolence of his nature which made him take any
+notice of her. In his own mind<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span> contempt could be the only feeling she
+awakened. No; the less she saw of him, the better for her.</p>
+
+<p>By the time De Burgh called to escort Katherine and Mrs. Ormonde (who
+had dined with her) to the theatre he had conquered the extreme, though
+unreasonable, annoyance which had seized him on finding Errington and
+Katherine in apparently confidential conversation. He exerted himself
+therefore to be an agreeable host with success.</p>
+
+<p>A play was the amusement of all others which delighted Katherine and
+drew her out of herself. De Burgh was diverted and Mrs. Ormonde half
+ashamed of the profound interest, the entire attention, with which she
+listened to the dialogue and awaited the <i>denouement</i>.</p>
+
+<p>"I should have thought you had seen too much good acting abroad to be so
+delighted with this," said Mrs. Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>"But this is excellent, and the style is so new I have to thank you, Mr.
+De Burgh, for a delightful evening."</p>
+
+<p>"The same to you," he returned. "Seeing you enjoy it so much woke me up
+to the merits of the thing."</p>
+
+<p>The supper was bright and lively. Three men besides himself, and a
+cousin, a pretty, chatty woman of the world, completed De Burgh's party.
+There was plenty of laughing and chaffing. Katherine felt seized by a
+feverish desire to shake off dull care, to forget the past, to be as
+other women were. There was no reason why she should not. So she laughed
+and talked with unusual animation, and treated her host with kindly
+courtesy, that set his deep eyes aglow with hope and pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a great advantage to be rich," said Mrs. Ormonde, reflectively,
+as she leaned comfortably in the corner of the carriage which conveyed
+her and her sister-in-law home. She was always a little nettled when she
+found how completely Katherine had effaced herself from De Burgh's
+fickle mind. She had been highly pleased with the idea of having her
+husband's distinguished relative for a virtuous and despairing adorer,
+and his desertion had mortified her considerably.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, money is certainly a great help," returned Katherine, scarce
+heeding what she said.</p>
+
+<p>"It certainly has been to you, Katie. Don't think me disagreeable for
+suggesting it, but do you suppose De Burgh would show you all this
+devotion if you were to lose your money?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no! He could not afford it. He told me he must marry a rich woman."</p>
+
+<p>"Did he, really? It is just like him. What audacity! I wonder you ever
+spoke to him again. Then you <i>are</i> going in for rank, Katherine?"</p>
+
+<p>"How can you tell? I don't know myself. Good-night. I shall tell you
+whenever I know my own mind."</p>
+
+<p>"She is as close as wax, with all her frankness," thought Mrs. Ormonde
+as she went up to her room, after taking an affectionate leave of her
+sister-in-law.</p>
+
+<p>The boys at school, Katherine found time hung somewhat heavily on her
+hands&mdash;a condition of things only too favorable to thought<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span> and visions
+of what "might have been." So, with the earnest hope of finding the
+exhilarations which might lead, through forgetfulness, to the happiness
+she so eagerly craved, Katherine accepted almost all the invitations
+which were soon showered upon her. At the houses of acquaintances she
+had made abroad she made numerous new ones, who were quite ready to
+<i>fete</i>, the handsome, sweet-voiced, pleasant-mannered heiress, who
+seemed to think so little about herself.</p>
+
+<p>"Just the creature to be imposed upon, my dear!" as each mother
+whispered to the one next her, thinking, of course, of the other's son.</p>
+
+<p>But her most satisfactory hours were those spent with Rachel, when they
+talked of the business, and often branched off to more abstract
+subjects. To the past they never alluded. Katherine was glad to see that
+the dead, hopeless expression of Rachel Trant's eyes had changed, yet
+not altogether for good. A certain degree of alertness had brightened
+them, but with it had come a hard, steady look, as though the spirit
+within had a special work to do, and was steeled and "straitened till it
+be accomplished."</p>
+
+<p>"You are quite a clever accountant, Rachel," said Katherine, one
+afternoon in early April, after they had gone through the books
+together. "You have been established nearly five months, and you have
+paid expenses and a trifle over."</p>
+
+<p>"It is not bad. Then, you see, the warehouses will give me credit for
+the next orders, three months' credit, and my orders are increasing. I
+am sure it is of great importance to have materials for customers to
+choose from. Ladies like to be saved the trouble of shopping, and I can
+give a dress at a more moderate rate, if I provide everything, than they
+can buy it piecemeal. I hope to double the business this season, and pay
+you a good percentage. Even on credit I can venture to order a fair
+supply of goods."</p>
+
+<p>"Don't try credit yet, Rachel," said Katherine, earnestly. "I can give
+you a check now, and after this you can stand alone."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you quite sure you can do this without inconvenience?" asked
+Rachel. "If you can, I will accept it. I begin to feel sure I shall be
+able to develop a good business and what will prove valuable property to
+you. It is an ambition that has quite filled my heart, and in devoting
+myself to it I have found the first relief from despair&mdash;a despair that
+possessed my soul whenever you were out of my sight. When I am not
+thinking of gowns and garnitures, I am adding up all the money you have
+sunk in this adventure, and planning how it may ultimately pay you six
+per cent. over and above expenses. It does not sound a very heroic style
+of gratitude, but it is practical, and I believe feasible."</p>
+
+<p>"You are intensely real," said Katherine, "and I believe you will be
+successful."</p>
+
+<p>After discussing a few more points connected with the undertaking they
+parted, and before Katherine dressed for dinner she wrote and despatched
+the promised check.</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh had throughout this period conducted himself with prudence and
+discretion. He often called about tea-time, and frequently managed to
+meet Katherine in the evening, but he carefully main<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span>tained a frank,
+friendly tone, even when expressing in his natural brusque way his
+admiration of herself or her dress. He talked pleasantly to Miss Payne,
+and subscribed to many of Bertie's charities. Katherine was getting
+quite used to him, though they disagreed and argued a good deal. She
+sometimes tried to persuade herself that De Burgh had given up his
+original pretentions and would be satisfied with platonics. But her
+inner consciousness rejected the theory. Still, De Burgh came to be
+recognized as a favored suitor by society, and the "mothers, the
+cousins, and the aunts" of eligible young men shook their heads over the
+mistake she was making.</p>
+
+<p>Now, after mature consideration, Katherine determined to make the will
+she had so long postponed, and bequeath all she possessed to Errington.
+It was rather a formidable undertaking to announce this intention to Mr.
+Newton, who would be sure to be surprised and interrogative, but she
+would do it. Having, therefore, made an appointment with him, she
+screwed up her courage and set out, accompanied by Miss Payne, who had
+been laid up with a cold, and was venturing out for the first time. She
+took advantage of Katherine's brougham to have a drive. The morning was
+very fine, and they started early, early enough to allow Miss Payne to
+leave the carriage and walk a little in the sun on "the Ladies' Mile."</p>
+
+<p>As they proceeded slowly along, a well-appointed phaeton and pair of
+fine steppers passed them. It was occupied by two gentlemen, one old,
+gray, bent, and closely wrapped up; the other vigorous, dark, erect,
+held the reins. He lifted his hat as he passed Katherine and her
+companion with a swift, pleased smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Who are those women?" asked the old gentleman, in a thick growl.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Liddell and her companion."</p>
+
+<p>"By George! she looks like a gentlewoman. Turn, and let us pass them
+again."</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh obeyed, and slackened speed as he went by. At the sound of the
+horses' tramp Katherine turned her head and gave De Burgh a bright smile
+and gracious bow.</p>
+
+<p>"She is wonderfully good-looking for an heiress," remarked Lord de
+Burgh, who was, of course, the wrapped-up old gentleman. "I should say
+something for you if you could show such a woman with sixty or seventy
+thousand behind her as your wife. Why don't you go in and win? Don't let
+the grass grow under your feet."</p>
+
+<p>"It is easier said than done. Miss Liddell is not an ordinary sort of
+young lady; she is not to be hurried. But I do not despair, by any
+means, of winning her yet. If I press my suit too soon, I may lose my
+chance. Trust me, it won't be my fault if I fail."</p>
+
+<p>"I see you are in earnest," said the old man, "and I believe you'll
+win."</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh nodded, and whipped up his horses.</p>
+
+<p>"That must be the old lord," said Miss Payne, as the phaeton passed out
+of sight. "Mr. De Burgh seems in high favor. I cannot help liking him
+myself. There is no nonsense about him, and he is quite a gentleman in
+spite of his <i>brusquerie</i>."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I think he is," said Katherine, thoughtfully, and walked on a
+little while in silence. Then Miss Payne said she felt tired; so they
+got into the carriage again and drove to Mr. Newton's office. There
+Katherine alighted, and desired the driver to take Miss Payne home and
+return for herself.</p>
+
+<p>"And what is your business to-day?" asked Mr. Newton, when, after a
+cordial greeting, his fair client had taken a chair beside his knee-hole
+table.</p>
+
+<p>"A rather serious matter, I assure you. I want to make my will."</p>
+
+<p>"Very right, very right; it will not bring you any nearer your last hour
+and it ought to be done."</p>
+
+<p>The lawyer drew a sheet of paper to him, and prepared to "take
+instructions."</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to leave several small legacies," began Katherine, "and
+have put down the names of those I wish to remember, with the amounts
+each is to receive. If you read over this paper" (handing it to him) "we
+can discuss&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>She was interrupted by a tap at the door which faced her, but was on
+Newton's left. A high screen protected the old lawyer from draughts, and
+prevented him from seeing who entered until the visitor stood before
+him.</p>
+
+<p>"Come in," said Newton, peevishly; and as a clerk presented himself,
+added, "What do you want?"</p>
+
+<p>"Beg pardon, sir. A gentleman downstairs wants to see you so very
+particularly that he insisted on my coming up."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, say I can't. I am particularly engaged. He must wait."</p>
+
+<p>While he spoke Katherine saw a man cross the threshold, a tall, gaunt
+man, slightly stooped. His clothes hung loosely on him, but they were
+new and good. His hair was iron gray, and thin on his craggy temples.
+Something about his watchful, stern eyes, his close-shut mouth, and
+strong, clean-shaven jaw seemed not unfamiliar to Katherine, and she was
+strangely struck and interested in his aspect. Mr. Newton's last words
+evidently reached his ear, for he answered, in deep, harsh tones, "No,
+Newton, I will <i>not</i> wait!" and walked in, pausing exactly opposite the
+lawyer, who grew grayly pale, and starting from his seat, leaned both
+hands on the table, while he trembled visibly. "My God!" he exclaimed,
+hoarsely; "George Liddell!"</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, George Liddell! I thought you would know me."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXIV.</h2>
+
+<h3>A TRAVELLER'S STORY.</h3>
+
+
+<p>When these startling sentences penetrated to Katherine's comprehension
+she saw as with a flash their far-reaching consequences. Her uncle's
+will suppressed, his son and natural heir would take everything. And her
+dear boys&mdash;how would they fare?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>She sat with wide-dilated eyes, gazing at the hard, displeased face of
+this unwelcome intruder. There were a few moments of profound silence;
+the old lawyer's hands, which relaxed their grasp of his chair as he
+looked with startled amazement at his late client's son, visibly
+trembled.</p>
+
+<p>Liddell was the first to speak. "So you thought I was dead and out of
+the way," he said, with a sneer; "that nothing would happen to disturb
+the fortunate possessor of my father's money. I was dead and done for,
+and a good riddance."</p>
+
+<p>"But how&mdash;how is it that you are alive!" stammered Mr. Newton.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that I can easily account for." And he looked round for a chair.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, pray sit down," said Mr. Newton, recovering himself.</p>
+
+<p>Here Katherine, with the unconscious tact of a sensitive woman, feeling
+how terrible it must be to find one's continued existence a source of
+regret to others, rose and held out her hand. "Let me, your kinswoman,"
+she said, "welcome you back to life and home. I hope there are many
+happy years before you."</p>
+
+<p>Liddell was greatly surprised. He mechanically took the hand offered to
+him, and looking earnestly into her face, exclaimed, "Who are you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Katherine Liddell, your uncle Frederic's daughter."</p>
+
+<p>He dropped&mdash;indeed, almost threw&mdash;her hand from him. "What!" he cried,
+"are <i>you</i> the supplanter, who took all without an inquiry, without an
+effort to find out if I were dead or alive?"</p>
+
+<p>"Sit down&mdash;sit down&mdash;sit down," repeated Newton, still confused. "Let us
+talk over everything. As to trying to find you, we never dreamed of
+finding you, considering that twelve, fourteen years ago we had an
+account of your death from an eye-witness."</p>
+
+<p>"Cowardly liar! It was worth a Jew's ransom to see him turn white and
+drop into a chair when I confronted him the day before yesterday."</p>
+
+<p>"Why did you not communicate with me on hearing of your father's death?"</p>
+
+<p>"When do you think I heard of it? Do you fancy I sat down in the midst
+of my busy day to pore over the births, deaths, and marriages in a
+paper, like a gossiping woman? Kith and kin were dead to me long ago.
+What did I care for English papers? What had my life or the life of my
+poor mother been that I should give those I had left behind a thought?"
+He paused, and taking a chair, looked very straight at Katherine. "Now I
+shall tell you my story, once for all, to show you that there is no use
+in disputing my rights. You know"&mdash;addressing Newton&mdash;"how my life was
+made a burden to me, and that I ran away to sea, ready to throw myself
+into it rather than return to my miserable home. After several voyages I
+found myself at Sydney. A young fellow who had been my mate on the
+voyage out, an active, clever chap, proposed that we should start for
+the gold fields; so we started. It was a desperate long tramp, but we
+reached them at last. Life was hard and rough, and for a time we worked
+and worked, and got nothing. At last we found a pocket, just as we were
+going to give up, and having secured a<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span> fair lot of gold, we divided our
+gains and determined to leave the camp, which was not too safe for a
+successful digger, before the rest knew of our treasure-trove. We
+decided to trudge it to the nearest place where we could buy horses, and
+then to make our way to Sydney as fast as we could. Somehow it must have
+got out that we <i>had</i> gold, for as the dusk of evening was closing round
+us on the second day of our march we were attacked by some men on
+horseback&mdash;bush-rangers, I suppose. We showed fight, and I was hit in
+the shoulder. At the same time I stumbled over a stump, and pitched on
+to my head, which stunned me. Just then, it seems, the sound of horses
+approaching frightened the scoundrels, and they made off. My mate, not
+knowing whether the new-comers were friends or foes, he says, got away
+as fast as he could. His story is that as soon as all was still he crept
+back, and finding me apparently quite dead, went on to report the
+catastrophe at the first road-side inn he came to. <i>I</i> believe that,
+thinking me dead, he took all my gold, and said precious little about
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"His story to me," interrupted Mr. Newton, "was that he got assistance
+and buried your remains as decently as he could."</p>
+
+<p>"What induced him to apply to you at all?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know. I fancy it was to hand over a few small nuggets, which
+he said was your share of the findings, and which he took from your
+waistband before committing you to the grave. As he seemed frank and
+straightforward and quite poor, I confess I believed him, and even
+requested Mr. Liddell to give him some small present. He said he was
+going afloat again, and would sail in a few days. He had an old
+clasp-knife which I myself had given you, and with it a small
+pocket-book in which your name and my address were written in your own
+hand. These were tolerably convincing proofs that he at least knew you.
+Moreover, there seemed no need whatever that he should have made any
+attempt to communicate with your people. He might have held his tongue,
+and no question would have been raised respecting you."</p>
+
+<p>"You are right," returned Liddell, bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>"And how did you escape?" asked Katherine, with eager interest.</p>
+
+<p>"He&mdash;this Tom Dunford&mdash;<i>did</i> go to the next inn and told of the attack;
+he even guided some men to the spot, and left <i>them</i> to bury me, because
+he was obliged to hurry on to Sydney; but I believe he returned, before
+going to the inn, and robbed me. Anyhow I was not killed by the bullet,
+but stunned by the fall. Some of the fellows who came with Tom fancied I
+did not seem quite dead. Finally I recovered, and instead of digging for
+gold myself, got others to dig for me. I set up an inn and a store, with
+the help of an American whose daughter I married, and now I am rich
+enough to be a formidable foe. I have a little girl, and when my wife
+died I determined to realize everything, to come to England, and have
+the child brought up as an English lady. On the voyage home I fell in
+with a man&mdash;a fellow of the rolling-stone order&mdash;to whom I used to talk
+now and again. He turned out to be the brother of one of your clerks,
+and from him I heard that my father had died intestate, that my<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span> cousin
+had taken possession of everything, and that I was looked upon as dead.
+Did you never attempt to prove the truth of Tom Dunford's story?"</p>
+
+<p>"We did. I communicated with the police of Sydney, and they found that
+there had been a fight between bush-rangers and diggers returning from
+Woollamaroo at the time and place specified; moreover, that one of the
+diggers was killed, while the other escaped, but further nothing was
+known. The man who kept the inn mentioned by Dunford had made money and
+moved off, so the track was broken. Then all these years you made no
+sign. Did you not see the advertisements I put in an Australian paper?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; I was far away from any town, and rarely saw any but the American
+papers which came to my master. Well, here I am, determined to have
+every inch of my rights, let who will stand in my way; and
+<i>you</i>"&mdash;looking fiercely into Newton's eyes&mdash;"shall be my first
+witness."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot deny that I recognize you," said Newton, reluctantly.</p>
+
+<p>Liddell laughed scornfully. "And you?" turning to Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"I have no doubt you are my cousin George."</p>
+
+<p>"Right! As to that fellow Tom&mdash;he would never have hurt me, but I am
+sure he robbed me, especially if he thought I was dead. His game was to
+hold himself harmless whether I lived or died, only he ought not to have
+committed himself to seeing me buried. I found him out in Liverpool, and
+gave him a fright, for he really believed me dead. Now, cousin, I hope
+you understand that I mean to take every farthing of my father's
+fortune. He never did me much good in my life, nor my poor mother
+either, and I am determined to get all I can out of what he has left
+behind him. But I never dreamed he could pass away without taking care
+that nothing should come to me. It is strange that your mother and my
+uncle should make no fresh attempt to discover me."</p>
+
+<p>"We had looked upon you as dead for years, and my father had died before
+the news of your supposed murder reached us." Katherine could hardly
+steady her voice; she was burning to get away. "I beg you will not
+resent the fact of my most unconscious usurpation. I would not do
+anything unjust." She stopped, remembering what she <i>had</i> done. Surely
+the punishment was coming quick upon her.</p>
+
+<p>"Ay," said George Liddell, looking sternly at her. "It is a bitter pill
+for a fine lady like you to swallow, to find a ragged outcast like me
+thrusting you from the place you have no right to; where my poor little
+wild untutored girl will take her stand in spite of you all."</p>
+
+<p>"From what I have heard, I do not think my father or mother ever treated
+you as an outcast," said Katherine, with quiet dignity; adding, as she
+rose to leave them, "You seem so irritated against me I will leave you
+with Mr. Newton, who will, I know, act as a true friend to both of us."</p>
+
+<p>Mr. Newton, with a grave and troubled face, hastened after to see<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span> her
+to her carriage. "This is an awful blow!" he said in a low voice.</p>
+
+<p>"It is, no doubt. Do you think, as he is already rich, that he might do
+something for the boys? Then I should not care."</p>
+
+<p>"The boys!"&mdash;impatiently. "You need not trouble about them when he has
+the power to <i>rob</i> you even of the trifle you inherit from your father
+by demanding the arrears of income since your uncle's death, as he has
+the right to do. Why, he can beggar you!"</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed! He looks like a hard man; he is like his father."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, trust me, I will do my best for you."</p>
+
+<p>"I know you will," returned Katherine, pressing the old lawyer's hand as
+he leaned against the carriage door.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-by! God bless you!" he returned; and Katherine was carried away
+from him. Slowly and sadly the old man ascended to his office again to
+confront the angry claimant, who awaited him impatiently.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime Katherine was striving to think clearly, to rouse herself from
+the stunned, bewildered condition into which the appearance of George
+Liddell had thrown her, and which Mr. Newton's words increased. What was
+to become of Cis and Charlie if she were beggared? She could not face
+the prospect. There was still a way of escape left, a glimpse of which
+had been given to her as she listened to her cousin's vindictive
+utterances. If she could prevail on Errington to produce the will and
+assert his right, he would provide for those poor innocent boys, and
+never ask <i>her</i> for any of the money she had spent. Maybe he would share
+with George himself. She must see Errington at once, and with the
+strictest secrecy. Her thoughts cleared as, bit by bit, her plan
+unfolded itself in her busy brain. Then she made up her mind. Touching
+the check-string, she desired the driver to stop at a small fancyware
+and stationer's shop near Miss Payne's house. Arrived there, she
+dismissed the carriage, saying she would walk home.</p>
+
+<p>"Give me paper and an envelope: I want to write a few lines," she said
+to the smiling shopwoman, who knew her to be one of their best
+customers.</p>
+
+<p>Having traced a few words entreating Errington to see her early next
+day&mdash;should he happen to be out or engaged&mdash;she hailed a hansome, and
+went as quickly as she could to his lodgings in the Temple.</p>
+
+<p>It was quite different, this second visit, from the first. He now knew
+all, and in spite of her fears and profound uneasiness she felt a thrill
+of pleasure at the idea of the necessity for taking counsel with him,
+the prospect of half an hour's undisturbed communication, of hearing his
+voice, and feeling his kind forgiving glance. Still it was an awful
+trial too&mdash;to tell him the upshot of her dishonesty, the confusion she
+had wrought by her deviation into a crooked path. She was trembling from
+head to foot by the time she reached Errington's abode.</p>
+
+<p>A severe-looking woman, a caretaker apparently, was on the stair as
+Katherine ascended, feeling dreadfully puzzled what to do, as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span> she
+feared having to knock in vain and go away without leaving her note.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you tell me if Mr. Errington is at home?" she asked, timidly, quite
+frightened at the sound of her own voice in so strange a place.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I don't know, miss. I dare say he's gone out. He is up the
+next flight."</p>
+
+<p>"May I ask you to inquire if he is in? If not, would you be so kind as
+to leave this note?"</p>
+
+<p>The woman took it with a rather discontented suspicious air, but finding
+it was accompanied by a coin of the realm, went on her errand with great
+alacrity. Katherine followed slowly.</p>
+
+<p>"You're to walk up at once; he's in," said the emissary, meeting her at
+the top of the stair.</p>
+
+<p>At the door stood Errington, her note in his hand, and a serious, uneasy
+expression on his countenance. Katherine was very white; her eyes were
+dilated with a look of fear and distress.</p>
+
+<p>"Pray come in," said Errington; and he closed the door behind her. "I
+fear you are in some difficulty. You can speak without reserve; I am
+quite alone."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine was aware of passing through a small room with doors right and
+left, and possessing only a couple of chairs and a small table; through
+this Errington led her to his sitting-room, which was almost lined with
+books, and comfortably furnished. He placed a chair for her, and
+returned to his own seat by a table at which he had been writing.</p>
+
+<p>"The last time I came it was in the hope of assisting <i>you</i> by my
+confession; now I have come to beg for your help&mdash;" She stopped
+abruptly. "My uncle's son George, who was believed to have been killed
+by bush-rangers in Australia more than fourteen years ago, has returned,
+alive and well."</p>
+
+<p>"But can he prove his identity?"</p>
+
+<p>"I was with Mr. Newton when he came into the office, and the moment Mr.
+Newton saw him he started up, exclaiming, 'George Liddell!' and I&mdash;I saw
+the likeness to his father."</p>
+
+<p>"Did Newton know him formerly?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; he seems to have been almost his only friend."</p>
+
+<p>"How was it he did not put in an appearance and assert his rights
+before?"</p>
+
+<p>"I will tell you all." And she went on to describe the interview which
+had just taken place, the curious vindictive spirit which her cousin
+displayed, his very recent knowledge of his father's death, and Mr.
+Newton's words of warning, "He has the power to rob you even of the
+trifle you inherit from your father, by demanding the arrears of income
+since your uncle's death; he can beggar you."</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt he can, but surely he will not!" exclaimed Errington.</p>
+
+<p>"It seems to me that if he can he will. To give him up that which is his
+is quite right, and will not cost me a pang; but to be penniless, to
+send back my poor dear little boys, to be considered and treated as
+burdens by their mother and Colonel Ormonde&mdash;oh, I cannot bear it! I
+know now Charlie would be crushed and Cecil<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span> would be hardened. It is
+for this I come to you for help. Mr. Errington, I implore you to produce
+the will which puts this cruelty out of George Liddell's power. Surely
+you might say that not liking to disinherit me, you suppressed it? This
+is true, you know."</p>
+
+<p>"The will!" exclaimed Errington, starting up and pacing the room in
+great agitation. "My God! I have destroyed it. Thinking it safer for you
+that it should be out of the way, I destroyed it, and by so doing I have
+given you, bound hand and foot, into the power of this man. Can you
+forgive me?&mdash;can you ever forgive me?" He took and wrung her hand,
+holding it for a moment, while he looked imploringly into her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes, I do heartily forgive you. You only did it to save me from any
+chance of discovery. If only George Liddell will be satisfied not to
+claim the money I have spent, I may still be able to keep the boys, for
+I have nearly a hundred and fifty pounds a year quite my own," cried
+Katherine, loosing her hand. "Do not distress yourself, Mr. Errington. I
+know Mr. Newton will do his best for me, and perhaps my cousin will not
+exact the arrears. He says he is rich, and if I give him no trouble&mdash;&mdash;"
+she paused, for she could not command her voice, while the tears were
+already glittering in her eyes. Another word and they would have been
+rolling down her cheeks.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't cry, for God's sake!" said Errington, in a low tone, resuming his
+seat. "What can be done to soften this fellow? Ah! Miss Liddell, we are
+quits now. If you robbed me, I have ruined you."</p>
+
+<p>"From what different motives!" said Katherine, recovering her
+self-control. "<i>I</i> am still the wrong-doer."</p>
+
+<p>How heavenly sweet it was to be consoled and sympathized with by him!
+But she dared not stay. It was terribly bold of her to have come to his
+rooms, only he would never misjudge her, and she was so little known she
+scarcely feared recognition by any one she might meet.</p>
+
+<p>"Could I assist Mr. Newton at all in dealing with this kinsman of
+yours?" resumed Errington, gazing at her with a troubled look.</p>
+
+<p>"I fear you could not. How are you to know anything of my troubles? No
+one dreams that you have any knowledge of my affairs; that you and you
+only are aware what an impostor I am."</p>
+
+<p>"You are expiating your offence bitterly. But when the story of this
+George Liddell comes out, why should I not, as the son of his father's
+old friend, make his acquaintance, and try to persuade him to forego his
+full rights?"</p>
+
+<p>"You might try," said Katherine, dejectedly. "Now I have trespassed long
+enough. I must go. I have to explain matters to Miss Payne, and I feel
+curiously dazed. Oh, if I can keep the boys!"</p>
+
+<p>"If any effort of mine can help you, it is my duty as well as my sincere
+pleasure to do all I can."</p>
+
+<p>"And if the will existed would you have acted on it?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Most certainly&mdash;in your defence."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" cried Katherine, her eyes lighting up, her tremulous lips parting
+in a smile. "Then you would have had some of the money too."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you quite forgive me?" again rising, and coming over to stand
+beside her.</p>
+
+<p>"You must feel I do, Mr. Errington. Now I will say good-by. If you can
+help me with George, I shall be most grateful."</p>
+
+<p>"Promise that you will look on me as one of your most devoted friends.
+He took her hand again.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you indeed feel friendship for one you cannot respect?" she
+returned, in a low tone, with one of the quick, vivid blushes which
+usually rose to her cheek when she was much moved.</p>
+
+<p>"But I do respect you. Why should I not? A generous, impulsive woman
+like you cannot be judged by the cold maxims of exact justice; you must
+be tried by the higher rules of equity."</p>
+
+<p>"You comfort me," said Katherine, with indescribably sweet graceful
+humility. "I thank you heartily, and will say good-by."</p>
+
+<p>"I will come and see you into a cab," returned Errington, feeling
+himself anxious that no one should recognize her, and not knowing when
+their <i>tete-a-tete</i> might be interrupted.</p>
+
+<p>They went out together, and walked a little way in silence. "You will
+let me come and see you, to hear&mdash;" began Errington, when Katherine
+interrupted him.</p>
+
+<p>"Not just now. I think we had better not seem to know anything of each
+other, or perhaps George Liddell may suspect you of being my friend."</p>
+
+<p>"I see. But at least you will keep me informed of how things go on.
+Remember how tormented I am with remorse for my hasty act."</p>
+
+<p>"You need not be. But I will write. There&mdash;there is a cab."</p>
+
+<p>Errington hailed it, handed her in carefully, and they said good-by with
+a sudden sense of intimacy which months of ordinary communication would
+not have produced.</p>
+
+<p><br /></p>
+
+<p>It was a very serious undertaking to break the intelligence to Miss
+Payne, and poor Katherine felt quite exhausted before her exclamations,
+questions, and wonderings were half over.</p>
+
+<p>On one or two points Miss Payne at once made up her mind, nor had she
+ever quite altered her opinion: This man representing himself as George
+Liddell was an impostor who had known the real "Simon Pure," and got
+himself up accordingly as soon as he heard that the late John Liddell
+had died intestate; that Mr. Newton was a weak-minded, credulous idiot
+to acknowledge this impostor at first sight, <i>if</i> he were not a
+double-dealing traitor ready to play into the hands of the new claimant.
+He ought to have thrown the onus of proof on <i>him</i>, instead of
+acknowledging his identity by that childish exclamation. Don't tell
+<i>her</i> that he was startled out of prudence and precaution. A spirit from
+above or below would not have thrown her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span> (Miss Payne) off her guard
+where property was concerned, and what was the use of men's superior
+strength and courage if they could not hold their tongues in presence of
+an unexpected apparition?</p>
+
+<p>She was, however, profoundly disturbed, and sent at once for her
+brother.</p>
+
+<p>It was evening before he arrived in Wilton Street, having gone out
+before Miss Payne's note reached him. Like Errington, he was at first
+incredulous, and when he had gathered the facts of the case, absolutely
+overcome. In fact, he showed more emotion than Errington, yet it did not
+impress Katherine so much as Errington's deep, suppressed feeling.</p>
+
+<p>"But what are you to do?" he said, raising his head, which he had bowed
+on his hand in a kind of despair.</p>
+
+<p>"It is just the question I have been asking myself," said Katherine,
+quietly. "For even if dear old Mr. Newton succeeds in softening George
+Liddell, and he forgives me the outlay of what was certainly his money,
+the little that belongs to myself I shall want for my nephews."</p>
+
+<p>"And pray is their mother to contribute nothing toward the maintenance
+of her children?" asked Miss Payne, severely.</p>
+
+<p>"Poor Ada! she has nothing of her own; it will be desperately hard on
+her;" and Katherine sighed deeply. Her hearers little knew the remorse
+that afflicted her as she reflected on the false position into which she
+had drawn her sister-in-law. What a rage Colonel Ormonde would be in!
+How unwisely audacious it was in any mere mortal to play Providence for
+herself or her fellows! But Miss Payne was speaking:</p>
+
+<p>"I don't see the hardship; she has a husband behind her&mdash;a rich man
+too."</p>
+
+<p>"For herself it is all well enough, but it must be very hard to think
+that one's children are a burden on a reluctant husband; besides, the
+boys will feel it cruelly. Oh, if I can only keep them with me!"</p>
+
+<p>"I understand you," cried Bertie. "Would to God you could lay your
+burden at His feet who alone can help in time of need. If you could&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>He was interrupted by Francois, who brought a letter just arrived by the
+last post.</p>
+
+<p>"It is from Mr. Newton," exclaimed Katherine, opening it eagerly. And
+having read it rapidly, she added, "You would like to hear what he says."<br /><br /></p>
+
+<p>"<span class="smcap">'My dear Miss Liddell</span>,&mdash;As I cannot see you early to-morrow I
+will send you a report. I had a long argument with your cousin after you
+left to-day, and although he is still in an unreasonable state of
+irritation against you and myself and every one, I do not despair of
+bringing him to a better and a juster frame of mind. For the present it
+would be as well you did not meet. I should advise your taking steps at
+once to remove your nephews from Sandbourne, and also, while you have
+money pay the quarter in advance, as you do not know how matters may
+turn. It was a most fortunate cir<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>cumstance that the house occupied by
+Miss Trant was purchased in her name, as Mr. Liddell cannot touch that,
+and if she is at all the woman you suppose her to be, she will pay you
+interest for your money. If you could only persuade your cousin to let
+you see and make friends with this little daughter of his&mdash;<i>there</i> lies
+the road to his heart.</p>
+
+<p>"'Meanwhile say as little as possible to any one about this sudden
+change in your fortunes. To Miss Payne you must, of course, explain
+matters; but she is a sensible, prudent woman.</p>
+
+<p><span style="margin-left: 2em;">"'With sincere sympathy, believe me yours most truly,</span><br />
+<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 18em;">"'W. Newton</span>.'"<br /><br /></p>
+
+
+<p>"There is a gleam of hope, then," exclaimed Bertie.</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know what you mean about hope. At best a drop from about two
+thousand a year to a hundred and fifty is not a subject for
+congratulation.&mdash;Well, Katherine, you are most welcome to stay here as
+my guest till you find something to do, for find something you must."</p>
+
+<p>"I knew you would be kind and true," said Katherine, her voice a little
+tremulous, "and believe me I will not sit with folded hands."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXV" id="CHAPTER_XXV"></a>CHAPTER XXV.</h2>
+
+<h3>"BREAD CAST ON THE WATERS."</h3>
+
+
+<p>There were indeed long and heavy days for Katherine, few though they
+were, before Mr. Newton thought it well to communicate the intelligence
+to Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde. He wished to be able to extract some more
+favorable terms from Liddell, so that his favorite client might fulfil
+her ardent desire to keep her nephews still with her, and assist in
+their maintenance and education. This was, in the shrewd old lawyer's
+estimation, a most Quixotic project, but he saw it was the only idea
+which enabled her to bear the extreme distress caused by the prospect of
+returning the poor children on their mother's hands.</p>
+
+<p>A period of uncertainty is always trying, and the reflection that the
+present crisis was the result of her unfortunate infringement of the
+unalterable law of right and wrong overwhelmed her with a sense of
+guilt. Had she not meddled with the matter, no doubt such a man as
+Errington would, were the case properly represented to him, have given
+some portion of the wealth bequeathed him to the family of the testator.
+But how could she have foreseen? True; but she might have resisted the
+temptation to deviate from the straight path. "She might!" What an abyss
+of endless regret yawns at the sound of those words, used in the sense
+of too late!</p>
+
+<p>This was a hard worldly trouble over which she could not weep. Over and
+over again she told herself that nothing should part her from the boys,
+that she would devote her life to repair as far as<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span> possible the injury
+she had done them. And Ada, would she also suffer for her (Katherine's)
+sins? But while brooding constantly on these miserable thoughts she kept
+a brave front, quiet and steady, though Miss Payne saw that her
+composure hid a good deal of suffering.</p>
+
+<p>It was more, however, than Katherine's resolution could accomplish to
+keep a few evening engagements which she had made. "I should feel too
+great an impostor," she said. "How thankful I shall be when the murder
+is out and the nine days' wonder over! Have you any commissions, dear
+Miss Payne? I want an object to take me out, and I feel I must not mope
+in-doors."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I cannot say I have any shopping to do, and I am obliged to go into
+the City myself. Take a steady round of Kensington Gardens; it is quite
+mild and bright to-day. I shall not return till six, I am afraid."</p>
+
+<p>So Katherine went out alone immediately after luncheon, before the world
+and his wife had time to get abroad. She had made a circuit of the
+ornamental water, and was returning by the footpath near the sunk fence
+which separates the Gardens from the Park, when she recognized De Burgh
+coming toward her. He had been in her thoughts at the moment; for,
+feeling that it was quite likely he had been considered a suitor, she
+was anxious to give him an opportunity of making an honorable retreat
+before society found out that the sceptre of wealth had slipped from her
+hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Pray is this the way you cure a cold?" he asked, abruptly. "Last night
+Lady Mary Vincent informed me that you had staid at home to nurse a
+cold. This morning I call to enquire for the interesting invalid, and
+find she is out in the cool February air."</p>
+
+<p>"It is very mild, and it is at night the air is dangerous," returned
+Katherine, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I look at you, I don't think you look so blooming as usual. May I
+go back with you and pay my visit of condolence, in spite of having left
+my card?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," said Katherine, with sudden decision. "I want to speak to you."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!"&mdash;with a keen, eager look. "This is something new. May I ask&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"No; not until we are in Miss Payne's drawing-room."</p>
+
+<p>"You alarm me. Could it be possible that you, peerless as you are, have
+got into a scrape?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I think I can say I have," said Katherine, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"Great heavens! this is delightful."</p>
+
+<p>"Let us talk of something else."</p>
+
+<p>"By all means. Will you hear some gossip? I don't often retail any, but
+I fancy you'll be amused and interested to know that Lady Alice Mordaunt
+is really going to marry that brewer fellow. You remember I told you
+what I thought was going on last autumn."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it possible?" cried Katherine. "Imagine her so soon forgetting Mr.
+Errington!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And why should not that immaculate individual be exempt from the usual
+fate of man?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know&mdash;except that he is not an ordinary man."</p>
+
+<p>"No; certainly not. He is an extraordinary fellow; but I must say he has
+shown great staying power in his late difficulties. They tell me he has
+been revenging himself by writing awful problems, political and
+critical, which require a forty-horse intellectual power to understand."
+And De Burgh talked on, seeing that his companion was disinclined to
+speak until they reached Miss Payne's house.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine took off her hat and warm cloak with some deliberation,
+thinking how best to approach her subject. Pushing back her hair, which
+had become somewhat disordered from its own weight, she sat down on an
+ottoman, and raising her eyes to De Burgh, who stood on the hearth-rug,
+said, slowly, "I have a secret to tell you which you must keep for a few
+weeks."</p>
+
+<p>"For an eternity, if you will trust me," he returned, in low, earnest
+tones, his dark eyes fixed upon her, as if trying to read her heart.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, then, my uncle's son and heir, whom we believed to be dead, has
+suddenly reappeared, and of course takes the fortune I have been, let us
+<i>say</i>, enjoying."</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh did not reply at once; his eyes continued to search her face as
+if to discover some hidden meaning.</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean me to take you seriously, Miss Liddell?"</p>
+
+<p>"Quite. Moreover, I fear my cousin means to demand the arrears of
+income&mdash;income which I have spent."</p>
+
+<p>"But the fellow must be an impostor. Your man of business, Newton, will
+never yield to his demands. He must prove his case."</p>
+
+<p>"I think he has proved it. Mr. Newton recognized him at the first
+glance; and he bears a strong resemblance to his father. I feel he is
+the man he asserts himself to be."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you intend to give up without a struggle? What account does this
+intruder give of himself?"</p>
+
+<p>Katherine gave him a brief sketch of the story, speaking with firmness
+and composure.</p>
+
+<p>"What an infernal shame!" cried De Burgh, when she ceased speaking. "I
+wish I had had a chance of sending a bullet through his head, and as
+sure as there is a devil down below I'd have verified the report of his
+death! Why, what is to be done?"</p>
+
+<p>"I still faintly hope Mr. Newton may persuade him to forego his first
+demand for the restoration of those moneys I have spent. If so, I am not
+quite penniless, and can hope to&mdash; At all events, I thought it but right
+to give you early information, as&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Why?" interrupted De Burgh (for she hesitated), throwing himself on the
+ottoman and leaning against the arm which divided the seats, till his
+long dark mustaches nearly touched the coils of her hair. "Why?" he
+repeated, as she did not answer immediately. "I know well enough. It is
+your loyalty that makes you wish to open a way of escape to the friend
+who is credited with seeking your fortune. I see it all."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You can assign any motive you like, Mr. De Burgh, but I thought&mdash;I
+wished&mdash;I believed it better to let you know; for I shall always
+consider you my friend, even if we do not meet," said Katherine, a good
+deal unhinged by the excitement and distress he displayed.</p>
+
+<p>"Meet? why, of course we shall meet! Do you think anything in heaven or
+earth would make me give up the attempt, hopeless as it may seem, to win
+you? I know you don't care a rap for me now, but I cannot, dare not
+despair. I've too much at stake. There is the awful sting of this
+misfortune. Even if you, by some blessed intervention of Providence,
+were ready to marry me, I don't see how I could drag you into such a sea
+of trouble. Besides, there's old De Burgh; he must be kept in
+good-humor. By Heaven! this miserable want of money is the most utter
+degradation&mdash;irresistible, enslaving. I feel like a beaten cur. I am
+tied hand and foot. Had I not been such a reckless idiot, why, your
+misfortunes might have been my best chance. I dare say that sounds
+shabby enough, but I like to let you see what I am, good and bad;
+besides, I am ready to do <i>anything</i>, right or wrong, to win you."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Mr. De Burgh, no crookedness ever succeeds. And then I do not
+deserve that you should think so much or care so much for me, for I do
+not wish to marry you or any one. My plan of life is framed on quite
+different lines. Do put me out of your mind, and think of your own
+fortunes. Do not vex Lord De Burgh; but oh! pray give up racing and
+gambling. You know I really do like you, not exactly in the way you
+wish, but it adds greatly to my troubles (for I am very sorry to lose my
+fortune, I assure you) to see you so&mdash;so disturbed."</p>
+
+<p>"If you look at me so kindly with those sweet wet eyes I shall lose my
+head," cried De Burgh, who was already beside himself, for the gulf
+which had suddenly yawned between him and the woman he coveted seemed to
+grow wider as he looked at it. "I am the most unlucky devil in
+existence, and I have brought <i>you</i> ill luck. I should have kept away
+from you, for you are a hundred thousand times too good for me; but as I
+<i>have</i> thrown myself headlong into the delicious pain of loving you,
+won't you give me a chance? Promise to wait for me: a week, a day, may
+see me wealthy, and I swear I will strive to be worthy too: why were
+those bush-rangers such infernally bad-shots?&mdash;and I can be no use to
+you whatever?"</p>
+
+<p>"But I have many kind friends, Mr. De Burgh. You must not distress
+yourself about me. I am not frightened, I assure you. Now I have told
+you everything, don't you think you would better go?" She rose as she
+spoke, and held out her hand.</p>
+
+<p>"Better for you, yes, but not for me. Look here, Katherine, don't banish
+me. I am obliged to go with old De Burgh to Paris. He is making for
+Cannes again, and asked me to come so far. Of course he has a chain
+round my neck. I must obey orders like his bond-slave, but when I come
+back&mdash;don't banish me. I swear I'll be an unobtrusive friend, and I may
+be of use. Don't send me quite away; in short, I won't take a dismissal.
+What is it you object to? What absurd stories have been told you to set
+you against me? Other women have liked me well enough."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I have no doubt you deserve to be loved, Mr. De Burgh, but there are
+feelings that, like the wind, blow where they list; we cannot tell
+whence they come or whither they go. I am sorry I do not love you,
+but&mdash;I am very tired. If you care to come and see me when you come back,
+come <i>if</i> I have any place in which to receive you."</p>
+
+<p>"If I write, will you answer my letters?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no; don't write; I would rather you did not."</p>
+
+<p>"I am a brute to keep you when you look so white; I'll go. Good-by for
+the present&mdash;only for the present, you dear, sweet woman!" He kissed her
+hand twice and went quickly out of the room.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine heaved a sigh of relief. The degree of liking she had for De
+Burgh made her feel greatly distressed at having been obliged to give
+him pain. Yet she was not by any means disposed to trust him; his
+restless eagerness to gratify every whim and desire as it came to him,
+the kind of harshness which made him so indifferent to the feelings and
+opinions of those who opposed him&mdash;this was very repellent to
+Katherine's more considerate and sympathetic nature. Besides, and above
+all, De Burgh was not Errington; and it needs no more to explain why the
+former, who had no reason hitherto to complain of the coldness of women,
+found the only one he had ever loved with a high order of affection
+untouched by his wooing.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>The day after this interview Katherine, accompanied by Miss Payne, went
+down to Sandbourne to interview the principal of the boys' school, to
+explain the state of affairs, to give notice that she should be obliged
+to remove them, and to pay in advance for the time they were to remain.</p>
+
+<p>The visit was full of both pain and pleasure. The genuine delight of the
+children on seeing her unexpectedly, their joy at being permitted to go
+out to walk with her, their innocent talk, and the castles in the air
+which they erected in the firm conviction that they were to have horses
+and dogs, man-servants and maid-servants, all the days of their lives,
+touched her heart. The principal gave a good account of both. Cecil was,
+he said, erratic and excitable in no common degree, but though
+troublesome, he was truthful and straightforward, while Charlie promised
+to develop qualities of no common order. He entered with a very friendly
+spirit into the anxiety of the young aunt, whose motherly tenderness for
+her nephews touched him greatly. He gave her some valuable advice, and
+the address of two schools regulated to suit parents of small means, and
+which he could safely recommend. By his suggestion nothing was said for
+the present to Cis or Charlie regarding the impending change, lest they
+should be unsettled.</p>
+
+<p>"And shall we come to stay at Miss Payne's for the Easter holidays?"
+cried the boys in chorus, as Katherine took leave of them the next day.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so, dears, but I am not sure."</p>
+
+<p>"Then will you come down to Sandbourne? That would be jolly."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot promise, Cecil. We will see."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"But, auntie, we'll not have to go to Castleford?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why? Would you not like to go?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. Would you, Charlie? I don't like being there nearly so much as at
+school. I don't like having dinner by ourselves, and yet I don't care to
+dine with Colonel Ormonde; he is always in a wax."</p>
+
+<p>"He does not mean to be cross," said Katherine, her heart sinking within
+her. Should she be obliged to hand over the poor little helpless fellows
+to the reluctant guardianship of their irritable step-father? This would
+indeed be a pang. Was it for this she had broken the law, and marred the
+harmony of her own moral nature?</p>
+
+<p>"Well, my own dear, I will do the best I can for you, you may be quite
+sure. Now you must let me go; I will come again as soon as I can." Cis
+kissed her heartily, and scampered away to take his place in the
+class-room, quite content with his school life. Charlie threw his arms
+around his auntie's neck, and clung to her lovingly. But he too was
+called away, and nothing remained for Katherine and her companion but to
+make their way to the station and return to town.</p>
+
+<p>This visit cost Katherine more than any other outcome of George
+Liddell's reappearance. Her quick imagination depicted what the boys'
+lives would be under the jurisdiction of their mother and her
+husband&mdash;the worries, the suppression, the sense of being always naughty
+and in the wrong, the different yet equally pernicious effect such
+treatment would have on the brothers.</p>
+
+<p>"This is the worst part of the business to you," said Miss Payne, when
+they had reached home and sat down to a late tea together. "You look
+like a ghost, or as if you had seen one. You will make yourself ill, and
+really there is no need to do anything of the kind. Those children have
+a mother who is very well off. I always thought it frightfully imprudent
+of you to take those boys even when you had plenty of money. Now, of
+course, when it is impossible for you to keep them, it is a bitter
+wrench to part, but&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"But I am not sure that we must part," interrupted Katherine, eagerly.
+"Should my cousin be induced to forego his claims upon me for the income
+I have expended, and I can find some means of maintaining myself, I
+could still provide for their school expenses and keep them with me."</p>
+
+<p>"Maintain yourself, my dear Katherine; it is easier said than done. You
+are quite infatuated about those nephews of yours, and I dare say they
+will give you small thanks."</p>
+
+<p>"I know it is not easy for an untrained woman like myself to find
+remunerative work, but I shall try. Here is a note from Mr. Newton
+asking me to call on him to-morrow. Let us hope he will have some good
+news, though I cannot help fearing he would have told me in this if he
+had."</p>
+
+<p>It was with a sickening sensation of uneasy hope shot with dark streaks
+of fear that Katherine started to keep her appointment with Mr. Newton.
+Eager to begin her economy at once, Katherine took an omnibus instead of
+indulging in a brougham or a cab. She could not help smiling at her own
+sense of helpless discomfort when a fat<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span> woman almost sat down upon her,
+and the conductor told her to look sharp when the vehicle stopped to let
+her alight; as she reflected that barely three years ago she considered
+an omnibus rather a luxury, and that it was a matter of careful
+calculation how many pennies might be saved by walking to certain points
+whence one could travel at a reduced fare. How easily are luxurious and
+self-indulgent habits formed! Well, she had done with them forever now;
+nor would anything seem a hardship were she but permitted to repair in
+some measure the evil she had wrought.</p>
+
+<p>She found Mr. Newton awaiting her with evident impatience. "Well, my
+dear Miss Liddell," he said, "I have been most anxious to see you,
+though I have not much that is cheering to communicate. I have had
+several interviews with your cousin, but he seems still unaccountably
+hard and vindictive. However, as I am, of course, <i>your</i> adviser, he has
+been obliged to seek another solicitor, and I am happy to say he has
+fallen into good hands, and that by a sort of lucky chance."</p>
+
+<p>"How?" asked Katherine, who was looking pale and feeling in the depths.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, a few days ago a gentleman called here to ask me for the address
+of a former client of whom I have heard nothing for years. I think you
+know or have met this gentleman&mdash;Mr. Errington."</p>
+
+<p>"I do," cried Katherine, now all attention.</p>
+
+<p>"While we were speaking Mr. Liddell was announced. Errington looked at
+him hard, and then asked politely if he were the son of the late Mr.
+John Liddell, who had been a great friend of his (Errington's) father.
+Your cousin seemed to know the name, and, moreover, very pleased at
+being spoken to and remembered. Mr. Errington offered to call, and now I
+find he has recommended his own solicitors, Messrs. Compton &amp; Barnes, to
+George Liddell. I had an interview with the head of the firm yesterday,
+and he has evidently advised that the strictly legal claims against you
+should not be pressed. I cannot help thinking that Mr. Errington has
+interested himself on your side."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" cried Katherine, life and warmth coming back to her heart at
+his words.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I do. Compton appears to have the highest possible opinion of
+Errington as a man of integrity and intelligence. He, Compton says,
+believes that if Liddell could be persuaded such a line of conduct
+toward you would injure him socially, he would not seek to enforce his
+rights, for he is evidently anxious to make a position in the
+respectable world. As you make no opposition to his claims he ought to
+show you consideration. This accidental encounter between Errington and
+your cousin will, I am sure, prove a fortunate circumstance."</p>
+
+<p>In her own mind Katherine could not help doubting its accidental
+character. How infinitely good and forgiving Errington was! While she
+thought, Mr. Newton mused.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you have a tolerable balance at the bank?" he said, abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes. I have never spent a year's income in a year. Just lately, except
+for buying that house, I have spent very little."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That house! Oh&mdash;ah! I shall be curious to see how Miss Trant will
+behave. If she is true to her word; if she looks upon your loan to her
+as a loan&mdash;an investment on your side&mdash;you may gain an addition to your
+income through what was an act of pure benevolence. When you go home, my
+dear young lady, look at your bank-book, and let me know exactly how you
+stand. We might offer this cormorant of a cousin a portion of your
+savings to finish the business. Indeed I should advise you to draw a
+good large check at once so as to provide yourself with ready money."</p>
+
+<p>"Would it be quite&mdash;quite honest to do so?" asked Katherine, anxiously.</p>
+
+<p>"Pray do you impugn my integrity?"</p>
+
+<p>"No! But suppose George Liddell found I had drawn a large check&mdash;perhaps
+the very day before I propose through you to hand over what remains to
+me&mdash;he would think me a cheat?"</p>
+
+<p>"And pray why should he know anything about your bank-book? or what
+consideration do you owe him? He is behaving very harshly and badly to
+you. We will state what is in the bank after you have drawn your check,
+and offer him half&mdash;which is a great deal too much for him. Yet I should
+like him to be your friend, if possible. Could you get hold of that
+little girl of his? Affection for her seems to be the only human thing
+about him."</p>
+
+<p>"I think I should rather have nothing to do with him," murmured
+Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well, we will see. Now, though we have not succeeded in coming to
+any settlement with Liddell, I believe we ought not to leave Mrs.
+Ormonde any longer in ignorance respecting the change which has taken
+place."</p>
+
+<p>"No, I am sure they ought to know. I have been troubling myself about
+both the Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde," said Katherine. "This is what I
+dread most." And she sighed.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not see why you need. I am sure you acted with noble liberality to
+Mrs. Ormonde and her boys when you thought you were the rightful owner
+of the property."</p>
+
+<p>"The rightful owner," repeated Katherine, with a thrill of pain. "It has
+been an unfortunate ownership to me."</p>
+
+<p>"It has&mdash;it has indeed, my dear young lady, but we must see how to help
+you at this juncture. If Miss Trant behaves as she ought, we must put a
+little more capital in that concern if it is as thriving as you believe.
+It may turn out very useful to you."</p>
+
+<p>"I have not seen her since my cousin came to life again, for I could not
+see her and keep back my strange story. May I tell her now?"</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly. It was from Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde I wished to keep back
+the disastrous news till some agreement should be come to."</p>
+
+<p>"You must not call my cousin's return to life and country disastrous,"
+said Katherine, smiling. "I am sure, if he will only give me the chance
+of keeping my boys with me, I am quite ready to welcome him to both. Now
+I shall leave you, for I want to send<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span> away my letter to Ada this
+evening, and it is a difficult letter to write."</p>
+
+<p>"I have no doubt you will state your case clearly and well," returned
+Mr. Newton, rising to shake hands with her. "Let me hear what Mrs.
+Ormonde says in reply; and see your protegee, Miss Trant. I am anxious
+to learn her views."</p>
+
+<p>"I am quite sure I know what they will be," said Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't be too sure. Human nature is a very crooked thing&mdash;more crooked
+than a true heart like yours can imagine," continued the old man,
+holding her hand kindly.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, Mr. Newton," she cried, with an irresistible outburst of penitence,
+"you little know what crooked things I can imagine."</p>
+
+<p>"Can't I?" he said laughing at what he fancied was her little joke, and
+glad to see her bearing her troubles so lightly. "You'll come all right
+yet, my dear; you have the right spirit. Is your carriage waiting?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not here; but in Holborn I have several at my command," she returned.
+"Good-by; no, you must not come downstairs; it is damp and chilly."</p>
+
+<p>On reaching her home, the home she must so soon resign, Katherine sent a
+note to Rachel Trant asking if she had a spare hour that evening, as
+she, Katherine, had something to tell her, and preferred going to her
+house. Then she sat down to write a full and detailed account of what
+had taken place to her sister-in-law. It was dusk before she had
+finished and she herself felt considerably exhausted. Miss Payne had
+gone out to dine with one of her former girls, now the wife of a rackety
+horsy man, whose conduct made her often look back with a sigh of regret
+to the tranquil days passed under the guardianship of the prudent
+spinster; so having partaken of tea at their usual dinner-time she sat
+and mused awhile on the one subject from which she could derive
+comfort&mdash;Errington and his wonderful kindness to her. If he took the
+matter in hand she thought herself safe. Her confidence in him was
+unbounded. Ah! why had she placed such a gulf between them? How she had
+destroyed her own life! There was but one tie between her and the world,
+little Charlie and Cis, and perhaps she had been their greatest enemy.
+She almost wished she could love De Burgh. He was undoubtedly in
+earnest; he interested her; he&mdash;But no. Between her and any possible
+husband she had reared the insurmountable barrier of a secret not to be
+shared by any save one, from whom, somehow, instead of dividing her, had
+bound her indissolubly; at least she felt it to be so.</p>
+
+<p>It was near the hour she had fixed to call on Rachel, so she roused
+herself, and asking the amiable Francois to accompany her, started for
+Malden Street.</p>
+
+<p>Rachel Trant had made a back parlor, designated the "trying-on" room,
+bright and cosy, with a shaded lamp, a red fire, a couple of easy-chairs
+at either side of it, and a gay cloth over the small round table erst
+strewn with fashion books, measuring tapes, pins, patterns and
+pin-cushions.</p>
+
+<p>"How very good of you to come to me!" cried Miss Trant, hastening to
+divest her friend of bonnet and cloak. "I am very curious to hear the
+story you have to tell." Then, as Katherine sat down where<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span> the
+lamp-light fell upon her face, she added, "But you are not looking well,
+Miss Liddell; your eyes look heavy; your mouth is sad."</p>
+
+<p>"I am troubled, more than sad," said Katherine; "the why and wherefore I
+have come to tell you."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; tell me everything." And Rachel took a low seat opposite her
+guest; her usually pale face was slightly flushed, her large blue eyes
+darkened with the pleasure of seeing the friend she loved so warmly and
+the interest with which she awaited her disclosure, and as Katherine
+looked at her she realized how pretty and attractive she must have been
+before the fresh grace of her girlhood had been withered by the cruel
+fires of passion and despair. "I am listening," said Rachel, gently, to
+recall her visitor, whose thoughts were evidently far away.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I had forgotten." And Katherine began her story.</p>
+
+<p>Rachel Trant listened with rapt, intense attention, nor did she
+interrupt the narrative by a single question.</p>
+
+<p>When Katherine ceased to speak she remained silent for a second or two
+longer: then she asked, "Are you convinced of the truth of this man's
+story?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am, for Mr. Newton does not seem to have a doubt. Oh! he is my uncle
+John's only son&mdash;only child, indeed&mdash;and he is like him. I always
+fancied from the little my uncle said about George that he was naturally
+kind and sympathetic, but he has had a hard life, and it has made him
+hard. The loss of his mother was a terrible misfortune."</p>
+
+<p>"Was he young when she died?"</p>
+
+<p>"He was about fourteen, I think; but he lost her by a worse misfortune
+than death. She was driven away by my uncle's severity and harshness;
+she left him for another."</p>
+
+<p>"What! left her son?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes&mdash;it seems incredible&mdash;nor does my cousin resent her desertion. On
+the contrary, all the affection and softness in him appears to centre
+round his daughter and the memory of his mother."</p>
+
+<p>"Then," said Rachel, "if this man persists in demanding his rights, you
+will be beggared, and those dear boys must go back to their mother. They
+will not be too welcome."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no! no! I feel that only too keenly."</p>
+
+<p>"But you will not be penniless nor homeless," cried Rachel. "He cannot
+touch this house. You made it over to me, and I will use it for you.
+There are two nice rooms I can arrange for you upstairs. I am doing
+well, and if I had but a little more capital, I should not fear; I
+should not doubt making a great success. My dear, dearest Miss Liddell,
+I may be of use to you, after all. Tell me, is this Mr. Newton truly
+interested in you&mdash;anxious to help you?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure he is; he is very unhappy about me."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think he would let me call on him? I want to tell him the plans
+that are coming into my head. I can explain all the business part to
+him. If I can get through this year without debt, I am pretty sure of
+providing you with an income&mdash;an increasing income. This is a joy I
+never anticipated. And then you can keep your little nephews, and be a
+real mother to them. I don't want to trouble you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span> with the business
+details of my plan; you would not understand them. But Mr. Newton will.
+Pray write a line asking him to see me, to name his own time. Stay; here
+are paper and pen and ink; ask him to write to me. He knows&mdash;he knows my
+story. At least&mdash;" She stopped, coloring crimson.</p>
+
+<p>"He knows all it is needful for me to tell," said Katherine, gravely.
+"Yes, Rachel, it is better to explain all to him. He is kind and wise,
+and I am strangely stupefied by this extraordinary overturn of my
+fortunes. I shall be glad of your help, but do not neglect your own
+future, dear Rachel."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall not: I shall make enough for us both. You have indeed given me
+something to live for."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVI" id="CHAPTER_XXVI"></a>CHAPTER XXVI.</h2>
+
+<h3>COLONEL AND MRS. ORMONDE.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The moral effect of feeling in touch with some loyal, tender,
+sympathizing fellow-creature is immense. It gives faith in one's self&mdash;a
+belief in the possibilities for good hidden in the future; above all,
+relief from that most paralyzing of mental conditions, a sense of
+isolation.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine walked back alone in the dark. The sooner she accustomed
+herself to habits of independence the better; for the future she must
+learn to stand alone, to take care of herself, unassisted by maid or
+flunky. It made her a little nervous; for although in the old
+impecunious days she went on all necessary errands in the morning alone,
+she rarely left the house after sundown even with a companion. They were
+very monotonous days, those which seemed to have fled away so far into
+the soft misty gloom of the past. Yet how full of fragrance was their
+memory! The castle-building, the vague bright hopes, the joy of helping
+the dear mother, the utter absolute trust in her, the struggle with the
+necessities of life&mdash;all were more or less sweet; and now to what an end
+she had brought the simple drama of her youth! Had she resisted that
+strange prompting which kept her silent when Mr. Newton began to look
+for the will, how different everything might have been! Errington might
+be well off too, and she might never have seen him.</p>
+
+<p>With the thought of him came the sudden overpowering wish to hear his
+voice&mdash;clear, deliberate, convincing&mdash;which sometimes seized her in
+spite of every effort to banish it from her mind, and of which she was
+utterly, profoundly ashamed, the recurrence of which was infinitely
+painful. She must fill her heart with other thoughts, other objects.
+"Life is serious enough (the life which lies before me especially) to
+crowd out these follies. Why do I increase its gloom with imaginary
+troubles?"</p>
+
+<p>Miss Payne, returning from her dinner, found Katherine sitting up for
+her, apparently occupied with a book, and in the little confidential
+talk which ensued Katherine told her of Rachel Trant's intention of
+consulting Mr. Newton respecting her plans for increasing her business
+with a view to assisting her benefactress.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Miss Payne received this communication in silence; but after a moment's
+thought observed, in a grave, approving tone; "You have not been
+deceived in her, then. I really believe Rachel Trant is a young woman of
+principle and integrity."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I have always thought so." Then, after a pause, she resumed: "I
+wonder what reply I shall have from Ada to-morrow&mdash;no, the day after
+to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"Do not worry yourself about it. She will make herself disagreeable, of
+course; but it is just a trouble to be got through with. Go to bed, my
+dear; try to sleep and to forget. You are looking fagged and worn."</p>
+
+<p>But Katherine could not help dwelling upon the picture her imagination
+presented of the morrow's breakfast-time at Castleford; of the dismay
+with which her letter would be read; of Ada's tears and Colonel
+Ormonde's rage; of the torrent of advice which would be poured upon her.
+Then what decision would Colonel Ormonde come to about the boys? He
+would banish them to some cheap out-of-the-way school. It was impossible
+to say what he would do.</p>
+
+<p>Naturally she did not sleep well or continuously, disturbed as she was
+by such thoughts&mdash;such uneasy anticipations&mdash;and her eyes showed the
+results of a bad night when she met Miss Payne in the morning.</p>
+
+<p>About eleven o'clock Katherine came quickly into Miss Payne's particular
+sitting-room, where she made up her accounts and studied her bank-book.</p>
+
+<p>"What is it?" asked that lady, looking up, and perceiving that Katherine
+was agitated.</p>
+
+<p>"A telegram from Ada. They will be here about five this afternoon."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, never mind. There is nothing in that to scare you."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not scared, but I wish that interview was over."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I shall be glad when it is; though I shall not obtrude on his
+Royal Highness. (I suppose he is coming as well as she.) I shall be in
+the house, so you can send for me if you want me."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Miss Payne; you are very good to me. I feel that I ought not
+to stay here crowding up your house."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense! I am not in such a hurry to find a new inmate. I shall not
+like any one as well as you. I wish I could give up and live in a neat
+little cottage, but I cannot. Indeed, if you think I may, I should like
+to mention this deplorable change in your fortunes to Mrs. Needham. She
+knows every one, and can bring all sorts of people together if she
+likes."</p>
+
+<p>"By all means, Miss Payne. There is no reason why you should not."</p>
+
+<p>And after a little more conversation Katherine went back to her
+occupation of arranging her belongings and wardrobe, that when the
+moment of parting came she might be quite ready to go.</p>
+
+<p>To wait patiently for that which you know will be painful is torture of
+no mean order. It was somewhat curtailed for Katherine on that memorable
+day, for Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde arrived half an hour sooner than she
+expected.</p>
+
+<p>They had driven direct from the station to Wilton Street, and Katherine
+saw at a glance that both were greatly disturbed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Katherine, what is the meaning of your dreadful letter?" cried Mrs.
+Ormonde, without any previous greeting, while the Colonel barked a gruff
+"How d'ye do?"</p>
+
+<p>"My letter, Ada, I am sorry to say, meant what it said," returned
+Katherine, sadly. "Do sit down, and let us discuss what is best to be
+done."</p>
+
+<p>"What can be done?" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde, bursting into tears.</p>
+
+<p>"For God's sake, don't let us have tears and nonsense," said Colonel
+Ormonde, roughly. "Tell me, Katherine, is it possible Newton means to
+give in to this impostor? Why does he not demand proper proof, and throw
+the whole business into chancery?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure Mr. Newton could not doubt George Liddell's story. He could
+not go back from his own involuntary recognition, nor could I pretend to
+doubt what I believe is true."</p>
+
+<p>"Pooh! that is high-flown bosh. You need not say what you do or do not
+believe. All you have to do is to throw the onus of proof on this
+fellow."</p>
+
+<p>"It is all too dreadful," said Mrs. Ormonde, in tearful tones. "To think
+that you will allow yourself to be robbed, and permit the dear boys to
+be reduced to beggary, for a mere crochet&mdash;it is too bad. I never will
+believe this horrid man is the person he represents himself to be;
+never."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you would go and speak to Mr. Newton. He would explain the folly
+of resisting."</p>
+
+<p>"And how do you know that he is not bribed?" returned Mrs. Ormonde, with
+a little sob. "Every one knows what dreadful wretches lawyers are. And
+though I dare say you meant well, Katherine, but having induced us to
+believe you would provide for the boys, it is a little hard&mdash;indeed very
+hard&mdash;on Colonel Ormonde to have them thrown back on his hands, and it
+is really your duty to do something to relieve us."</p>
+
+<p>"Back on my hands!" echoed the Colonel. "I'll not take them back. Why
+should I? I have been completely swindled in the whole business. I am
+the last man to support another fellow's brats. Why didn't that old
+lawyer of yours ascertain whether your uncle's son was dead or alive
+before he let you pounce upon the property and play Lady Bountiful with
+what did not belong to you?" And Colonel Ormonde paced the room in a
+fury, all chivalrous tradition melting away in the fierce heat of
+disappointed greed.</p>
+
+<p>"You have no right to find fault with me," cried Katherine, stung to
+self-assertion. "I did well and generously by your children and
+yourself, Ada (I must say so, as you seem to forget it). There is more
+cause to sympathize with me in the reverse that has befallen me than to
+throw the blame of what is inevitable on one who is a greater sufferer
+than yourselves. Do you not know that the worst pang my bitterest
+enemy&mdash;had I one&mdash;could inflict is to feel I must give up the boys?
+Matters are still unsettled, but if my cousin can be induced to deal
+mercifully with me, and not absorb my little all to liquidate what is
+legally due to him, I will gladly keep Cis and Charlie, and give them
+what I have, rather than throw them on Colonel Ormonde's charity. I am
+deeply sorry for your disappoint<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span>ment, but I have done nothing to
+irritate Colonel Ormonde into forgetting what is due to a lady and his
+wife's benefactress." Katherine was thoroughly roused, and stood, head
+erect, with glowing eyes, and soft red lips curling with disdain.</p>
+
+<p>"I always said she was violent; didn't' I, Duke?" sobbed Mrs. Ormonde.
+"Katherine, you do amaze me."</p>
+
+<p>"There is no denying she is a plucky one," he returned, with a gruff
+laugh. "I too deny that you should consider it a misfortune for the boys
+to come under my care. I owe a duty to my own son, and am not going to
+play the generous step-father to his hurt. If you can't come to
+advantageous terms with this&mdash;this impostor, as I verily believe he is.
+I'll send the boys to the Bluecoat School or some such institution. They
+have turned out very good men before this."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure we could expect no more from Colonel Ormonde, and when you
+think that I shall be entirely dependent on him for"&mdash;sob&mdash;"my very
+gowns"&mdash;sob&mdash;"and&mdash;and little outings&mdash;and" a total break down.</p>
+
+<p>"If I am penniless," said Katherine, controlling her inclination to
+scream aloud with agony, "I must accept your offer&mdash;any offer that will
+provide for my nephews. If not, I will devote myself and what I have to
+them. I really wish you would go and see Mr. Newton; he will make you
+understand matters better than I can; and as you have come in such a
+spirit, I should be glad if you would leave me. I cannot look on you as
+friends, considering how you have spoken."</p>
+
+<p>"By George!" interrupted the Colonel, much astonished. "This is giving
+us the turn-out."</p>
+
+<p>"What ingratitude!" cried his wife, with pious indignation, as she rose
+and tied on her veil.</p>
+
+<p>Her further utterance was arrested, for the door was thrown open, and
+Francois announced, "Mr. Errington."</p>
+
+<p>A great stillness fell upon them as Errington walked in, cool,
+collected, well dressed, as usual.</p>
+
+<p>"Very glad to meet you here, Mrs. Ormonde," he said, when he had shaken
+hands with Katherine. "Miss Liddell has need of all her friends at such
+a crisis. How do, Colonel; you look the incarnation of healthy country
+life."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah&mdash;ah; I'm very well, thank you," somewhat confusedly. "Just been
+trying to persuade Miss Liddell here to dispute this preposterous claim.
+I don't believe this man is the real thing."</p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid he is," gravely; "I know him, for John Liddell was a friend
+of my father's in early life, and I feel satisfied this man is his son."</p>
+
+<p>"You do. Well, I shall speak to my own lawyers and Newton about it: one
+can't give up everything at the first demand to stand and deliver."</p>
+
+<p>"No; neither is it wise to throw good money after bad. We were just
+going to Mr. Newton's, so I'll say good-morning. Till to-morrow,
+Katherine. I'll report what Newton says."</p>
+
+<p>"Good-morning, Mr. Errington," said Mrs. Ormonde, pulling herself
+together, and her veil down. "This is a terrible business! I feel it as
+acutely as if it were myself&mdash;I mean my own case. I am sure it is so
+good of you to come and see Katherine. I hope you<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span> will give us a few
+days at Castleford." So murmuring and with a painful smile, she hastened
+downstairs after her husband.</p>
+
+<p>Then Errington closed the door and returned to where Katherine stood,
+white and trembling, in the middle of the room. "I am afraid your
+kinsfolk have been but Job's comforters," he said, looking earnestly
+into her eyes, his own so grave and compassionate that her heart grew
+calmer under their gaze. "You are greatly disturbed."</p>
+
+<p>"They have been very cruel," she murmured. "Yet, not knowing all you do,
+they could not know how cruel. They are so angry because what I tried to
+do for the boys proved a failure. They little dream how guilty I feel
+for having created this confusion. If I am obliged to give up Cis and
+Charlie to&mdash;to Colonel Ormonde, their lot will be a miserable one!" She
+spoke brokenly, and her eyes brimmed over, the drops hanging on her long
+lashes.</p>
+
+<p>"Sit down, Miss Liddell. I am deeply grieved to see you so depressed. I
+have ventured to call because I have a pin's point of hope for you,
+which I trust will excuse me for presenting myself, as I know you would
+rather not see me."</p>
+
+<p>"To-day I am glad to see you. I should always be glad to see you
+but&mdash;but for my own conscience. Do not misunderstand me." With a sudden
+impulse she stretched out her fair soft hand to him. He took and held
+it, wondering to find that although so cold when first he touched it, it
+grew quickly warm in his grasp.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," he said, gently, and still held her hand; "you give me
+infinite pleasure. Now"&mdash;releasing her&mdash;"for my excuse. Among my poor
+father's papers were a few letters of very old date from John Liddell,
+in which was occasional mention of his boy. It struck me these might be
+a <i>modus operandi</i>, and enable me approach a difficult subject. I
+contrived to meet your cousin at Mr. Newton's, and he permitted me to
+call. I gave him the letters, and we became&mdash;not friends&mdash;but friendly
+at least." Here his face brightened. "We began to talk of you, and I saw
+that he was bitter and vindictive against you to an extraordinary
+degree. He grew communicative, and I was able to represent to him the
+cruelty and unreasonableness of his conduct. At last&mdash;only to-day&mdash;he
+suddenly exclaimed, 'How much of my money has that nice young lady made
+away with?' I could not, of course, give him any particulars, but having
+learned from himself that he had amassed a good deal of money himself,
+and that with the addition of <i>your</i> fortune (I cannot help calling it
+yours) he would really be a man of wealth, I ventured to suggest that he
+should not demand the refunding of what you had used while in possession
+of the property, and showed him what a bad impression it would create in
+the minds of those among whom he evidently wishes to make a place for
+himself. He thought for a few moments, and then said he would consider
+the matter and consult his legal advisers before coming to a decision,
+adding that he did not understand how it was that they as well as myself
+were on your side. Then I left him, and I feel a strong impression that
+he will lay aside his worst intentions. I only trust he will spare
+whatever balance may stand to your credit with your banker."</p>
+
+<p>"You have indeed done me a great service," cried Katherine, "If<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span> George
+Liddell does as you suggest I shall not be afraid to face the future. I
+shall surely be able to find some employment myself; then I need not
+importune Colonel Ormonde for my nephews."</p>
+
+<p>"He will surely not leave them without means," cried Errington.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not sure. They have no legal claim upon him, and he is very angry
+with me for causing such confusion, though&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>&mdash;"Though," interrupted Errington, "your only error was
+over-generosity."</p>
+
+<p>"My <i>only</i> error, Mr. Errington!"&mdash;casting down her eyes and interlacing
+her fingers nervously. "If he only knew!"</p>
+
+<p>"But he does not; he never shall!" exclaimed Errington, with animation,
+drawing unconsciously nearer. "That is a secret between you and me. None
+shall ever know our secret. All I ask is that you will forgive me for my
+unfortunate precipitancy in destroying the means of saving you, which
+you had placed in my hands&mdash;that you will forgive me, and let me be your
+friend. It is so painful to see you shrink from me as you do."</p>
+
+<p>"Can you wonder, guilty as I feel myself to be? But if you so far
+overlook my evil deeds as to think me worth your friendship, I am glad
+and grateful to accept it. As to forgiveness, what have I to
+forgive?&mdash;your haste to save me from the possibility of discovery?"</p>
+
+<p>"Then," said Errington, who had gazed for a moment in silence on his
+companion, whose face was slightly turned from him, every line of her
+pliant figure, from the graceful drooping head to the point of her shoe
+peeping from under her soft gray dress, expressed a sort of pathetic
+humility, "will you give me some idea of your plans, if you have any?"</p>
+
+<p>"They are very vague. I have a small income apart from my uncle's
+property. I earnestly hope it will be enough to educate the boys. Then I
+must try to find employment&mdash;something that will enable me to provide
+for myself. Miss Payne is already looking out for me. That is all I can
+think of."</p>
+
+<p>"It is a tremendous undertaking for a young girl like you," said
+Errington, looking down in deep thought. "But I think I understand that
+the cruelest trial of all would be to part with the boys. Still it is
+not wise to allow Mrs. Ormonde to thrust her sons on you, though I never
+can believe that Ormonde could act so dastardly a part as to refuse to
+do his part in maintaining them. There, again, the fear of what society
+would say will do more than a sense of justice or honor. I don't believe
+Ormonde will dare refuse to contribute his quota to the support of his
+wife's sons."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps not. I wish I could do without it. But though Ada was harsh and
+unreasonable to-day, I am sorry for her. It must be dreadful to be tied
+to a man who looks on you as a burden."</p>
+
+<p>"She will manage him. Their natures are admirably suited. Neither is too
+exalted. And Mrs. Ormonde has established herself very firmly as
+mistress of Castleford and the Colonel."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so." There was a short silence. Then Errington said, in a low
+tone, looking kindly into her face, "I trust you do not feel too
+despondent as regards the future."</p>
+
+<p>"Far from it," returned Katherine, with a brief bright smile.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span> "If only
+I can bring up my dear boys without too great privations, and fit them
+to work their way in life! From my short experience I should say that
+riches can buy little true happiness. Extreme poverty is terrible and
+degrading. Nor can money alone confer any true joys."</p>
+
+<p>"So I have found," said Errington, thoughtfully; "and I can see that to
+you too the finery and distractions which wealth gathers together are
+mere dust heaps."</p>
+
+<p>There was a pause, broken by the appearance of Miss Payne, who had only
+just discovered that Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde had left, and was not
+aware that Katherine had another visitor. After a little further and
+somewhat desultory conversation Errington took leave; nor was Katherine
+sorry, for the presence of Miss Payne seemed to have set them as far
+apart as ever, and how near they had drawn for a few moments!</p>
+
+<p>"So that is Mr. Errington!" said Miss Payne, when the door had closed
+upon him. "He has never been here before?" The tone was interrogative.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Errington has some acquaintance with George Liddell," returned
+Katherine, "and has very kindly done his best to dissuade him from
+claiming the money I have expended."</p>
+
+<p>"How very good of him! I am sure I trust he will succeed!" exclaimed
+Miss Payne. "Now tell me how did Colonel Ormonde and your sister-in-law
+behave?"</p>
+
+<p>Whereupon Katherine recounted all that had been said. Many and cynical
+were Miss Payne's remarks on the occasion, but Katherine scarcely heard
+her. That Errington should take so deep an interest in her, should
+persist in wishing to be her friend, was infinitely sweet and consoling.
+He was transparently true, and she did not doubt for a moment that he
+was sincere in all he said. Still she could not forget the sense of
+humiliation his presence always inflicted. It was always delightful to
+speak to him, and to hear him speak. What would she not give to be able
+to stand upright before him and dare to assert herself? How silent and
+dull and commonplace she must appear! not a bit natural or&mdash;She would
+think no more of him. Why was his face ever before her eyes? She would
+not be haunted in that way.</p>
+
+<p>Here Bertie Payne's entrance created a diversion, which was most
+welcome. He was looking white and ill, as though suffering from some
+mental strain, Katherine observed, and then remembered that he had been
+very silent and grave of late; but he replied cheerfully to her
+inquiries, and exerted himself to do the agreeable during dinner, for
+which he staid.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>Katherine almost hoped for a summons from Mr. Newton next day, also for
+some communication from Mrs. Ormonde, but none reached her. Still she
+possessed her soul in patience, fortified by the recollection of her
+interview with her new friend.</p>
+
+<p>It was wet, and Katherine did not venture out, having a slight cold. She
+tried to read, to write, to play, but she could not give her attention
+to anything. It was an anxious crisis of her fate, and the sense of her
+isolation pressed upon her more heavily than ever. She<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span> really had no
+family ties. Friends were kind, but she had no claim on them or they on
+her. Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde had ceased to exist for her. How would her
+future life be colored? From consecutive thought she passed to vague
+reverie, from which she was glad to be roused by the return of Miss
+Payne, who never staid in for any weather.</p>
+
+<p>"Where do you think I have been?" asked Miss Payne, untying her bonnet
+strings as she sat down.</p>
+
+<p>"How can I guess? Your wanderings are various."</p>
+
+<p>"I went to see Mrs. Needham, and I am very glad I did. I found her just
+bursting with curiosity. All sorts of reports have got about respecting
+your cousin and your loss of fortune, and she was enchanted to get the
+whole truth from me. Besides, she has just been applied to by the
+friends of a girl only sixteen to find a proper chaperon. She is full of
+enthusiasm about us both, and begged me, and you too, to dine with her
+the day after to-morrow to meet a Miss Bradley, the relative or friend
+of the sixteen-year-old. We are to look at each other, and are supposed
+to be in total ignorance of each other's identity. Mrs. Needham delights
+in small plots and transparent mysteries."</p>
+
+<p>"And why am I to go?" asked Katherine, carelessly.</p>
+
+<p>"To make a fourth, and talk to the hostess while I discourse with Miss
+Bradley."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well; I will come."</p>
+
+<p>"Any further news to-day?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not a word; not a line."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVII" id="CHAPTER_XXVII"></a>CHAPTER XXVII.</h2>
+
+<h3>A DINNER AT MRS. NEEDHAM'S.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Mrs. Needham was a very important at personage in her own estimation,
+and very popular with a large circle of acquaintances. Most of them
+thought she was a widow, and only a few old friends were aware that away
+in a distant colony Needham masculine was hiding his diminished head
+from creditors of various kinds and penalties of many descriptions, not
+in penitence, but with as much of enjoyment as could be extracted from
+the simple materials of antipodean life. Having taken with him all the
+cash he could lay hands upon, his deserted wife was left to do battle
+alone on a small income which was her own, and fortunately secured to
+her on her marriage.</p>
+
+<p>She was much too energetic to sit still when she might work and earn
+money. The editor of a provincial paper, a friend of early days, gave
+her space in his columns for a weekly letter, and an introduction to a
+London <i>confrere</i>. On this slender foundation she built her humble
+fortunes. There were, in truth, few happier women in London. Brimful of
+interest in all the undertakings (and their name was legion) in which
+she was concerned, kind and unselfish, though quite free from sentiment,
+her life was full of move<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span>ment and color. She had an enormous capacity
+for absorbing the marvellous, quite uninfluenced by the natural
+shrewdness with which she acted in all ordinary matters. In a bright
+surface way she was clever and full of ideas&mdash;ideas which others took up
+and fructified&mdash;from which Mrs. Needham herself derived no benefit
+beyond the pleasure of imparting them. She was constantly taken in by
+barefaced impostors, yet at times, and in an accidental way, hit on
+wonderfully accurate estimates of persons whom the general public
+credited with widely different qualities.</p>
+
+<p>She had a nice little old-fashioned house in Kensington, with a pretty
+garden, just large enough to allow of visitors being well wet in rainy
+weather between the garden gate and the hall door. This diminutive
+mansion was crammed with curios, specimens of china, of carved wood, of
+Japanese lacquer&mdash;these much rarer than at present. It was a pleasant
+abode withal; a kindly, generous, happy-go-lucky spirit pervaded it. Few
+coming to seek help there were sent empty away, and the owner's earnest
+consideration was ready for all who sought her advice. It was real joy
+to her to entertain her friends in an easy, unceremonious way, and her
+friends were equally pleased to accept her hospitality.</p>
+
+<p>On the present occasion Mrs. Needham was deeply interested in her
+expected guests. Katherine Liddell had pleased her from the first,
+practical and unsentimental as she was. She was disposed to weave a
+little romance round the bright sympathetic girl, who listened so
+graciously to her schemes and projects, whose brightness had under it a
+strain of tender sadness, which gave an indescribable subtle charm to
+her manner. Miss Payne she had known more or less for a considerable
+time, and regarded as a worthy, useful woman; while her third guest was
+the only child of the wealthy publisher George Bradley, the owner of
+that new and flourishing publication, <i>The Piccadilly Review</i>, wherein
+those brilliant articles on "Our Colonial System," "Modern European
+Politics," etc., supposed to be from the pen of Miles Errington,
+appeared.</p>
+
+<p>"A <i>partie carree</i> of ladies does not seem to promise much," said Mrs.
+Needham, when she had greeted Miss Payne and "her young friend," into
+which position Katherine had sunk; "but unless I could have three or
+four men it is better to have none; besides we want to talk of business,
+and men under such circumstances always exclude us, so I don't see why
+we should admit them. Miss Bradley&mdash;Miss Payne, Miss Liddell, of whom
+you have heard me speak."</p>
+
+<p>Miss Bradley rose from the sofa, where she was half reclining beside a
+bright wood fire, a tall stately figure in a long pale blue plush dress,
+cut low in front, and tied loosely with a knot of blue satin ribbon,
+nestling among the rich yellow white lace which fell from the edge of
+the bodice. She was extremely fair, even colorless, with abundant but
+somewhat sandy hair. Her features were regular and marked, a well-shaped
+head was gracefully set on a firm white column-like throat, and her eyes
+were clear and cold when in repose, but darkened and lit up when
+speaking of whatever roused and interested her. Indeed, she looked
+strong and stern when silent.</p>
+
+<p>"I am very pleased to meet you," she said, in a full, pleasant voice.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span>
+"I have often heard of you from Mrs. Needham, and I think you know a
+friend of mine&mdash;Mr. Errington."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; I know him," returned Katherine, feeling her face aflame.</p>
+
+<p>"I have heard of you too," continued Miss Bradley, addressing Miss
+Payne, "from several mutual friends, though we have never happened to
+meet before. I think you had just left Rome with Miss Jennings when I
+arrived there some four years ago."</p>
+
+<p>"I had; and remember you were expected there."</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Jennings married a relation of mine, and I see her very often, at
+least often for London. She really looks younger, if possible, than
+formerly," etc., etc., and their talk flowed in the Jennings channel for
+a few minutes.</p>
+
+<p>Meantime Mrs. Needham, passing her arm through Katherine's, led her away
+to a very diminutive back room, draped and carpeted with Oriental
+stuffs, then beginning to be the fashion, and crammed with all
+imaginable ornaments and specimens, from bits of rare "Capo di monti" to
+funny sixpenny toys. "I have just found such a treasure," she exclaimed;
+"a real saucer of old Chelsea, and only a small bit out of this side.
+Isn't Angela Bradley handsome? She is a very remarkable girl, or perhaps
+I ought to say woman. She speaks four or five languages, and plays
+divinely; then she is a capital critic. It was she who advised her
+father to publish that very singular book, <i>The Gorgon's Head</i>; every
+publisher in London had refused it. He took it, and has cleared&mdash;oh, I'd
+be afraid to say how much money by it."</p>
+
+<p>"I hope the writer got a fair share," said Katherine, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"Hum! ah, that's another matter; but I dare say Bradley will treat him
+quite as fairly as any one else. She will have a big fortune one of
+these days. Her father perfectly adores her."</p>
+
+<p>"I wish I could write," said Katherine, with a sigh. "It must be a
+charming way to earn money."</p>
+
+<p>"Why don't you try? You seem to me to have plenty of brains; and I
+suppose you will have to do something. I was so sorry&mdash;" Mrs. Needham
+was beginning, when dinner was announced, and her sympathetic utterances
+were cut short.</p>
+
+<p>The repast was admirable, erring perhaps on the side of plenteousness,
+and well served by two smart young women in black, with pink ribbons in
+their caps. Nor was there any lack of bright talk a good deal beyond the
+average. Miss Bradley was an admirable listener, and often by well-put
+questions or suggestions kept the ball rolling. Dinner was soon over,
+and coffee was served in the drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, Miss Payne, I should like to consult with you," said Miss Bradley,
+putting her cup on the mantel-piece, and resuming her seat on the sofa,
+where she invited Miss Payne by a gesture to sit beside her, "about the
+daughter of an old friend of mine, who does not want her to join him in
+India, as she is rather delicate, and he cannot retire for a couple of
+years. It is time she left school, and the question is, where shall she
+go?"</p>
+
+<p>While Miss Bradley thus attacked the subject uppermost in her mind, Mrs.
+Needham settled herself in an arm-chair as far as she could from the
+speakers, and asked Katherine to sit down beside her.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Let them discuss their business without us," she said, "and I want to
+talk to you. Here, these are some rather interesting photographs. They
+are all actors or singers on this side; you'll observe the shape of the
+heads, the contour generally; these are politicians, and have quite a
+different aspect. Remarkable, isn't it? But I was just saying when we
+went down to dinner that I was awfully sorry to hear of all your
+troubles&mdash;of course we must not regret that the man is alive; though if
+he is a cross-grained creature, as he seems to be, life won't be much
+good to him&mdash;and I shall be greatly interested if you care to tell me
+what your plans are."</p>
+
+<p>"I really have none. There are several things I could do pretty well. I
+could teach music and languages, but it is so difficult to find pupils.
+Then I am still in great uncertainty as to what my cousin may do."</p>
+
+<p>"He is a greedy savage," said Mrs. Needham, emphatically; "but he will
+not dare to demand the arrears. He would raise a howl of execration by
+such conduct. Now, as you have nothing settled, and if Angela Bradley
+and Miss Payne make it up, you will have to leave where you are. Suppose
+you come to me?"</p>
+
+<p>"To you? My dear Mrs. Needham, it would be delightful."</p>
+
+<p>"Would it? It is not a very magnificent appointment, I assure you. You
+see, I have so much to do that I really <i>must</i> have help. I had a girl
+for three or four months. I gave her twenty-five pounds a year, and
+thought she would be a great comfort, but she made a mess of my room and
+my papers, and could not write a decent letter; besides, she was
+discontented, so she left me, and I have been in a horrid muddle for the
+last fortnight. Now if you like to come to me, while you are looking out
+for something better, I am sure I shall be charmed, and will do all I
+can to push you. It's a miserable sort of engagement, but there it is;
+only I'll want you to come as soon as you can, for there are heaps to
+do."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed I am delighted to be your help, or secretary, or whatever you
+choose to call me, and as for looking for something better, if I can
+only save enough to provide for the boys, I would rather work with you
+for twenty-five pounds a year than any one else for&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"For five hundred?" put in Mrs. Needham, with an indulgent smile, as she
+paused.</p>
+
+<p>"No, no. Five hundred a year is not to be lightly rejected," returned
+Katherine, laughing. "But as I greatly doubt that I could ever be worth
+five hundred a year to any one, I gladly accept twenty-five."</p>
+
+<p>"Remember, I do not expect you to stay an hour after you find something
+better. Now do me tell how matters stand with you."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine therefore unbosomed herself, and among other things told how
+well and faithfully Rachel Trant had behaved toward her, of the fatherly
+kindness shown her by her old lawyer, and wound up by declaring that the
+world could not be so bad a place as it is reckoned, seeing that in her
+reverse of fortune she had found so much consideration. "Of course," she
+concluded, "there are heaps of people who, once I drop from the ranks of
+those who can enjoy and spend, will forget my existence; but I have no
+right to expect more. They only want playfellows, not friends, and ask
+no more than they give."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Quite true, my young philosopher. Tell me, can you come on
+Saturday&mdash;come to stay?"</p>
+
+<p>"I fear not. Besides I have a superstition about entering on a new abode
+on Saturday. Don't laugh! But I will come to-morrow, if you like, and
+write and copy for you. I will come each day till Monday next, and so
+help you to clear up."</p>
+
+<p>"That is a good child! I wish I could make it worth your while to stay;
+but we don't know what silver lining is behind the dark clouds of the
+present."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine shook her head. Mrs. Needham's suggestion showed her that
+peace and a relieved conscience was the highest degree of silvery
+brightness she anticipated in the future. One thing alone could restore
+to her the joyousness of her early days, and that was far away out of
+her reach.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Errington and Mr. Payne," said one of the smart servants, throwing
+open the door.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, yes! Mr. Errington, <i>of</i> course," exclaimed Mrs. Needham, under her
+breath. "I might have expected him. And you too, Mr. Payne?" she added
+aloud. "Very glad to see you both."</p>
+
+<p>As soon as they had paid their respects to the hostess, Errington spoke
+to Katherine, while Payne remained talking with Mrs. Needham.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad to see you looking better than when we last spoke together,"
+said Errington, pausing beside Katherine's chair. "Have you had any
+communication from Newton yet?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have heard nothing from him, and feel very anxious to know George
+Liddell's decision. I had a note from Mrs. Ormonde, written in a much
+more friendly spirit than I had expected, but still in despair. She,
+with the Colonel, had been to demand explanations from Mr. Newton, and
+do not seem much cheered by the interview."</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt the appearance of your cousin was a tremendous blow, but they
+have no right to complain."</p>
+
+<p>"However that may be, I will not quarrel with the boys' mother, in spite
+of her unkindness. I fear so much to create any barrier between us."</p>
+
+<p>"Those children are very dear to you," said Errington, looking down on
+her with a soft expression and lingering glance.</p>
+
+<p>"They are. I don't suppose you could understand how dear."</p>
+
+<p>"Why? Do you think me incapable of human affection?" asked Errington,
+smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"No, certainly not; only I imagine justice is more natural to you than
+love, though you can be generous, as I know."</p>
+
+<p>Errington did not answer. He stood still, as if some new train of
+thought had been suddenly suggested to him, and Katherine waited
+serenely for his next words, when Miss Bradley, who had not interrupted
+her conversation, or noticed the new-comers in any way, suddenly turned
+her face toward them, and said, with something like command, "Mr.
+Errington!"</p>
+
+<p>Errington immediately obeyed. Katherine watched them speaking together
+for some minutes with a curious sense of discomfort and dissatisfaction.
+Miss Bradley's face looked softer and brighter, and a sort of animation
+came into her gestures, slight and dignified<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span> though they were. They
+seemed to have much to say, and said it with a certain amount of
+well-bred familiarity. Yes, they were evidently friends; very naturally.
+How happy she was to be thus free from any painful consciousness in his
+presence! She was as stainless as himself, could look fearlessly in his
+eyes and assert herself, while she (Katherine) could only crouch in
+profoundest humility, and gratefully gather what crumbs of kindness and
+notice he let fall for her benefit. It was quite pitiable to be easily
+disturbed by such insignificant circumstances. How pitiably weak she
+was! So, with an effort, she turned her attention to Mrs. Needham and
+Bertie, who had slipped into an argument, as they often did, respecting
+the best and most effective method of dealing with the poor. In this
+Katherine joined with somewhat languid interest, quite aware that
+Errington and Miss Bradley grew more and more absorbed in their
+conversation, till Miss Payne, feeling herself <i>de trop</i>, left her place
+to speak with Mrs. Needham, while Katherine and Bertie gradually dropped
+into silence.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Bradley's carriage," was soon announced, and she rose tall and
+stately, nearly as tall as Errington.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you excuse me for running away so soon, dear Mrs. Needham?" she
+said, "but I promised Mrs. Julian Starner to go to her musical party
+to-night. I am to play the opening piece of the second part, so I dare
+not stay longer. You are going?"&mdash;to Errington, who bowed assent. "Then
+I can give you a seat in my brougham," she continued, with calm, assured
+serenity.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," and Errington, turning to Katherine, said quickly: "Will
+you let me know when you hear from Newton? I am most anxious as regards
+Liddell's decision."</p>
+
+<p>"I will, certainly. Good-night." She put her hand into his, and felt in
+some occult manner comfort by the gentle pressure with which he held it
+for half a moment. Yes, beaten, defeated, punished as she was, he felt
+for her with a noble compassion. Ought not that to be enough?</p>
+
+<p>"Good-night, Miss Liddell. I hope you will come and see me. I am always
+at home on Tuesday afternoons; and Miss Payne, when I have seen the
+grandmother of the girl we have been speaking about, I will let you
+know, and you will kindly take into consideration the points I
+mentioned. Good-night." And she swept away, leaning on Errington's arm.</p>
+
+<p>"Now that we are by ourselves," said Mrs. Needham, comfortably, "I must
+tell you what I have been proposing to Miss Liddell. I should like you
+to know all about it," and she plunged into the subject. "I know it is
+but a poor offer," she concluded; "but for the present it is better than
+nothing, and she can be on the lookout for something else."</p>
+
+<p>Bertie wisely held his tongue. Katherine declared herself ready and
+willing to accept the offer, and Miss Payne, with resolute candor,
+declared that the remuneration was miserable, but that it was as well to
+be doing something while waiting for a better appointment.</p>
+
+<p>Poor Katherine was terribly distressed by this frankness, but Mrs.
+Needham was quite unmoved. She said she saw the force of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span> what Miss
+Payne said, but there it was, and it remained with Miss Liddell to take
+or leave what she suggested.</p>
+
+<p>Then Miss Payne's prospects came under discussion, and the doubtful
+circumstances connected with Miss Bradley's proposition.</p>
+
+<p>"Now it is long past ten o'clock, and we must say good-night," remarked
+Miss Payne. "Really, Mrs. Needham, you are a wonderful woman! You have
+nearly 'placed' us both. How earnestly I hope there are better and
+brighter days before my young friend, whom I shall miss very much!"</p>
+
+<p>"That I am quite sure. Well, she can go and see you as often as you
+like. Now tell me, isn't Angela Bradley a splendid creature?"</p>
+
+<p>"She is indeed," murmured Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, there is a good deal of her," said Miss Payne, with a sniff.</p>
+
+<p>"Not too much for Mr. Errington, I think," exclaimed Mrs. Needham with a
+knowing smile. "I fancy that will be a match before the season is over.
+It will be a capital thing for Errington. Old Bradley is <i>im</i>-mensely
+rich, and I am sure Errington is far gone. Well, good-night, my dear
+Miss Payne. I am so glad to think I shall have Miss Liddell for a little
+while, at all events. You will come the day after to-morrow at ten,
+won't you, and help me to regulate some of my papers? Good-night, my
+dear, good-night."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>Mr. Newton came into his office the afternoon the day following Mrs.
+Needham's little dinner. His step was alert and his head erect, as
+though he was satisfied with himself and the world. A boy who sat in a
+box near the door, to make a note of the flies walking into the spider's
+parlor, darted out, saying, "Please sir, Miss Liddell is waiting for
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"Is she? Very well." And the old lawyer went quickly along the passage
+leading to the other rooms, and opening the door of his own, found
+Katherine sitting by the table, a newspaper, which had evidently dropped
+from her hand, lying by her on the carpet. She started up to meet her
+good friend, who was struck by her pallor and the sad look in her eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, this is lucky!" exclaimed Newton, shaking hands with her
+cordially. "I was going to write to you, as I wanted to see you, and
+here you are."</p>
+
+<p>"I was just beginning to fear I might be troublesome, but I have been so
+anxious."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course you have. And you have been very patient, on the whole.
+Well"&mdash;laying aside his hat, and rubbing his hands as he sat down&mdash;"I
+have just come from consulting with Messrs. Compton, and I am very happy
+to tell you it is agreed that George Liddell shall withdraw his claim to
+the arrears of income, but not to the savings you have effected since
+your succession to the property, also the balance standing to your name
+at your banker's is not to be interfered with; so I think things are
+arranging themselves more favorably, on the whole, than I could have
+hoped."</p>
+
+<p>"They are, indeed," cried Katherine, clasping her hands together in
+thankfulness. "What an immense relief! I have more than three hundred
+pounds in the bank, and I have found employment for the present at
+least, so I can use my little income for the boys. How<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span> can I thank you,
+dear Mr. Newton, for all the trouble you have taken for me?" And she
+took his hard, wrinkled hand, pressing it between both hers, and looking
+with sweet loving eyes into his.</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I was quite ready to take any trouble for you, my dear young
+lady; but in this matter Mr. Errington has done most of the work. He has
+gained a surprising degree of influence over your cousin, who is a very
+curious customer; but for him (Mr. Errington, I mean), I fear he would
+have insisted on his full rights, which would have been a bad business.
+However, that is over now. Nor will Mr. Liddell fare badly. Your savings
+have added close on three thousand pounds to the property which falls to
+him. I am surprised that he did not try at once to make friends with
+you, for his little girl's sake. I hear he is in treaty for a grand
+mansion in one of the new streets they are building over at South
+Kensington. He is tremendously fond of this little girl of his. It seems
+Liddell was awfully cut up at the death of his wife, about a year and a
+half ago. He fancies that if he had known of his father's death and his
+own succession he would have come home, and the voyage would have saved
+her life. This, I rather think, was at the root of his rancor against
+you."</p>
+
+<p>"How unjust! how unreasonable!" cried Katherine. "Now tell me of your
+interview with Mrs. Ormonde and her husband."</p>
+
+<p>"Well&mdash;ah&mdash;it was not a very agreeable half-hour. I have seldom seen so
+barefaced an exhibition of selfishness. However, I think I brought them
+to their senses, certainly Mrs. Ormonde, and I am determined to make
+that fellow Ormonde pay something toward the education of his wife's
+sons."</p>
+
+<p>"I would rather not have it," said Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense," cried the lawyer, sharply. "You or they are entitled to it,
+and you shall have it. Mrs. Ormonde evidently does not want to quarrel
+with you, nor is it well for the boys' sake to be at loggerheads with
+their mother."</p>
+
+<p>"No, certainly not; but, Mr. Newton, I can never be the same to her
+again. I never can forgive her or her husband's ingratitude and want of
+feeling."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course not, and they know you will not; still, an open split is to
+be avoided. Now, tell me, what is the employment you mentioned?"</p>
+
+<p>Katherine told him, and a long confidential conversation ensued, wherein
+she explained her views and intentions, and listened to her old friend's
+good advice. Certain communication to Mrs. Ormonde were decided on, as
+Katherine agreed with Mr. Newton that she should have no further
+personal intercourse concerning business matters with her sister-in-law.</p>
+
+<p>"By-the-way," said Newton, "one of the events of the last few days was a
+visit from your protegee, Miss Trant. I was a good deal struck with her.
+She is a pretty, delicate-looking girl, yet she's as hard as nails, and
+a first-rate woman of business. She seems determined to make your
+fortune, for that is just the human touch about her that interested me.
+She doesn't talk about it, but her profound gratitude to you is
+evidently her ruling motive. I am so persuaded that she will develop a
+good business, and that you will ultimately<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span> get a high percentage for
+the money you have advanced&mdash;or, as you thought, almost given&mdash;that I am
+going to trust her with a little of mine, just to keep the concern free
+of debt till it is safely floated."</p>
+
+<p>"How very good of you!" cried Katherine. "And what a proof of your faith
+in my friend! How can you call her hard? To me she is most sympathetic."</p>
+
+<p>"Ay, to you. Then you see she seems to have devoted herself to you. To
+me she turned a very hard bit of her shell. No matter. I think she is
+the sort of woman to succeed. You have not seen her since&mdash;since her
+visit to me?"</p>
+
+<p>"No. I have not been to see her because&mdash;not because I was busy, but
+idle and depressed. I will not be so any more. So many friends have been
+true and helpful to me that I should be ashamed of feeling depressed. I
+will endeavor to prove myself a first-rate secretary, and be a credit to
+you, my dear good friend."</p>
+
+<p>"That you will always be, I'm sure," returned Newton, warmly.</p>
+
+<p>"Now you must run away, my dear young lady, for I have fifty things to
+do. Your friend Miss Trant will tell you all that passed between us, and
+what her plans are."</p>
+
+<p>"I am going to pay her a visit this evening. I do not like to trouble
+her either in the morning or afternoon, she is so busy. But I always
+enjoy a talk with her. She is really very well informed, and rather
+original."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe she will turn out well. Good-by, my dear Miss Liddell. I
+assure you, you are not more relieved by the result of the morning's
+consultation than I am."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXVIII" id="CHAPTER_XXVIII"></a>CHAPTER XXVIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>KATHERINE IN OFFICE.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The beginning of a new life is rarely agreeable, and when the newness
+consists of poverty in place of riches, of service instead of complete
+freedom, occupations not particularly congenial instead of the exercise
+of unfettered choice, in such matters&mdash;why, the contrast is rather
+trying.</p>
+
+<p>A fortnight after the interview just described, Katherine was thoroughly
+settled with Mrs. Needham.</p>
+
+<p>Although she justly considered herself most fortunate in finding a home
+so easily, with so pleasant and kindly a patroness, she would have been
+more or less than human had she not felt the change which had befallen
+her. Mrs. Ormonde's conduct, too, had wounded her, more than it ought,
+perhaps, for she always knew her sister-in-law to be shallow and
+selfish, but not to the degree which she had lately betrayed.</p>
+
+<p>Her constant prayer was that she should be spared the torture of having
+to give up her dear boys to such a mother and such a step-father. She
+thought she saw little, loving, delicate Charlie shrinking into himself,
+and withering under the contemptuous indifference neglect of the
+Castleford household; and Cis&mdash;bolder and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span> stronger&mdash;hardening into
+defiance or deceit under the same influence.</p>
+
+<p>By the sort of agreement arrived at between Mr. Newton and Mrs. Ormonde,
+it was decided that so long as Katherine provided for the maintenance of
+her nephews, their mother was only entitled to have them with her during
+the Christmas holidays; and Colonel Ormonde was with some difficulty
+persuaded to allow the munificent sum of thirty pounds a year toward the
+education of his step-sons.</p>
+
+<p>This definite settlement was a great relief to Katherine's heart. How
+earnestly she resolved to keep herself on her infinitesimal stipend, and
+save every other penny for her boys! Of the trouble before her, in
+removing them from Sandbourne to some inferior, because cheaper, school,
+she would not think. Sufficient to the day was the evil thereof.</p>
+
+<p>She therefore applied herself diligently to her duties. These were
+varied, though somewhat mechanical.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Needham's particular den was a very comfortable, well-furnished
+room at the back of the house, crowded with books and newspapers, and
+prospectuses, magazines, and all possible impedimenta of journalism, on
+the outer edge of which women were beginning with faltering footsteps
+tentatively to tread. Mrs. Needham not only wrote "provincial letters"
+(with a difference!), but contributed social and statistical papers to
+several of the leading periodicals; and one of Katherine's duties was to
+write out her rough notes, and make extracts from the books, Blue and
+others, the reports and papers which Mrs. Needham had marked. Then there
+were lots of letters to be answered and MSS. to be corrected.</p>
+
+<p>Besides these, Mrs. Needham asked Katherine as a favor to help her in
+her house-keeping, as it was a thing she hated; "and whatever you do,"
+was her concluding instructions, "do not see too much of cook's doings.
+She is a clever woman, and after all that can be said about the feast of
+reason, the success of my little dinners depends on <i>her</i>. I don't think
+she takes things, but she is a little reckless, and I never could keep
+accounts."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine therefore found her time fully filled. This, however, kept her
+from thinking too much, and her kind chief was pleased with all she did.
+Her mind was tolerable at rest about the boys, her friends stuck
+gallantly to her through the shipwreck of her fortune, and yet her heart
+was heavy. She could not look forward with hope, or back without pain.
+She dared not even let herself think freely, for she well knew the cause
+of her depression, and had vowed to herself to master it, to hide it
+away, and never allow her mental vision to dwell upon it. Work, and
+interest&mdash;enforced, almost feverish interest&mdash;in outside matters, were
+the only weapons with which she could fight the gnawing, aching pain of
+ceaseless regret that wore her heart. How insignificant is the loss of
+fortune, and all that fortune brings, compared to the opening of an
+impassable gulf between one's self and what has grown dearer than self,
+by that magic, inexplicable force of attraction which can rarely be
+resisted or explained!</p>
+
+<p>Life with Mrs. Needham was very active, and although Katherine was
+necessarily left a good deal at home, she saw quite enough of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span> society
+in the evening to satisfy her. The all-accomplished Angela Bradley
+showed a decided inclination to fraternize with Mrs. Needham's
+attractive secretary, but for some occult reason Katherine did not
+respond. She fancied that Miss Bradley was disposed to look down with
+too palpably condescending indulgence from the heights of her own calm
+perfections on those storms in a teacup amid which Mrs. Needham
+agitated, with such sincere belief in her own powers to raise or to
+allay them. Yet Miss Bradley was a really high-minded woman, only a
+little too well aware of her own superiority. She was always a favored
+guest at the "Shrubberies," as Mrs. Needham's house was called, and of
+course an attraction to Errington, who was also a frequent visitor. The
+evenings, when some of the <i>habitues</i> dropped in on their way to
+parties, or returning from the theatre (Mrs. Needham never wanted to go
+to bed!), were bright and amusing. Moreover, Katherine had complete
+liberty of movement. If Mrs. Needham were going out without her
+secretary, Katherine was quite free to spend the time with Miss Payne,
+or with Rachel Trant, whom she found more interesting. At the house of
+the former she generally found Bertie ready to escort her home, always
+kindly and deeply concerned about her, but more than ever determined to
+convert her from her uncertain faith and worldly tendencies, to
+Evangelicalism and contempt for the joys of this life.</p>
+
+<p>Already the days of her heirship seemed to have been wafted away far
+back, and the routine of the present was becoming familiar. There was
+nothing oppressive in it. Yet she could not look forward. Hope had long
+been a stranger to her. Never, since her mother's death, since she had
+fully realized the bearings of her own reprehensible act, had she known
+the joy of a light heart. Some such ideas were flitting through her mind
+as she was diligently copying Mrs. Needham's lucubrations one afternoon,
+when the parlor maid opened the door and said, as she handed her a card,
+"The lady is in the drawing-room, ma'am."</p>
+
+<p>The lady was Mrs. Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>"Is Mrs. Needham at home?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, ma'am."</p>
+
+<p>It was rather a trial, this, meeting with Ada, but Katherine could not
+shirk it. She did not want to have any quarrel with the boys' mother, so
+she ascended to the drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p>There stood the pretty, smartly dressed little woman, all airy elegance,
+but the usually smiling lips were compressed, and the smooth white brow
+was wrinkled with a frown. She was examining a book of photographs&mdash;most
+of them signed by the donors.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, Katherine! how do you do?" she said, sharply, and not in the least
+abashed by any memory of their last meeting. "I am up in town for a few
+days, and I couldn't leave without seeing you. You see I have too much
+feeling to turn <i>my</i> back on an old friend, however injured I may be by
+circumstances over which you had no control. You are not looking well,
+Katie; you are so white, and your eyes don't seem to be half open."</p>
+
+<p>"I am quite well, I assure you," said Katherine, composedly, and
+avoiding a half-offered kiss by drawing a chair forward for her
+visitor.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I wish I could say as much," returned Mrs. Ormonde, with a deep sigh,
+throwing herself into it. "I am perfectly wretched; Ormonde is quite
+intolerable at times since everything has collapsed. I am sure I often
+wish you had never done anything for the boys or me, and then we should
+never have fancied ourselves rich. Of course I don't blame you; you
+meant well, but it is all very unfortunate."</p>
+
+<p>"It is indeed; but is it possible that Colonel Ormonde is so unmanly as
+to&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Unmanly?" interrupted his wife. "Manly, you mean. Of course he revenges
+himself on me. Not always. He is all right sometimes; but if anything
+goes wrong, then I suffer. Fortunately I was prudent, and made little
+savings, with which I am&mdash;but"&mdash;interrupting herself&mdash;"that is not worth
+speaking about."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry you are unhappy, Ada," said Katherine, with her ready
+sympathy.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, don't think I allow myself to be trodden on," cried Mrs. Ormonde,
+her eyes suddenly lighting up. "It was a hard fight at first, but I saw
+it was a struggle for life; and when we knew the worst, and Ormonde
+raved and roared, I said I should leave him and take baby (I could, you
+know, till he was seven years old), and that the servants would swear I
+was in fear of my life; and I should have done it, and carried my case,
+too! I'm not sure it would not have been better for me. But he gave in,
+and asked me to stay. I felt pretty safe then. Now, when he is
+disagreeable, I burst into tears at dinner, and upset my glass of claret
+on the table-cloth, and totter out of the room weak and tremulous. I can
+see the butler and James ready to tear him to pieces. When he is
+good-humored, so am I; and when he tries to bully, why, what with
+trembling so much that I break something he likes, and fits of
+hysterics, and being awfully frightened before strangers, and making
+things go wrong when he wishes to create a great effect on some one, I
+think he begins to see it is better not to quarrel with me. Still, it is
+awfully miserable, compared with what it used to be when I really
+thought he loved me. How pleasant we all were together at Castleford
+before this horrid man turned up! Why didn't that awkward bush-ranger
+take better aim?"</p>
+
+<p>"I dare say George Liddell is not quite of your opinion," said
+Katherine, smiling at her sister-in-law's candor.</p>
+
+<p>"He was quite rich before," continued Mrs. Ormonde, querulously. "Why
+couldn't he be satisfied to stay out there and spend his own money? I
+hate selfishness and greed!"</p>
+
+<p>"They <i>are</i> odious in every one," said Katherine, gravely.</p>
+
+<p>"Now that I feel satisfied you are well and happy," resumed Mrs.
+Ormonde, who had never put a single question respecting herself to
+Katherine, "there are one or two things I wanted to ask you. Where are
+the boys?"</p>
+
+<p>"They are still at Sandbourne; but they leave, I am sorry to say, at
+Easter."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, they do! It is an awfully expensive school. Are you quite sure,
+Katherine, they will not send in the bill to me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Quite sure, Ada, for I have paid in advance."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"That was really very thoughtful, dear. Then&mdash;excuse my asking; I would
+not interfere with you for the world&mdash;but what <i>are</i> you going to do
+with them in the Easter holidays? I <i>dare</i> not have them at Castleford.
+I should lose all the ground I have gained if such a thing was even
+hinted to the Colonel."</p>
+
+<p>"Why apologize for inquiring about your own children? Do not be alarmed,
+they shall <i>not</i> go. I am just now arranging for them to go to a school
+at Wandsworth, and for the Easter holidays Miss Payne has most kindly
+invited them."</p>
+
+<p>"Really! How very nice! I will send her a hamper from Castleford. I can
+manage that much. This is rather a nice little place," continued Mrs.
+Ormonde, evidently much relieved and looking round. "What lots of pretty
+things! Is Mrs. Needham nice? She seemed rather a flashy woman. You must
+feel it an awful change from being an heiress, and so much made of, to
+being a sort of upper servant! Do you dine with Mrs. Needham?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I really do, and go out to evening parties with her."</p>
+
+<p>"No, really?"</p>
+
+<p>"It is a fact. She is a kind, delightful woman to live with. I am most
+fortunate."</p>
+
+<p>"Fortunate? You cannot say that, Katie! You are the most unfortunate
+girl in the world. You know how penniless women are looked upon in
+society. <i>I</i> remember when Ormonde thought himself such a weak idiot for
+being attracted to me, all because I had no money. It makes such a
+difference! Why, there is Lord De Burgh; I met him yesterday, and asked
+him to have a cup of tea with me, and he never once mentioned your
+name."</p>
+
+<p>"Why should he? I never knew Lord De Burgh," said Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you did, dear! Why, you cannot know what is going on if you have
+not heard that old De Burgh died nearly a fortnight ago in Paris, and
+our friend has come in for <i>every</i>thing. He had just returned from the
+funeral, so he said, and is looking darker and glummer than ever. Well,
+you know how he used to run after you. I assure you he never made a
+single inquiry about you. Heartless, wasn't it? I said something about
+that horrid man coming back, and&mdash;would you believe it?&mdash;he laughed in
+that odious, cynical way he has, and called me a little tigress. The
+only sympathetic word he spoke was to call it an infernal business. He
+doesn't care what he says, you know. Then he asked if Ormonde was
+tearing his hair about it. What a pity you did not encourage him, Katie,
+and marry him! Once you were his wife he could not have thrown you off.
+Now I don't suppose you'll ever see <i>him</i> again. I rather think Mrs.
+Needham does not know many of <i>his</i> set."</p>
+
+<p>"She knows an extraordinary number of people&mdash;all sorts and conditions
+of men; Mr. Errington often dines here."</p>
+
+<p>"Does he? But then he is a sort of literary hack now. Just think what a
+change both for you and him!"</p>
+
+<p>"It is very extraordinary; but he keeps his position better than I do."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course. Men are always better off. Now, dear, I must go. I am quite
+glad to have seen you, and sorry to think that my hus<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>band is absurdly
+prejudiced against you from the way you spoke to him last time. It was
+by no means prudent."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Ada, should Colonel Ormonde so far overcome his objection to me
+as to seek me again, I think it very likely I may say more imprudent
+things than I did last time. Pray, what do I owe him that I should
+measure my words?"</p>
+
+<p>"Really, Katherine, when you hold your head up in that way I feel half
+afraid of you. There is no use trying to hold your own with the world
+when your pocket is empty. You see nobody troubles about you now,
+whereas&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Bradley!" announced the servant; and Angela entered, in an
+exquisite walking dress of dark blue velvet; bonnet and feathers,
+gloves, parasol, all to match. Mrs. Ormonde gazed in delighted
+admiration at this splendid apparition.</p>
+
+<p>"My dear Miss Liddell!" she exclaimed, shaking hands cordially. "I have
+rushed over to tell you that we have secured a box for Patti's benefit
+on Thursday, and I want you to join us. I know Mrs. Needham has a stall,
+but she will sup with us after. Mr. Errington and one or two musical
+critics are coming to dine with me at half past six, and we can go
+together."</p>
+
+<p>"You are very good," said Katherine, coloring. She did not particularly
+care to go with Miss Bradley, and she was amused at Mrs. Ormonde's
+expression of astonishment. "Of course I shall be most happy."</p>
+
+<p>"Now I must not stay; I have heaps to do. Will you be so kind as to give
+me the address of the modiste you mentioned the other day who made that
+pretty gray dress of yours? Madame Maradan is so full she cannot do a
+couple of morning dresses for me, so I want to try your woman."</p>
+
+<p>"I shall be so glad if you will," cried Katherine. "I will bring you one
+of her cards. Let me introduce my sister-in-law to you. Mrs. Ormonde,
+Miss Bradley." She left the room, and Miss Bradley drew a chair beside
+her. "I think I had the pleasure of seeing you at Lady Carton's garden
+party last July?" she said, courteously.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, dear me, yes! I thought I knew your face. Lady Carton introduced
+you to me. Lady Carton is a cousin of Colonel Ormonde's."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, indeed! Miss Liddell was not there?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; she chose to bury herself by the sea-side for the whole season."</p>
+
+<p>Here Katherine returned with the card.</p>
+
+<p>"I am so glad you are going to give my friend Rachel Trant a trial. I am
+sure you will like her. She has excellent taste."</p>
+
+<p>"Now I must not wait any longer. So good-by. Shall you be at Madame
+Caravicelli's this evening?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am not sure. I don't feel much disposed to go."</p>
+
+<p>"Good-by for the present, then. Good-morning," to Mrs. Ormonde, and Miss
+Bradley swept out of the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Katherine!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, when her sister-in-law returned,
+"you seem to have fallen on your feet here. Pray who is that fine,
+elegant girl who seems so fond of you?"</p>
+
+<p>"She is the daughter of a wealthy publisher, and has been very kind to
+me."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Ah, yes! I remember now, Lady Carton said she would have a large
+fortune; and so she is your intimate friend?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, a very kind friend."</p>
+
+<p>"Now I must bid you good-by. I am sure I am very glad you are so
+comfortable. I am going back to Castleford to-morrow, or I should call
+again. You are going to be Lucky Katherine, after all; I am sure you
+are;" and with many sweet words she disappeared.</p>
+
+<p>"Lucky," repeated Katherine, as she returned to her task, "mine has been
+strange luck."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>Despite Mrs. Ormonde's assurances that De Burgh had quite forgotten her,
+the news that he was once more in town disturbed Katherine. Unless some
+new fancy had driven her out of his head, she felt sure that his first
+step in the new and independent existence on which he had entered would
+be to seek her out and renew the offer he had twice made before. Money
+or no money, position, circumstances, all were but a feather-weight
+compared to the imperative necessity of having his own way.</p>
+
+<p>It would be very painful to be obliged to refuse him again, for, in
+spite of her grave disapprobation of him in many ways, she liked him,
+and had a certain degree of confidence in him. There were the
+possibilities of a good character even in his faults, and it grieved her
+to be obliged to pain him.</p>
+
+<p>"After all, I may be troubling myself about a vain image; it is more
+than a month since I saw him. He is now a wealthy peer, and it is
+impossible to say how circumstances may have changed him."</p>
+
+<p>When Mrs. Needham had dressed for the dinner which was to precede Madam
+Caravicelli's reception, Katherine put on her bonnet and cloak and set
+off to spend a couple of hours with Rachel Trant, not only to avoid a
+lonely evening, but to change the current of her thoughts&mdash;loneliness
+and thought being her greatest enemies at present.</p>
+
+<p>She had grown quite accustomed to make her way by omnibus, and as the
+days grew longer and the weather finer, she hoped to be able to walk
+across Campden Hill, not only shortening the distance but saving the
+fare. A visit to Rachel amused Katherine and drew her out of herself
+more than anything; the details of the business and management of
+property which she felt was her own had a large amount of
+interest&mdash;real, living interest. The state of the books, the increase of
+custom, the addition to the small capital which Rachel was gradually
+accumulating&mdash;all these were subjects not easily exhausted. Both
+partners agreed that their great object, now that the undertaking was
+beginning to maintain itself, was to lay by all they could, for of
+course bad debts and bad times would come.</p>
+
+<p>"It is a great satisfaction to think that though people may do without
+books or pictures or music, they must wear clothes; and if you fit well,
+and are punctual, you are certain to have customers. Of course if you
+give credit you must charge high; people are beginning to see that now.
+You cannot get ready money in the dress<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span>making trade except for those
+costumes you give for a certain fixed price; but I stand out for
+quarterly accounts."</p>
+
+<p>"And do you find no difficulty in getting them paid?"</p>
+
+<p>"Not much; you see, I deduct five per cent. for punctual payment. Every
+one tries to save that five per cent. But talking of these things has
+put a curious incident out of my head, which I was longing to tell you.
+You remember among my first customers were Mrs. Fairchild and her
+daughters. They keep a very high class ladies' school in Inverness
+Terrace, and have been excellent customers. Yesterday Miss Fairchild
+called and said that she wanted an entire outfit for a little girl of
+ten or eleven, who was to be with them. They did not wish for anything
+fine or showy; at the same time, cost was no object. I was to furnish
+everything, to save time. This morning they brought the child to be
+fitted; she is very tall and thin, but lithe and supple, with dark hair,
+and large, bright, dark-brown eyes. She will be very handsome. I could
+not quite make her out; she is not an ordinary gentlewoman, nor is she
+the very least vulgar or common. She gives me more the idea of a wild
+thing not quite tamed. When all was settled I was told to address the
+account to Mr. George Liddell, Grosvenor Hotel."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, it must be my cousin George!" cried Katherine. "How strange that
+in this huge town they should fix on you amongst the thousands of
+dressmakers! You must make my little cousin look very smart, Rachel."</p>
+
+<p>"She is not little. She is wonderfully mature for ten years old,
+something like a panther."</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to see her. I believe she is a great idol with her
+father. I wish," added Katherine, after a pause, "he were not so
+unreasonably prejudiced against me. You may think me weak, Rachel, but I
+have a sort of yearning for family ties."</p>
+
+<p>"Why should I think you weak? It is a natural and I suppose a healthy
+feeling. <i>I</i> don't understand it myself because I never had any.
+Isolation is my second nature. The only human being that ever treated me
+with tenderness and loyal friendship is yourself, and what you have been
+to me, what I feel toward you, none can know, for I can never tell."</p>
+
+<p>"Dear Rachel! How glad I am to have been of use to you! And you amply
+repay me, you are looking so much better. Tell me, are you not feeling
+content and happy?"</p>
+
+<p>Rachel smiled, a smile somewhat grim in spite of the soft lips it
+parted. "I am resigned, and I have found an object to live for, and you
+know what an improvement that is compared to the condition you found me
+in. But I don't think I am really any more in love with life now than I
+was then. However, I am more mistress of myself." She paused, and her
+face grew very grave as she leaned back in her chair, her arm and small
+hand, closely shut, resting on the table beside her.</p>
+
+<p>"All the minute details, the thought and anxiety, my business, or rather
+our business, requires an enormous help&mdash;it is such a boon to be too
+weary at night-time to think! But <i>no</i> amount of work, of care, can
+quite shut out the light of other days. It is no doubt wrong, immoral,
+unworthy of a reformed outcast, but <i>if</i> my real<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span> heart's desire could
+be fulfilled, I would live over again those few months of exquisite
+happiness, and die before waking to the terrible reality of my
+insignificance in the sight of him who was more than life to me&mdash;die
+while I was still something to be missed, to be regretted. He would have
+tired of me had I been his wife, and that would have been as terrible as
+my present lot&mdash;even more, for I must have seen his weariness day by
+day, and no amount of social esteem would have consoled me. As it is, my
+real self seems to have died, and this creature"&mdash;striking her
+breast&mdash;"was a cunningly contrived machine, that can work, and
+understand, but, save for one friend, cannot feel. I do not even look
+back to <i>him</i> with any regretful tenderness. I do not love him&mdash;that is
+dead. I do not hate him&mdash;I have no right. He did not deceive me; I
+voluntarily overstepped the line which separates the reputable and
+disreputable; as long as I was loved and cherished I never felt as if I
+had done wrong. I never felt humiliation when I was with him. When he
+grew tired of me he could not help it; he never did try to resist any
+whim or passion. But better, stronger men cannot hold the wavering
+will-o'-the-wisp they call 'love'; and once it flickers out, it cannot
+be relighted. No, I have no one to blame; I can only resign myself to
+the bitterest, cruelest fate that can befall a woman&mdash;to be loved and
+eagerly sought, won, and adored for a brief hour, then thrown carelessly
+aside&mdash;a mere plaything, unworthy of serious thought. Ah, I have
+forgotten my resolution not to talk of myself to you. It is a weakness;
+but your kind eyes melt my heart. Now I will close it up&mdash;I will think
+only of the task I have set myself, to make a little fortune for you, a
+reputation for my own establishment&mdash;not a very grand ambition, but it
+does to keep the machine going; and I am growing stronger every day,
+with a strange force that surprises myself. I fear nothing and no one. I
+think my affection for you, dear, is the only thing which keeps me
+human. Now tell me, are you still comfortable with Mrs. Needham?"</p>
+
+<p>The tears stood in Katherine's eyes as she listened to this stern wail
+of a bruised spirit, but with instinctive wisdom she refrained from
+uttering fruitless expressions of sympathy. She would not encourage
+Rachel to dwell on the hateful subject; she only replied by pressing her
+friend's hand in silence, and she began to speak of Mrs. Ormonde's
+visit, and succeeded in making Rachel laugh at the little woman's
+description of the means she adopted of reducing Colonel Ormonde to
+reason.</p>
+
+<p>"Real generosity and unselfishness is very rare," said Rachel. "The
+meanness and narrowness of men are amazing&mdash;and of women too; but
+somehow one expects more from the strength of a man."</p>
+
+<p>"When men are good they are very good," said Kate, reflectively. "But
+the only two I have seen much of are not pleasant specimens&mdash;my uncle,
+John Liddell, and Colonel Ormonde. Then against them I must balance
+Bertie Payne, who is good enough for two."</p>
+
+<p>"He is indeed! I owe him a debt I can never repay, for he brought you to
+me. I wish you could reward him as he would wish."</p>
+
+<p>"I am not sure that he has any wishes on the subject," said Kath<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span>erine,
+her color rising. "He thinks I am too ungodly to be eligible for the
+helpmeet of a true believer. Ah, indeed I am not half good enough for
+such a man!"</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXIX" id="CHAPTER_XXIX"></a>CHAPTER XXIX.</h2>
+
+<h3>DE BURGH AGAIN.</h3>
+
+
+<p>That Rachel Trant should have drifted into communication George Liddell
+seemed a most whimsical turn of the wheel of fortune to Katherine, and
+she thought much of it.</p>
+
+<p>Would it lead to any reconciliation between herself and her strange,
+unreasonable, half-savage kinsman? She fancied she could interest
+herself in his daughter, and towards himself she felt no enmity; rather
+a mild description of curiosity. Why should they not be on friendly
+terms?</p>
+
+<p>But this and other subjects of thought were swallowed up in the
+anticipated pain of removing her nephews from their school at
+Sandbourne, where they had been so happy and done so well. Miss Payne's
+friendly offer to take them in for a week or two had relieved Katherine
+of a difficulty; and Mrs. Needham was most considerate in promising to
+give her ample time to prepare them for their new school.</p>
+
+<p>What a difference, poor Katherine thought, between the present and the
+past! quite as great as between the price of Sandbourne and Wandsworth.
+There was a certain rough and ready tone about the latter establishment
+which distressed her; yet the school-master's wife seemed a kindly,
+motherly woman, and the urchins she saw running about the playground
+looked ruddy and happy enough. It was the best of the cheaper schools
+she had seen, and to Dr. Paynter's care she resolved to commit them. As
+Wandsworth was within an easy distance, she could often go to see them.</p>
+
+<p>Another matter kept her somewhat on the <i>qui vive</i>. In spite of Mrs.
+Ormonde's assurance that De Burgh had forgotten her, Katherine had a
+strong idea that she had not seen the last of him.</p>
+
+<p>Though Mrs. Needham's wide circle of acquaintances included many men and
+women of rank, she knew nothing of the set to which De Burgh belonged.
+Those of his class, admitted within the hospitable gate of the
+Shrubberies, were usually persons of literary, artistic, or dramatic
+leanings and connections, of which he was quite innocent.</p>
+
+<p>It was a day or two after Katherine's last interview with Rachel Trant,
+and Mrs. Needham was "at home" in a more formal way than usual.
+Katherine was assisting her chief in receiving, when, in the tea-room,
+she was accosted by Errington. "Have you had tea yourself?" he asked,
+with his grave, sweet smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes! long ago."</p>
+
+<p>"Then, Miss Liddell, indulge me in a little talk. It is so long since I
+have had a word with you! It seems that since we agreed to be fast
+friends, founding our friendship on the injuries we have<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span> done each
+other, that we have drifted apart more than ever. Pray do not turn away
+with that distressed look. I am so unfortunate in being always
+associated with painful ideas in your mind."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed you are not. All the good of my present life I owe to you," and
+she raised her soft brown eyes, full of tender gratitude, to his. It was
+a glance that might have warmed any man's heart, and Errington's answer
+was:</p>
+
+<p>"Come, then, and let us exchange confidences," the crowd round the door
+at that moment obliging him, as it seemed to her, to hold her arm very
+close to his side.</p>
+
+<p>At the end of the hall, which was little more than a passage, was a door
+sheltered by a large porch. The door had been removed, and the porch
+turned into a charming nook, with draperies, plants, colored lamps, and
+comfortable seats. Here Errington and Katherine established themselves.</p>
+
+<p>"First," he began, "tell me, how do you fare at Mrs. Needham's hands? I
+am glad to see that you seem quite at home; and if I may be allowed to
+say it, you bear up bravely under the buffets of unkindly fortune."</p>
+
+<p>"I have no right to complain," returned Katherine. "As to Mrs. Needham,
+were I her younger sister she could not be kinder. I think the great
+advantage of the semi-Bohemian set to which she belongs, is that among
+them there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither bond nor free, for all are
+one in our common human nature. Were I to go down into the kitchen and
+cook the dinner, it would not put me at any disadvantage with my good
+friend. I should have only to wash my hands and don my best frock, and
+in the drawing-room I should be as much the daughter of the house as
+ever."</p>
+
+<p>Errington laughed. There was a happy sound in his laugh. "You describe
+our kind hostess well. Such women are the salt of the social earth. And
+your 'dear boys.' How and where are they?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! that is a trial. I go down to Sandbourne the day after to-morrow,
+to take them from that delightful school, and place them in a far
+different establishment."</p>
+
+<p>"Ha! Does Mrs. Ormonde go with you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mrs. Ormonde? Oh no. You know&mdash;" she hesitated. "Well, you see, Colonel
+Ormonde is exceedingly indignant with me because I have lost my fortune,
+and I fancy he does not approve of Ada's having anything to do with me.
+Besides&mdash;" She paused, not liking to betray too much of the family
+politics. "They have agreed to give the boys over to me."</p>
+
+<p>"I know. I paid Mr. Newton a long visit the other day, and he told
+me&mdash;perhaps more than you would like."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not mind how much you know," said Katherine, sadly. "I am glad you
+care enough to inquire."</p>
+
+<p>"I want you to understand that I care very, very much," replied
+Errington, in a low, earnest tone. "You and I have crossed each other's
+paths in an extraordinary manner, and if you will allow me, I should
+like to act a brother's part to you if&mdash;" He broke off abruptly, and
+Katherine, looking up to him with a bright smile, exclaimed, "I shall be
+delighted to have such a brother, and will not give you more trouble
+than I can help."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Thank you." He seemed to hesitate a moment, and then, with a change of
+tone, observed: "You and Miss Bradley seem to have become intimate. You
+must find her an agreeable companion. I think she might be a useful
+friend."</p>
+
+<p>"She is extremely kind. I cannot say how much obliged to her I am; but,"
+continued Katherine, impelled by an unaccountable antagonism, "do you
+know, I cannot understand why she likes me. There is no real sympathy
+between us. She is so wise and learned. She never would do wrong things
+from a sudden irresistible impulse, and then devour her heart with, not
+repentance, exactly, but remorse which cannot be appeased."</p>
+
+<p>"Probably not. She is rather a remarkable woman. Strong, yet not hard. I
+fancy we are the arbiters of our own fate."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no! no!" cried Katherine, with emotion. "Just think of the snares
+and pitfalls which beset us, and how hard it is to keep the narrow road
+when a heart-beat too much, a sudden rush of sorrow or of joy, and our
+balance is lost: even steady footsteps slide from the right way. Believe
+me, some never have a fair chance."</p>
+
+<p>Errington made a slight movement nearer to her, and after a brief pause
+said, "I should like to hear you argue this with Angela Bradley."</p>
+
+<p>It sounded strange and unpleasant to hear him say "Angela."</p>
+
+<p>"I never argue with her," said Katherine. "Mine are but old-fashioned
+weapons, while hers are of the latest fashion and precision. Moreover,
+we stand on different levels, I am sorry to say. I wonder she troubles
+herself about me. Is it pure benevolence? or"&mdash;with a quick glance into
+his eyes, which were unusually animated&mdash;"did you ask her of her
+clemency to throw me some crumbs of comfort? If so, she has obeyed you
+gracefully and well."</p>
+
+<p>"Unreason has a potent advocate in you, Miss Liddell," said Errington;
+smiling a softer smile than usual. "But I want you to understand and
+appreciate Miss Bradley. She is a fine creature in every sense of the
+word. As friend, I am sure she would be loyal with a reasonable loyalty,
+and I flatter myself she is a friend of mine."</p>
+
+<p>"Another sister?" asked Katherine, forcing herself to smile playfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes," returned Errington, slowly, looking down as he spoke; "a
+different kind of sister."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine felt her cheeks, her throat, her ears, glow, as she listened
+to what she considered a distinct avowal of his engagement to the
+accomplished Angela, but she only said, softly and steadily, "I hope she
+will always be a dear and loyal sister to you."</p>
+
+<p>There was a moment's silence. Then Errington said, abruptly, his eyes,
+as she felt, on her face, "Have you seen De Burgh since his return?"</p>
+
+<p>"No."</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt you will. What a curious fellow he is! I wonder how he will
+act, now that he has rank and fortune? He has some good points."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes, many," cried Katherine, warmly, "I could not help liking him.
+He is very true."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"And extremely reckless," put in Errington, coldly, as Katherine paused
+to remember some other good point.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not calculating," she returned.</p>
+
+<p>"Probably his new responsibilities may steady him."</p>
+
+<p>"They may. I almost wish I dare&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"My dear Katherine, I have been looking everywhere for you. I want you
+so much to play Mrs. Grandison's accompaniment. She is going to sing one
+of your songs, and no one plays it as well as you do. So sorry to
+interrupt your nice talk; but what can a wretched hostess do?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I am quite ready, Mrs. Needham," said Katherine; and she rose
+obediently.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you come, Mr. Errington?" asked the lady of the house.</p>
+
+<p>"To hear Mrs. Grandison murder one of Miss Liddell's songs, which I dare
+say I have heard at Castleford? No, thank you. I shall bid you
+good-night. I am going on to Lady Barbara Bonsfield's, where I shall not
+stay long."</p>
+
+<p>"Horrid woman! she robbed me of Angela Bradley to-night!" exclaimed Mrs.
+Needham.</p>
+
+<p>With a quick "Good-night," Katherine went to fulfil her duties in the
+drawing-room, and did not see Errington again for several days.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>"I was vexed with you for not singing last night," said Mrs. Needham, as
+she sat at luncheon with her young friend the next morning. "You may not
+have a great voice, but you are much more thoroughly trained than half
+the amateurs whose squallings and screechings are applauded to the
+echo."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know why, but I really did not feel that I could sing, Mrs.
+Needham. I do not often feel miserable and choky, but I did last night.
+I am so anxious and uneasy about the boys and the school they are going
+to, that I was afraid of making a fool of myself. When the change is
+accomplished I shall be all right again, and not bore you with my
+sentimentality."</p>
+
+<p>"You don't do anything of the sort. You are a capital plucky girl. Now I
+have nothing particular for you to do this afternoon, and I can't take
+you with me; so just go out and call on Miss Bradley or Miss Payne to
+divert your&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"A gentleman for Miss Liddell;" said the parlor maid, placing a card
+beside Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"Lord de Burgh!" she exclaimed, in great surprise.</p>
+
+<p>"Lord who?" asked Mrs. Needham.</p>
+
+<p>"Lord de Burgh; he is a relation of Colonel Ormonde; I used to meet him
+at Castleford."</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Needham eyed her curiously. "Oh, very well, dear," she said, with
+great cheerfulness. "Go and see him, and give him some tea; only it is
+too early. I am sorry I cannot put in an appearance, but I have just a
+hundred and one things to do before I go to Professor Maule's scientific
+'afternoon' at four. Give me my bag and note-book. I must go straight
+away to the 'Incubator Company's Office;' I promised them a notice in my
+Salterton letter next week. There, go, child; I don't want you any
+more."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"But I am in no hurry, Mrs. Needham. Lord de Burgh is no very particular
+friend of mine."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, well! That remains to be seen. Just smooth your hair, won't you?
+It's all rough where you have leaned on your hand over your writing.
+It's no matter? Well, it doesn't much. Do you think he has any votes for
+the British Benevolent Institution for Aged Women? I do so want to get
+my gardener's mother&mdash;There, go, go, dear! You had better not keep him
+waiting." And Katherine was gently propelled out of the room.</p>
+
+<p>In truth, she was rather reluctant to face De Burgh, although she felt
+gratified and soothed by his taking the trouble to find her out.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine found her visitor pacing up and down when she opened the
+drawing-room door, feeling vexed with herself for her changing color and
+the embarrassment she felt she displayed. De Burgh was looking taller
+and squarer than ever, but his dark face brightened so visibly as his
+eyes met Katherine's, that she felt a pang as she thought how unmoved
+she was herself.</p>
+
+<p>"I thought you had escaped from sight!" he exclaimed, holding her hand
+for a moment longer than was absolutely necessary. "The first time I
+went to look for you in the old place, I was simply told you had left,
+by a stupid old woman who knew nothing. Then I called again and asked
+for Miss&mdash;you know whom I mean; she is rather a brick, and told me all
+about you. In the mean time I met Mrs. Ormonde. I was determined not to
+ask <i>her</i> anything&mdash;she is such a selfish little devil. Now here I am
+face to face with you at last." And he drew a chair opposite her, and
+was silent for a minute, gazing with a wistful look in her face.</p>
+
+<p>"You have not a very high opinion of my sister-in-law," said Katherine,
+beginning as far away from themselves as she could.</p>
+
+<p>"She is an average woman," he said, shortly. "But tell me, what is the
+matter with you? I did not think you were the sort of girl to break your
+heart over the loss of a fortune."</p>
+
+<p>"But I have not broken my heart!" she exclaimed, somewhat startled by
+his positive tone.</p>
+
+<p>"There's a look of pain in your eyes, a despondency in your very figure;
+don't you think I know every turn of you? Well, I won't say more if it
+annoys you. We have changed places, Katherine&mdash;I mean Miss Liddell.
+Fortune has given me a turn at last, and I have been tremendously busy.
+I had no idea how troublesome it is to be rich. There are compensations,
+however. This doesn't seem a bad sort of place"&mdash;looking round at the
+crowd of china and bric-a-brac ornaments and the comfortable chairs.
+"How did you come here, and what has been settled? Don't think me
+impertinent or intrusive; you know you agreed we should be friends, and
+you must not send me adrift!"</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you, Lord de Burgh. I am sure you could be a very loyal friend.
+My story is very short." And she gave him a brief sketch of how her
+affairs had been arranged.</p>
+
+<p>"By George! Ormonde is a mean sneak. To think of his leaving those boys
+on your hands! and he has plenty of money. I happen to know that his
+wife has been dabbling in the stocks, and turned some money too. Now
+where did she get the cash to do it with but<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span> from him? So I suppose you
+intend to starve yourself in order to educate the poor little chaps?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no. On the contrary, I am living on the fat of the land, with the
+kindest mistress in the world."</p>
+
+<p>"Mistress! Great heavens! Why <i>will</i> you persist in such a life?"</p>
+
+<p>"My dear Lord de Burgh, don't you know that it is not always easy to
+judge or to act for another?</p>
+
+<p>"Which means I am to mind my own business?"</p>
+
+<p>"You have a very unvarnished style of stating facts."</p>
+
+<p>"I know I have." A short pause, and he began again. "Where are those
+boys now?</p>
+
+<p>"At Sandbourne. But, alas! I am going to take them away to-morrow. They
+are going to a school at Wandsworth."</p>
+
+<p>"Going down to Sandbourne to-morrow? Is Miss Payne going with you?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no; I don't need any one."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense! you can't go about alone. I'll meet you at the station and
+escort you there."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine laughed. "I am afraid that would never do. You have increased
+in importance and I have diminished, till the distance between our
+respective stations has widened far too much to permit of familiar
+intercourse, or&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"I never thought I should hear <i>you</i> talking such rubbish. What
+difference can there be between us, except that you are a good woman and
+I am <i>not</i> a good man? I don't think it's quite fair that on our first
+meeting after ages&mdash;at least quite two months of separation&mdash;you should
+talk in this satirical way."</p>
+
+<p>"I speak the words of truth and soberness, Lord de Burgh."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps. I can't quite make you out. I am certain you have been in
+worse trouble than even want of money. I wish you'd confide in me.
+That's the right word, isn't it? Do you know, I can be very true to my
+friends, and silent as the grave. I could tell <i>you</i> everything."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you. I am sure you could be a faithful friend."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you ever see Errington?" asked De Burgh, changing the subject
+abruptly.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes. He often comes here."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed? To see you, or Mrs.&mdash;what's her name?"</p>
+
+<p>"To see Mrs. Needham," returned Katherine, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"Hum! I suppose he has a taste for mature beauty?"</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know. At all events Mrs. Needham knows charming girls&mdash;enough
+to suit all tastes, and Mr. Errington&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Is too superior a fellow to be influenced by such attractions, eh?" put
+in De Burgh.</p>
+
+<p>"I am not so sure;" and she laughed merrily. "I think there is one fair
+lady for whom he is inclined to forego his philosophic tranquility."</p>
+
+<p>"Ha! I thought so. Yourself?"</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Me</i>! No, indeed! A young lady of high attainments and a large fortune."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed? I am glad of it. He must be awfully hard up, poor devil!"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Errington can never be poor," cried Katherine, offended by the
+disparaging epithet. "He carries his fortune in his brain."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I am exceedingly thankful I carry mine in my pocket," returned De
+Burgh, laughing. "Evidently Errington can do no wrong in your eyes. Let
+us wish him success in his wooing. So I am not to be your escort to
+Sandbourne? You ought to let me be your courier, I have knocked about so
+much. I thought I'd take to the road in the modern sense, when I came to
+my last sou, if the poor old lord had not died. Now I am going to be a
+pattern man as landlord, peer, and sportsman. Can't give up that, you
+know."</p>
+
+<p>"I do not see why you should."</p>
+
+<p>"I see you are looking at the clock; that means I am staying too long.
+You don't know how delightful it is to sit here talking to you, without
+any third person to bore us."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't mean to be rude, Lord de Burgh, but you see I have letters to
+write for my chief."</p>
+
+<p>"The deuce you have! It is too awful to see you in slavery."</p>
+
+<p>"Very pleasant, easy slavery."</p>
+
+<p>"So this chief of yours gives parties, receptions, at homes. Why doesn't
+she ask me?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure she would if she knew of your existence."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean to say you have never mentioned me to her, nor enlarged
+upon my many delightful and noble qualities?"</p>
+
+<p>"I am ashamed to say I have not."</p>
+
+<p>Lord de Burgh rose slowly and reluctantly. "Are you going to bring the
+boys here?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; Miss Payne has most kindly invited them to stay with her. As yet
+she has not found any one to replace me. Poor little souls, I shall be
+glad when their holidays are over, for I fear they are not the same joy
+to Miss Payne as they are to me."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! believe me, you want some help in bringing up a couple of boys.
+Just fancy what Cis will be six or seven years hence. Why, he'll play
+the devil if he hasn't a strong hand over him."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't believe it!" cried Katherine, smiling. "Why should he be worse
+than other boys?"</p>
+
+<p>"Why should he be better?"</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I can but do my best for them," said Katherine with a sigh.</p>
+
+<p>"I am a brute to prophesy evil, when you have enough to contend with
+already," cried De Burgh, taking her hand, and looking into her eyes
+with an expression she could not misunderstand.</p>
+
+<p>"You must not exaggerate my troubles," returned Katherine, with a sweet
+bright smile on her lips and in her eyes that thanked him for his
+sympathy, even while she gently withdrew her hand.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you would let me help you," said De Burgh; and as her lips
+parted to reply, he went on, hastily: "No, no; don't answer&mdash;not yet, at
+least. You will only say something disagreeable, in spite of your
+charming lips. Now I'll not intrude on you any longer. I suppose there
+is no objection to my calling on the young gentlemen at Miss Payne's,
+and taking them to a circus, or Madame Tussaud's, or any other
+dissipation suited to their tender years?"</p>
+
+<p>"My dear Lord de Burgh, what an infliction for you! and how<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span> very good
+of you to think of them! Pray do not trouble about them."</p>
+
+<p>"I understand," said De Burgh. "I'll leave my card for your chief below;
+and be sure you don't forget me when you are sending out cards.
+By-the-way, I have a pressing invitation to Castleford. When I write to
+refuse I'll say I have seen you, and that I am going to take charge of
+the boys during the holidays."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no; pray do not, Lord de Burgh," cried Katherine, eagerly. "You
+know Ada, and&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Are you ashamed to have me as a coadjutor?" interrupted De Burgh,
+laughing. "Trust me; I will be prudent. Good-by for the present."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine stood in silent thought for a few moments after he had gone.
+She fully understood the meaning of his visit; though there had been
+little or nothing of the lover in his tone. He had come as soon as
+possible to place himself and all he had at her disposal. He was
+perfectly sincere in his desire to win her for his wife, and she almost
+regretted she could not return his affection: it might be true
+affection&mdash;something beyond and above the dominant whim of an imperious
+nature. And what a solution to all her difficulties! But it was
+impossible she could overcome the repulsion which the idea of marriage
+with any man she did not love inspired. There was to her but one in the
+world to whom she could hold allegiance, and <i>he</i> was forbidden by all
+sense of self-respect and modesty. How was it that, strive as she might
+to fill her mind to his exclusion, the moment she was off guard the
+image of Errington rose up clear and fresh, pervading heart and
+imagination, and dwarfing every other object?</p>
+
+<p>"How miserably, contemptibly weak I am, and have always been! Why did I
+not stifle this wretched, overpowering attraction in the beginning?" Ay!
+but when did it begin?</p>
+
+<p>This is a sort of question no heart can answer. Who can foresee that the
+tiny spring, forcing its way up among the stones and heather of a lonely
+hill-side, will grow into the broad river, which may carry peace and
+prosperity on its rolling tide to the lands below, or overwhelm them
+with destructive floods, according to the forces which feed it and the
+barriers which hedge it in?</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXX" id="CHAPTER_XXX"></a>CHAPTER XXX.</h2>
+
+<h3>"CIS AND CHARLIE."</h3>
+
+
+<p>Again the spring sunshine was lending perennial youth even to London's
+dingy streets, and making the very best winter garments look dim and
+shabby. Hunting was over, and Colonel Ormonde found himself by the will
+of his wife, once more established in London lodgings&mdash;of a dingier and
+obscurer order than those in which they had enjoyed last season.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Ormonde was neither intellectually nor morally strong, but she had
+one reflex ingredient in her nature, which was to her both<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span> a shield and
+spear. She knew what she wanted, and was perfectly unscrupulous as to
+the means of getting it. A woman who is pleasantly indifferent to the
+wants and wishes of her associates, if they happen to clash with her
+own, is tolerably sure to have her own way on the whole. Now and then,
+to be sure, she comes to grief; but in her general success these
+failures can be afforded.</p>
+
+<p>When first the tidings of George Liddell's return and his assertion of
+his rights reached her, she was terrified and undone by Colonel
+Ormonde's fury against Katherine, herself, her boys, every one. In
+short, that gallant officer thought he had done a generous and manly
+thing, when he married the piquant little widow who had attracted him,
+although she could only meet her personal expenses and those of her two
+sons, without contributing to the general house-keeping. This sense of
+his own magnanimity, backed by the consciousness that it did not cost
+him too dear, had kept Colonel Ormonde in the happiest of moods for the
+first years of his married life. Terrible was the awakening from the
+dream of his own good luck and general "fine-fellowism"; and heavily
+would the punishment have fallen on his wife had she been a sensitive or
+high-minded woman. Being, however, admirably suited to the partner of
+her life, she looked round, as soon as the first burst of despair was
+over, to see how she could make the best of her position.</p>
+
+<p>She was really vexed and irritated to find how little tenderness or
+regard her husband felt for her, for she had always believed that he was
+greatly devoted to her. To both of them the outside world was all in
+all, and on this Mrs. Ormonde counted largely. Colonel Ormonde could not
+put her away or lock her up because the provision made by Katherine for
+the boys failed her, so while she was mistress of Castleford she must
+have dresses and carriages and consideration. Knowing herself secure on
+these points, she fearlessly adopted the system of counter-irritation
+she described to Katherine; and to do her justice, her consciousness
+that the boys were safe under the care of their aunt, who would be sure
+to treat them well and kindly, made her the more ready to brave the
+dangers of her husband's wrath.</p>
+
+<p>"He must behave well before people, or men will say he is a 'cad' to
+visit his disappointment on his poor little simple-hearted wife," she
+thought. "He knows that. Then it is an enormous relief that Katherine
+still clings to the boys, poor dears! She really is a trump; so I have
+only myself to think of; and Duke shall find that his shabbiness and
+ill-temper do him no good. It's like drawing his teeth to get my
+quarter's allowance, beggarly as it is, from him."</p>
+
+<p>Colonel Ormonde's reflections, as he composed a letter to his steward,
+were by no means soothing. Though it was all but impossible for him to
+hold his tongue respecting his disappointment, whenever a shade of
+difference occurred between him and his wife, he was uncomfortably
+conscious that he often acted like a brute toward the mother of his boy,
+of whom he was so proud; he was not therefore the more disposed to rule
+his hasty, inconsiderate temper. The fact that Mrs. Ormonde had her own
+methods of paying him back disposed him to respect her, and it could not
+be doubted that in time the friction of their natures would rub off the
+angles of each, and they<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span> would settle down into tolerable harmony,
+whereas a proud, true-hearted woman in her place would have been utterly
+crushed and never forgiven.</p>
+
+<p>Ormonde, then, was meditating on his undeserved misfortunes, when the
+door was somewhat suddenly and vehemently pushed open, and Mrs. Ormonde
+came in, her eyes sparkling, and evidently in some excitement.</p>
+
+<p>"What's the matter?" asked her husband, not too amiably. "Has that
+rascally, intruding fellow Liddell kicked the bucket?"</p>
+
+<p>"No; but whom do you think I saw as I was leaving Mrs. Bennett's in Hyde
+Park Square, you know?"</p>
+
+<p>"How can I tell? The policeman perhaps."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense, Duke! I had just come down the steps, and was turn turning
+toward Paddington, for, as it was early, I thought I would take the
+omnibus to Oxford Circus (see how careful I am!), when I saw a beautiful
+dark brougham, drawn by splendid black horse&mdash;the coachman, the whole
+turn-out, quite first rate&mdash;come at a dashing pace towards me. I
+recognized Lord de Burgh inside, and who do you think was sitting beside
+him?"</p>
+
+<p>"God knows! The Saratoffski perhaps."</p>
+
+<p>"Really, Ormonde, I am astonished at your mentioning that dreadful woman
+to me.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! are you? Well, <i>who</i> was De Burgh's companion?"</p>
+
+<p>"Charlie! my Charlie! and Cis was on the front seat. Cis saw me, for he
+clapped his hands and pointed as they flew past. What do you think of
+that?"</p>
+
+<p>"By George!" he exclaimed, in capital letters. "I believe he is still
+after Katherine. If so, she'll have the devil's own luck."</p>
+
+<p>"Now listen to me. As Wilton Street was quite near, I went on there to
+gather what I could from Miss Payne. She was at home, and a little less
+sour and silent then usual. She was sorry, she said, the boys were out.
+They have been with her for a week, and Lord de Burgh had been most
+kind. He had taken them to the Zoological Gardens and Madame Tussaud's,
+and just now had called for them to go to the circus. Isn't it
+wonderful? Do try and picture De Burgh at Madame Tussaud's."</p>
+
+<p>"There is only one way of accounting for such strange conduct," returned
+the Colonel, thoughtfully. "He means to marry your sister. This would
+change the face of affairs considerably."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; it would be delightful."</p>
+
+<p>"I'm not so sure of that," returned Ormonde, seriously. "Now that he is
+in love&mdash;and you know he is all fire and tow&mdash;he makes a fuss about the
+boys; but wait till he is married, and he will try to shift them back on
+you. Why should he put up with his wife's nephews any more than I do
+with <i>my</i> wife's sons?"</p>
+
+<p>"Because he is more in love, and a good deal richer," returned Mrs.
+Ormonde.</p>
+
+<p>"More in love! Bosh! In the middle of the fever, you mean. Of course
+that will pass over."</p>
+
+<p>"Really men are great brutes," observed Mrs. Ormonde, philosophically.</p>
+
+<p>"And women awful fools," added her husband.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Well, perhaps so," she returned, with a slight smile and a sharp
+glance.</p>
+
+<p>"Seriously, though," resumed Colonel Ormonde, "it's all very well for
+Katherine to make a good match, and if De Burgh is fool enough to be in
+earnest, it will be a splendid match for her; but things may be made
+rather rough for me. That fellow De Burgh has the queerest crotchets,
+and doesn't hesitate to air them. He'd think nothing of slapping my
+shoulder in the club before a dozen members, and asking me if I meant to
+leave my wife's brats on his hands."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you really think so? Oh, Katherine would never let him. She dearly
+loves the boys."</p>
+
+<p>"Wait till she has a son of her own."</p>
+
+<p>"Even so. She has her faults, I know. Her temper is rather violent, her
+ideas are too high-flown and nonsensical, and she won't take advice, but
+she never would injure <i>me</i>, I am sure of that."</p>
+
+<p>An inarticulate grunt from Colonel Ormonde, as he fixed his double glass
+on his nose and took up his pen again.</p>
+
+<p>"Duke," resumed Mrs. Ormonde, after a pause, "don't you think I had
+better go and see Katherine? You know we never had any quarrel, and that
+Mrs. Needham she lives with gives very nice parties."</p>
+
+<p>"Parties! By Jove! you'd go to old Nick for a party. What good will it
+do you to meet a pack of beggarly scribblers?"</p>
+
+<p>"They may not have money, Duke, but they have <i>manners</i>, and something
+to say for themselves," she retorted. "Never mind about the parties.
+Don't you think I would better call on Katherine?"</p>
+
+<p>"Do as you like but consider that she has behaved very badly&mdash;with
+extreme insolence; but I don't want to influence you." This in a tone of
+magnanimity, as he began to write with an air of profound attention.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Ormonde made a swift contemptuous grimace at his back, and said, in
+mellifluous tones: "Very well, dear. I may as well go at once, and
+perhaps she will come with me to that dressmaking ally of hers, Miss
+Trant. I hear she is raising her prices, but she will not do so to me if
+I am with her original patroness."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, do as you like; only don't send me in a long milliner's bill."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure, Duke, my clothes never cost you much."</p>
+
+<p>"Not so far, but the future looks rather blue."</p>
+
+<p>To this she made no reply. Leaving the room noiselessly, she retired to
+give a touch of kohl to her eyes, a dust of pearl powder to her cheeks,
+and then started on her mission of inquiry and reconciliation.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>It is not to be denied that Katherine was greatly touched by De Burgh's
+thoughtful kindness to her boys. She had been a good deal troubled about
+their holidays, for she did not like to take full advantage of Mrs.
+Needham's kind permission to absent herself as much as she liked in
+order to be with them, and she well knew that in Miss Payne's very
+orderly establishment the two restless, active<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span> little fellows would be
+a most discordant ingredient. Above all, she wanted them to have a very
+happy holiday, as she feared their cloudless sunny days were numbered.</p>
+
+<p>The second morning, therefore, after she had deposited them in Wilton
+Street, when she went to inquire for them, and found that Lord de Burgh
+had called and carried them off to have luncheon with him first, and to
+spend the afternoon at the Zoological Gardens after, she could hardly
+credit her ears.</p>
+
+<p>"I must say," observed Miss Payne, "that I am agreeably surprised. I had
+no idea Lord de Burgh was so straightforward and well-disposed a man. A
+little abrupt, and would not stand any nonsense, I fancy, but a sterling
+character. He has tact too. He always spoke of the boys as his cousin
+Colonel Ormonde's step-sons. He might be a good friend to them,
+Katherine."</p>
+
+<p>"No doubt," she replied, thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p>"He will send his butler or house-steward to take them to Kew Gardens
+to-morrow; but I dare say he will call and tell you himself."</p>
+
+<p>"He is wonderfully good," said Katherine, feeling puzzled and oppressed.
+"I will go back, then, as fast as I can, and get my work done by six
+o'clock; then I may spend the evening here with you and the boys."</p>
+
+<p>"Pray do, if you can manage it."</p>
+
+<p>Lord de Burgh's remarkable conduct troubled Katherine a good deal. How
+ought she to act? Certainly he would not put himself out of the way for
+Cis and Charlie, had he not wished to please her, or really interested
+himself in them for her sake. Ought she to encourage him by accepting
+these very useful and kindly attentions? How could she reject them
+without saying as plainly by action as in words, "I know you are
+pressing your suit upon me, and I will not have it," which, after all,
+might be a mistake; besides, she would thus deprive her nephews of much
+pleasure. She could not come to a conclusion; she must let herself
+drift. But the question tormented her, and it was with an effort she
+banished it, and applied herself to her task of arranging her chief's
+notes.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Needham was exceedingly busy that afternoon, and did not go out, as
+she had some provincial and colonial letters to finish, and had a couple
+of engagements in the evening. She and her secretary therefore wrote
+diligently till about half-past five, when Ford, the smart parlor-maid,
+announced that "the gentleman" and two little boys were in the
+drawing-room.</p>
+
+<p>"Good gracious!" cried Mrs. Needham, slipping off her glasses. "This is
+growing interesting. I shall go and speak to Lord de Burgh myself.
+Besides, I want to see your boys, my dear. How funny it sounds!"</p>
+
+<p>"Do, Mrs. Needham. I will come."</p>
+
+<p>Lord de Burgh was glaring absently out of the window, and the boys were
+eagerly examining the diverse and sundry objects thickly scattered
+around. They had wonderfully dirty hands and faces, their jackets were
+splashed as if with some foaming beverage, the knees of their
+knickerbockers were grubby with gravel and grass, and they had generally
+the aspect of having done wildly what they listed for some hours.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Lord de Burgh, I suppose?" said Mrs. Needham, in loud and cheerful
+accents. "I am very pleased to see you" (De Burgh bowed); "and you, my
+dears&mdash;I am very glad to see you too, especially if you will be so good
+as not to touch my china!"</p>
+
+<p>"We haven't broken anything!" cried Cecil, coming up to her and giving
+her a dingy little paw, while he stared in her face. "Where is auntie?"</p>
+
+<p>"She'll be here directly. This is Charlie: what a sweet little fellow!
+Why, your eyes are like your aunt's."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think so?" said De Burgh, drawing near. "They are lighter&mdash;a
+good deal lighter."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps so. The shape and expression are like, though. And so you have
+been to see the lions and tigers?"</p>
+
+<p>"And the bears," put in Charlie.</p>
+
+<p>"Isn't Lord de Burgh kind to take you&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"He <i>is!</i> he's a jolly chap!" cried Cecil, warmly. "I shouldn't mind
+living with him."</p>
+
+<p>"Nor I either," added Charlie.</p>
+
+<p>Here Katherine made her appearance, a conscious look in her eyes, a
+flitting blush on her cheek. The boys immediately flew to hug and kiss
+her, barely allowing her to shake hands with De Burgh. Then, when she
+sat down on the sofa, Charlie established himself on her knee and Cecil
+knelt on the sofa, the better to put his arms round her neck.</p>
+
+<p>"What dreadfully dirty little boys! What have you been doing to
+yourselves?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, we have been on the elephant and the camel, and in the ostrich
+cart. Then Charlie tumbled down in the monkey-house. Oh, how funny the
+monkeys are! and he" (pointing to Lord de Burgh) "took us to dinner.
+Such a beautiful dinner in a lovely room! He says he will take us to the
+circus."</p>
+
+<p>"I'll ask him to take you too, auntie!" cried Charlie.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh yes!" echoed Cecil. "You'll take her, Lord de Burgh, won't you? I
+don't think auntie ever saw a circus."</p>
+
+<p>"If you promise to be <i>very</i> good, and that your aunt too will be quiet
+and well-behaved, I may be induced to let her come," returned De Burgh,
+his deep-set eyes glittering with fun and anticipated pleasure.</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," said Katherine, laughing, as soon as her delighted nephew
+ceased kissing her.</p>
+
+<p>"And you'll come?&mdash;the day after to-morrow? I will call for the boys,
+bring them round here."</p>
+
+<p>"If I have nothing special&mdash;" she began.</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly not; I will take care of that," cried Mrs. Needham, "It is
+such a great thing to get a little amusement for the poor little
+fellows, and so very kind of Lord de Burgh to take so much trouble."</p>
+
+<p>"It is indeed. I really don't know how to thank you enough," said
+Katherine. "Mrs. Needham, I must really take them to wash their hands;
+they are so terribly dirty!"</p>
+
+<p>"No; ring the bell; Ford will manage them nicely, and bring them back in
+a few minutes." Mrs. Needham rang energetically as she spoke, and the
+young gentlemen were speedily marched off.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am afraid I am not a wise child's guide," said De Burgh, laughing;
+"but they ran and tumbled about till they got into an awful pickle. They
+are really capital little fellows, and most amusing. When do they go
+back to school?"</p>
+
+<p>"In about ten days&mdash;on the 25th. I assure you I quite dread their going
+to this Wandsworth place. They have been asking, entreating me to let
+them go back to Sandbourne, but I think Cis at last grasps the idea that
+it is a question of money."</p>
+
+<p>"It's an early initiation for him," observed De Burgh, as if to himself.
+Then, eagerly: "You'll be sure to come with us on Friday, Miss Liddell?
+The boys will enjoy the performance ever so much more if you are with
+them."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine looked for half a second at Mrs. Needham, who nodded and
+frowned in a very energetic and affirmative way. "I shall be very glad
+to enjoy it with them," she said, hesitatingly, "if Mrs. Needham can
+spare me."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I can,"&mdash;briskly. "Lord de Burgh, if you care for music&mdash;not
+severe classical music, you know&mdash;ballads, recitatives, and that sort of
+thing&mdash;Hyacinth O'Hara, the new tenor, and Mr. Merrydew, that wonderful
+mimic and singer, are coming to me next Tuesday; I shall be delighted to
+see you."</p>
+
+<p>"Not so delighted, I am sure, as I shall be to come," returned De Burgh,
+with unusual suavity.</p>
+
+<p>"Very well&mdash;half past nine. Don't be late, and don't forget."</p>
+
+<p>"No danger of forgetting, I assure you."</p>
+
+<p>"By-the-bye," resumed Mrs. Needham, as if seized with a happy thought,
+"Angela Bradley receives on Sunday afternoons at their delightful villa
+at Wimbledon all through the season. Her first 'at home' will be the
+Sunday after next. I am sure she will be delighted to see any friend of
+Miss Liddell's."</p>
+
+<p>"If Miss Liddell will be so good as to answer for me, I shall be most
+happy to present myself. To make sure of being properly backed up,
+suppose I call here for Miss Liddell and yourself, and and drive you
+down?</p>
+
+<p>"Is it not rather far off to make arrangements?" asked Katherine,
+growing somewhat uneasy at thus drifting into a succession of of
+engagements with the man she half liked, half dreaded.</p>
+
+<p>"Far off!" echoed Mrs. Needham. "You don't call ten days far off? But I
+must run away and finish my letter. A journalist is the slave of her
+pen. Good morning, Lord de Burgh. I'll send the boys to you, Katherine."</p>
+
+<p>"That is an admirable and meritorious woman," and De Burgh, drawing a
+chair beside the sofa where Katherine sat. "Why are you so savagely
+opposed to anything like friendly intercourse with me&mdash;so reluctant to
+let me do anything for you? Do you think I am such a cad as to think
+that <i>anything</i> I could do would entitle me to consider you under an
+obligation?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed, Lord de Burgh! I believe you to be too true a gentleman
+for&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"For what? I see you are afraid of giving me what is called, in the
+slang of the matrimonial market, encouragement. Just put all that out of
+your mind, Let me have a little enjoyment, however<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span> things may end, and,
+believe me, I'll never blame you. I am not going to trouble you with my
+hopes and wishes, not at least for some time; and then, whatever the
+upshot, on my head be it."</p>
+
+<p>"But I cannot bear to give you pain."</p>
+
+<p>"Then don't&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Auntie, we are quite clean. Won't you come back to tea at Miss Payne's?
+Do make her come, Lord de Burgh."</p>
+
+<p>"Ah, it is beyond my powers to make her do anything."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot come now, my darlings; but I will be with you about half past
+six, and we'll have a game before you go to bed."</p>
+
+<p>"Come along, boys; we have intruded on your aunt long enough. Don't
+forget the circus on Friday, Miss Liddell."</p>
+
+<p>Another hug from Cis and Charlie, a slight hand pressure from their
+newly found playfellow, and Katherine was left to her own reflections.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>The expedition to the circus was most successful. It was on his way from
+Wilton Street to call for Katherine, on this occasion, that De Burgh
+encountered Mrs. Ormonde. Need we say that she lost no time in making
+the proposed call on her sister-in-law; unfortunately Katherine was out;
+so Mrs. Ormonde was reduced to writing a requisition for an interview
+with her boys and their aunt.</p>
+
+<p>This was accordingly planned at Miss Payne's house, and Mrs. Ormonde was
+quite charming, playful, affectionate, tearful, repentant, apologetic
+for "Ormonde," and deeply moved at parting from her boys, who where
+somewhat awed by this display of feeling. Still she did not succeed in
+breaking the "cold chain of silence" which Katherine persisted in
+"hanging" over the events of the past week.</p>
+
+<p>"So De Burgh took the boys about everywhere?" said Mrs. Ormonde, as
+Katherine went downstairs with her when she was leaving, and they were
+alone together. "It is something new for him to play the part of
+children's maid; and, do you know, he only left cards on us, and never
+asked to come in."</p>
+
+<p>"He was always good-natured," returned Katherine, with some
+embarrassment; "and, you remember, he used to notice Cis and Charlie at
+Castleford a good deal."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; after <i>you</i> came," significantly. "Never mind, Katie dear, I am
+not going to worry you with troublesome questions; but I am sure no one
+in the world would be more delighted than myself <i>did</i> you make a
+brilliant match."</p>
+
+<p>"Believe me, there will never be anything brilliant about me, Ada."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we'll see. When do you take the boys to school?</p>
+
+<p>"On Wednesday; should you like to come and see the place?"</p>
+
+<p>"I should like it of all things, but I mustn't, dear."</p>
+
+<p>"I do hope the school may prove all I expect; but the change will be bad
+for Charlie. He had lost nearly all his nervousness; strange teachers
+and a new system may bring it back."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, I hope not. Does he still stop short and speechless, and then laugh
+as if it were a good joke, when he is puzzled or frightened?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very rarely, I believe. I will write to you the day after I leave<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span> the
+boys at Wandsworth. They don't like going at all, poor dears.'</p>
+
+<p>"Well, we shall not be much longer in town, I am sorry to say, and I
+want a few things from Miss Trant before I go. I suppose she will not
+raise her prices to me?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no, I am sure she will not."</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXI" id="CHAPTER_XXXI"></a>CHAPTER XXXI.</h2>
+
+<h3>"MISS BRADLEY AT HOME."</h3>
+
+
+<p>It was a bleak, blowy day when Katherine took the boys to school, and on
+returning she went straight to Miss Payne, who had promised to have tea
+ready for her.</p>
+
+<p>Somewhat to her regret, she found only Bertie Payne, who explained that
+his sister had been called away about some business connected with a
+lady with whom she was trying to come to terms respecting her house,
+which she had now decided on letting.</p>
+
+<p>"And how did you part with the boys?" he asked when he had given her a
+cup of tea and brought her the most comfortable chair.</p>
+
+<p>"It was very hard to leave them," returned Katherine, whose eyes looked
+suspiciously like recently shed tears. "The place did not look half so
+nice to-day as I thought it was. Everything is rough and ready. The
+second master, too, is a harsh, severe-looking man. Of course he has not
+much authority; still, had I seen him, I do not think I should have
+agreed to send Cis and Charlie there; but now I am committed to a
+quarter. I cannot afford to indulge whims, and, at all events, they are
+within an easy distance. Charlie looked so white, and clung to me as if
+he would never let me go! How hard life is!"</p>
+
+<p>"This portion of it is, and wisely so. We must set our affections on
+things above. I have been learning this lesson of late as I never
+thought I should have to learn it."</p>
+
+<p>"<i>You</i>?&mdash;you who are so good, so unworldly? Oh, Mr. Payne, what do you
+mean? You are looking ill and worn."</p>
+
+<p>"I have been fighting a battle of late," he returned, with his sweet,
+patient smile, "and I have conquered. The right road has been shown to
+me, the right way, and I am determined to walk in it."</p>
+
+<p>"What are you going to do?" asked Katherine, with a feeling of alarm.</p>
+
+<p>"I am going to take orders, and join the missionary ranks, either in
+India or China. Work in England was growing too easy&mdash;too heavenly
+sweet&mdash;to be any longer saving to my own soul."</p>
+
+<p>"But Mr. Payne, don't you see that your own poor country people have the
+first claim upon you&mdash;that you are leaving a work for which you are so
+wonderfully well suited, in which you are so successful? Oh, do think!
+Here you leave people of your own race, whose wants, whose characters
+you can understand, to run away to creatures of another climate&mdash;a
+different stock&mdash;whose natures, in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span> my opinion, unfit them for a faith
+such as ours, and who never, never will accept our religion!"</p>
+
+<p>"Hush!" cried Payne, in an excited tone. "Do not torture me by showing
+the appalling gulf which separates us. Strange that a heart so tender as
+yours to all mere human miseries should yet be adamant against the
+Saviour's loving touch. This has been my cruel cross, and my only safety
+lies in flight, wretched man that I am!"</p>
+
+<p>"I am dreadfully distressed about you, Mr. Payne. Does your sister know?
+It is really unkind to her."</p>
+
+<p>"That must not weigh with me. Even if the right hand offends you, 'cut
+it off,' is the command."</p>
+
+<p>"At all events, you must study, or go though some preparation, before
+you are ordained, and perhaps in that interval you may change your
+views. I do hope you will. I should be indeed sorry to lose sight of a
+true friend like yourself."</p>
+
+<p>"A friend!" he returned, his brow contracting as if with pain. "You do
+not know the depths of my selfishness&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>The entrance of Miss Payne interrupted the conversation, and Bertie
+immediately changing the subject, Katherine understood that he did not
+as yet intend to speak to his sister of his new plans.</p>
+
+<p>To Miss Payne, Katherine had again to describe her parting with her
+nephews, and she, in her turn, talked comfortably of her affairs. She
+thought of going abroad for a short time should she let her house, as
+nothing very eligible offered in the shape of a young lady to chaperon.
+Indeed she was somewhat tired of that sort of life, etc., etc. At length
+Katherine bade them adieu, and returned to her present abode with a very
+sad heart.</p>
+
+<p>The parting with her nephews had been a sore trial. The idea of Bertie,
+her kind friend, whose sympathetic companionship had helped her so much
+to overcome the poignancy of her first grief for her dear mother, going
+away to banishment, and perhaps death, at the hands of those whose souls
+he went to save, caused her the keenest pain; and for nearly a fortnight
+she had not seen Errington! She could not bring herself to ask where he
+was, and no one had happened to mention him. This was really better. His
+absence should be a help to forgetfulness; but somehow it was not. He
+was so vividly before her eyes; his voice sounded so perpetually in her
+heart.</p>
+
+<p>Why could she not think thus of De Burgh, whose devotion to her was
+evident, and whom, in spite of herself as it seemed, she was, to a
+certain degree, encouraging?</p>
+
+<p>She felt unutterably helpless and oppressed. Moreover, she was
+distressed by the consciousness that the small reserve fund which she
+had with difficulty preserved, could barely meet unexpected demands such
+as removing the boys from school, if necessary, an attack of illness, a
+dozen contingencies, any or all of which were possible, if not imminent.</p>
+
+<p>Such a mood made her feel peculiarly unfit to shine at Mrs. Needham's
+reception. Still it was better to be obliged to talk and to think about
+others than to brood perpetually on her own troubles. So she arrayed
+herself in one of the pretty soft grey demi-toilette<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span> dresses which
+remained among her well-stocked wardrobe, and prepared to assist her
+chief in receiving her guests, who soon flocked in so rapidly as to make
+separate receptions impossible. Miss Bradley came early, arrayed in
+white silk and lace with diamond stars in her coronet of thickly-plaited
+red hair. She was looking radiantly well&mdash;so well and unusually animated
+that her aspect struck sudden terror into Katherine's heart; something
+had gladdened her heart to give that expression of joyous softness to
+her eyes. But it was weak and contemptible to let this sudden fear
+overmaster her, so she strove to be amused and interested in the
+conversation of those she knew, and her acquaintance had increased
+enormously since she came to reside with Mrs. Needham.</p>
+
+<p>Presently Katherine caught sight of a stately head above the general
+level of the crowd, and a pair of grave eyes evidently seeking
+something. Who was Errington looking for? Miss Bradley, of course! As
+she arrived at this conclusion, De Burgh appeared at the head of the
+stairs, looking, as he always did, extremely distinguished&mdash;his dark
+strong face showing in remarkable contrast to the simpering young
+minstrels, pale young poets, and long-haired professors who formed the
+larger half of the male guests.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Miss Liddell, are you quite well and flourishing? Why, it is
+quite three days since I saw you," he asked, and his eyes dwelt on her
+with a look of utter restful satisfaction&mdash;a look that disturbed her.</p>
+
+<p>"Is it, indeed? They seem all rolled into a single disagreeable one to
+me."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell me all about it," said De Burgh, in a low confidential tone. "Must
+you stand here in the gangway? it's awfully hot and crowded."</p>
+
+<p>Before she could reply, Errington forced his way through the crowd, and
+addressed her.</p>
+
+<p>"I began to fear I should not find you, Miss Liddell," he said, with a
+pleasant smile. "I have been away for some time&mdash;though perhaps you were
+not aware of it."</p>
+
+<p>"I was aware we did not see you as frequently as usual. Where have you
+been?"</p>
+
+<p>"On a secret and delicate mission which taxed all my diplomatic skill,
+for I had to deal with an extremely crotchetty Scotchman."</p>
+
+<p>"You make me feel desperately curious," said Katherine, languidly.</p>
+
+<p>"How do you do, Errington?" put in De Burgh. "I heard of you in
+Edinburgh last week;" and they exchanged a few words. Then, to
+Katherine's annoyance, De Burgh said, with an air of proprietorship, "I
+am going to take Miss Liddell out of this mob, to have tea and air, if
+we can get any. I have to hear news, too," he added, significantly.</p>
+
+<p>Errington grew very grave, and drew back immediately with a slight bow,
+as if he accepted a dismissal.</p>
+
+<p>There was no help for it, so Katherine took De Burgh's offered arm and
+went downstairs.</p>
+
+<p>"I wonder what the secret mission could have been?" said Katherine, when
+they found themselves in the tea-room.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"God knows! I wonder Errington did not go in for diplomacy when he
+smashed up. He is just the man for protocols, and solemn mysteries, and
+all that."</p>
+
+<p>"Men cannot jump into diplomatic appointments, can they?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I suppose not. I hear some of Errington's political articles have
+attracted Lord G&mdash;&mdash;'s notice; they say he'll be in Parliament one of
+these days. Well, he deserves to win, if that sort of thing be worth
+winning."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course it is. Have you no ambition, Lord de Burgh? Were I a man, I
+should be very ambitious."</p>
+
+<p>"I have no doubt you would; and if you had a husband you'd drive him up
+the ladder at the bayonet's point."</p>
+
+<p>"Poor man! I pity him beforehand."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't," returned De Burgh, shortly. "Do you know, I have just been
+dining with Ormonde and his wife, not as their guest, but at Lady Mary
+Vincent's. Tell me, hasn't he behaved rather badly to you? I want to
+know, because I don't want to cut him without reason."</p>
+
+<p>"Pray do not cut him on my account, Lord de Burgh. Colonel Ormonde has
+very naturally, for a man of his calibre, felt disgusted at my inability
+to carry out my original arrangements respecting my nephews, and he
+showed his displeasure, after his kind, with remarkable frankness; but I
+am not the least angry, and I beg you will make no difference for my
+sake."</p>
+
+<p>"If you really wish it&mdash;" he paused, and then went on&mdash;"Mrs. Ormonde
+whined a good deal to me in a corner about her affection for you, her
+hard fate, Ormonde's brutality, etc., etc.; she is a <i>rusee</i> little
+devil."</p>
+
+<p>"Poor Ada! I fancy she has not had a pleasant time of it. Had she been a
+woman of feeling, it would have been too dreadful...."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, you make your mind easy on that score. Now, what about the boys?"</p>
+
+<p>Katherine was vexed to find how impossible it was to talk of them with
+composure; she was unhinged in some unaccountable way, and Lord de
+Burgh's ill-repressed tenderness made her feel nervous. At length she
+asked him to come upstairs and look for Mrs. Needham, as her head ached,
+and she thought she would like to retire if she could be spared.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you had better&mdash;you don't seem up to much," he returned, pressing
+her hand slightly against his side. "I can't bear to see you look
+worried and ill. That's not a civil speech, I suppose; but, ill or well,
+you <i>know</i> your face is always the sweetest to me, and I am always dying
+to know what you are thinking of. There, I will not worry you now; but
+shall you be 'fit' for this function on Sunday?"</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, yes, quite."</p>
+
+<p>"I am obliged to run down to Wales&mdash;some matters there want the master's
+eye, they tell me&mdash;but I shall return Friday or Saturday. By the way, I
+wish you would introduce me to this wonderful Angela of Mrs. Needham's."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly."</p>
+
+<p>On entering the drawing-room, the first forms that met their eyes were
+Errington and Miss Bradley; she was sitting in a large crim<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span>son velvet
+chair, against the back of which Errington was leaning. Angela was
+looking up at him with a peculiarly happy, absorbed expression, while
+his head was bent towards her.</p>
+
+<p>"She is deucedly handsome," said De Burgh, critically, "and much too
+pleasantly engaged to be interrupted. I can wait."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I think it would be unkind to break in on such a conversation. Oh,
+here is Mrs. Needham! Do you want me very much, Mrs. Needham? because,
+if not, I should like to go to bed. I have a tiresome headache."</p>
+
+<p>"Go by all means, my dear; you are looking like a ghost; they are all
+talking and amusing each other now, and don't want you or me." "Good
+night, then," said Katherine, giving her hand to De Burgh, and she
+glided away.</p>
+
+<p>"What a lot she takes out of herself!" said De Burgh, looking after her.</p>
+
+<p>"She does indeed," cried Mrs. Needham; "she is so unselfish. I hate to
+see her worried. I wonder if he has proposed?" she thought.</p>
+
+<p>"I think he is pretty far gone. Now pray don't run away just now;
+Merrydew is going to give one of his musical sketches, and then I want
+to introduce you to Professor Gypsum. He thinks there ought to be a rich
+coal seam on your South Wales property; he is a most intelligent,
+accomplished man."</p>
+
+<p>"Very well&mdash;with pleasure," said De Burgh, complacently.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>It was rather a relief to be quite sure that De Burgh was safe out of
+the way for a few days. His presence always disturbed her with a mixed
+sense of pain and self-reproach. He gave her no opening to warn him off,
+yet she felt that he lost no opportunity of pushing his mines up to the
+defences; and she liked him&mdash;liked him sincerely&mdash;always believing there
+was much undeveloped goodness under his rough exterior.</p>
+
+<p>Sunday came quickly, for the intervening days had been very fully
+occupied, and thus Katherine had been saved from too much thought of the
+boys and their possible trials.</p>
+
+<p>It was a soft, lovely spring day. The lilacs and laburnums had put on
+their ball-dresses for the season, and there was a fresh, youthful
+feeling in the air. The villa of which Angela was the happy mistress was
+one of the few old places standing on the edge of the common at
+Wimbledon, and boasting mossy green lawns, huge cedar trees, and
+delightful shrubberies, paths leading through a well-disposed patch of
+plantation, and a fine view from the windows of the deep red-brick
+mansion, with its copings, window-heads, and pediments of white stone.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine started with a brave determination to throw off dull care and
+enjoy herself, if possible&mdash;why should she not? Life had many sides,
+and, though the present was gloomy, there was no reason why its clouds
+should not hide bright sunshine which lay awaiting the future. She had
+man&oelig;uvred that Mrs. Needham should join an elderly couple of their
+acquaintance in an open carriage, and so avoided appearing in Lord de
+Burgh's elegant equipage.</p>
+
+<p>The grounds were already dotted with gaily dressed groups; for, although
+there were no formally invited guests, Miss Bradley's Sun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span>days were
+largely attended by her extensive circle of acquaintance, and this first
+Sabbath of really fine spring weather brought a larger number than
+usual.</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad you put on that pretty black and white dress," whispered Mrs.
+Needham, as they alighted and went into the hall. "I see everyone is in
+their best bibs and tuckers;&mdash;isn't it a lovely house! Ah! many a poor
+author's brain has paid toll to provide all this."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose so."</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Bradley is in the conservatory," said a polite butler, and into a
+deliciously fragrant conservatory they were ushered.</p>
+
+<p>"Very glad to see you, Miss Liddell," said Angela, kindly, when she had
+greeted Mrs. Needham. "This is your first visit to the Court. Do you
+know I wanted to ask you to come down to us for a few days; but, when I
+looked for you at Mrs. Needham's the other night, you had vanished, and
+since I have been so much taken up, as I will explain later, that I have
+been quite unable to write. I hope you will manage to pay us a visit
+next week; the air here is most reviving."</p>
+
+<p>"You are too good, Miss Bradley," returned Katherine, touched by her
+kind tone. "If Mrs. Needham can spare me, I shall of course be delighted
+to come;" and she resolved mentally that she should <i>not</i> be spared.</p>
+
+<p>"Major Urquhart," continued Miss Bradley, turning to a very tall, thin,
+soldierly-looking man, who might once have been fair, but was now burnt
+to brickdust hue, with long tawny moustache and thick overhanging
+eyebrows of the same color, "pray take Miss Liddell round the grounds,
+and show her my favorite fernery."</p>
+
+<p>Major Urquhart bowed low and presented his arm.</p>
+
+<p>"I see," continued Angela, "that Mrs. Needham is already absorbed by a
+dozen dear friends."</p>
+
+<p>"You have not been here before," said Major Urquhart, in a deep hollow
+voice.</p>
+
+<p>"Never."</p>
+
+<p>"Charming place! immensely improved since I went to India five years
+ago."</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Bradley has great taste," remarked Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"Wonderful&mdash;astonishing; she has made all this fernery since I was here
+last."</p>
+
+<p>Then there was a long pause, and a few more sentences expressive of
+admiration were exchanged, and somehow Katherine began to feel that her
+companion was rather bored and preoccupied, so she turned her steps
+towards the house, intending to release him.</p>
+
+<p>At the further side of the fernery, in a pretty path between green
+banks, they suddenly met Errington face to face.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Bradley wants you, Urquhart," he said, as soon as they had
+exchanged salutations. "You may leave Miss Liddell in my charge, if she
+will permit." Major Urquhart bowed himself off, and Errington continued,
+"You would not suspect that was a very distinguished officer."</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know; he seems very silent and inanimate."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I assure you he is a very fine fellow, and did great deeds<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span> in
+the Mutiny. But come, the lawn is looking quite picturesque in the
+sunshine, with the groups of people scattered about. It would be perfect
+were it sleeping in the tranquil silence of a restful Sabbath day."</p>
+
+<p>"Are you not something of a hermit in your tastes?" asked Katherine,
+looking up at him with one of her sunny smiles.</p>
+
+<p>"By no means. I like the society of my fellow-men, but I like a spell of
+solitude every now and then, as a rest and refreshment on the dusty road
+of life."</p>
+
+<p>"I begin to think peace the greatest boon heaven can bestow."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, after the late vicissitudes, it must seem to you the greatest
+good. Let us sit down under this cedar; there is a pretty peep across
+the common to the blue distance. We might be a hundred miles from
+London, everything is so calm."</p>
+
+<p>They sat silent for a few moments, a sense of peace and safety stealing
+over Katherine's heart.</p>
+
+<p>Suddenly Errington turned to her, and said,</p>
+
+<p>"Our friend De Burgh can scarcely know himself in his new condition."</p>
+
+<p>"He seems remarkably at home, however. I hope he will distinguish
+himself as an enlightened and benevolent legislator."</p>
+
+<p>"He must be a good deal changed if he does. You have seen a great deal
+of him, I believe, since he returned to London?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have seen him several times. He seems to get on with Mrs. Needham."</p>
+
+<p>"With Mrs. Needham?" repeated Errington, in a slightly mocking tone, and
+elevating his eyebrows in a way that made Katherine blush for her
+uncandid remark.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Mrs. Needham seems to have taken immensely to him."</p>
+
+<p>"I can understand that. De Burgh has wherewithal now to recommend him to
+most party-giving dowagers."</p>
+
+<p>"That speech is not like you, Mr. Errington; you know my dear good chief
+is utterly uninfluenced by worldly considerations. Lord de Burgh has
+been very good and helpful to me with the boys, I assure you," said
+Katherine, feeling that she changed color under Errington's watchful
+eyes.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I have no doubt he could be boundlessly kind where he wishes to
+please&mdash;more, I think he <i>is</i> a generous fellow; but&mdash;I am going to be
+ill-natured," he said, with a slight change of tone, "and, as you have
+allowed me the privilege of a friend, I must beg you to reflect that De
+Burgh is a man of imperious temper, given to somewhat reckless seeking
+of what he desires, and not too steady in his attachments. Though in
+every sense a man of honor, and by no means without heart, yet I fear as
+a companion he would be disturbing, if not&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you warn me?" cried Katherine, growing somewhat pale. "And what
+has poor Lord de Burgh done to earn your disapprobation?"</p>
+
+<p>"I know I am somewhat Quixotic and unguarded in speaking thus to you;
+but it would be affectation to say I did not perceive De Burgh's very
+natural motive. There is much about him that is attractive to women,
+apart from his exceptional fortune and position;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span> but I doubt if he
+could make a woman like you happy. If the ease and luxury he could
+bestow ever prove tempting, I do not think that anything except sincere
+affection would enable you to surmount the difficulty of dealing with a
+character like his."</p>
+
+<p>While Errington spoke with quiet but impressive earnestness, a perverse
+spirit entered into Katherine Liddell. Here was this man, sailing
+triumphantly on the crest of good fortune, about to ally himself to a
+woman, good, certainly, and suited to him, but also rich enough to set
+him above all care and money troubles, urging counsels of perfection on
+<i>her</i>. Why was she to be advised to reject a man who certainly loved her
+by one who only felt a temperate and condescending friendship for her?
+How could he judge what amount of influence De Burgh's affection for
+herself might give her?</p>
+
+<p>"I ought to feel deeply grateful to you for overstepping the limits of
+conventionality in order to give me what is, no doubt, sound advice."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you mean that as a rebuke?" asked Errington, leaning a little
+forward to look into her eyes. "Do you not think that a friendship,
+founded as ours is on most exceptional and unconventional circumstances,
+gives me a sort of right to speak of matters which may prove of the last
+importance to you? You cannot realize how deeply interested I am in your
+welfare, how ardently I desire your happiness."</p>
+
+<p>The sincerity of his tone thrilled Katherine with pain and pleasure. It
+was delightful to hear him speak thus, yet it would be better for her
+never to hear his voice again.</p>
+
+<p>"I daresay I am petulant," she said, looking down, "and you are
+generally right; but don't you think in this case you are looking too
+far ahead, and attributing motives to Lord de Burgh of which he may be
+entirely innocent?"</p>
+
+<p>"Of that you are the best judge," returned Errington, coldly; and
+silence fell upon them&mdash;a silence which Katherine felt to be so awkward
+that she rose, saying,</p>
+
+<p>"I must find Mrs. Needham; she will wonder where I am;" and, Errington
+making no objection, they strolled slowly towards the front of the
+house, where most of the visitors were standing or sitting about.</p>
+
+<p>There they soon discovered Mrs. Needham, in lively conversation with
+Lord de Burgh, who was a good deal observed by those present as his name
+and position were well known to almost all of Mrs. Needham's set. He
+turned quickly to greet Katherine, and spoke not too cordially to
+Errington, who after some talk with Mrs. Needham, quietly withdrew, and
+kept rather closely to Angela's side.</p>
+
+<p>The rest of the afternoon was spoiled for Katherine by a sense of
+irritation with Lord de Burgh, who scarcely left her, thereby making her
+so conspicuous that she could hardly refrain from telling him.</p>
+
+<p>"What is the matter with you?" asked De Burgh, as they walked, together
+behind Mrs. Needham to the gate where their carriage awaited them. "Do
+you know you have hardly said a civil word to me&mdash;what have I done?"</p>
+
+<p>"You are mistaken! I never meant to be uncivil, I am only tired, and I
+have rather a headache."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"You often have headaches. Are you sure the ache is in your <i>head</i>?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, I am not," said Katherine, frankly. "Don't you know what it is to
+be out of sorts?"</p>
+
+<p>"Don't I, though? If that's what ails you I can understand you well
+enough. I wish you would let me prescribe for you: a nice long wandering
+through Switzerland, over some old passes into Italy (they are more
+delicious than ever, now that they are deserted), and then a winter in
+Rome."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you," returned Katherine, laughing. "Perhaps you might also
+recommend horse exercise on an Arab steed."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I should. You would look stunning in a habit."</p>
+
+<p>"Dreams, idle dreams, Lord de Burgh. I shall be all right to-morrow."</p>
+
+<p>"I intend to come and see you if you are," he returned, significantly.</p>
+
+<p>"To-morrow I shall be out all the afternoon," said Katherine, quickly.</p>
+
+<p>"Some other day then," he replied, with resolution.</p>
+
+<p>"Good-morning, Lord de Burgh, or rather good evening, for it is seven
+o'clock," said Mrs. Needham. "Charming place, isn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Very nice, indeed. I suppose I have the freedom of the house now,
+through your favor."</p>
+
+<p>"Certainly; good-bye, come and see us soon."</p>
+
+<p>"May I?" he whispered, as he handed Katherine into the carriage.</p>
+
+<p>She smiled and shook her head, looking so sweet and arch that De Burgh
+could not help pressing her hand hard as he muttered something of which
+she could only catch the word "mischief."</p>
+
+<p>"Well," said Mrs. Needham, when they had left the villa behind, and she
+had succeeded in wrapping a woollen scarf closely round her throat, for
+the evening had grown chill, "I knew I was right all along, and now old
+Bradley himself has as good as told me that Angela is engaged to
+Errington."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" said the lady, who shared their conveyance. "What did he say?"</p>
+
+<p>"He was sitting with me on the lawn, and Miss Bradley went past between
+Errington and that tall military-looking man, who did not seem to know
+anyone; so I just remarked what a distinguished sort of person Mr.
+Errington was, and Bradley, looking after him in an exulting sort of
+way, said, "Distinguished! I believe you. That man, ma-am," (you know
+his style) "will be in the front rank before long. I recognized his
+power from the first, and, what's more, so did Angela. I am going to
+give a proof of my confidence in him that will astonish everyone; you'll
+hear of it in a week or two." Now what can that mean but that he is
+going to trust his daughter to him? You see, Errington is like a son of
+the house. I am heartily glad, for I have reason to know that he has
+been greatly attached to her a considerable time, and they are admirably
+suited."</p>
+
+<p>"Well! he is a very lucky fellow; independent of all the money Bradley
+has made, this new magazine of his is a splendid property."</p>
+
+<p>And Katherine, listening in silence, told herself that one chapter of
+her life was closed for ever.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXII" id="CHAPTER_XXXII"></a>CHAPTER XXXII.</h2>
+
+<h3>ILL MET.</h3>
+
+
+<p>A note from Mrs. Ormonde next morning informed Katherine that she had
+returned to Castleford, and recorded her deep regret that she could not
+call before leaving town, but that time was too short, although they had
+delayed their departure for a couple of days.<br /><br /></p>
+
+
+<p>"We met Lord de Burgh at Lady Mary Vincent's; you can't think what a
+fuss she made about him. I remember when she would not let him inside
+her doors. He is older and more abrupt than ever. He told me he was
+going to meet you at Mrs. Needham's, and said hers was the only house in
+London worth going to. I suspect there is great fortune in store for
+you, Katie, and no friend will rejoice at it more warmly than I shall.
+Do write and tell me all about everything; it is frightfully dull down
+here.<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 14em;">"Your ever attached sister,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 22em;" class="smcap">"Ada</span>."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>Beyond a passing sensation of annoyance that De Burgh should make a
+display of his acquaintance with Mrs. Needham and herself, this epistle
+made no impression on Katherine, who was glad to have an unusual amount
+of work for Mrs. Needham, who had started&mdash;or rather promised her
+assistance in starting&mdash;a new scheme for extracting wax candle out of
+peat. Respecting this she was immensely sanguine, for the first time in
+her life she was to be properly remunerated for her trouble, and in a
+year or two would make her fortune.</p>
+
+<p>The day flew past with welcome rapidity, and in the evening Katherine
+was swept off to a "first-night representation," which, though by no
+means first-rate, helped to draw Katherine out of herself, and helped
+her to vanquish vain regrets.</p>
+
+<p>"You'll make a dozen copies of those notes please, dear," said Mrs.
+Needham, as she stood dressed to go out after an early luncheon the
+following day, "and I'll sign them when I come in; then there is the
+notice of the play for my Dullertoova letter, and be sure you send those
+extracts from the <i>Weekly Review</i> to Angela Bradley. You know all the
+rest; if I am not home by seven don't wait dinner for me."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine had scarcely settled to her task, when the servant entered to
+say that Lord De Burgh would be glad to speak to her, as he had a
+message from Mrs. Needham.</p>
+
+<p>"How strange!" murmured Katherine, adding aloud, "Then show him in."</p>
+
+<p>"I have just met Mrs. Needham, and she told me to give you this," said
+De Burgh, handing a card to Katherine as soon as she had shaken hands
+with him. It was one of her own cards, and on the back was scribbled,</p>
+
+<p>"Don't mind the notes."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"How extraordinary!" cried Katherine. "I thought they were of the last
+importance. What did she say to you? you must have met her directly she
+went out!"</p>
+
+<p>"I think I did. I was coming through the narrow part of Kensington, and
+was stopped by a block; just caught sight of your chief, and jumped out
+of my cab to have a word with her. She told me I should find you, and
+gave me that." De Burgh went on: "So this is the tremendous laboratory
+where Mrs. Needham forges her thunderbolts," looking round with some
+curiosity.</p>
+
+<p>"And where <i>I</i> forge <i>my</i> thunderbolts, said Katherine, laughing.</p>
+
+<p>"Thunderbolts!" echoed De Burgh, looking keenly at her. "No! where you
+launch the lightning that either withers or kindles life-giving flames."</p>
+
+<p>"Really, Lord De Burgh, you are positively poetical! I never dreamed of
+your developing this faculty when you tried to teach me how to drive at
+Castleford."</p>
+
+<p>"No! it did not exist then&mdash;now I want to tell you of the cause of its
+growth, you have silenced me often enough. To-day I will speak,
+Katherine."</p>
+
+<p>"If you please, 'm&mdash;there's twopence to pay," said the demure Ford,
+advancing with a letter.</p>
+
+<p>Half amused and partly relieved by the interruption, Katherine sought
+for and produced the requisite coin, and then took the letter with a
+look of some anxiety.</p>
+
+<p>"It is my own writing," she said, "it is one of the envelopes I left
+with Cis." Opening it and glancing at the contents her color rose, and
+her bosom heaved. "Oh! do look at this," she cried.</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh rose and read over her shoulder.<br /><br /></p>
+
+<p>
+<span style="margin-left: 1em;" class="smcap">"Dear Auntie</span>,<br />
+</p>
+
+<p>"I hope you are quite well. We have had a dreadful row! Charlie could
+not say his lesson, so Mr. Sells roared at him like a bull. Charlie got
+into one of his fits, you know, and then he burst out laughing. Mr.
+Sells went into such a rage; he laid hold of him and whipped him all
+over, and I ran to break the cane. I hit his nose with my head so hard
+that the blood came. I was glad to see the blood; then they locked us
+both up. I have no stamp. Do come and take us away, do do do!<br />
+<span style="margin-left: 20em;">"Your loving,</span><br />
+<span style="margin-left: 24em;" class="smcap">"Cis</span>."<br /><br />
+</p>
+
+<p>"P.S.&mdash;If you don't come we'll run away to the gipsies on the common."</p>
+
+<p>"The scoundrel! I'll go and thrash him within an inch of his life!"
+cried De Burgh, when they had finished this epistle.</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to do it myself," said Katherine in a low fierce tone,
+starting up and crushing the letter in an angry grip.</p>
+
+<p>"By Jove! I wish you could, I fancy you'd punish him pretty severely,"
+returned De Burgh admiringly.</p>
+
+<p>"I must go&mdash;go at once," continued Katherine, her lips trembling, her
+lustrous eyes filling. "Think of the tender, fragile, sweet boy<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span>&mdash;who is
+an angel in nature&mdash;beaten by a <i>dog</i> like that! Lord de Burgh, I must
+leave you, I must go at once."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, of course," said De Burgh, standing between her and the door; "but
+not alone. May I come with you?"</p>
+
+<p>Katherine paused, and put her hand to her head.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I think you had better not."</p>
+
+<p>"I will do whatever you like. Take Miss Payne with you&mdash;she is a shrewd
+woman&mdash;and consult with her what you had better do. Shall you remove the
+boys?"</p>
+
+<p>She paused again before replying, looking rapidly, despairingly round.
+These changes had cost her a good deal, and she had not much to go on
+with unless she broke into the deposit which she hoped to preserve
+intact for a long time to come.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know where to put them," she said, and there was a sound of
+tears in her voice.</p>
+
+<p>"You can do whatever you choose," said De Burgh, emphatically, "only,
+while you are driving down to this confounded place, make up your mind
+what to do. I wish you would feel yourself free to do anything or pay
+anything. While you are dressing, I will go round to Miss Payne and
+bring her back with me; then you must take my carriage, it will save
+time; and don't exaggerate the effects of this whipping, a few impatient
+cuts with a cane over his jacket would not hurt him much."</p>
+
+<p>"Hurt him, no; crush and terrify him, yes. It will be months before he
+can forget it; and I told the head master of Charlie's peculiarly
+nervous temperament&mdash;this man seems to be an assistant. I will take your
+advice, Lord de Burgh, and make some plan with Miss Payne. I hope she
+will be able to come."</p>
+
+<p>"She must&mdash;she shall," cried De Burgh, impetuously, and he hastily left
+the room.</p>
+
+<p>By the time Katherine had put on her out-door dress, and written an
+explanatory line to Mrs. Needham, De Burgh returned with Miss Payne.</p>
+
+<p>"You must tell me all about it as we go along," said that lady, as
+Katherine took her place beside her, "and you must do nothing rash."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh no, if I can only prevent a recurrence of such a scene. I am most
+grateful to you for your kind help, Lord de Burgh. I will let you know
+how things are settled."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you. I shall be glad of a line; but I shall call to-morrow to
+hear a full and true account. Now, what's the name of the place?"</p>
+
+<p>"Birch Grove, Wandsworth Common."</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh gave the necessary directions, and the big black horse tossed
+up his head, and dashed off at swift trot. Deep was the discussion which
+ensued, and which ended in deciding that they would be guided by
+circumstances.</p>
+
+<p>The arrival of Miss Liddell was evidently most unexpected. She and her
+companion were shown into the guest-parlor, where, after a while, Mr.
+Lockwood, the principal, made his appearance.</p>
+
+<p>"This is an unexpected pleasure, Miss Liddell. May I ask the reason of
+your visit?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Whereupon Katherine spoke more temperately than Miss Payne expected,
+describing Cecil's letter, and reminding him that she had fully
+explained Charlie's nervous weakness, and stating that, if she could not
+be assured such treatment should not occur again, she must remove the
+boy.</p>
+
+<p>The 'dominie,' apparently touched by her tone, answered with equal
+frankness. He had been called away by unavoidable business at the
+beginning of the term, and had forgotten to warn his assistant
+respecting Liddell minor. He regretted the incident; indeed, he had
+intended to inform Miss Liddell of the unfortunate occurrence, but
+extreme occupation must plead his excuse. Miss Liddell might be sure
+that it should never happen again; indeed, her nephews were very
+promising boys&mdash;the youngest a little young for his school, but it was
+all the better for him to be accustomed to a higher standard. He hoped,
+now that this unpleasantness was over, all would go on well.</p>
+
+<p>"I hope so, Mr. Lockwood," returned Katherine; "but should my nephew be
+again punished for what he cannot help, I shall immediately remove him
+and his brother."</p>
+
+<p>"So I understand, madam," said the schoolmaster, who was visibly much
+annoyed by the whole affair. "I presume you would like to see the boys?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, certainly. Will you be so good as to grant them a half-holiday?"</p>
+
+<p>This was agreed to, and in a few minutes Cis and Charlie were hanging
+round their aunt.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, auntie dear, have you come to take us away?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, dears, but I have talked to Mr. Lockwood;" and she explained the
+fact that Mr. Sells did not know that Charlie's laughter was
+involuntary.</p>
+
+<p>The poor little fellow did not complain of his aunt's decision; he just
+laid his head on her shoulders and cried silently. This was worse than
+any other line of conduct. Cis declared his intention of running away
+forthwith; however, when matters were laid before him and the joys of a
+half-holiday set forth, he consented to try 'old Sells' a little longer,
+and then Katherine took them back to Wilton Street, where they spent a
+quiet happy afternoon with their aunt, to whom they poured out their
+hearts, and were finally taken back by the polite Francois.</p>
+
+<p>"You are the kindest of much enduring employers," said Katherine,
+gratefully, when she joined Mrs. Needham at dinner. "I earnestly hope my
+sudden desertion has not inconvenienced you. Now I am ready to work far
+into the night to make up for lost time."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, you need not do that; I changed my plans after I met Lord de Burgh,
+and came home to write here. Now tell me all about those poor dears and
+that brute of a master."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>The excitement of this expedition over, Katherine felt rather depressed
+and nervous the next morning. She dreaded Lord de Burgh's visit, yet did
+not absolutely wish to avoid it. It was due to him that the sort of
+probation which he had voluntarily instituted<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span> should come to an end.
+She could not allow herself to be made conspicuous by the constant
+attentions of a man who was known to be about the best match in London,
+yet she was genuinely sorry to lose him&mdash;as a friend he had been so kind
+and thoughtful about the boys too! Well, she would be frank and
+sympathetic, and soften her refusal as much as possible. How she wished
+it were over, she found writing an impossible task, and Mrs. Needham,
+noticing her restlessness, observed, with a grave smile,</p>
+
+<p>"I expect you will have some very good news for me this afternoon! I am
+going out to luncheon."</p>
+
+<p>"No, dear Mrs. Needham, I do not think I shall," returned Katherine. "I
+fear&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Lord de Burgh is in the drawing room," said the parlor-maid.</p>
+
+<p>"Go, Katherine," cried Mrs. Needham; "and don't tell me there is any
+doubt about your having good news! You deserve bread and water for the
+rest of your natural life if you don't take the goods the gods provide."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine hesitated, smiled miserably, and left the room.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, and how did you find the poor little chap?" were De Burgh's first
+words. "There's nothing wrong, I hope?&mdash;you look as white as a ghost,
+and your hand is quite cold;" placing his left on it, as it lay in his
+grasp. "The boys are well?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, quite well, and reconciled with some difficulty to remain where
+they are," she returned, disengaging herself and sinking rather than
+sitting down into a corner of a sofa nearest her.</p>
+
+<p>"Then what has upset you? I suppose," softening his voice, "the whole
+thing was too much for you."</p>
+
+<p>"I daresay I excited myself more than I need have done, but I think my
+little Charlie is safe for the future."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you know that it makes me half mad to see that look of distress in
+your eyes, to see the color fading out of your cheeks! Katherine, I
+can't hold my tongue any longer. I thought I was far gone when I used to
+count the days between my visits to Sandbourne; I am a good deal worse
+now that you have let me be a sort of chum! Life without you is
+something I don't care to face, I don't indeed! Why don't you make up
+your mind to take me for better for worse? I'll try to be all better;
+just think how happy we might be! Those boys should have the best
+training money or care could get; and, Katherine, I'm not a bad fellow!
+Now you know me better, you must feel that I should never be a bad
+fellow to <i>you</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"You are a very good fellow, Lord de Burgh, that I quite believe; but
+(it pains me so much to say it) I really do not love you as I ought,
+and, unless I do love I dare not marry."</p>
+
+<p>"Why not?&mdash;that is, if you don't love some other fellow. Will you tell
+me if any man stands in my way?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, indeed, Lord de Burgh; who could I love?"</p>
+
+<p>"That is impossible to say; however, your word is enough. If your heart
+is free, why not let me try to win it? and the opportunities afforded by
+matrimony are endless; you are the sort of woman who would be faithful
+to whatever you undertook, and when you saw me day by day living for
+you, and you only, you'd grow to love me! Just think of the boys running
+wild at Pont-y garvan in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span> the holidays, and&mdash;&mdash;By heaven, my head reels
+with such a dream of happiness."</p>
+
+<p>"I am a wretch, I know," said Katherine, the tears in her eyes, her
+voice breaking; "but I know myself. I am a very lawless individual,
+and&mdash;you had better not urge me."</p>
+
+<p>"What is your objection to me? I haven't been a saint, but I have never
+done anything I am ashamed of. Why do you shrink from life with me?
+Come, cast your doubts to the winds, and give me your sweet self. There
+is no one to love you as I do, and I swear your life shall be a summer
+holiday."</p>
+
+<p>His words struck her with sudden conviction. It was true there was no
+one to love her as he did, and what a tower of refuge he would be to the
+boys! Why should she not think of him? He had been very true to her. Why
+should she not drive out the haunting image of the man who did not love
+her by the living presence of the man who did? But, if she accepted him,
+she must confess her crime; she could not keep such an act hidden from
+the man who was ready to give his life to her. How awful this would be!
+And he might reject her; then her fate would be decided for her. Lord de
+Burgh saw that she hesitated, and pressed her eagerly for a decision.</p>
+
+<p>"You deserve so much gratitude for your kindness, your faithfulness,
+that&mdash;ah! do let me think," covering up her face with her hands. "It is
+such a tremendous matter to decide."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, of course, you shall think as much as ever you like," cried De
+Burgh, rapturously, telling himself "that she who deliberates is lost."
+"Take your own time, only don't say <i>no</i>," ferociously. "Reflect on the
+immense happiness you can bestow, the good you can do. Why do you
+shiver, my darling? If you wish it, I'll go now this moment, and I'll
+not show my face till&mdash;till the day after to-morrow, if you like."</p>
+
+<p>"The day after to-morrow? that is but a short space to decide so
+momentous a question."</p>
+
+<p>"If you can't make up your mind in twenty-four hours, neither can you in
+two hundred and forty. I don't want to hurry you, but you must have some
+consideration for me; imagine my state of mind. Why, I'll be on the rack
+till we meet again. I fancy a conscientious woman is about the cruellest
+creature that walks! However, I'll stick to my promise: I will not
+intrude on you till the day after to-morrow. Then I will come at eleven
+o'clock for your answer; and, Katherine, my love, my life, it must be
+'yes.'"</p>
+
+<p>He took and kissed her hand more than once, then he went swiftly away.</p>
+
+<p>The hours which succeeded were painfully agitated. Katherine felt that
+De Burgh had every right to consider himself virtually accepted. She
+liked him&mdash;yes, certainly she liked him, and might have loved him, but
+for her irresistible, unreasonable, unmaidenly attachment to Errington.
+If she made up her mind to marry him, that would fill her heart and
+relieve it from the dull aching which had strained it so long; once a
+wife, she would never give a thought save to her own husband, but,
+before she reached the profound and death-like peace of such a position,
+she must tell her story to De<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span> Burgh&mdash;and how would he take it? With all
+his ruggedness, he had a keen and delicate sense of honor; still she
+felt his passion for her would overcome all obstacles for the time, but
+how would it be afterwards, when they had settled down to the routine of
+every-day life? It would be a tremendous experiment, but she could not
+let him enter on that close union in ignorance of the blot on her
+scutcheon, and then the door would be closed on the earlier half of her
+life, which had been so bitter-sweet. How little peace she had known
+since her mother's death! how heavenly sweet her life had been when she
+knew no deeper care than to shield that dear mother from anxiety and
+trouble! and now there was no one belonging to her on whose wisdom and
+strength she had a right to rely. Perhaps, after all, it might be better
+to accept De Burgh, and end her uncertainties. Though by no means given
+to weeping, Katherine could not recover composure until after the relief
+of a copious flood of tears.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, dear!" cried Mrs. Needham, when they were left together after
+dinner, "I am just bursting with curiosity. What news have you for me?
+and what have you been doing with yourself? You look ghastly, and I
+positively believe you have been crying. What have you done? I can't
+believe that you have refused Lord de Burgh&mdash;you couldn't be such a
+madwoman! Why you might lead&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"How do you know he gave me an opportunity?" interrupted Katherine, with
+a faint smile.</p>
+
+<p>"Don't talk like that, dear!" said Mrs. Needham, severely. "What would
+bring Lord de Burgh here day after day but trying to win you? I have
+been waiting for what I knew was inevitable; now, Katherine, tell me,
+have you rejected him?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, Mrs. Needham, I have asked him for time to reflect."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, that is all right," in a tone of satisfaction, "and only means a
+turn of the rack while you can handle the screws; of course you'll
+accept him when he comes again. After all, though there are plenty of
+unhappy marriages, there is no joy so delightful as reciprocal
+affection. I am sure I never saw a creature so glorified by love as
+Angela Bradley; she told me at Mrs. Cochrane's she had a wonderful piece
+of news for me, and, when I said perhaps I knew it, she beamed all over
+and squeezed my hand as she whispered, "Perhaps you do!" I saw her
+driving Errington in her pony-carriage afterwards, and meeting old
+Captain Everard just then, he nodded after them and said, 'That's an
+excellent arrangement; the wedding, I hear, is fixed for the
+twenty-ninth of next month.' Now, I don't quite believe <i>that</i>; Angela
+would certainly have told me, but I am sure it will come off soon. I am
+glad for both their sakes."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure they will make a very happy couple, and I really believe I
+shall follow their example."</p>
+
+<p>"Quite right! The double event will make a sensation, my dear child: to
+see <i>you</i> happily and splendidly settled will be the greatest joy I have
+known for years, and what will Colonel Ormonde say?"</p>
+
+<p>"I neither know nor care; and, Mrs. Needham, if you don't mind, I will
+go to bed. I have <i>such</i> a headache."</p>
+
+<p>The fateful morning found Katherine resolved and composed.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>She would tell De Burgh everything, and, if her revelation did not
+frighten him away, she would try to make him happy and to be happy
+herself. It would be painful to tell him, but oh! nothing compared with
+the agony of humiliation it cost her to prostrate herself morally before
+Errington. Still she would be glad when the confession was over;
+afterwards, feeling her destiny decided, she would be calmer and more
+resigned. Resigned? what a term to apply to her acceptance of an honest
+man's hearty affection; for, whatever De Burgh's life may have been, he
+had said he had done nothing he was ashamed of. By some unconscious
+impulse she dressed herself in black, and went down to the drawing-room
+with her knitting, that she might be ready to receive the man who, an
+hour later, might be her affianced husband.</p>
+
+<p>On the stairs she met Ford, who informed her that Miss Trant was waiting
+for her. Katherine felt glad of any interruption to her thoughts,
+especially as she knew that the arrival of a visitor would be the signal
+for Rachel's departure.</p>
+
+<p>"I am so glad to see you," exclaimed Katherine, "but how is it you have
+escaped so early?"</p>
+
+<p>"I have been to the City to buy goods, and came round here to have a
+peep at you, for Miss Payne told me yesterday of your trouble about the
+boys."</p>
+
+<p>"How early you are! why, it is scarcely eleven. Yes, (sit down for a
+moment,) yes, I was dreadfully angry and upset;" and Katherine proceeded
+to describe Cecil's letter, and her visit to the school.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you could take them away," said Rachel, thoughtfully.</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps, later on, I may be able, but I do not think there is any
+chance that poor Charlie will be punished again. He is never really
+naughty, but he has had a great shock."</p>
+
+<p>"So have you, I imagine, to judge from your looks."</p>
+
+<p>"Do I look shocked? And how have you been? It is so long since I was
+able to go and see you."</p>
+
+<p>"I have been, and am very well&mdash;very busy, and really succeeding. I have
+opened a banking account, and feel very proud of my cheque-book. Do you
+know that Mr. Newton has advanced me two hundred pounds? Just now it is
+worth a thousand, it lifts me over the waiting time. I have sent in my
+quarter's accounts, and in a month the payments will begin to come in.
+I'll make a good business yet."</p>
+
+<p>"I believe you will."</p>
+
+<p>"What a pretty room!" said Rachel, looking round. "How nice it is to
+know you are comfortable; by the time you are tired of your
+secretaryship, I hope to have a nice little sum laid by for you."</p>
+
+<p>"What a wonderful woman of business you are, Rachel," said Katherine,
+admiringly.</p>
+
+<p>"I ought to be! It is the only thing left to me, and I am thankful to
+say I get more and more&mdash;-" she stopped, for the door opened and Lord de
+Burgh was announced.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span></p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIII" id="CHAPTER_XXXIII"></a>CHAPTER XXXIII.</h2>
+
+<h3>REPULSION.</h3>
+
+
+<p>Rachel started from her seat and stood facing the door. Her cheek
+flushed crimson, then grew deadly white, her lips parted as if she
+breathed with difficulty.</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh, the moment his eyes fell on her, stopped as if suddenly
+arrested by an invisible hand; his eyes expressed horror and surprise,
+his dark face grew darker. Rachel quickly recovered. "I will call
+again," she murmured, and passing him swiftly, noiselessly, left the
+room, closing the door behind her.</p>
+
+<p>Like a flash of lightning, the meaning of this scene darted through
+Katherine's brain. Clasping her hands with interlaced fingers, she
+pressed them against her breast.</p>
+
+<p>"Ah!" she exclaimed (there was infinite pain in that "ah!") "then <i>you</i>
+are the man?"</p>
+
+<p>"What do you mean?" asked De Burgh, in a sullen tone, his thick brows
+almost meeting in a frown.</p>
+
+<p>"The man she loved and lived with," returned Katherine, the words were
+low and clear.</p>
+
+<p>"I am!" he replied, defiantly. Then a dreadful silence fell upon them.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine dropped into a chair, and, resting her elbows on the table,
+covered her face with her hands.</p>
+
+<p>"My God!" exclaimed De Burgh, advancing a step nearer. "How does she
+come here?"</p>
+
+<p>Katherine could not speak for a moment; at last, and still covering her
+eyes and with a low quick utterance as if overwhelmed, she said,</p>
+
+<p>"I have known her for some time. I found her dying of despair! I was
+able to befriend her, to win her back to life, to something like hope.
+She told me everything, except the name. We have ceased to speak of the
+past! I little knew, I could not have dreamed&mdash;I never suspected;" her
+voice broke, and she burst into tears, irresistible tears which she
+struggled vainly to repress.</p>
+
+<p>"Why should you <i>not</i> suspect me!" exclaimed De Burgh, harshly. "Did you
+suppose me above or below other men?"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! poor Rachel! what a flood of unspeakable bitterness must have
+overwhelmed her, to find <i>you</i> here!"</p>
+
+<p>De Burgh paced to and fro, bewildered, furious, not knowing how to
+defend himself or what to say.</p>
+
+<p>"I am the most unfortunate devil that ever breathed!" he exclaimed at
+last, pausing beside the table and resting one hand on it. "Look here,
+Katherine, how can a girl like you&mdash;for, in spite of your mature airs,
+you are a mere girl&mdash;how can you judge the&mdash;the temptations and ways of
+a world of which you know nothing?"</p>
+
+<p>"Temptations!" she murmured; "did Rachel ask <i>you</i> to take her to live
+with you?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, of course not," angrily, "she is rather a superior creature, I
+admit; but I deny that I ever deceived or deserted her! She was<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span>
+perfectly aware I never Intended to marry her, and I was awfully put out
+when she disappeared. I did my best to find her. But the fact is, when
+she did <i>not</i> reappear, I not unnaturally supposed she had gone off with
+some other man."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine looked upon him suddenly with such tragic, horrified eyes that
+De Burgh was startled; then she slightly raised her hands with an
+expressive gesture, again covering her face.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, yes," De Burgh went on, impatiently, "I see you think me a brute
+for suspecting her capable of such a thing, but how was I to know she
+was different from others? It is too infernally provoking that such an
+affair should came to your notice! You are quite unable to judge
+fairly;" and he resumed his agitated walk. "I swear I am no worse than
+my neighbors. Ask any woman of the world, ask Mrs. Needham&mdash;they will
+tell you I am not an unpardonable sinner! I will do anything on earth
+for Rachel that you think right. Just remember her position and mine, it
+was not as if&mdash;It is impossible to explain to you, but there was no
+reason, had she been a little sensible, why such an episode should have
+spoiled her life! Lots of women&mdash;" he stopped, and with a muttered curse
+paused opposite her.</p>
+
+<p>"And <i>could</i> you have been her companion so long, without perceiving the
+strength and pride and tenderness of the woman who gave up all hoping to
+keep the love you no doubt ardently expressed? Ah! if you could have
+seen her as she was when I found her!"</p>
+
+<p>"How was I to know she was staking her gold against my counters?"
+returned De Burgh, obstinately, though a dark flush passed over his face
+at Katherine's words.</p>
+
+<p>"Lord de Burgh! I did not think you could be so cruel," cried Katherine,
+rising. "I will not speak to you any longer."</p>
+
+<p>"Cruel!" he exclaimed, placing himself between her and the door. "How
+can I be just or generous, when this most unfortunate encounter has put
+me in such a hopeless position? Katherine, will you let this miserable
+mistake of the past rob me of my best hopes, my most ardently cherished
+desires&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"It is but two or three years since you spoke in the same tone, possibly
+the same words, to Rachel! At least, knowing her as I do, I feel sure
+she would have yielded to no common amount of persuasion. She was mad,
+weak to a degree to listen to you; but she was alone, and love is so
+sweet."</p>
+
+<p>"It is," cried De Burgh, passionately. "Why will you turn from love as
+true, as intense as ever was offered to woman, merely because I let
+myself fall into an error but too common&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Is it not a mere accident of our respective positions that you happen
+to seek me as your <i>wife</i>?" said Katherine, a slight curl on her lip;
+"and how can I feel sure that in time you will not weary of me as you
+did of her?"</p>
+
+<p>"The cases are utterly unlike. So long as the world lasts, men and women
+too will act as Rachel Trant and I did; Nature is too strong for social
+laws and religious maxims."</p>
+
+<p>"And you said you had never done anything to be ashamed of?" she
+exclaimed, bitterly.</p>
+
+<p>"Nor have I!" said De Burgh, stoutly, "if I were tried by the standard
+of our world. How can you know&mdash;how can you judge?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I do not judge, I have no right to judge," said Katherine, brokenly. "I
+only know that, when I saw your eyes meet Rachel's I felt a great gulf
+had suddenly opened between us, a gulf that cannot be bridged. I do not
+understand and cannot judge, as you say, and I am sorry for you too; but
+if life is to be this miserable shuffling of chances, this jumble of
+injustice, I would rather die than live. No, Lord de Burgh, I <i>will</i>
+go."</p>
+
+<p>"Good Heavens! Katherine, you are trembling; you can hardly stand. I am
+a brute to keep you; but I cannot help clutching my only chance of
+happiness. You are an angel! Dispose of me as you will; but in mercy
+give me some hope. I'll wait; I'll do anything."</p>
+
+<p>"Oh, no, no. It is impossible. I am so fond of <i>her</i>; and you will find
+many to whom your past will be nothing; for me it is irrevocable. The
+world seems intolerable; let me go;" and she burst into such bitter sobs
+that her whole frame shook.</p>
+
+<p>"I must not keep you now; but I shall <i>not</i> give you up. I will write.
+Oh, Katherine, you would not destroy me!" He seized and passionately
+kissed her hand, which she tore from him, and fled from the room.</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>When Rachel Trant escaped from the presence of her dearest friend and
+her ex-lover, she could scarcely see or stand. Thankful not to meet
+anyone, she hastily left the house, and, somewhat revived by the air,
+she made her way to a secluded part of the Kensington Gardens. Here she
+found a seat, and, still palpitating with the shock she had sustained,
+strove to reduce the chaotic whirl of her thoughts to something like
+order.</p>
+
+<p>She divined by instinct why De Burgh was at Mrs. Needham's. She knew,
+how she could not tell, that he was seeking Katherine as eagerly as he
+had sought herself; but with what a different object! The sight of De
+Burgh was as the thrust of a poisoned dagger through the delicate veins
+and articulations of her moral system. To see the dark face and sombre
+eyes she had loved so passionately&mdash;had!&mdash;still loved!&mdash;was almost
+physical agony. It was as if some beloved form had been brought back
+from another world, but animated by a spirit that knew her not, regarded
+her not at all. Oh, the bitterness of such an estrangement, of this
+expulsion from the paradise of warmth and tenderness where she had been
+cherished for a while&mdash;a heavenly place which should know her no more.</p>
+
+<p>"I brought it all upon myself," was the sentence of her strong stern
+sense. "Losing self-respect, what hold can any woman have upon a
+lover?&mdash;yet how many men are faithful even to death without the legal
+tie! I do not love him now, but how fondly, how intensely I loved the
+man I thought he was! Oh, fool, fool, fool, to believe that I could ever
+tighten my hold upon a man who had gained all he wished unconditionally!
+I have deserved all&mdash;all."</p>
+
+<p>Yet she had no hatred against the real De Burgh, neither had she any
+angelic desire to forgive him, or to do him good or convert him; what he
+was now, he would ever be. He might even make a fairly good husband. The
+episode of his connection with herself would in no way interfere with
+<i>his</i> moral harmony. But he was not worthy of Katherine; no unbreakable
+tie would make him more constant;<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span> and, though his faithlessness could
+not touch her social position, he might crush her heart all the same.
+Rachel was far too human, too passionate, not to shrink with unutterable
+pain from the idea of this man's entrancing love being lavished on
+another, yet her true, devoted affection for her benefactress remained
+untouched. Katherine stood before everything. Rachel did not wish to
+injure De Burgh&mdash;her heart had simply grown strong, and she would not
+hesitate for a moment to save Katherine from trouble at any cost to him.</p>
+
+<p>What then should she do?&mdash;continue to withhold the name of the man of
+whom she had so often spoken, or let Katherine know the whole truth and
+judge for herself? If she decided on the latter, it would break up her
+friendship with Katherine, and De Burgh would attribute her action to
+revenge. Should that deter her? No; so long as she was sure of herself,
+what were opinions to her? The one thing in life to which she clung now
+was Katherine's affection and esteem; for her she would sacrifice much,
+but she would not flatter her into a fool's paradise of trust and wedded
+love with De Burgh by concealing anything, neither would she counsel her
+against the desperate experiment, should she be inclined to risk it. He
+might be a very different man to a wife.</p>
+
+<p>A certain amount of composure came to her with decision, though a second
+death seemed to have laid its icy hand upon her heart; she rose and made
+her way towards her own abode, determining to await a visit or some
+communication from Katherine before she touched the poisoned tract which
+lay between them.</p>
+
+<p>Rachel had scarcely reached the Broad Walk when she was accosted by a
+little girl, who ran towards her, calling loudly,</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Trant, Miss Trant, don't you know me?"</p>
+
+<p>She was a slight, willowy creature with black eyes, profuse dark hair,
+and sallow complexion. Her dress was costly, though simple, and she was
+followed at a more sober pace by a lady-like but foreign-looking girl,
+apparently her governess.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, Miss Liddell, are you taking a morning walk?" asked Rachel, as
+the child took her hand.</p>
+
+<p>"I am going to see papa. I am to have dinner with him. He has a bad
+cold, and he sent for me."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you must cheer him up, and tell him what you have been learning."</p>
+
+<p>"I haven't learnt much yet; it is so tiresome."</p>
+
+<p>"Come, Mademoiselle Marie, you must not tease Miss Trant," said the
+foreign-looking lady, whom Rachel recognized as one of the governesses
+who sometimes escorted George Liddell's daughter "to be tried on."</p>
+
+<p>"She does not tease me," returned Rachel, who had rather taken a fancy
+to the child.</p>
+
+<p>"Won't you come and see papa with me?" continued the little heiress. "I
+wish you would, and he will tell you to make me another pretty frock&mdash;I
+love pretty frocks."</p>
+
+<p>"Not to-day; I must go home and make frocks for other people."</p>
+
+<p>"Then I will bring him to see you&mdash;I will, I will; he does whatever I
+like. Good-bye," springing up to kiss her. "I may come and see you
+soon?"<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"Whenever you like, my dear," said Rachel, feeling strangely comforted
+by the child's warm kisses; and they parted, going in different
+directions, to meet again soon.</p>
+
+<p>Mrs. Needham had been sorely tried on that fatal day when De Burgh had
+suddenly departed, after a comparatively short interval, and Katherine
+had disappeared into the depths of her own room.</p>
+
+<p>She had anticipated entertaining the bridegroom-elect at luncheon, and
+had ordered lobster-cream and an <i>epigramme d'agneau a la Russe</i> as
+suitable delicacies; she expected confidential consultation and
+delightful plans; she had even speculated on so managing that the double
+event:&mdash;Angela Bradley's marriage with Errington and Katherine's with
+Lord de Burgh,&mdash;might come off on the same day, even in the same church:
+that would be a culmination of excitement! Now some mysterious blight
+had fallen on all her schemes. What had happened? What could they have
+quarrelled about? Then when Katherine emerged from her refuge she was
+hopelessly mysterious; there was no penetrating the reserve in which she
+wrapped herself.</p>
+
+<p>"There is no one in whom I should more readily confide than in you, dear
+Mrs. Needham, but a serious difference <i>has arisen</i> between Lord de
+Burgh and myself, respecting which I cannot speak to <i>anyone</i>. I regret
+being obliged to keep it to myself, but I must."</p>
+
+<p>"My dear, if you adopt that tone I have nothing more to say, but it is
+horribly provoking and disappointing. I am quite sure people began to
+expect it&mdash;that you would marry Lord de Burgh, I mean, and what a
+position you have thrown away. You can't expect a man like him to be a
+saint. There is no use trying men by our standard; in short, it's not
+much matter what standard we have, we must always come down a step or
+two if we mean to make both ends meet; but you see, when a man has money
+and right principles, he can atone for a lot."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine gazed at her astonished. How was it that she had found the
+scent which led so near the real track?</p>
+
+<p>"No money," she said, gravely, "could in any way affect the matters in
+dispute between Lord de Burgh and myself, so I will not speak any more
+on the subject. It has all been very painful, and the worst part is that
+I cannot tell you."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, it must be bad," observed Mrs. Needham, in a complaining tone,
+"but I suppose I must just hold my tongue."</p>
+
+<p>So Katherine was left in comparative peace. But it was a hard passage to
+her; she could not shake off the sickening sense of wrong and sorrow,
+the painful consciousness of being humiliated which the revelation
+inflicted on her, the feeling that she was, in some inexplicable way,
+touched by the evil-doing of those who were so near her.</p>
+
+<p>A slight cold, caught she knew not how, aggravated the fever induced by
+distress of mind, and next day Mrs. Needham thought her so unwell that
+she insisted on sending for the doctor, who condemned Katherine to her
+bed, a composing draught, and solitude.</p>
+
+<p>The doctor, however, could not forbid letters, and Katherine's seclusion
+was much disturbed by a long, rambling, impassioned epistle from De
+Burgh, in which, though he promised not to intrude<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span> upon her at present,
+he refused to give up all hope, as he could not believe that she would
+always maintain her present exaggerated and unreasonable frame of
+mind&mdash;a letter that did him no good in Katherine's estimation. Then she
+tried to resume her work. But Mrs. Needham, returning from one of her
+"rapid acts" of inspection and negotiation in and out divers and sundry
+warehouses, dismissed her peremptorily to lie down on the sofa in the
+drawing-room, in reality to get her out of the way, as she was expecting
+a visit from Miss Payne, with whom she wanted a little private
+conversation.</p>
+
+<p>"Can you throw any light on this mysterious quarrel between Katherine
+and Lord de Burgh?" she asked, abruptly, as soon as Miss Payne was
+seated in the study.</p>
+
+<p>"Quarrel? have they quarrelled? I know nothing about it. When did they
+quarrel?"</p>
+
+<p>"About three days ago. He came here to propose for her, I know he did,
+they were talking together for&mdash;oh!&mdash;barely a quarter-of-an-hour in the
+drawing-room, when I heard her fly up stairs, and he rushed away,
+slamming the door as if he would take the front of the house out.
+Katherine has never been herself since. It is my firm belief she is
+strongly attached to him,&mdash;what do you think?"</p>
+
+<p>"I don't know what to think; they were very good friends, but I do not
+think Katherine was in love with him. She is a curious girl. I often am
+tempted to fancy she has something on her mind."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense, my dear Miss Payne. I never met a finer, truer nature than
+Katherine Liddell's," cried Mrs. Needham, an affectionate smile lighting
+up her handsome, kindly face. "The worst of it is, I do not know whom to
+blame, and Katherine has put me on honor not to ask her."</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot help you," said Miss Payne; and she fell into a thoughtful
+silence, while Mrs. Needham watched her eagerly.</p>
+
+<p>"I am going away for a few weeks," resumed Miss Payne. "I have let my
+house, and I shall go to Sandbourne; the weather seems settled, and it
+will be pleasant there. If you can spare her, I will ask Katherine to
+come with me, she liked the place, and perhaps in the intimacy of
+every-day life she may tell me what happened; but, remember, <i>I'll</i> not
+tell you unless she gives me leave."</p>
+
+<p>"No, no, of course not; but I am sure she would trust <i>me</i> as soon as
+anyone.'</p>
+
+<p>"Very likely. It will just depend upon who is near her when she is in a
+confidential mood."</p>
+
+<p>"Perhaps. I am sure it would do her good; and Sandbourne is not far. If
+De Burgh wants to make it up, he can easily run down there."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, he knows his way. I am not sure that he is the right man, though,"
+said Miss Payne, reflectively; "he is too ready to ride rough-shod over
+everyone and everything."</p>
+
+<p>"Do you think so? I must say I thought him a delightful person, so
+natural and good-natured."</p>
+
+<p>"Well, let me go and see Katherine. I am anxious to take her away with
+me."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine was most willing to accept Miss Payne's proposition. She was
+soothed and gratified by the thoughtful kindness shown her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span> by both her
+friends, and anxious to refresh her mind and recruit her strength before
+taking up her life again.</p>
+
+<p>"You are so good to think of taking me with you," she cried, when Miss
+Payne ceased speaking. "I should like greatly to go, if Mrs. Needham can
+spare me."</p>
+
+<p>"Of course I can. You will come back a better secretary than ever,"
+exclaimed that lady, cheerfully. "I will try to run down and see you
+some Saturday. It is rather a new place, this Sandbourne, isn't it?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes; it is not crowded yet."</p>
+
+<p>"When do you go down there?"</p>
+
+<p>"On Saturday afternoon," returned Miss Payne. "I have taken rooms at
+Marine Cottage; you know, it is at the end of the parade, near an old
+house."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, quite well; it is a nice little place."</p>
+
+<p>"I will write to secure another bedroom; and let us meet at the station
+on Saturday. I go by the 2.50 train." A few more preliminaries and the
+affair was settled.</p>
+
+<p>Previous to leaving town, however, Katherine felt she must see Rachel
+Trant, though she half dreaded meeting her. It must have been an awful
+blow to meet De Burgh as she did. Would she divine what brought him
+there? Katherine felt she had been cold and remiss in having kept
+silence towards her friend so long, and, when Miss Payne left, she
+walked with her across the park to Rachel's abode, in spite of Mrs.
+Needham's assurances that it would be too much for her, and retard the
+recovery of her nervous forces, etc., etc.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine was not kept long waiting in the neat little back parlor,
+which was Miss Trant's private room. Rachel came to her looking very
+white, while she breathed quickly. She paused just within the door, in a
+hesitating, uncertain way, which seemed to Katherine very pathetic.</p>
+
+<p>"Oh! Rachel," she cried, her soft brown eyes suffused with tears as she
+tenderly kissed her brow, "I know everything, and&mdash;I will never see him
+again."</p>
+
+<p>"He is not all bad," said Rachel, in a low tone, as she clasped
+Katherine's hand in both her own.</p>
+
+<p>"No, I am sure he is not; but he has passed out of our lives; let us
+speak of him no more."</p>
+
+<p>"I should be glad not to do so; but he has written me a letter I should
+like you to see. He seems grieved for the past and makes munificent
+offers."</p>
+
+<p>"I should rather not see it, Rachel. I want to forget. Did you reply?"</p>
+
+<p>"I did, very gravely, very shortly. I told him I wanted nothing, that
+the best friend I ever had had put me in the way perhaps to make my
+fortune, and&mdash;and, dearest Miss Liddell, if you care for&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"But I do not, I did not," interrupted Katherine. "Oh! thank God I do
+not. How could I have borne what has come to my knowledge if I did? Now,
+let the past bury its dead."</p>
+
+<p>"Is it not amazing that we should be so strangely linked together?"
+murmured Rachel.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>Katherine made no reply. After a short silence, as if they stood by a
+still open grave, Katherine began to speak of her intended visit to Miss
+Payne, and before they parted, though both were hushed and grave, they
+had glided into their usual confidential, affectionate tone. Business,
+however, was not mentioned.</p>
+
+<p>"I wish you could see your cousin's little daughter," said Rachel,
+rather abruptly, as Katherine rose to bid her good-bye. "She's an
+interesting, naughty little creature, small of her age, but in some ways
+precocious. I am fond of her, partly, I suppose, because she likes me.
+There is something familiar to me in her face, yet I cannot say that she
+actually resembles anyone."</p>
+
+<p>"I should like to see her," returned Katherine; and soon after she left
+her friend, relieved and calmed by the feeling that the explanation was
+over.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, my dear," cried Mrs. Needham, when they met at dinner. "I have a
+great piece of news for you: Mr. Errington is to be the new editor of
+<i>The Cycle</i>. A capital thing for him! and that accounts for the
+announcement of the marriage being held back, just to let people get
+accustomed to the first start. It shows what Bradley thinks of him. It
+is really a grand triumph to get such an appointment after so short an
+apprenticeship."</p>
+
+<p>"I am glad of it, very glad," returned Katherine, thoughtfully. "I
+suppose he is considered very clever."</p>
+
+<p>"A first-rate man, quite first-rate, for all serious tough subjects. I
+think, dear, if I could run down on Saturday week till Monday it would
+be an immense refreshment;" and Mrs. Needham wandered off into the
+discussion of a variety of schemes.</p>
+
+<p>On the Saturday following, Katherine and her faithful chaperon set out
+for their holiday with mutual satisfaction and a hope that they left
+their troubles behind them.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXIV" id="CHAPTER_XXXIV"></a>CHAPTER XXXIV.</h2>
+
+<h3>RECONCILIATION.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The change to Sandbourne did Katherine good; she grew calmer, more
+resigned, though still profoundly sad. The sense of having been brought
+in touch with one of the most cruel problems of society affected her
+deeply, and the contrast between the present and past of a year ago,
+when she had the boys with her, forced her to review her mental
+conditions since the great change in her fortunes wrought by her own
+act.</p>
+
+<p>She had ample time for thought. Miss Payne was suffering from touches of
+rheumatism, which made long walks impossible; so Katherine wandered
+about alone.</p>
+
+<p>The weather was bright, but, although it was the beginning of May, not
+warm enough to sit amongst the rocks at the point. Katherine, however,
+often walked to and fro recalling De Burgh's looks and tones the day he
+had opened his heart to her there. He was not a bad fellow&mdash;no, far from
+it; indeed, she knew that, if her<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span> heart had not been filled with
+Errington, she could have loved De Burgh. How was it that a man of
+feeling, of so-called honor, with a certain degree of discrimination
+between right and wrong, could have broken the moral law and been so
+callous as he had shown himself?</p>
+
+<p>There was no use in thinking about it; it was beyond her comprehension.
+All she hoped was that time might efface the cruel lines which sorrow
+and remorse had cut deep into Rachel's heart.</p>
+
+<p>With Miss Payne, Katherine was cheerful and companionable. They spoke
+much of Bertie. His decision to take orders would have given his sister
+unqualified satisfaction had he also sought preferment in England.</p>
+
+<p>"A clergyman's position is excellent," she said, confidentially, as they
+sat together in the drawing-room window one blustery afternoon, when
+Katherine was not tempted to go out. "Bertie is just the stuff to make a
+popular preacher of, and so long as he is properly ordained I don't care
+how he preaches, but I don't like him to be classed with ranting,
+roaring vagabonds! Then, you see, there are no men who have such
+opportunities as clergymen of picking up well-dowered wives. I believe
+women are ready to propose themselves rather than not catch what some of
+them are pleased to term "a priest." It's a weakness I never could
+understand. What induces him to run off among the heathen?&mdash;can't he
+find heathen enough at home? If he gets into these outlandish places, I
+shall never see him again, and, between you and me, he is the only
+creature I care for. He thinks he is inspired by the love of God, but I
+know he is driven by the love of <i>you</i>."</p>
+
+<p>"Of me, Miss Payne?" exclaimed Katherine, startled and greatly pained.</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, you; and I wish you could see your way to marry him. It would be
+no great match for either of you, but he would be another and a happier
+man; and, as for you, your rejection of Lord de Burgh (I suppose you
+<i>did</i> refuse him) shows you do not care for riches."</p>
+
+<p>"But, Miss Payne, I have no right to think your brother ever wished to
+marry me."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you must be very dull. I wonder he has not written before. Oh,
+here is the postman!"</p>
+
+<p>Katherine stepped through the window and took the letters from him.</p>
+
+<p>"Only one for you and two for me," she said, returning. "One, I see, is
+from Ada." Opening it, she read as follows:<br /><br /></p>
+
+<p><span class="smcap"  style="margin-left: 1em;">"Dearest Katherine</span>,</p>
+
+<p>"I write in great anxiety and surprise, as I see among the fashionable
+intelligence of the <i>Morning Post</i> that Lord de Burgh is on the point of
+leaving England for a tour in the Ural Mountains (of all places!) and
+will probably be absent for several months. Can this be true? and, if
+so, what is the reason of it? Is it possible that you have been so
+cruel, so insane, so wicked as to fly in the face of providence and
+refuse him? You should remember your own<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span> poverty-stricken existence,
+and think of the boys. Marriage with a man of De Burgh's rank and
+fortune would be the making of them. I have hidden away the paper, for,
+if the colonel saw it, it would drive him frantic. Do write and let me
+mediate between you and De Burgh, if you are so mad as to have
+quarrelled with him. I am feeling quite ill with all this excitement and
+worry. I don't think many women have been so sorely tried as myself.
+Ever yours,<br />
+<span class="smcap" style="margin-left: 20em;">"Ada Ormonde</span>."<br /><br /></p>
+
+
+<p>Having glanced through this composition, she handed it with a smile to
+Miss Payne, and opened the other letter, which was from Rachel. This was
+very short and very mysterious.<br /><br /></p>
+
+
+<p>"I have been introduced to your relative, Mr. George Liddell," she
+wrote, "by his daughter. We have had a conversation respecting you and
+other matters. I cannot go into this now&mdash;I only write to say that Mr.
+Liddell is going down to see you to-morrow or next day, and I earnestly
+trust you may be reconciled. I am always your devoted <span class="smcap">Rachel</span>."<br /><br /></p>
+
+<p>"This is very extraordinary," cried Katherine, when she had read it
+aloud. "What can she mean by sending him down here! I rather dread
+seeing him."</p>
+
+<p>"Nonsense," returned Miss Payne, sternly. "If that dressmaking friend of
+yours brings about a reconciliation between you and your very
+wrong-headed cousin, she will do a good deed. I anticipate some
+important results from this interview&mdash;you must see Mr. Liddell alone."</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose so. I am sure I hope he will not snap my head off."</p>
+
+<p>"You are not the sort of girl to allow people to snap your head off. But
+I am immensely puzzled to imagine what Miss Trant can have said or done
+to send this bush-ranger down here. How did Mr. Liddell come to know
+her?"</p>
+
+<p>"I can only suppose that his little girl, to whom I believe he is
+devoted, brought him to Rachel's to get a dress tried on or to choose
+one."</p>
+
+<p>"It is very odd," observed Miss Payne, thoughtfully. "My letter," she
+went on, after a moment's pause, "is from my new tenant; he wants some
+additional furniture, which is just nonsense. He has as much as is good
+for him; I'll write and say I shall be in town on Monday, and call at
+Wilton Street to discuss matters."</p>
+
+<p>"<i>Are</i> you going to town on Monday?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I made up my mind when I read this," tapping the letter.</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose you don't object to be left alone? And there is the chance of
+Mrs. Needham coming down; probably she will stay over Monday."</p>
+
+<p>"I fear that is not very likely."</p>
+
+<p>No more was said on the subject then, but Katherine could not get her
+mind free from the idea of George Liddell's anticipated visit. She was
+quite willing to make friends with him, though his ungenerous and
+unreasonable conduct towards herself had impressed her most
+unfavorably.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>The day passed over, however, without any visitor, nor was it until the
+following afternoon that Katherine was startled, in spite of her
+preparation, by the announcement that a gentleman wished to see Miss
+Liddell.</p>
+
+<p>"I'll go," exclaimed Miss Payne, gathering up her knitting and a book,
+and she vanished swiftly in spite of rheumatic difficulties.</p>
+
+<p>In another moment George Liddell stood before his dispossessed
+kinswoman, a tall, gaunt figure with grizzled hair and sunken eyes. He
+took the hand she offered in silence, and then exclaimed, abruptly,</p>
+
+<p>"You knew I was coming?"</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, Rachel Trant told me. Will you not sit down?"</p>
+
+<p>He drew a chair beside her work-table, and looking at her for a minute
+exclaimed, in harsh tones which yet showed emotion,</p>
+
+<p>"You are a good woman!"</p>
+
+<p>"How have you found that out?" asked Katherine, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"I will answer by a long, cruel story!" he returned with a sigh; "a
+story I would tell to none but you." Again he paused, looking down as if
+collecting his thoughts, while the brown, bony, sinewy hand he laid on
+the table was tightly clenched. "You knew my father," he began, suddenly
+raising his dark suspicious eyes to her, "and therefore can understand
+what an exacting tyrant he could be to those who were in his power. As a
+mere child I feared him and shrank from him; my earliest recollection
+was of my mother's care in keeping me from him. He was not violent to
+her&mdash;I don't suppose he ever struck her, but he treated her with cold
+contempt, why, I never understood, except that she cost him money, and
+brought him none. I won't unman myself by describing what her life was,
+or how passionately I loved her; we clung to each other as desolate,
+persecuted creatures only do! He grudged us the food we ate, the
+clothes&mdash;rather the rags&mdash;we wore. One day playing in Regent's Park I
+fell into the canal, and was nearly drowned. A gentleman went in after
+me and saved me. He took me home, he gave me to my mother, he often met
+us after. He gave me treats and money,&mdash;I can't dwell on this time. He
+won my mother's love, chiefly through me. He was going away to the new
+world. He persuaded her to leave her wretched home, to take me,&mdash;we
+escaped. I shall never forget the joy of those few days! Then my father
+(as we might have known he would) put out his torturing hand and seized
+<i>me</i>. My mother had hoped that his miserly nature would have disposed
+him to let me go, if he could thereby escape the cost of my maintenance.
+But revenge was too sweet to be foregone. I was dragged away. He did not
+want <i>her</i> back. He hoped her lover would desert her after awhile, and
+so accomplish her punishment; but he was true! No, I can never forget my
+mother's agony when I was torn from her!" he rose and walked to the
+window, and returned. "The hideous picture had grown faint," he said,
+"but as I speak it grows clear and black! You can imagine my life after
+this! It was well calculated to turn a moody, passionate boy into a
+devil! I was nearly eleven when I lost my mother, and I never heard of
+her or from her after; yet I never doubted that she loved me and tried
+to communicate with me, but my father's infernal spite kept us apart. At
+sixteen I ran away. Your father was friendly to me and<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span> tried to
+persuade me against what he called rashness; but I always fancied he
+might have helped my mother, backed her up more, and I did not heed him.
+I went through a rough training, as you may suppose, and never saw my
+father's face again."</p>
+
+<p>"I can imagine that he could be terrible," murmured Katherine. "I was
+dreadfully afraid of him, but I did not know he had been so cruel."</p>
+
+<p>George Liddell did not seem to hear her, he was lost in thought.</p>
+
+<p>"You wonder, I daresay, why I tell you this long story," he resumed;
+"you will see what it leads up to presently."</p>
+
+<p>"I am greatly interested," returned Katherine.</p>
+
+<p>"You will be more so! From what I told Newton, you know enough of my
+career in Australia, but you do <i>not</i> know that I married a sweet,
+delicate woman, who, after the birth of our little Marie, fell into bad
+health. If I could have taken her away for a long voyage, it might have
+saved her, but I was in full swing making my pile, and could not tear
+myself away; that must have been about the time my father died. Had I
+known I was his heir, I should have sent my wife home. But fool that I
+was! I was too wrapped up making money (for the tide had just turned,
+and I was floating to fortune) to see that she was slipping from me. I
+never dreamed my father would die intestate. I always thought he would
+take care of his precious gold. It was well for me he destroyed his
+will."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine felt her cheeks glow; but she did not speak.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, I felt furious to think you had been enjoying my money when I did
+not even know that my father was dead; but I have changed."</p>
+
+<p>"Why?" asked Katherine, who could not imagine what was his motive for
+telling her his history.</p>
+
+<p>"You shall hear. You know I placed my little Marie at school. The
+school-mistress employed a dressmaker to whom the child took a fancy;
+she insisted on taking me to see her, and to choose some fal-lals." He
+stopped again, his mouth twitched, his fingers played with his
+watch-chain. "When the young woman came into the room," he resumed, "I
+thought I should have dropped. She was the living image of my poor
+mother, only younger. I could not speak for a minute. At last, when the
+child had kissed her and chatted a bit, I managed to ask if I might come
+back and speak to her alone, as she was so like a lady I once knew, that
+I wanted to put a few questions to her. She seemed a little disturbed;
+but told me I might come in the evening. I went. I asked her about her
+parentage; she knew very little, save that she had been born in South
+America. She offered, however, to show me her mother's picture, and,
+when she brought it, I not only saw it was <i>my</i> mother's likeness, but a
+picture I knew well. Her initials were on the case, R. L. Then I told
+her everything. I proved to her that I was her half-brother. How
+bitterly she cried when I described a little brooch with my hair in it,
+which Rachel still keeps. She has seen our mother kiss it and weep over
+it. My heart went out to her; she is second now only to my child. Then,
+Katherine, she told me her own sad story, and the part you played in it.
+How you saved her, and gave her hope and strength. Give me your hand!<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span>
+I'll never forget this service. It binds me more, a hundredfold more,
+than if you had done it for myself. But neither entreaties nor
+reproaches could induce her to tell me the name of the villain who&mdash;has
+she told you?" he interrupted himself to ask sternly.</p>
+
+<p>"She never named his name to me," cried Katherine. "It is cruel to ask
+her. And of what possible advantage would the knowledge be? Any inquiry,
+any disturbance, would only punish her."</p>
+
+<p>Liddell started up, and walked to and fro hastily. "That's true," he
+exclaimed; "but I wish I had my hand on his throat."</p>
+
+<p>"That is natural; but you must think of Rachel, she has suffered so
+much."</p>
+
+<p>"She has!" said George Liddell, throwing himself into his chair again.
+"But you don't know the sort of pain and sweetness it is to talk of my
+poor mother to her daughter! It makes a different and a better man of
+me. Rachel is a strong woman," he added, after a moment's thought; "she
+wishes our relationship to be kept secret. It is no credit to anyone,
+she says, and might be injurious to little Marie; we can be friends, and
+she need never want a few hundreds to help on her business. It seems
+that to please his people her father, on returning to England, only used
+his second name, which I never knew. It is a sorrowful tale for you to
+listen to&mdash;you are white and trembling, my girl," he added, with sudden
+familiarity,&mdash;"but I haven't done yet; you have laid me under
+obligations I can never repay. I could not offer a woman like you money;
+but I will pay you in kind. You have saved my dear sister, I will
+provide for the nephews that are dear to you. I have already seen Newton
+and my own solicitor, and laid my propositions before them. I don't
+pretend to munificence for them, besides, I shall not forget either you
+or them in my will, but they shall have means for a right good education
+and a good start in life. Now I want you to forgive my brutality when we
+first met, and, more, I want you to be my daughter's friend." He grasped
+her hand.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine's eyes had already brimmed over.</p>
+
+<p>"Forgive you!" she repeated. "I am quite ready to forgive. I was vexed,
+of course, that you should be unreasonably prejudiced against me; but I
+am deeply grateful for your generosity to the boys. If you knew the joy,
+the relief you have given me, it would, I am sure, gladden you. But let
+us try to make Rachel happy too. I wish&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"She is happiest in her own way. Work is the only cure for ills like
+hers," interrupted Liddell. "Time will do wonders, and her wish to keep
+our relationship secret is wise." There was a pause; then Liddell,
+looking steadily at Katherine, exclaimed, "You are a real true,
+good-hearted woman; the world would be a better place if there were a
+few more like you in it." He then passed on to his plans for the future;
+his projects for his daughter's education, opening his mind with a
+degree of confidence which amazed Katherine, considering that two days
+before he was an enemy.</p>
+
+<p>Presently he ceased to speak, and, after a moment's thought, stood up.</p>
+
+<p>"Now I have said my say, and I must go," he exclaimed. "I only came to
+explain myself to you, for the less of such a story com<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span>mitted to paper
+the better. I am due in town to-morrow morning; write to Rachel, and
+come and see her as soon as you can. I wish," he added, with a searching
+glance, "that I had a woman like you to regulate matters and take care
+of my little Marie; then I could keep her with me."</p>
+
+<p>"She is far better at school," returned Katherine, a little startled by
+this suggestive speech. "But will you not have some luncheon before you
+go?"</p>
+
+<p>"No, thank you. I had some before coming on here. I need very little
+food, and scarcely anything gives me pleasure; but I like you, my
+cousin, and I want your friendship for the child."</p>
+
+<p>"She shall have it, I promise."</p>
+
+<p>After a few more words, George Liddell bid her good-bye. She stood a few
+minutes in deep thought before going to tell her good news to Miss
+Payne, reflecting that she must not betray the real motive of his change
+towards herself; the less she said the better. While she thought, Miss
+Payne came in looking unusually eager.</p>
+
+<p>"Wouldn't he stay and have a bit to eat?" she exclaimed. "I saw him
+going out of the gate from my room."</p>
+
+<p>"No, he is in a hurry to get back to town. Ah! my dear Miss Payne, he
+came down to make his peace with me, and he is going to provide for the
+boys."</p>
+
+<p>"Why, what has happened to him? I can hardly believe my ears."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I could hardly believe mine. I suppose as he grew accustomed
+to feel that everything was in his hands, and that I had given him no
+trouble, he saw that he had been unnecessarily severe. Then his little
+girl took him to Rachel Trant's, and they evidently spoke of me;
+probably she gave a highly colored description of my goodness, and,
+being an impulsive man, he said he would come and see me, whereupon she
+wrote to warn me."</p>
+
+<p>"That's all possible; but somehow I feel there is more in it than I
+quite understand."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure I do not care to understand the wherefore, if only my cousin
+carries out his good intentions as regards Cis and Charlie."</p>
+
+<p>"Just so; that is the main point. If he does, what a burden will be
+lifted off your shoulders!"</p>
+
+<p>"And what a change in the boys' fortunes!" returned Katherine; adding,
+after a short pause, "I think I will go to town with you on Monday and
+pay them a visit, while you arrange your affairs with your tenant. Mrs.
+Needham will put me up for a night or two."</p>
+
+<p>In truth, Katherine longed to see and talk with Rachel, to discuss the
+curious turn in her changeful fortunes, and build up pleasant palaces in
+the airy realms of the future.</p>
+
+<p>The following day brought her a letter from De Burgh. It was dated from
+Paris, and told her of his intention to be absent from England for some
+time; he pleaded earnestly for pardon with a certain rough eloquence,
+and repeated the arguments he had previously urged, evidently thinking
+that his punishment was greatly disproportionate to his offence.</p>
+
+<p>Katherine was much moved by this epistle; she could not help being sorry
+for him, though she hoped not to meet him again. The<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span> association of
+ideas was too painful; she was ashamed too to remember how near she had
+come to marrying him, in a sort of despair of the future. She answered
+this letter at once, frankly and kindly, setting forth the unalterable
+nature of her decision, and begging him not to put her to unnecessary
+pain by trying to renew their acquaintance at any future time.</p>
+
+
+
+<hr style="width: 65%;" />
+<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XXXV" id="CHAPTER_XXXV"></a>CHAPTER XXXV.</h2>
+
+<h3>THE END.</h3>
+
+
+<p>The project of going to town, however, was not carried out. Miss Payne
+caught a severe cold, owing to the unusual circumstance of having
+forgotten her umbrella, and, in consequence, getting wet through by a
+sudden heavy shower.</p>
+
+<p>Instead, therefore, of speeding London-wards on Monday, Miss Payne spent
+the weary hours in bed with a racking headache and Katherine in close
+attendance.</p>
+
+<p>Next day, however, she was considerably better, and even talked of
+coming downstairs in the evening when the house was shut up. She
+insisted on sending her kind nurse out for air and exercise, as she was
+looking pallid and heavy-eyed; nor was Katherine reluctant to go, for
+she enjoyed being alone to meditate on the curious interweaving of
+fate's warp and woof which had made Rachel the means of reconciliation
+between George Liddell and herself. She ought now to take up her life
+again with courage and energy. The boys provided for, she had nothing to
+fear, while, if the future held out no brilliant prospect of personal
+happiness, much quiet content probably lay in the humble sufficiency
+which was now hers. The interest she would take in the careers of Cis
+and Charlie would renew her youth, and keep her in touch with active
+life, while, as the impression of her various troubles wore away under
+the swift-flowing stream of time, she would feel more and more the
+restful excellence of peace. It was not a bad outlook, yet Katherine
+felt sad as she contemplated it. Finding her self-commune less cheering
+than she anticipated, she turned her steps homeward, and entered the
+house through the window of the drawing-room which opened on a rustic
+veranda. Coming from strong sunlight into comparative darkness, she took
+off her hat, and pushed back her hair from her brow before she perceived
+that a gentleman had risen from the chair where he sat reading.</p>
+
+<p>"You see I have dared to take possession of the premises in your
+absence," he said.</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Errington?" cried Katherine, her heart suddenly bounding, and then
+beating so violently she could hardly speak. "How&mdash;where&mdash;did you come
+from?"</p>
+
+<p>"From London, to enjoy a brief breathing-space from pressure of
+work&mdash;welcome as it generally is! I am sorry to find that your friend
+Miss Payne is invalided, as she was not visible, I ventured to wait for
+you."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span></p>
+
+<p>"I am very glad to see you," returned Katherine, placing herself on the
+sofa as far from the window as she could, for she felt herself changing
+color in a provoking way.</p>
+
+<p>"I saw Mrs. Needham yesterday, who gave me your address and sundry
+messages, one to the effect that she hopes to pay you a visit next
+Saturday; the rest I do not remember accurately, for she was much
+excited and not very distinct."</p>
+
+<p>"We shall be delighted to see her, she is so bright and sympathetic.
+What was the immediate cause of her excitement?"</p>
+
+<p>"The marriage of Miss Bradley in about a fortnight."</p>
+
+<p>"Indeed!" cried Katherine, thinking this way of announcing it rather
+odd, but never doubting it was his own marriage also. "Then accept my
+warm congratulations; you have no well-wisher more sincere than myself."</p>
+
+<p>Errington looked up surprised.</p>
+
+<p>"Why do you congratulate me? I certainly was of some use in bringing it
+about, but sooner or later they would certainly have married."</p>
+
+<p>"They? who&mdash;whom is she going to marry?"</p>
+
+<p>"My old friend Major Urquhart. It is a very old attachment, but Mr.
+Bradley objected to his want of fortune; then, as Bradley's wealth
+increased, Urquhart felt reluctant to come forward again. Accident
+revealed the state of the case to me. I went to see Urquhart, who had
+just returned from India, and was in Edinburgh. I persuaded him to
+return with me, and once the lovers met, matters swiftly arranged
+themselves. Finally, Bradley gave his consent. Now the air is resonant
+with the coming chime of wedding bells."</p>
+
+<p>"I am greatly surprised," said Katherine, and it was some minutes before
+she could speak again. Her horizon seemed suddenly suffused with light;
+she felt dizzy with a strange delightful glow, and confused with a sense
+of shame at her own unreasoning, irrational joy. What difference could
+Errington's marriage or no marriage make to her?</p>
+
+<p>"I suppose," resumed Errington, after looking earnestly at her speaking
+face, "that the intimacy which arose between Mr. Bradley and myself in
+consequence of my connection with <i>The Cycle</i> suggested the rumor of my
+engagement with his daughter; but no such idea ever entered my head or
+Angela's. You know, I suppose, I am now <i>de facto</i> editor of <i>The
+Cycle</i>. It is a good appointment, and enables me to hope for
+possibilities, though I dare not say probabilities."</p>
+
+<p>"I am sure you will be an admirable editor," said Katherine, pulling
+herself together, and trying to speak lightly.</p>
+
+<p>"Why?" asked Errington, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"You are just, and&mdash;and careful, and must be a good judge of the
+subjects such a periodical treats of."</p>
+
+<p>"Thank you." He paused; then, looking down, he continued, "Mrs. Needham
+tells me you have been troubled about your nephews."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, I was very much troubled, but I think they are safe and well now;
+later I should put them to a better school, as I now hope to do."<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span> She
+stopped to think how she should best explain George Liddell's unexpected
+generosity, and Errington exclaimed.</p>
+
+<p>"These boys are a heavy charge to you! yet I suppose you could not bring
+yourself to give them up?"</p>
+
+<p>"How could I? their mother can really do nothing for them, and it would
+be cruel to hand them over to Colonel Ormonde's charity."</p>
+
+<p>"It would! you are right," said Errington, hastily. "Poor little
+fellows! to lose you would be too terrible a trial for them."</p>
+
+<p>Katherine raised her eyes to his; they were moist with gratitude for his
+sympathy, and seemed to draw him magnetically to her. He changed his
+place to the sofa; leaning one arm on the back, he rested his head on
+his hand, and looked gravely down upon her.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you forgive me if I ask an intrusive question? You know we agreed
+to be friends, yet our friendship does not seem to thrive, it is dying
+of starvation because we so rarely meet; still, for the sake of our
+shadowy friendship, answer me: may I put the natural construction on De
+Burgh's sudden departure from England?"</p>
+
+<p>Katherine hesitated; she did not like to say in so many words that she
+had refused him, a curious, half-remorseful feeling made her especially
+considerate towards him.</p>
+
+<p>"I do not like to speak of Lord de Burgh," she said at length.</p>
+
+<p>"When does he return?</p>
+
+<p>"I do not know. I know nothing of his plans."</p>
+
+<p>"Then you sent him empty away?" said Errington, smiling.</p>
+
+<p>"I very nearly married him!" she exclaimed, frankly. "He was kind and
+generous, and would have been good to the boys; but at last I could not.
+Oh! I could <i>not</i>!"</p>
+
+<p>"I am sorry for De Burgh," said Errington, thoughtfully, "but you were
+right; your wisdom is more of the heart than the head. Do you remember
+that day (how vividly I remember it!) when you came to me and told me
+your strange story? It was the turning-point of my life. When I
+confessed I knew nothing of the deep, warm, tender affection that
+actuated <i>you</i>, you said that for me wisdom was from one entrance quite
+shut out."</p>
+
+<p>"I can remember nothing clearly of that dreadful day, only that you were
+very forgiving and good," returned Katherine, pressing her hands
+together to still their trembling.</p>
+
+<p>"Well, from the moment you spoke those words, the light of the wisdom
+you meant dawned upon me, and grew stronger and brighter, till my whole
+being was flooded with the love you inspired. You opened a new world to
+me; your voice was always in my ears, your eyes looking into mine." He
+spoke in a low, earnest, but composed tone, as if he had made up his
+mind to the fullest utterance. Katherine covered her face with her hands
+with the unconscious instinct to hide the emotion she felt it would
+express. "Many things kept me silent. Fear that the sight of me was
+painful to you; the dread of seeming to seek your fortune; my own
+uncertain position. Then, when all was taken from you, and I was by my
+own act deprived of the power to help you, you were so brave and patient
+that profound esteem mingled with the strange, sweet, wild fire you had
+kindled! Am I so painfully associated in your mind that you cannot give
+me something of the wealth of love stored in your heart?<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span> You have
+taught me what love is, will you not reward so apt a pupil?"</p>
+
+<p>"Mr. Errington," said Katherine, letting him take her cold trembling
+hand, "is it possible you can love and trust a woman who has acted a lie
+for years as I have?"</p>
+
+<p>"I cannot help both loving and trusting you, utterly," he returned,
+holding her hand tenderly in both his own. "I believe in your truth as I
+believe in the reality of the sun's light, and if you can love me I
+believe I can make you happy. I have but a humble lot to offer you, yet
+I think it is&mdash;it will be a tranquil and secure one. I can help you in
+bringing up those boys, I will never quarrel with you for clinging to
+them, and will do the best I can for them! You know <i>I</i> have a
+creditor's claim; Roman law gave the debtor over into the hands of the
+creditor," continued Errington, growing bolder as he felt how her hand
+trembled in his grasp; "you must pay me by the surrender of yourself, by
+accepting a life for a life. Katherine&mdash;&mdash;"</p>
+
+<p>"Ah! how can I answer you? If indeed you can trust and respect me, I can
+and will love you well," she exclaimed, with the sweet frankness which
+always enchanted him.</p>
+
+<p>"Will you love me with the whole unstinted love of your rich nature? I
+cannot spare a grain," said Errington, jealously.</p>
+
+<p>"But I do love you," murmured Katherine; "I am almost frightened at
+loving you so much."</p>
+
+<p>Could it be cold, composed, immovable Errington who strained her so
+closely to his heart, whose lips clung so passionately to hers?</p>
+
+<p>"I have a great deal to tell you," began Katherine, when she had
+extricated herself and recovered some composure. "But I must go and see
+poor Miss Payne; she will wonder what has become of me."</p>
+
+<p>"Tell her you are obliged to talk to me of business, and come back soon.
+I have much to consult you about, and I can only remain till to-morrow
+evening&mdash;do not stay away."</p>
+
+<p>And Katherine returned very soon.</p>
+
+<p>"Miss Payne is dreadfully puzzled," she said, smiling and blushing,
+quivering in every vein with the strange, almost awful happiness which
+overwhelmed her.</p>
+
+<p>"Now, what have you to tell me?" asked Errington, and she gave him a
+full description of George Liddell's visit and proposal to provide for
+Cis and Charlie.</p>
+
+<p>Errington was too happy to heed the details much, he only remarked that
+he was glad Liddell had come to his right mind.</p>
+
+<p>"I want you to tell Miss Payne as soon as possible our new plans; she is
+coming downstairs this evening, you say? Let me break the news to her. I
+think she will give us her blessing; and, Katherine, my sweet Katherine,
+there is no reason to delay our marriage. You have no fixed home; the
+sooner you make one for yourself and me the better. The idea is
+intoxicating. Our poverty sets us free from the trammels of
+conventionality; we have nothing to wait for."</p>
+
+<hr style="width: 45%;" />
+
+<p>So they were married.</p>
+
+<p>Here ought to come "Finis!" yet real life had only begun for them. Were
+they happy? Yes. For under the wild sweetness of warmest<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span> passionate
+love lay the lasting rock of comprehension and genial companionship.
+Fuller knowledge brought deeper esteem, and the only secret Katherine
+ever kept from her husband was the true history of Rachel Trant.</p>
+
+<p>A severe attack of fever, brought on by overstudy, immediately after
+Katherine's marriage, prevented Bertie Payne from carrying out his
+missionary scheme. He was reluctantly obliged to put up with the
+East-End heathen, "who," as Miss Payne observed, "were bad enough to
+satisfy the largest appetite for sinners."</p>
+
+<p>There his faithful sister established herself to make a home for him,
+renouncing her comfortable West-End abode, and finding ample interest in
+the pursuits she affected to treat as fads.</p>
+
+<p>"Altogether everything has turned out in the most extraordinary and
+unexpected manner," as Mrs. Ormonde observed to Mrs. Needham, whom she
+encountered at one of Lady Mary Vincent's receptions. "Katherine seems
+quite proud to settle down in a suburban villa away in St. John's Wood
+as Mrs. Errington, while she might have made a figure at court as Lady
+de Burgh. By the way, I see your friend, Mrs. Urquhart, was presented at
+the last drawing-room."</p>
+
+<p>"Yes, and was one of the handsomest women there.&mdash;But I don't suppose
+Mrs. Errington ever gives a thought to drawing-room or Buckingham Palace
+balls.&mdash;You see she is in a way always at court, for her king is always
+beside her," returned Mrs. Needham, with a becoming smile. "Good-night,
+Mrs. Ormonde."</p>
+
+<h4>THE END</h4>
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+<pre>
+
+
+
+
+
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+</body>
+</html>
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+The Project Gutenberg EBook of A Crooked Path, by Mrs. Alexander
+
+This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with
+almost no restrictions whatsoever.  You may copy it, give it away or
+re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included
+with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org
+
+
+Title: A Crooked Path
+       A Novel
+
+Author: Mrs. Alexander
+
+Release Date: May 18, 2006 [EBook #18418]
+
+Language: English
+
+Character set encoding: ASCII
+
+*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A CROOKED PATH ***
+
+
+
+
+Produced by Barbara Tozier, Bill Tozier, Janet Blenkinship
+and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at
+http://www.pgdp.net
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+
+A CROOKED PATH
+
+_A NOVEL_
+
+BY MRS. ALEXANDER,
+
+_Author of "The Wooing O't," "A Life Interest," Etc._
+
+
+
+
+NEW YORK THE F. M. LUPTON PUBLISHING COMPANY,
+NOS. 72-76 WALKER STREET.
+
+
+
+
+A CROOKED PATH.
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+"GATHERING CLOUDS."
+
+
+The London season had not yet reached its height, some years ago, before
+the arch admitting to Constitution Hill had been swept back to make room
+for the huge, ever-increasing stream of traffic, or the plebeian 'bus
+had been permitted to penetrate the precincts of Hamilton Place. It was
+the forenoon of a splendid day, one of the earliest of June, and at that
+hour the roadway between the entrance to Hyde Park and the gate then
+surmounted by the statue of the Duke of Wellington on his drooping steed
+was comparatively free, when two gentlemen coming from opposite
+directions recognized each other, and paused at the gate of Apsley
+House--the elder, a stout, florid man of military aspect, middle age,
+and average height, with large gray mustache and small, slightly
+bloodshot eyes; the younger, who was tall and bony, might have been
+thirty, or even forty, so grave and sedate was his bearing, although his
+erect carriage, elastic step, and clear keen dark eyes suggested earlier
+manhood.
+
+Both had the indescribable well-groomed, freshly bathed look peculiar to
+Englishmen of the "upper ten."
+
+"Ha! Errington! I didn't know you were in town. I thought you were
+cruising somewhere with Melford, or rusticating at Garston Hall. I think
+your father expected you about this time."
+
+"I don't think so. I was summoned by telegraph from Paris. My father was
+seized with a paralysis last week. He had just come up to town, and for
+a few days was dangerously ill, but is now slowly recovering."
+
+"Very sorry to hear of it. A man of his stamp would have been of immense
+value to the country. He had begun to take a very leading part in local
+matters. I trust he will come round."
+
+"I fear he will never be the same again. I doubt if he will be able to
+direct his own affairs as he used."
+
+"That's bad! You are not in the business, I believe?"
+
+"No; I never took any part in it. I almost regret I did not. It would, I
+imagine, be a relief to my father, now that his mind is less clear, to
+know that I was at the helm. But we have a capital man as manager, quite
+devoted to the house. I shall get my father down to the country as soon
+as I can, and I trust he'll come round."
+
+"No doubt he will. He was wonderfully hale and strong for his years."
+
+"Ay! how d'ye do, Bertie?" interrupted the first speaker, holding out
+his hand to a young man who came up from Hyde Park and seemed about to
+pass with a smile and a nod. "Who would have thought of meeting you in
+these godless regions? I hear you are busy 'slumming' from morning till
+night."
+
+"Well, Colonel," returned Bertie--a slight, fair, boyish-looking man--"I
+am so far false to my new vocation as to have lost some irrevocable
+moments looking at the horses and horsewomen in the Row."
+
+"Aha! the old leaven, my dear boy! You are on the brink of
+perdition.--Don't you know Bertie Payne?" he continued, to his newly met
+friend. "He was one of my subs before he renounced the devil and all his
+works. He was with us at Barrackbore when you were in India."
+
+"I do not think we have met," the other was beginning, when a young
+lady--toward whom the Colonel had already cast some sharp, admiring
+glances as she stood on the curbstone holding a hand of the smaller of
+two little boys in smart sailor suits--uttered a cry of dismay. The
+elder child had rushed into the road, as if to stop a passing omnibus,
+not seeing that a hansom was coming up at speed.
+
+The young man called Bertie dashed forward, and barely succeeded in
+snatching the child from under the wheel. A scramble of horses' feet, an
+imprecation or two shouted by the irritated driver, a noisy declaration
+from the "fare" that he should lose his train, and the scuffle was over.
+
+The little man, held firmly by the shoulder, was marched back to his
+young guardian.
+
+"Thank you!--oh, thank you a thousand times! You have saved his life!"
+she exclaimed, fervently, in unsteady tones. Then to the child: "How
+could you break your promise to stay by me, Cecil? You would have been
+killed but for this gentleman!"
+
+"I wanted to catch the 'omlibus' for you, auntie!" he cried, with an
+irrepressible sob, though he gallantly tried to hold back his tears.
+
+"Hope the little fellow is none the worse of his fright," said the
+Colonel, advancing and raising his hat. "Can I be of any use?--can I
+call a cab?"
+
+"No, thank you; I will take an omnibus and get home as soon as I can.
+Cecil will soon forget his fright, I fear--"
+
+"Sooner than you will," remarked Bertie. "There is a Royal Oak omnibus.
+Will that do?"
+
+"Yes, thank you."
+
+"Come along, then, my young man; I will not let you go."
+
+Bertie put the trio into the vehicle, and the lookers-on saw that he
+shook hands with "auntie" as the conductor jumped on his perch and they
+rolled on.
+
+"Gad! there's a chance for you!" cried the Colonel as Bertie joined him.
+"An uncommon fine girl, by George! What a coloring! and a splendid pair
+of black eyes!"
+
+"I suspect extreme fright did a good deal for both, poor girl. Her eyes
+are brown, not black."
+
+"Brown! Nonsense! Didn't _you_ think they were black?"
+
+"I did not observe them," returned the grave personage he addressed,
+indifferently. "The boy had a narrow escape. I must say good morning,"
+he added.
+
+"Stop a bit," cried the Colonel. "I must see you again before you leave
+town. Dine with me to-morrow at the Junior. And, Bertie--"
+
+"Thanks, no, I am engaged." He said good-by and walked on.
+
+"Queer fellow that," said the Colonel, looking after him. "He got into
+some money troubles in India, left the army, and got converted. Now he
+is not exactly a Salvation soldier, but something of the kind. He'll be
+at you one of the days for a subscription to convert the crossing
+sweepers or some such undertaking. But you'll dine with me to-morrow.
+I'll tell you all the Clayshire gossip."
+
+"Thank you, I shall be very happy."
+
+"Then good-by for the present, I am engaged to lunch to meet one of the
+prettiest little widows you ever saw in your life, but she has no cash.
+Here, hansom," calling to the driver of a cab which was passing slowly.
+"I am a little late." He jumped in and drove off.
+
+His friend, with a slight grave smile, continued his walk to the
+Alexandria Hotel, the portals of which received him.
+
+
+Meantime the hero of the cab incident sat very demurely by his young
+aunt, as the omnibus rolled slowly up Park Lane, occasionally stealing
+inquisitive glances at her face.
+
+"You have been a _very_ naughty boy, Cecil!" she exclaimed as her eyes
+met his. "How could I have gone home to mamma if I had been obliged to
+leave you behind?"
+
+"But you needn't, you know; you could have tied me up in a bundle and
+taken me back. Mamma would have known it wasn't your fault."
+
+"I am not so sure of that, and you have made poor Charlie cry,"--drawing
+the younger boy to her side.
+
+"Charlie is just a baby," contemptuously.
+
+"He is a better boy than you are." Silence.
+
+"Auntie, do you think the gentleman who pulled me back was the old
+gentleman's son?"
+
+"No, I do not think he was."
+
+"Why don't you, auntie?"
+
+"I can hardly say why."
+
+"I have seen that gentleman--the old gentleman--in Kensington Gardens,"
+said little Charlie, nestling up to his aunt. "He spoke to mammy the day
+she took me to feed the ducks."
+
+"I think that is only a fancy, dear."
+
+"No; I am quite sure."
+
+"Oh, you are always fancying things; you are a silly," cried Cecil, now
+quite recovered, and turning to kneel upon the seat that he might look
+out, thereby rubbing his feet on the very best "afternoon" dress of a
+severely respectable female, whose rubicund face expressed "drat the
+boy!" as strongly as a face could.
+
+The rest of the journey was accomplished after the usual style of such
+travels when the aunt and nephews went out together. Cecil was
+constantly rebuked and made to sit down, and as constantly resumed his
+favorite position; so that he ultimately reached home with beautifully
+clean shoes, having wiped "the dust off his feet" effectually on the
+garments of his fellow-passengers, while his little brother nestled to
+his auntie's side and gazed observantly on his fellow-travellers,
+arriving at curious conclusions respecting them, to be afterward set
+forth to the amusement of his hearers.
+
+Leaving the omnibus at the Royal Oak, the trio diverged to one of the
+streets between that well-known establishment and the Bayswater Road--a
+street which had still a few trees and small semi-detached villas, with
+front gardens left at one end, the relics of a past when Penrhyn Place
+was "quite the country"; while at the other, bricks, mortar,
+scaffolding, and a deeply rutted roadway indicated the commencement of
+mansions which would soon swallow up their humbler predecessors.
+
+At one of these villas, the garden of which was tolerably neat, the
+little boys and their aunt stopped, and were admitted by a smart but not
+over-clean girl, who welcomed the children with a cheerful, "Well,
+Master Cecil, you are just in nice time for dinner! Come, get your
+things off; your gran'ma has a treat for you."
+
+"Has she? Oh, what is it? Do tell, Lottie!"
+
+"Don't mind, dear, if you are tired; your morning-gown will do very
+well, as we are alone."
+
+"No, no; I must honor Cecil's birthday with my best dress. These trifles
+are important."
+
+"I suppose so," returned her daughter, looking after her gravely, as she
+left the room.
+
+Mrs. Liddell was tall, and the lines of her figure considerably
+enlarged. Yet she had not quite lost the grace for which she was once
+remarkable. Her light brown hair had a pale look from the increasing
+admixture of gray, and her blue eyes seemed faded by much use. It was a
+kind, thoughtful, worn face from which they looked, yet it could still
+smile brightly.
+
+"She looks very, very tired," thought her daughter. "I must make her lie
+down if I can; it is so hard to make her rest!" She too looked uneasily
+at the mass of writing on the table, and then went away to remove her
+out-door attire.
+
+The birthday dinner gave great satisfaction. It was crowned by a
+plum-pudding, terrible as such a compound must always be in June; but it
+was a favorite "goody" with the young hero of the day. Grandmamma made
+herself as agreeable as though she was one of a party of wits, and drank
+her grandson's health in a bottle of choice gooseberry, proposing it in
+a "neat and appropriate" speech, which gave rise to much uproarious
+mirth and delight. At last the feast was over; the children retired to
+amuse themselves with a horse and a wheelbarrow--some of the birthday
+gifts--in the back garden (a wilderness resigned to their ravages), and
+Mrs. Liddell and her daughter were left alone.
+
+"Now, mother, _do_ come and lie down on the sofa in the drawing-room. I
+see you are out of sorts. You hardly tasted food, and you are dreadfully
+tired; come and rest. I will read you to sleep."
+
+"No, Kate; there can be no rest for me, my darling," returned her
+mother, rising, and beginning to put the plates and glasses together
+with a nervous movement. "I _am_ out of sorts, for I have had a great
+disappointment. _The Family Friend_ has refused my three-volume novel,
+and I really have not the heart to try it anywhere else after such
+repeated rejections. At the same time Skinner & Palm write to say they
+cannot use my short story, 'On the Rack,' for five or six months, as
+they have such a quantity of already accepted manuscripts."
+
+"How provoking!" cried Katherine. "But come away; the drawing-room is
+cooler; let us go there and talk things over."
+
+Mrs. Liddell accepted the suggestion, and sank into an arm-chair, while
+her daughter let down the blinds, and then placed herself on a low
+ottoman opposite her.
+
+There was a short silence; then Mrs. Liddell sighed and began: "I
+counted so much on that short story for ready money! Skinner always pays
+directly he has published. Now I do not know what to do. If I take it
+back I may fail to dispose of it, yet I cannot wait. But the novel--that
+is the worst disappointment of all. I suppose it was foolish, but I felt
+_sure_ about that."
+
+"Of course you did," cried Katherine, eagerly. "It is an excellent
+story."
+
+"It is not worse than many Santley brings out," resumed Mrs. Liddell;
+"but one is no judge of one's own work. It was with reluctance I offered
+it to _The Family Friend_, and you see--" her voice faltered, and she
+stopped abruptly.
+
+Katherine knew the tears were in her eyes and swelling her heart. She
+restrained the impulse to throw her arms round her; she feared to
+agitate her mother; rather she would help her self-control.
+
+"Well, dear, I am no great judge, but I am quite sure that such a story
+as yours must succeed sooner or later. So we will be patient."
+
+"Ah! but, Katie, the landlord and the butcher will not wait, and, my
+child, I have only about five pounds. I made too sure of success for I
+did so well last year. Then Madame de Corset will soon be sending in her
+bill for that famous dress of Ada's, and she will want the money she
+lent me."
+
+"Then Madame de Corset must wait," said Katherine, firmly. "Ada is
+really your debtor. Where could she live at so small a cost as with you?
+Where could she be so free to run about without a thought for the
+children? What has become of her? Couldn't she stay with Cecil on his
+birthday?"
+
+"She is gone to luncheon with the Burnetts. It is as well to keep up
+with them; their influence might be useful to the boys hereafter; but I
+do wish I could pay her."
+
+"I wish you could, for it would make you happier; but she really owes
+you ten pounds and more."
+
+"What shall I do about that novel? If I could get two hundred--even one
+hundred--pounds for it, I should do well. I began to hope I might make
+both ends meet with my pen. Oh, Katie dear, I am ashamed of myself, but
+for the first time in my life I feel beaten. I feel as if I could not
+come up to time again. It has been such a long, weary battle!" She
+pressed her handkerchief to her eyes.
+
+"I wish _I_ could give you rest, darling mother!" said Katherine, taking
+her hand and fondling it. "I fear I have been too useless--too
+thoughtless."
+
+"You have done all you could, my child; one cannot expect much from
+nineteen. But I wish--I wish I could think of any means of deliverance
+from my present difficulty. A small sum would suffice. Where to find it
+is the question. I counted too much on those unlucky manuscripts, and
+now I do not know where to turn; I see a vista of debt." A sudden fit of
+coughing interrupted her.
+
+"You have taken cold, mother," cried Katherine. "I heard you coughing
+this morning. I was sure you would suffer for sitting near the open
+window in the study last night."
+
+"It was so hot!" murmured Mrs. Liddell, lying back exhausted.
+
+"Yes, but it was also frightfully damp. Tell me, mother, is there
+anything we can sell?--anything--"
+
+Mrs. Liddell interrupted her. "Nothing, dear. The few jewels I had
+preserved went when I was trying to furnish this house. I fancied we
+should do well in a house of our own, and I was so anxious to make a
+home for my poor boy's widow!"
+
+"When do you expect any more money?"
+
+"Not for nearly two months, and then another quarter's rent will be
+due."
+
+"Mother," said Katherine, after a moment's silence, "would not my
+father's brother, of whom I heard you speak, help you? It is dreadful to
+ask, but he is so near a kinsman, and childless."
+
+"It is useless to think of it. He and your father quarrelled about
+money, and he is implacable. His only child, a son, opposed him, and he
+drove him away. Poor fellow! he was killed in Australia."
+
+"Why have hard-hearted wretches heaps of money, while kind, generous
+souls like you never have a farthing?"
+
+"That is a mystery of long standing," said Mrs. Liddell, with a faint
+smile. "Katie, I cannot think or talk any more. I will go and lie down
+in my own room. There neither Ada nor the children can disturb me. Oh,
+my darling, how can I ever die in peace if I leave _you_ to do battle
+with the bitter, bitter world unprovided for?" Her voice quivered, and
+the hand she laid on her daughter's trembled.
+
+"Do not fear for me, mother. I am tougher and more selfish than you are.
+It is time I worked for you. How feverish you are! Come up to your own
+room. You will see things differently when you have had a little sleep.
+If the worst comes, _I_ will tell Ada that we must give up the house and
+go back to lodgings. We never had difficulties before we came here."
+
+"No, for we never had debts. Now I have, and I have this house for
+nearly three years longer. It is not so easy to shake off engagements as
+you would a cloak that had grown too heavy."
+
+So saying, Mrs. Liddell rose and ascended to the room she shared with
+her daughter, whom she allowed to take off her dress and put on her
+wrapper, to arrange her pillows, to bathe her brow in eau-de-cologne and
+water, and soothe her with those loving touches, those tender cares,
+that the heart alone can prompt, till in spite of the cloud and thick
+darkness that hid her future, Mrs. Liddell was calmed by the delicious
+sense of her daughter's love and sympathy.
+
+"I will make a list of editors," said Katherine--"I mean those whom you
+have not tried--and go round to them myself. Perhaps I may bring you
+luck."
+
+"Yes; your young life is more likely to have fortune on its side: the
+fickle jade has forsaken me."
+
+Katherine made no reply beyond a gentle kiss. She sat silently by her
+mother's side, till feeling the hand that held hers relax its hold, she
+slowly and softly withdrew her own, comforted to perceive that balmy
+sleep had stolen upon the weary woman.
+
+Still she sat there thinking with all the force of her young brain,
+partly remembering, partly anticipating.
+
+Of her father she had scarce any knowledge. She was but four years old
+when he died, and her only brother was nearly fourteen. The eldest and
+youngest of Mrs. Liddell's children were the survivors of several.
+
+Katherine's memory of her childish days presented the dim picture of a
+quaint foreign town; of blue skies, bright sunshine, and abundant
+vegetation; of large rooms and a smiling black-eyed attendant in a
+peculiar head-dress; of some one lying back in a large chair, near whom
+she must never make a noise. Then came a change; mother always in black,
+with a white cap, and often weeping, and of colder winters, snow and
+skating--a happy time, for she was always with mother both in lesson and
+play time, whilst Fred used to go away early to school. Next, clear and
+distinct, was the recollection of her first visit to London, and from
+this time she was the companion and confidante of her mother. They were
+poor--at least every outlay had to be carefully considered--but Katie
+never knew the want of money. Then came the excitement and preparation
+attending Fred's departure for India, the mixture of sorrow and
+satisfaction with which her mother parted from him, of how bitterly she
+had cried herself; for though somewhat tyrannical, Fred had been always
+kind and generous.
+
+How well she remembered the day he had left them never to return--how
+her mother had clasped her to her heart and exclaimed: "You must be all
+in all to me now, Katie. I have done but little for you yet, dear, Fred
+needed so much."
+
+A spell of happy, busy life in Germany followed, enlivened by long
+letters from the young Indian officer, whose career seemed full of
+promise. But when Katherine was a little more than thirteen sorrow fell
+upon them. Fred's letters had become irregular; then came a confession
+of weakness and debt, crowned by the supreme folly of marriage,
+concluding with a prayer for help.
+
+Mrs. Liddell was cruelly disappointed. She had hoped and expected much
+from her boy. She believed he was doing so well! She told all to Katie,
+who heartily agreed with her that Fred must be helped. Some of their
+slender capital was sold out and sent to him, while mother and daughter
+cheerfully accepted the loss of many trifling indulgences, drawing the
+narrow limits of their expenditure closer still, content and free from
+debt, though as time went on Katherine cast many a longing glance at the
+world of social enjoyment in which their poverty forbade her to triumph.
+
+Mrs. Liddell had always loved literature, and her husband had been an
+accomplished though a reckless and self-indulgent man. She had wandered
+a good deal with him, and had seen a great variety of people and places.
+It occurred to her to try her pen as a means of adding to her income,
+and after some failures she succeeded with one or two of the smaller
+weekly periodicals. This induced her to return to London, hoping to do
+better in that great centre of work. Here the tidings of her son's death
+overwhelmed her. Next came an imploring letter from the young widow, who
+had no near relatives, praying to be allowed to live with her and
+Katherine--sharing expenses--as the pension to which an officer's widow
+and orphans were entitled insured her a small provision.
+
+So Mrs. Liddell again roused herself, and managed to furnish very
+scantily the little home where Katherine sat thinking. But the addition
+to their income was but meagre compared to the expenses which followed
+in the train of Mrs Frederic Liddell and her two "little Indian boys."
+
+All the efforts of the practical mother and daughter did not suffice to
+keep within the limits they dreaded to overpass. Mrs. Liddell's pen
+became more than ever essential to the maintenance of the household,
+while the younger widow considered herself a martyr to the most sordid,
+the most unnecessary stinginess.
+
+A tapping at the door and suppressed childish laughter called Katherine
+from her thoughts. She rose and opened the door quickly and softly.
+
+"Hush, Cecil! be quiet, Charlie! poor grannie is asleep. Come with me
+downstairs; I will read to you if you like."
+
+"Oh yes, do," said Charlie.
+
+"I don't care for reading," cried Cecil. "Can't you play bears?"
+
+"It makes too much noise. I will play it to-morrow if grandmamma is
+better. Shall I tell you a story?"
+
+"No," said Cecil; "_I_ will tell _you_ one."
+
+"Very well. I shall be delighted to hear it."
+
+"I would rather have you read, auntie," said the little one.
+
+"Never mind, Charlie; I will read to you after."
+
+"Shall we sit in the garden? We have made it quite clean and tidy."
+
+"No, dear; grannie would hear us there. Come into the dining-room."
+
+Established there, the boys one on each side of her, Katherine listened
+to the young story-teller, who began fluently: "There was once two
+little boys called Jimmie and Frank. Frank was the biggest; he was very
+strong and very courageous; and he learned his lessons very well when he
+liked, but he did not always like. The two little boys had an aunt; she
+was nice and pleasant sometimes, but more times she was cross and
+disagreeable, and she spoiled Jimmie a great deal. One day they went out
+to walk a long way, and saw lots of people riding, and Jimmmie grew
+tired, and so did Frank, but Frank would not complain, and their aunt
+was so unkind that she would not call a hansom; so when they came to a
+great street Frank thought he would catch an omnibus, and he ran out
+quick--quick. He would have caught it, but his aunt was so silly and
+such a coward that she sent a man after him, who nearly dragged him
+under the feet of a horse that was coming up, and they would both have
+been killed if Frank had not called out to the cabman to stop."
+
+"Oh, Cecil, that is you and I. _What_ a story! Auntie is not unkind, and
+you did not call out," cried Charlie.
+
+Katherine could not help laughing at the little monkey's version of the
+incident.
+
+"Cecil, Cecil, you must learn to tell the truth--" she was beginning,
+when the door was opened, and a small, slight lady in black silk, with a
+profusion of delicate gray ribbons, jet trimming, and foamy white tulle
+ruching, stood in the doorway. She was very fair, with light eyes, a
+soft pink color, and pale golden brown hair--altogether daintily pretty.
+
+"Oh, mammy! mammy! where have you been all my birthday?" cried the elder
+boy, rushing to her.
+
+"My own precious darling, do not put your dear dirty little paws on my
+dress!" she exclaimed, in alarm. "I was _obliged_ to go, my boy; but I
+have brought you a bag of sweets; it is in the hall. Dear me! how stuffy
+this room is! Mrs. Burnett's house is _so_ cool and fresh! It looks into
+a charming garden at the back; and oh, how delightful it must be to be
+rich!" She had advanced into the room as she spoke, and began to untie
+and smooth out her bonnet strings.
+
+"It must indeed," returned Katherine, with a deep sigh.
+
+"I will go and put on an old dress; this one is too pretty to spoil, and
+the house is _so_ dusty. Do you think it becoming, Katherine?"
+
+"Yes, very"--with an indulgent smile. "You ought always to wear
+half-mourning; it suits you admirably."
+
+"I think it does; but I must put it off some day, you know. Cecil dear,
+go and ask cook to make me a cup of tea. I will have it up in my room.
+Charlie, don't cuddle up against your aunt in that way; it makes her too
+hot, and you will grow crooked." Charlie jumped down from his chair and
+held up his face.
+
+"There, dear," giving a hasty kiss. "Don't worry."
+
+"Mammy," said Cecil, with much solemnity, "I was nearly killed to-day."
+
+"Nonsense, dear! This is one of your wonderful inventions. What does he
+mean, Katherine?"
+
+"He might have been. He darted from me at Hyde Park Corner, intending to
+catch an omnibus, and would have been run over if a gentleman had not
+snatched him from under the horses' feet."
+
+"My precious boy!" laying her hand on his head, but keeping him at a
+distance. "How wrong of you, Katherine, to let his hand go!"
+
+"I did not let it go; I was not holding it," returned Katherine, dryly.
+
+"At Hyde Park Corner?" pursued Mrs. Frederic Liddell, eagerly. "Was the
+gentleman soldierly and stout, with gray mustaches?"
+
+"No. He was young and slight and clean-shaved."
+
+"That is curious; for Colonel Ormonde was saying at luncheon to-day that
+he had saved, or helped to save, such a pretty little boy from being run
+over. I don't exactly remember what he said. I was listening to Mrs. De
+Vere Hopkins, and Mrs. Burnett's boy was making a noise. Colonel Ormonde
+said he was just like a little fellow he had seen nearly run over that
+morning. I am sure Tom Burnett is not half as handsome as my Cecil."
+
+"I should not have been run over if auntie had left me alone."
+
+"Go and get mother's tea, and you, Charlie, fetch her some nice bread
+and butter," said Katherine, who, though six or seven years her
+sister-in-law's junior, looked at first sight older. "There _was_ an
+elderly gentleman such as you describe, talking with the young man who
+rescued Cecil, and he was very polite and interested in Cecil, who broke
+away from me, though he had promised to stay by my side."
+
+"Promised," repeated Mrs. Frederic, lightly, and carefully dusting her
+bonnet with her handkerchief. "What can you expect from a child's
+promise? But poor Cecil rarely does right in your eyes."
+
+"Nonsense, Ada!"
+
+"Not at all. I am very observant. But tell me, did Colonel Ormonde take
+much notice of Cecil?"
+
+"I do not know. I was too much frightened to see anything but the dear
+child himself."
+
+Mrs. Frederic did not reply for a moment; she seemed to be thinking
+deeply. "Where did you get those flowers--those you bought on Saturday
+for sixpence?"
+
+"Oh! at the little florist's on Queen's Road. It was late in the
+evening, you know, or they would not have been so cheap."
+
+"I should like some to-morrow to make the drawing-room look pretty, if
+possible, for Colonel Ormonde said he would call. He wishes to see some
+of my Otocammed photographs. Heigho! it is a miserable place to receive
+any one in."
+
+"Well, you see, it must do."
+
+"Really, Katherine, you are very unsympathetic. If you have a fault,
+dear, it is selfishness. You don't mind my saying so?"
+
+"Oh, not at all. I am thankful for the 'if.'"
+
+"Where is your mother?"
+
+"Lying down. She is tired, and has a horrid headache."
+
+"I'm sure I don't wonder at it, toiling from morning till night for
+those wretched papers. I was telling Mrs. Burnett to-day that my
+mother-in-law was an authoress, but when I mentioned that she wrote for
+_The Family Friend_ and _The Cheerful Visitor_, Lady Everton, who writes
+in _The Court Journal_ and various grand things of that kind, said they
+were quite low publications, and never got higher than the servants'
+hall."
+
+"You need not have gone into particulars, Ada. Whether my mother writes
+well or ill, the pressure on her is too great to allow of her picking or
+choosing; she must catch at the quickest market."
+
+"I'm sure it is a great pity. That is the reason I stay on here, and let
+you teach Cis and Charlie, though Colonel Ormonde says the sooner boys
+are out of a woman's hands the better."
+
+"If Colonel Ormonde is the old man I saw this morning, he looks more
+capable of judging a dinner than what is the best training for youth."
+
+"Old!" screamed the pretty widow. "He is not old; he is only mature. He
+is very well off, too. He has a place in the country. And as to
+mentioning those papers, I know nothing of such things. _The Nineteenth
+Century_, or _Bow Bells_, or _The Family Friend_, they are all the same
+to me. Only I am sure such a nice lady-like woman as Mrs. Liddell should
+not write for the servants' hall. She must have been so handsome, too!
+Fred, poor fellow, was her image. You will never be so good-looking,
+Kate."
+
+"No, I don't suppose I shall," returned Katherine, with much equanimity.
+
+"Are there any letters for me?" asked Mrs. Frederic, looking round as
+she lifted her bonnet from the table.
+
+"Here are two."
+
+"Ah! this is from Harry Vigors. I suppose he is coming home. And oh!
+this is Madame de Corset's bill"--putting down her bonnet and opening
+it. "Eleven pounds seventeen and ninepence-half-penny. Why, this is
+abominable! She promised it should not be much more than ten pounds.
+There is five per cent off for ready money. Oh, I'll pay it immediately.
+How much will that be altogether, Kate? Eleven shillings? Well, that is
+worth saving. It will buy me two pairs of gloves. Now I'll go and rest.
+Tell me when Mrs. Liddell is awake."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+BREAKING NEW GROUND.
+
+
+Katherine took care that her sister-in-law should not have an
+opportunity of private conversation with Mrs. Liddell, that evening at
+least.
+
+She rolled up and arranged the disordered manuscripts, putting the small
+study in order, and locking away the rejected tales. Then she proposed
+conducting the young widow to the florist's, as the evening grew cooler,
+and made herself agreeable by listening attentively to the little
+woman's description of the luncheon party, and her repetition of all the
+pretty things said to her by the various gentlemen present, especially
+by Colonel Ormonde.
+
+"Of course I do not mind their nonsense, but however my heart may cling
+to dear Fred's memory, I must think of my precious boys," was her
+conclusion. To which Katherine answered, "Of course," as she would have
+answered any proposition, however wild, provided only she could save her
+mother from worry, at least for that evening.
+
+Next day was showery and dull. True to her resolution, Katherine put her
+mother's lucubrations into their covers, and prepared to start on her
+projected round.
+
+"I am not sure I ought to let you go, Katie dear," said Mrs. Liddell,
+as her daughter came into the study in her out-door dress. "It is rather
+a wild goose chase. Why should you succeed for me when I have failed for
+myself? Besides, personal interviews are of no avail. No editor will
+take work that does not suit him, however interesting the applicant."
+
+"Nevertheless I will go. I shall bring a new element into the business,
+and I _may_ be lucky! Why have you plunged into these horrid accounts?"
+pointing to a pile of small books, and a sheaf of backs of letters
+scribbled over with calculations. "This is not the way to cheer
+yourself."
+
+"My love, it is a change of occupation, at least, to revert to the old
+yet ever new problem of life--how to extract thirty shillings from a
+sovereign. I am trying to see where we can possibly retrench. What is
+Ada doing?"
+
+"She is decking the drawing-room and herself for the reception of
+Colonel Ormonde, who is coming to afternoon tea."
+
+"What, already?"
+
+"She is quite excited, I assure you. Is it not soon to think of----"
+
+"Do not judge her harshly. She is a woman not made to live alone. In due
+time I shall be glad to see her happily married, for she _will_ marry."
+
+"Tell me, is that irreconcilable uncle of mine really still alive? How
+long is it since you heard anything of him?"
+
+"Oh, more than six or seven years. But I am sure he is alive. I should
+have heard of his death. I suppose he is still living on in Camden
+Town."
+
+"Not a very agreeable quarter," returned Katherine, carelessly.
+"Good-by, mother dear! Do not expect me to dinner. I can have something
+whenever I come in."
+
+Katherine walked briskly toward town, intending to save some of her
+omnibus fare, for she had planned a long and daring expedition--an
+undertaking which taxed all her courage. In truth, though she had never
+known the ease or luxury of wealth, she had been most tenderly brought
+up. Her mother had constantly shielded her from all the roughness of
+life, and the deed she contemplated seemed to her mind an almost
+desperate effort of independent action.
+
+Through one of the very few sleepless nights she had ever experienced
+she had thought out an idea which had flashed through her brain while
+Mrs. Liddell was explaining her difficulties, and which she had
+carefully kept to herself.
+
+She saw clearly enough the hopelessness of their position; probably with
+the intensity of youth she exaggerated it, which was scarcely necessary,
+as a small rut is apt to widen into a bottomless pit if it crosses the
+path of those who are living up to the utmost verge of a narrow income.
+As she reviewed the endless instances of her mother's self-abnegation
+which memory supplied--her cheerful industry, her brave struggle to live
+like a gentlewoman on a pittance, her tender thought for the welfare and
+happiness of her children--she felt she could walk through a burning
+fiery furnace if by so doing she could earn ease and repose for her
+mother's weary spirit.
+
+"She is looking ill and worn," thought Katherine, "and years older. She
+has never been the same since that attack of bronchitis last year. Ada
+and the boys are too much for her, though they are dear little fellows;
+but they are costly. If Ada would even give us twenty pounds a year more
+it would be a great help."
+
+The project Katherine had evolved through the night-watches was to visit
+her uncle and ask him, face to face, for help! It is, she argued, harder
+to say "no" than to write it; even if she failed she should know her
+fate at once, and not have to endure the agony of waiting for a letter.
+Nor, were she refused, need her mother ever know now she had humiliated
+herself in the dust.
+
+How her young heart sank within her at the thought of being harshly,
+contemptuously rejected! It was a positive painful physical sense of
+faintness that made her limbs tremble as she pressed on faster than she
+was aware. "But I _will_ do it--I will! If I succeed no humiliation will
+be too great," she said to herself. "I will speak with all my soul! When
+I begin, this horrible feeling that my tongue is dry and speechless will
+go away. I must find out where this awful old man is; what is his street
+and number. I dared not ask mother. First I will try the publisher; as
+the 'servants' hall' publications have rejected it, I shall offer
+_Darrell's Doom_ to a first-rate house. Why not try Channing & Wyndham?
+They cannot say worse than 'no,' and I shall no doubt see a Directory
+there." Thus communing with herself, she took an omnibus down Park Lane
+and walked thence to the well-known temple of the Muses in Piccadilly.
+
+Arrived there, a civil clerk took her card--which was her mother's--and
+soon returning, asked if she had an appointment. "No, I have not, but
+pray ask Mr. Channing or Mr. Wyndham to see me; I will not stay more
+than a few minutes." The young man smiled slightly; he was accustomed to
+such assurances. Almost as Katherine spoke, a stout "country gentleman"
+looking person came into the warehouse, slightly raising his hat as he
+passed her. A sudden inspiration prompted her to say, "Pray excuse me,
+but are you Mr. Wyndham?"
+
+"I am."
+
+"Then do let me speak to you for five minutes."
+
+"With pleasure," said the great publisher, graciously, and ushered her
+into a sort of literary loose box or small enclosure in the remote
+back-ground.
+
+"I have ventured to bring you a manuscript," began Katherine, smiling
+with all her might, with an abject desire to propitiate the arbiter of
+her mother's fate.
+
+"So I see," he returned, ruefully but politely.
+
+"It is a beautiful story, and I thought it ought to be published by a
+great house like yours," pursued Katherine.
+
+"Thank you," he said, with a twinkle in his eye. "Pray is it your own?"
+
+"Mine! Oh dear no! It is my mother's. She is not very strong, so _I_
+brought it."
+
+There was a slight faltering in her voice that suggested a good deal to
+her hearer. "Then you are not Mrs. W. Liddell," glancing at the card,
+"but Mrs. Liddell's daughter. Pray put down that heavy parcel. Three
+volumes, I suppose?"
+
+"Yes, three volumes, but they are not very long, and the story is most
+interesting."
+
+"No doubt. I hope it is not historical?"
+
+"Oh no! quite modern."
+
+"So much the better. Well, Miss Liddell, I will look at the manuscript,
+or rather our reader shall, and let you know the result in due course;
+but I must warn you that we are rather overdone with three-volume
+novels, and there are already a large number of manuscripts awaiting
+perusal, so you must not expect our verdict for some little time."
+
+"When you will, but oh! as soon as you can," she urged.
+
+"I will keep your address, and you shall hear at the earliest date we
+can manage. Good-morning. Very damp, uncomfortable day."
+
+Katherine felt herself dismissed, and almost forgot her ulterior
+intention. "Would you be so very good as to let me look at the
+Directory, if you have one?"
+
+"Certainly," said Wyndham, who was slipping the card under the string of
+poor Katherine's parcel. "Here, Tompkins, let this young lady see the
+Directory. Excuse me--I am a good deal pressed for time;" and with a bow
+he went off, the manuscript under his arm.
+
+"Well, it is really in his hands, at all events," thought Katherine,
+looking wistfully after it.
+
+A boy with inky hands here placed that thick volume, the Post-Office
+Directory, before her, and she proceeded to search confusedly among the
+endless pages of names, a little strengthened and cheered by her brief
+interview with the publisher. It seemed that she was in a lucky vein:
+trouble is always conducive to superstition. When visible hope fails,
+poor human hearts turn to the invisible and the improbable.
+
+At last she paused at "John Wilmot Liddell, 27 Legrave Crescent, Camden
+Town, N. W." That must be her uncle; they were all Wilmot Liddells. How
+to reach his abode was the question.
+
+The inky boy soon gave her the requisite information. "You take a
+Waterloo 'bus at Piccadilly Circus; it runs through to Camden Town; that
+is, to the beginning of Camden Town," he said. Katherine thanked him,
+and again set forth.
+
+It was a long, tedious drive. The omnibus was crammed with warm
+passengers and damp umbrellas, but Katherine was too racked with
+impatience and fear to heed small discomforts. Would her dreaded
+relative order her out of his sight at once? Was her interview with the
+publisher a good omen?
+
+At last she reached the end of her journey, and addressing herself to
+the tutelary policeman solemnly pacing past the Tavern where the omnibus
+paused, she asked to be directed to Legrave Crescent.
+
+It was an old-fashioned row of houses, before them a few sooty trees in
+a half-moon of grass, one side railed off from the street and dignified
+with gates at either end--gates which were always open.
+
+The place had a still, deserted air, but about the middle stood a cab,
+on which a rheumatic driver, assisted by a small boy, was placing a
+cumbrous box. As Katherine approached she found that the house before
+which it stood bore the number she sought, and on reaching it she found
+the door held open by a little smutty girl, the very lowest type of
+slavey, with unkempt hair, and a rough holland apron of the grimiest
+aspect. On the top step stood a stout woman, fairly well dressed in a
+large shawl and a straw bonnet largely decorated with crushed artificial
+flowers; a very red, angry face appeared beneath it, with watery eyes
+and a coarse, half-open mouth. All this Katherine saw, but hardly
+observed, so strongly was her attention attracted to a figure that stood
+a few paces within the entrance--a tall, thin old man, bent and leaning
+on a stick. He was wrapped in a long dressing-gown of dull dark gray,
+evidently much worn; slippers were on his feet, and a black velvet
+skull-cap on his head, from under which some thin straggling locks of
+white hair escaped. His thin aquiline features and dark sunken eyes were
+alight with an expression of malignant fury; one long claw-like hand was
+outstretched with a gesture of dismissal, the other grasped the top of
+his stick. "Begone, you accursed drunken thief!" he was almost screaming
+in a shrill voice. "I would take you to the police, court if there was
+anything to be got out of you; but it would only be throwing good money
+away after bad. Get you gone to the ditch where you'll die! You
+guzzling, muzzling fool, to leave my house without a shilling after all
+your pilfering!"
+
+While he uttered these words with frightful vehemence, the woman he
+addressed kept up a rapid undercurrent of reply.
+
+"Living with a miserable screwy miser like you would make a saint drink!
+Do you think people will serve you for nothing, and not pay themselves
+somehow? The likes of you are born to be robbed--and may your last crust
+be stole from you, you old skinflint!" With this last defiance, she
+turned and threw herself hastily into the cab, which crawled away as if
+horse and driver were equally rheumatic.
+
+"Shut the door," said the old man, hoarsely, as if exhausted.
+
+"Please, sir, there's a lady here," said the little slavey. Katherine,
+who was as frightened as if she were face to face with a lunatic, had a
+terrible conviction that this appalling old man was her uncle. How
+should she ever address him? What an unfortunate time to have fallen
+upon!
+
+"What do you want?" asked the old man, fiercely, frowning till his
+shaggy white eyebrows almost met over his angry black eyes.
+
+"I want to see Mr. John Wilmot Liddell."
+
+"Then you see him! Who are you?"
+
+"Katherine Liddell, your niece."
+
+"My niece!" with inexpressible contempt and disbelief, "Well, niece or
+not, you may serve a turn. Can you read?"
+
+"Yes, of course."
+
+"Come, then--come in." He turned and walked with some difficulty to the
+door of the front parlor. Half bewildered, Katherine followed
+mechanically, and the small servant shut the front door, putting up the
+chain with a good deal of noise.
+
+The room to which Katherine was so unceremoniously introduced was of
+good size, covered with a carpet of which no pattern and very little
+color were left. The furniture was old-fashioned and solid; a
+dining-table covered with faded green baize was in the middle, and a
+writing-table with several drawers was placed near the fireplace, beside
+which stood a high-backed leather arm-chair, old, worn, dirty. A
+wretched fire was dying out in the grate, almost choked by the red ashes
+of the very cheapest coal.
+
+An odor of dust long undisturbed pervaded the atmosphere, and the dull
+damp weather without added to the extreme gloom. Indeed the door of this
+apartment might well have borne Dante's inscription over the entrance to
+a warmer place.
+
+Mr. Liddell went with feeble rapidity across to where a large newspaper
+lay upon the floor, and resting one hand on the writing-table, stooped
+painfully to raise it.
+
+"There! read--read the price-list to me. I am blind and helpless, for
+that jade has hid my glasses. I know she has. I cannot find them
+anywhere, and I _must_ know how Turkish bonds are going. Read to me.
+I'll hear what you have to say after." He thrust the paper into her
+hand, and sat down in the high-backed chair.
+
+Poor Katherine felt almost dazed. She took a seat at the other side of
+the table, and began to look for the mysterious list. The geography of
+the mighty _Times_ was unknown to her, and even in her mother's humbler
+penny paper the City article was a portion she never glanced at. While
+she turned the wide pages, painfully bewildered, the old man "glowered"
+at her.
+
+"I don't think you know what you are looking for," he cried,
+impatiently.
+
+"I do not indeed! If you will show it to me----"
+
+He snatched it from her, and pointed out the part he wished to hear.
+"Read from the beginning," he said.
+
+Katherine obeyed, her courage returning as she found herself thus
+strangely installed within the fortress she feared to attack. She
+stumbled occasionally, and was sharply set upon her feet, in the matter
+of figures, by her eager hearer. At last she came to Turkish six per
+cents.
+
+"Eighty-seven to eighty-eight and a quarter."
+
+"Ha!" muttered the old man, "that's an advance! good! nothing to be done
+there yet. Now read the railway stocks."
+
+Katherine obeyed. When she came to "Florida and Teche debentures,
+sixty-two and a half to sixty-five and three-fourths," she was startled
+by a sort of shrill shout. "Ay! _that's_ a rise! Some rigging design
+there! I must write--I must. Where, where has that----harridan hid my
+glasses? Why, it is almost twelve o'clock! the boy will be here for the
+paper immediately. And the post! the post! I must catch the post. Can
+you write?"
+
+"Oh yes! Shall I write for you?"
+
+"You shall! you shall! here's paper"--rising and opening an ancient
+blotting-book, its covers all scribbled over with tiny figures, the
+result of much calculating, he hastily set forth writing materials, his
+lean, claw-like, dirty hands trembling with eagerness. "Hear, hear,
+write fast."
+
+Katherine, growing a little clearer, and amazed at her own increasing
+self-possession, drew off her gloves, and taking the rusty pen offered
+her, wrote at his dictation:
+
+"_To Messrs. Rogers & Stokes, Corbett Court, E. C._:
+
+"GENTLEMEN,--Sell all my Florida shares if possible to-day,
+even if they decline a quarter.
+
+"I am yours faithfully--"
+
+"Now let me come there!" he exclaimed. "I'll let no one sign my name.
+I'll manage that. There? there! Direct an envelope. Oh Lord! I haven't a
+stamp--not one! and its ten minutes' walk to the post-office."
+
+"I think--I believe I have a stamp," said Katherine, drawing her slender
+purse from her pocket and opening it.
+
+"Have you?" eagerly. "Give it to me. Stick it on! Go! go! There is a
+pillar just outside the left-hand gate there; and mind you come back. I
+will give you a penny. Ah, yes, you shall have your penny?"
+
+"I hope you will hear me when I return," she said, appealingly, as she
+left the room.
+
+"Ay, ay; but go--go now."
+
+When Katherine returned she found the old man, with the half-opened door
+in his hand, waiting for her.
+
+"Were you in time?" he asked, eagerly.
+
+"Oh yes, quite. I saw the postman coming across the road to empty the
+box as I was dropping the letter in."
+
+"That's well. I will rest a bit now, and you can tell me what you
+please. First, what have you come here for?"
+
+It was an appalling question, and nothing but the simple truth occurred
+to her as an answer. Indeed, some irresistible power seemed to compel
+the reply, spoken very low and distinct, "I came here to beg."
+
+The old man burst into a singularly unpleasant laugh. "Well, I like
+candor. Pray what business have you to beg from me?"
+
+"Because I know no one else to turn to--because, you are so near a
+kinsman. Let me tell you about my mother." Simply and shortly she gave
+the history of their life and struggles, of the coming of her brother's
+young widow and orphans, of the disappointment of her mother's literary
+expectations, of the present necessity. The quiver in her young voice,
+the pathetic earnestness with which she told her story, the deep love
+for her mother breathing through the recital, might well have moved a
+heart of ordinary coldness, but it seemed to small impression on her
+grim uncle.
+
+"You come of a wasteful extravagant lot," he said, faintly, "if you are
+what you represent yourself to be--of which there is no proof whatever.
+How do I know you are the daughter of Frederic Liddell?"
+
+This was an objection Katherine had never anticipated, and knew not how
+to meet. She colored vividly and hesitated; then, struck with the
+ghastly pallor of the old man's face, she exclaimed, "You are ill! you
+are fainting!" drawing near him as she spoke.
+
+"I am not ill," he gasped. "I am weak from want of food. I have tasted
+none since yesterday afternoon."
+
+"Will you not order some?" said Katherine, looking round for a bell.
+
+"There is nothing in the house. That drunken robber I have just driven
+out went off to her revels last night and left me without anything; but
+while she was away a tradesman came with a bill I thought was paid, and
+so I discovered all her iniquity."
+
+"You must have something," cried Katherine, seriously alarmed. "Can I
+get you some wine or brandy?" and she rang hastily.
+
+Mr. Liddell drew a bunch of keys from his trousers pocket, and feebly
+selecting one, put it in her hand, pointing to the sideboard.
+
+The first cellaret Katherine opened was quite empty, the opposite one
+held two empty bottles covered with dust, and another, at the bottom of
+which was about a wineglass of brandy. She sought eagerly for and found
+a glass, and brought it to the fainting man, pouring out a small
+quantity, which he sipped readily enough. "Ah!" he said, "I was nearly
+gone. I must eat. I suppose that wretched brat can cook something. Ring
+again." Katherine rang, and rang, but in vain.
+
+"May I go down and see what has become of her?"
+
+"If you please," he murmured, more civilly than he had yet spoken.
+
+Katherine, with increasing surprise and interest, descended the dingy
+stair and entered a chaotic kitchen.
+
+Such a scene of dirt and confusion she had never beheld. Nothing seemed
+fit to touch. The little girl's rough apron lay on the floor in the
+midst, and she herself was tying on a big bonnet, while a small bundle
+lay on a chair beside her. She started and colored when Katherine stood
+in the doorway. "Mr. Liddell has sent me to look for you. He is very
+ill. Why did you not answer the bell?"
+
+"Because I was going away to mother," cried the girl, bursting into
+tears. "I could not stay here by myself. Mr. Liddell is more like a wild
+beast than a man when he is angry, and I have had a night and a day as
+would frighten a policemen. I can't stay--I can't indeed, miss."
+
+"But you _must_," said Katherine, impressively. "I am Mr. Liddell's
+niece, and at least you must do a few things for me before you go."
+
+"Oh! if you are here, miss, I don't mind. I can't think as how you are
+Mr. Liddell's niece."
+
+"I am, and I must not leave him till he is better. What is your name?"
+
+"Susan, ma'am."
+
+"Well, Susan, is there any bread or anything in the larder?"
+
+"Not a blessed scrap, miss, and I _am_ so hungry"--a fresh burst of
+tears.
+
+"Don't cry. Do as I bid you, and then you had better ask your mother to
+come here. Now get me some fresh water."
+
+"There's only water in the tap; the filterer is broke."
+
+"Well, give me a jugful. And are you too hungry to make up the fire?"
+
+"I'll manage that, 'm; we had a hundred of coal in yesterday morning
+before the row."
+
+"Then clear away the ashes and get as clear a fire as you can. I will
+get some food."
+
+The desperate, deserted condition of the old man seemed to rob him of
+his terrors, and all Katherine's energy was roused to save him from the
+ill effects of his own fury. She hastened back to the dining-room. Mr.
+Liddell was sitting up, grasping the arms of his chair.
+
+"There is nothing downstairs. Will you allow me to go and buy you some
+food? You will be ill unless you eat."
+
+"Can't that child fetch what is needful?" he said, with an effort.
+
+"I am afraid she may not return."
+
+"Then you had better go. I'll open the door to you when you come back."
+
+"I will go at once. But you must give me a little money. I would gladly
+pay for the things, but I have only my omnibus fare back."
+
+"How much do you want?" he returned, drawing forth an old worn green
+porte-monnaie.
+
+"If you will be satisfied with a chop, two shillings will get all you
+want," said Katherine.
+
+"There, then; bring me the change and account," he returned, handing her
+the required sum.
+
+Since her mother had become a housekeeper Katherine had done a good deal
+of the marketing and household management, and had put her heart into
+her work, as was natural to her. She therefore felt quite competent to
+make these small purchases.
+
+"You will want a little more wine or something," she ventured to
+suggest.
+
+"I have plenty--plenty. Make haste!"
+
+Katherine called the little girl, told her she was going out, and
+promised to bring her back some food. Then she sped on her way to some
+shops she had noticed on her way, and soon accomplished her errand. This
+necessity for action put her right with herself, and gave her the
+courage she needed. With a word to the fainting old miser, she descended
+to the chaotic kitchen, where she rejoiced the heart of the small slavey
+by the sight of the cold beef and bread she had brought for her. Then
+she set to work to cook the chops she had purchased. This done, to the
+amazement of the little servant, she looked in vain for a cloth to
+spread upon the only battered tray she could find. She was obliged to be
+content with dusting it and placing the result of her cooking between
+two warm plates thereupon. Then she carried the whole up to her starving
+relative. Mr. Liddell had fallen into a doze from exhaustion, and looked
+quite wolfish when, rousing up, his eyes fell upon the sorely needed
+food.
+
+"You have been quick, but it is surely wasteful to cook _two_ chops."
+
+"You will not find them too much, I hope. I am sure you ought to eat
+both."
+
+"I do not know, but the meat is good." He fell to and ate with relish.
+Katherine asked where she could find some wine for him. He again
+produced his keys, selected one, and told her to open a door at the end
+of the room, which she fancied led into another. It was a cupboard,
+plentifully filled with bottles of various descriptions, from among
+which, by her patient's direction, she selected one labelled cognac, and
+gave him some in water.
+
+Katherine sat down and watched the old man demolish both chops with
+evident enjoyment. Then he paused, drank a little brandy and water, and
+drew over the plate containing the butter, and smelled it very
+deliberately.
+
+"You have extravagant ways, I am afraid," he said. "This is fresh
+butter."
+
+"That piece only cost fourpence-halfpenny," she said, gravely, "and the
+little you eat you had better have good."
+
+"Fourpence-halfpenny!" he repeated, and fell into profound meditation,
+from which he broke with a sudden return of anger. "What a double-dyed
+villain and robber that infernal woman has been! She told me that prices
+had risen to such a height that the commonest salt butter was
+eighteenpence a pound, that every chop was a shilling, that--that--"
+Then breaking off, with an air of the deepest pathos he exclaimed:
+"Thirty shillings a week I gave her to keep the house, and she has left
+the butcher unpaid for six months. But _I_ will not pay him. He shall
+suffer. Why did he trust her? What did you pay for these things?" he
+ended, abruptly, in a high key.
+
+Katherine silently handed him the back of a letter on which she had
+scribbled down the items.
+
+"What is the use of showing me this, when I cannot read--when I have no
+glasses?" he exclaimed, impatiently.
+
+"True. I must try and find them for you. Where did you first miss them?"
+
+"Oh, I don't know. I had them on when I went to see that----woman out
+of the house."
+
+Calling Susan to assist in the search, Katherine looked carefully in the
+hall, but in vain, when her young assistant gave a cry of joy; she had
+almost trodden on them as they lay between a mangy mat and the foot of
+the stairs.
+
+The recovery of his precious glasses did more to soothe the ruffled
+spirit of the recluse than anything else. He wiped them tenderly, and
+looking through them, observed that they were all right. Then he sat in
+profound silence, while Susan, under Katherine's directions, cleared up
+the hearth, and removed the heap of dust and ashes which had nearly put
+out the fire. When she had retired, carrying off the tray, Mr. Liddell
+turned his keen eyes on his young visitor, and said:
+
+"You came in the nick of time, and you seem to know what you are about;
+but I dare say I should have pulled through without you. Now about your
+story. Before anything else I must be assured that you are really
+Frederic Liddell's daughter. Not that your being so gives you the
+smallest claim upon me."
+
+"I suppose it does not," returned Katherine, sadly. "Still, if you could
+help us with a loan at this trying time it might be the saving of our
+fortunes, and both my mother and myself would do our best to repay you."
+
+"That's but indifferent security," said the miser with a sardonic grin.
+
+"I feel sure that my mother's novel will succeed. It is a beautiful
+story--and you know how some of the best books have been rejected--and
+when it is taken they will give her at least a hundred pounds for it!"
+cried Katherine, eagerly.
+
+"Good Lord! a hundred pounds for trashy scribblings."
+
+"They are not trash, sir," returned Katherine, with spirit.
+
+"And what sum do you want on this first-class security?" he asked.
+
+"Oh, thirty or forty pounds!" she said, her heart beating with wild
+anxiety.
+
+"Thirty pounds! Why, that is a fortune!"
+
+"It would be to us," said Katherine, fighting bravely against a
+desperate inclination to cry.
+
+"And all you have to offer in exchange is a mortgage on an unpublished
+novel?"
+
+"We have nothing in the world but the furniture," she replied, with a
+slight sob.
+
+"Furniture!" repeated Mr. Liddell, sharply. "How much?--how many rooms
+have you?"
+
+"A drawing-room and dining-room, my mother's study, and four bedrooms,
+besides--"
+
+"Well!" exclaimed Liddell, interrupting her, "you'll have a hundred
+pounds' worth in it, and I dare say it cost you two. Now you have shown
+you have some knowledge of the value of money, and you have served me
+well at this uncomfortable crisis. I'll tell you what I will do; I'll
+write to my solicitor to go and see you, at the address you have told
+me, to-morrow. He shall find out if you are speaking the truth, and look
+at your goods and chattels. If he reports favorably I will do something
+for you, on the security of the furniture. You haven't given a bill of
+sale to any one else, I suppose?"
+
+"A bill of sale?--I do not know what you mean."
+
+"Ah! perhaps not." He rose and hobbled to his writing-table, where he
+began to write. "What's your address?" he asked. Katherine told him.
+Presently he finished and turned to her. "Put this in the post. Look at
+it. Mr. Newton, my solicitor, will take it with him when he calls,
+to-morrow or next day. No!" suddenly. "I will send the girl with it to
+the pillar, and you shall stay till she returns. You may or you may not
+be honest; but I will never trust any one again."
+
+"As you like," returned Katherine, overjoyed not to be utterly refused.
+"And before I go, do let me try and find some one to be with you. It is
+dreadful to think of your being alone in this large house with only that
+poor little girl! and she is inclined to run away! I think her mother is
+coming here; let me stay till she comes."
+
+"I don't want any one," said the old man, fiercely. "I am hale and
+strong; the child can do all I want. You got some food for her I see.
+The strength of that meat will last till to-morrow. Then you must come
+to hear what I decide, and you can do what I want, _if_ you _are_ my
+niece!"
+
+"Do--do let me find some one to stay with you! I cannot bear to think of
+your being alone." The old man stared at her curiously, and a sort of
+mocking smile parted his lips. "May I at least ask Susan if her mother
+can come? for I am sure the girl will not stay alone."
+
+"Very well," he said; "but be sure you do not promise her money! She
+_may_ come here to keep the child company--not for my sake."
+
+Katherine hastened to question Susan, and found that her mother, a
+char-woman, lived near. She despatched the little girl to fetch her,
+and, after some parleying, agreed to give her half a crown if she would
+remain for the night, determining to pay it herself rather than mention
+the subject to the ogre upstairs. Then she put her hat straight and
+resumed her gloves. "I must bid you good-morning now," she said. "This
+mother of Susan's looks a respectable woman, and will not ask you for
+any money. Will you not let me get you some tea and sugar before I go,
+and something for--"
+
+"No!" cried the old man. "I have some tea. It is all that----robber
+left behind her. I want nothing more. Mind you come back to-morrow. If
+you are my brother's daughter (though it is no recommendation!) I'll do
+something for you. If you are _not_, I'd--I'd like to give you a piece
+of my mind." He laughed a fiendish, spiteful laugh as he said this.
+
+"Then accept my thanks beforehand," said Katherine smiling a little
+wearily.
+
+She was very tired. It was an oppressive day, and she had been under a
+mental strain of no small severity. Now she was longing to be at home to
+tell her mother all her strange adventures, and she had yet to find out
+by what route she should return.
+
+Once more she said good-by. Mr. Liddell followed her to the door, with
+an air of seeing her safe off the premises, rather than of courtesy, and
+Katherine quickly retraced her steps to the place where she had
+alighted, hoping to find that universal referee, a policeman, who would
+no doubt set her on her homeward way.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+THE LAWYER'S VISIT.
+
+
+While her young sister-in-law was thus seeking fortune in strange
+places, Mrs. Fred Liddell was spending a busy and, it must be confessed,
+a cheerful morning, preparing for the anticipated visit of Colonel
+Ormonde.
+
+It was rather inconsiderate, she thought, of Katherine to go out and
+leave all the extra dusting of the drawing-room to her. If she,
+Katherine, had remained at home she would have taken the boys, as she
+always did, and then Jane, the house and children's maid, would have
+been able to help.
+
+If Katherine would only stay out all day she could forgive her--but she
+would be sure to come in for dinner, and so appear at afternoon tea,
+which by no means suited Mrs. F. Liddell's views.
+
+The Colonel had given so very highly colored a description of the young
+lady who was with the little boy so nearly run over on the previous
+morning that the pretty widow's jealousy was aroused.
+
+In spite of her flightiness and love of pleasure she had a very keen
+sense of her own interest, and perceiving Colonel Ormonde's decided
+appreciation, she had made up her mind to marry him.
+
+This, she felt, would be more easily designed than accomplished. Colonel
+Ormonde was an old soldier in every sense, and an old bachelor to boot,
+with an epicurean taste for good dinners and pretty women. He might
+sacrifice something for the first, but the latter were too plentiful and
+too come-at-able to be worth great cost. Still, it was generally
+believed he was matrimonially inclined, and Mrs. Fred thought she might
+have as good a chance as any one else, had she not been hampered with
+her two boys.
+
+It would be too dreadful if Ormonde's fancy were caught by Katherine's
+bold eyes and big figure. So Mrs. Fred wished that her sister-in-law
+might not put in an appearance.
+
+"She is not a bit like other girls," thought the little woman, as she
+finally shook the duster out of the open window and set herself to
+distribute the flowers she had bought the previous evening to the best
+advantage. "She has no dear friends, no acquaintances with whom she
+likes to stop and chatter; she never stays out, and I don't think she
+ever had the ghost of a lover. When _I_ was her age I had had a dozen,
+and I was married. Poor Fred! Heigho! I wish he had left me a little
+money, and I am sure I should never dream of giving him a successor. But
+for the sake of the dear boys I should never think of marrying! How
+cruel it is to be so poor, and to be with such unenterprising people! If
+Mrs. Liddell would only venture to make an appearance, and just risk a
+little, she might dispose of Kate and of me too. There _are_ men who
+might admire Kate, and there they go on screwing and scribbling. I wish
+my mother-in-law would write for some big magazine--_Blackwood_ or
+_Temple Bar_--or not write at all! That will do, I think. That is the
+only strong arm-chair in the house; it will stand nicely beside the
+sofa. Oh, have you come in already, children?"--as the two boys peeped
+in. "Couldn't Jane have kept you out a little longer! Don't attempt to
+come in here!"
+
+"Jane had to come back to lay the cloth. Mamma, where is aunty?"
+
+"She has not come in yet. Why, dear me, it is nearly one o'clock! Go and
+get off your boots, my darlings, and ask grandmamma when she expects
+aunty."
+
+Mrs. Liddell did not know when Katherine might return, and, moreover,
+she was getting uneasy. She did not like to say much about her errand,
+for she knew her daughter-in-law thought but indifferently of her
+writings, and with an indescribable "crass" dislike of what she could
+not do herself, would have been rather pleased than otherwise to know
+that a manuscript had been rejected.
+
+In looking over one of the drawers in her writing-table Mrs. Liddell had
+found that Katherine had left the shorter story behind. This rendered
+her prolonged absence less accountable, for she could have interviewed
+several publishers of three-volume novels in the time. The poor lady
+naturally feared that they must have refused even to look at her work,
+or Katherine would have returned.
+
+When dinner was over, and four o'clock came, Mrs. Liddell's anxiety rose
+high; she could not bear her daughter-in-law's presence, and retired
+into her own den.
+
+"Won't you stay and see Colonel Ormonde? He used to be quite friendly
+with poor Fred in India, and I should like him to see what a nice
+handsome mamma-in-law I have," said Mrs. Fred, caressingly: she rather
+liked her mother-in-law, and felt it was as well to be on affectionate
+terms with her.
+
+"No, my dear; my head is not quite free from pain, and I want to give
+Katherine something to eat when she comes in; she will be very hungry.
+Then I can see that the children do not get into any mischief in the
+garden."
+
+The younger lady then went to pose herself with a dainty piece of
+fancy-work in the drawing-room, and the elder to sit at her
+writing-table, pen in hand, but not writing; only thinking round and
+round the circle of difficulties which hedged her in, and longing for
+the sight of her daughter's face.
+
+At last it beamed upon her through the open door-window which led out on
+the stairway to the garden; her approach had been seen by her little
+nephews, who had admitted her through the back gate.
+
+"You must not come in now, dears; I want to talk to grannie. If you keep
+away I will tell you a nice story in the evening."
+
+"My dearest child, what has kept you? I have been uneasy; and how
+dreadfully tired you look!"
+
+"I am tired, but that is nothing. I think, dear, I have a little good
+news for you."
+
+"Come into the dining-room. I have some dinner for you, and we can talk
+quietly. Ada is expecting a visitor."
+
+But Katherine could not eat until she told her adventures. First she
+described her interview with Mr. Channing.
+
+"It is something certainly to have left my unfortunate MS. in his hands;
+still I dare not hope much from that," said Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"Then, mother dear," resumed Katherine, "I ventured to do something for
+which I hope you will not be angry with me--I have found John Liddell! I
+have invaded his den; I have spoken to him; I have cooked a chop for
+him, as I used for you last winter; and though I have been sent empty
+away, I am not without hopes that he will help us out of our
+difficulties."
+
+"Katie, dear, what _have_ you done?" cried her mother, aghast. "How did
+you manage--how did you dare?" Whereupon Katherine gave her mother a
+graphic account of the whole affair.
+
+"It is a wonderful history," said Mrs. Liddell. "I feel half frightened;
+yet if Mr. Liddell's solicitor is an honest, respectable man, he will
+surely be on our side; at the same time, I am half afraid of falling
+into John Liddell's clutches. He has the character of being a relentless
+creditor: he will have his pound of flesh! If he gives this money as a
+loan, and I fail in paying the interest, he will take me by the throat
+as he would the greatest stranger."
+
+"Why should you fail?" cried Katherine. "You only want time to succeed.
+I am sure you will sell your books, and then we can pay principal and
+interest; besides, old Mr. Liddell could _not_ treat his brother's widow
+as he would a stranger."
+
+"I am not so sure."
+
+"And you are not angry with me for going to him?"
+
+"No, dear love; I am proud of your courage. Had I known what you
+intended, I should have forbidden you. I should never have allowed you
+to run the risk of being insulted: it was too much for you. I wish I
+could shield you from all such trials, my Kate; but I cannot--I cannot."
+The unwonted tears stood in her kind, faded eyes.
+
+"Ah, mother, _you_ have borne the burden and heat of the day long enough
+alone; I must take my share now, and I assure you, after my adventures
+to-day, I feel quite equal to do so. I have been too long a heedless
+idler; I want to be a real help to you now. Do you think I have done any
+good?"
+
+"Yes, certainly! but everything depends on this man who is coming
+to-morrow. Your poor father used to know Mr. Liddell's solicitor, and I
+think liked him; of course he may have a different one now. Still it is
+a gleam of hope; which is doubly sweet because _you_ brought it."
+
+Katherine hastily pressed her handkerchief to her eyes, and choked down
+the sob that would swell her throat. She was dreadfully tired,
+physically and mentally.
+
+"Ada asked me for that money this morning as soon as you were gone. I
+told her I could not return it for a while, and she did not look
+pleased, naturally enough."
+
+"I think she is very selfish," said Katherine.
+
+"No, dear, only thoughtless, and younger than her years. She is always
+nice with me, and would be with you if you had more patience. You must
+remember that no character is stronger than its weakest part, and hers
+is--"
+
+"Self," put in Katherine.
+
+"No! love of admiration and pleasure," added her mother.
+
+"Well," returned Katherine, good-humoredly, "they both are very nice."
+
+Here the person under discussion came hastily into the room, in the
+crispest of lilac and white muslins, with a black sash and bows, and a
+rose at her waist, looking as fresh as if the heaviest atmosphere could
+not touch her.
+
+"Oh, you have arrived, Katherine! I wish you would come and see Colonel
+Ormonde. He wants so much to speak to you!"
+
+"But I do not want to speak to him. I don't want to see any one."
+
+"Do come, Katie! I assure you you have made quite an impression; come
+and deepen it," cried Mrs. Frederic, with a persuasive smile, while she
+thought, "She is looking awfully bad and pale, and Katherine without
+color is nowhere; her eyes are red too.--Come, like a dear," she
+persisted, aloud, "unless you want to go up and beautify."
+
+"No, I certainly do not," said Katherine, rising impatiently. "I will go
+with you for a minute or two, but I am too tired to talk."
+
+"Your hair is in utter disorder," remarked her mother.
+
+"It is no matter," returned Katherine, following her sister-in-law out
+of the room.
+
+Her dress was by no means becoming. It was of thin black material, the
+remains of her last year's mourning; the white frill at her throat was
+crushed by the friction of her jacket, and some splashes on the skirt
+gave her a travel-stained aspect. But no disorder could hide the fine
+warm bronze brown of her abundant hair, nor disguise the shape of her
+brows and eyes, though the eyes themselves lost something of their color
+from the paleness of her cheeks; nor did her weariness detract from the
+charm of her delicate upturned chin.
+
+"Here is my naughty sister-in-law, who has been wandering about all the
+morning alone, and making us quite uneasy."
+
+"What! In search of further adventures--eh?" asked Colonel Ormonde,
+rising and making an elaborate bow. He spoke in a tone half paternal,
+half gallant, in right of which elderly gentlemen sometimes take
+liberties.
+
+"I went to do a commission for my mother," said Katherine,
+indifferently.
+
+"Ah! if we had a corps of such _commissionnaires_ as you are, we should
+spend our lives sending and receiving messages," returned the Colonel,
+with a laugh. He spoke in short authoritative sentences, with a loud
+harsh voice, and in what might be termed the "big bow-wow" style.
+
+"You must not believe all Colonel Ormonde says," observed the fair
+widow, smiling and slightly shaking her head. "He is a very faithless
+man."
+
+"By George! Mrs. Liddell, I don't deserve such a character from _you_.
+But"--addressing Katherine, who had simply looked at him with quiet,
+contemplative eyes--"I hope you have recovered from your fright of
+yesterday. I never saw eyes or cheeks express terror so eloquently."
+
+"Yes, I was dreadfully frightened, and very, very grateful to the
+gentleman who saved poor Cecil. I hope he was not hurt?"
+
+"Shall I tell him to come and report himself in person?"
+
+"No, thank you."
+
+"Wouldn't you like to thank him again? It might be a pleasant process to
+both parties--eh?"
+
+Katherine smiled good-humoredly, while she thought, "What an idiot!"
+
+"Katherine is a very serious young woman," said Mrs. Frederic--"quite
+too awfully in earnest; is always striving painfully to do her duty. She
+despises frivolities and never dreams of flirtation."
+
+"This is an appalling description," said Ormonde. "Pray is it on
+principle you renounce flirtation?"
+
+"For a much better reason," replied Katherine, wearily. "Because I have
+no one to flirt with."
+
+"By Jove! there's a state of destitution! Why, it is a blot on society
+that you should be left lamenting."
+
+"Yes; is it not melancholy?" replied Katherine, carelessly. "Ada, I am
+so tired I am sure you will excuse me if I go away to rest?"
+
+"Before you go," said Ormonde, eagerly, "I have a request to make. A
+chum of mine, Sir James Brereton, and myself are going up the river on
+Thursday, with some friends of Mrs. Liddell's--a picnic affair. Your
+sister-in-law has promised to honor me with her company, and I earnestly
+hope _you_ will accompany her. I promise you shall be induced to rescind
+your anti-flirtation resolutions."
+
+"Up the river?" repeated Katherine, with a wistful look, and paused. "On
+Thursday next? Thank you very much, but I'm engaged--quite particularly
+engaged."
+
+"Nonsense, Katie!" cried her sister-in-law. "Where in the world are you
+going? You know you never have an engagement anywhere."
+
+"Come, Miss Liddell, do not be cruel. We will have a very jolly day, and
+I'll try and persuade your hero of yesterday to meet you."
+
+"I should like to go very much, but I really cannot. I thank you for
+thinking of me." She stood up, and, with a slight bow, said,
+"Good-morning," leaving the room before the stout Colonel could reach
+the door to open it.
+
+"Phew! that was sharp, short, and decisive," said Ormonde.
+
+"Yes, wasn't it? She is quite a character. Leave her to me if you wish
+her to go. I will manage it."
+
+"Yes, do. She is something fresh, though she is not so handsome as I
+thought. I suspect there is a strong dash of the devil in her."
+
+"I cannot say _I_ have seen much of it," said the young widow, frankly.
+She was extremely shrewd in a small way, and had adopted an air of
+candid good-nature as best suited to her style and complexion. "Handsome
+or not, if you would like to have her at your party, I will try to
+persuade her to come."
+
+"Thanks. What a little brick you are!" said Ormonde, admiringly. "No
+nonsense with you, or trying to keep a pretty girl out of it. I say,
+Mrs. Liddell, it must be an awful life for you, shut up in this stuffy
+suburban box?"
+
+"Well, it is not cheerful; but I have no choice, so I just make the best
+of it," she returned, with as bright a smile as she could muster. "No
+use spoiling one's eyes or one's temper over the inevitable. Then I am
+really fond of my mother-in-law, poor soul! She would spoil me if she
+had the means; and Katherine--well, she isn't bad."
+
+"By George! if you make your mother-in-law fond of you, you must be an
+angel incarnate."
+
+"An angel!" echoed the little lady. "That would never do. No, no; it is
+because I am so desperately human I get on with them all."
+
+"Delightfully human, you mean. No house could be dull with you in it.
+There's nothing like pluck and good-humor in a woman."
+
+"Well, Heaven knows I want both!"
+
+"I am afraid I must be off," said the Colonel. "I am going to dine with
+Eversley, and he has a villa at Rochampton--quite a journey, you know.
+Where is the little chap that was nearly run over?"
+
+"Playing in the garden, very happy and very dirty. I dare not have him
+in--he always climbs up and hangs about me, for I have my best dress
+on!"--the last words in large capitals.
+
+"A deuced becoming dress too; but it's not so fine as what you had on
+yesterday."
+
+"No, of Course not; there are degrees of best dress. Yesterday's was my
+_very_ best go-to-luncheon dress, and must last me a whole year."
+
+"A year! By Jove! And you always look well dressed! You are a wonderful
+woman! Now I must be off. Mrs. Burnett says she will send the carriage
+for you on Thursday. We drive down to Twickenham."
+
+"Oh, thank you, Colonel Ormonde! I am sure I am indebted to you for that
+lift," said Mrs. Frederic, while she thought, "He might have driven me
+down himself."
+
+"_Au revoir_, then. Always hard to tear myself away from such a charming
+little witch as you are."
+
+Ormonde kissed her hand and departed.
+
+"Jolly, plucky little woman," he thought, as he walked toward the
+Bayswater Road, looking for a hansom. "Just the sort to save a man
+trouble, and get full value out of a sovereign." He continued to muse on
+the wonderful discovery he had made of a woman perfectly planned,
+according to man's ideal--sweet, yielding, tenderly sympathetic, willing
+and capable to ward off all annoyances from her master, full of feeling
+for _his_ troubles, and not to be moved by her own to sad looks,
+unbecoming tears, or downcast spirits--all softness to him, all
+bristling sharpness to the rest of the world. "Such a woman would answer
+my purpose as well as a woman with money, and she is an uncommonly
+tempting morsel. But then those infernal boys! I am not going to provide
+for another fellow's brats, and they can't have more than sixty pounds
+between them from the fund! No; I must not make an ass of myself, even
+for a pretty, clever woman, who has rather a hankering for myself, or I
+am much mistaken. That sister-in-law of hers is the making of an
+uncommon fine woman. There's a dash of a tragedy queen about her, but it
+will be good fun to play her against the widow."
+
+And the widow, as she rang for the house-maid to remove the tea-things,
+indulged in a few speculations on her side. "He was evidently
+disappointed with Katherine. I am not surprised. She is looking ill, and
+she has _such_ ungracious manners! Of course she will come to this
+Richmond party when I ask her, and I must ask her. Ormonde is a good
+deal smitten with me, but he'll not lose his head. It is an awful thing
+to be poor and to have two boys. Oh, how dreadful it is to live in this
+horrible dull hole! I wonder if Colonel Ormonde will ever propose for
+me! He is very nice and pleasant, but he is awfully selfish. I hate
+selfishness. Perhaps if Mrs. Liddell would undertake to keep the little
+boys altogether it might make matters easier. Poor children! if I were
+only rich I would never wish to part with them; but who can hold out
+against poverty?"
+
+The night which followed was sleepless to Mrs. Liddell. How could she
+close her eyes when so much depended on the visit she hoped to receive
+to-morrow? If this agent of John Liddell's was propitious, she might get
+breathing-time and be able to wait till her manuscript brought forth
+some fruit; if not--well she dared not think of the reverse. She
+listened to the soft, regular breathing of her daughter, who was wrapped
+in refreshing slumber, and thanked God for the quick forgetfulness of
+youth. It was like a fresh draught of life and hope to think of her
+courage and perseverance in finding out and affronting her miserly
+uncle. Good must come of it.
+
+Day dawned bright and clear, and the little party met as usual at
+breakfast. Neither mother nor daughter had breathed a word of their
+hopes or fears to the pretty widow. Breakfast over, they all dispersed
+to their usual avocations. Katherine, downstairs, was consulting cook,
+and Mrs. Liddell was wearily sorting and tearing up papers, when the
+servant came into the study and said, "Please, 'm, there's a gentleman
+wanting you.'
+
+"Where have you put him?" asked Mrs. Liddell, glancing at the card
+presented to her, on which was printed, "Mr. C. B. Newton, 26 Manchester
+Buildings."
+
+"He is by the door, 'm."
+
+"Oh, show him into the dining-room. Where is Mrs. Frederic?"
+
+"Gone out, 'm."
+
+"I will come directly," and Mrs. Liddell hastily locked a drawer and put
+a weight on her papers; "Tell Miss Liddell to come to me," she said as
+she passed.
+
+A short, thick-set man of more than middle age, slightly bald, with an
+upturned nose, quiet, watchful eyes of no particular color, and small
+sandy mutton-chop whiskers, was standing near the window when she
+entered. He made a quick bow, and stepped nearer "Mrs. Liddell?" he
+asked.
+
+"Yes, I am Mrs. Liddell."
+
+"I have called on the part of my client, Mr. John Liddell, of Legrave
+Crescent, to make certain inquiries. This note, which I received from
+him yesterday afternoon, will explain the object of my visit."
+
+"Pray sit down, Mr. Newton"--taking a chair as she spoke, while she read
+the small, crabbed, tremulous characters written on the page presented
+to her. The note contained directions to call on Mrs. Liddell and
+ascertain if she really was the widow of his late brother; also what
+security she could offer for a small loan.
+
+Her color rose faintly as she read.
+
+"You must not regard the plainness of business phraseology," said the
+visitor, in dry, precise tones. "My client means no offence."
+
+"Nor do I mean to take any," she replied, handing him back the note.
+"Pray how am I to prove my own identity?"
+
+"It would not, I suppose, be very difficult; but, as it happens, _I_ can
+be your witness. I quite well remember seeing you with Mr. Liddell, your
+late husband, some sixteen or seventeen years ago."
+
+"Indeed! I am surprised that I do not recall you. I generally have a
+good memory, but--"
+
+"_I_ am not surprised. I was unhappily the bearer of an unpleasant
+message, which excited Mr. Liddell considerably, and your attention was
+absorbed by your efforts to calm him."
+
+"I remember," said Mrs. Liddell, coloring deeply. "It was a trying
+time."
+
+"We will consider this inquiry answered. As regards the loan"--the door
+opening to admit Katherine interrupted him; he rose and bowed formally
+when her mother named her; then he resumed his sentence--"as regards
+the loan, I must first know the amount it is proposed to borrow, in
+order to judge of the security offered."
+
+"I asked my uncle for thirty pounds, but I should be very glad if he
+would lend us forty."
+
+"No, Katie; I dare not take so much," interrupted her mother. "Remember,
+it must be repaid; and," addressing the lawyer, she added, "the only
+security I have to offer is the furniture of this house--furniture of
+the simplest, as you will see."
+
+"Have you seen Mr. Liddell?" asked Mr. Newton, a slight expression of
+surprise passing over his face.
+
+"My daughter has," said Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"Yes; I ventured to visit him, because"--she hesitated, and then went
+on, frankly--"because we wanted this money very much indeed; and I found
+him in a sad condition." Katherine went on to describe the scene of
+yesterday, dwelling on the desolate position of the old man. "I felt
+frightened to leave him alone; he seems weak, and unfit to take care of
+himself. I hope, Mr. Newton, you will go to him and induce him to have a
+proper servant. I am going, because I promised in any case to go; and I
+must give the little servant's mother the half-crown I promised her."
+
+"I have been somewhat uneasy respecting Mr. Liddell. For a considerable
+time I had my doubts of his cook housekeeper; but he is a man of strong
+will and peculiar views. Then the fear of parting with money increases
+with increasing years. I am glad Miss Liddell succeeded in making
+herself known to him; he is a peculiar character--very peculiar." He
+paused a moment, looking keenly at Katherine, and added: "With a view to
+arranging for the loan you require, I must ask to look at your rooms. I
+do not suppose I am a judge of such things, but the knowledge of former
+transactions, my recollection of our last interview, determines me to
+come myself rather than to send an ordinary employee."
+
+"I feel your kind consideration warmly," said Mrs. Liddell. "Follow me,
+and you shall see what few household goods I possess."
+
+Gravely and in silence Mr. Newton was conducted to the drawing-room, the
+best bedroom, Mrs. Liddell's, and the children's rooms. The examination
+was swiftly accomplished. Then the sedate lawyer returned to the
+dining-room and began to put on his right-hand glove. "I presume," he
+said--"it is a mere, formal question--I presume there is no claim or
+lien upon your goods and chattels?"
+
+"None whatever. I want a little temporary help until--" She paused.
+
+"My mother has been successful in writing short stories. Channing &
+Wyndham have a three-volume novel of hers now, and I am sure they will
+take it; then she can pay Mr. Liddell easily."
+
+The lawyer smiled a queer little withered, half-developed smile. "I
+trust your anticipations may be verified," he said. "Now, my dear madam,
+I need intrude on you no longer; I shall go on to see Mr. Liddell. But
+though I shall certainly represent that he may safely make you this
+small advance, it is possible he may refuse; and it is certain he will
+ask high interest. However, I shall do my best."
+
+"It will be a great accommodation if he consents. And if he is rich
+surely he will not deal as hardly with his brother's widow as with a
+stranger."
+
+"Where money is concerned, Mr. Liddell recognizes neither friend nor
+foe. He will wish some form of the nature of a bill of sale to be
+signed."
+
+"Whatever you both think right," said Mrs. Liddell.
+
+Here some shouts from the garden drew Newton's attention to the window,
+through which Cecil and Charlie could be seen endeavoring to put some
+noxious insect on the neck of the nurse-maid, who had taken them their
+noonday slices of bread and butter. "My grandsons," said Mrs. Liddell,
+smiling--"My poor boy's orphans."
+
+"Hum!" said the little man; and he stood a moment in thought.
+
+"I think Miss Liddell said her uncle expressed a wish that she should
+return to see him?"
+
+"He made me promise to go back to-day."
+
+"Then by no means disappoint him. He is a very difficult man to manage,
+and if your daughter"--to Mrs. Liddell--"could contrive to interest him,
+to make him indulge in a few of the comforts necessary to his years and
+his position, it would be of the last importance, and ultimately, I
+hope, not unprofitable to herself."
+
+"I fear the last is highly improbable; but Katherine will certainly
+fulfil her promise."
+
+"I am going to drive over to Legrave Crescent myself: if it would suit
+Miss Liddell to accompany me, I shall be most happy to be her escort."
+
+"Thank you; I shall be very glad."
+
+"My brother-in-law will not imagine there is any collusion between you?"
+asked Mrs. Liddell, with a smile. "Men of his character are suspicious."
+
+"No; I think I may venture so far, though Mr. Liddell _is_ suspicious."
+
+"Then I must ask you to wait while I put on my hat," said Katherine, and
+left the room.
+
+She had changed her dress when her mother followed her. "My love, you
+had better take a few shillings, and try and come back soon. Why, Katie,
+considering you had to do cooking yesterday, you ought not to have put
+on your best frock, dear, for I see little chance of another."
+
+"Oh, mother, I could _not_ go out in my old black cashmere with Mr.
+Newton. Why, he is the perfection of neatness."
+
+"Here is Ada, just coming in."
+
+"What a volley of questions she will ask! Now, mother, do _not_ satisfy
+her. Tell her my rich uncle has sent his solicitor to interview us, and
+that I am going to dine with him. I wish I could have had some dinner
+before I went, for I am going to Hungry Hall."
+
+"Courage, darling! If we _can_ get this loan it will be a great relief.
+Do not keep him waiting any longer--there are your gloves. Come back as
+soon as ever you can."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+"A RIFT IN THE CLOUDS."
+
+
+"Where in the world is Katherine going, and who is that man?" exclaimed
+the younger widow, her light blue eyes wide open in amazement, when
+Katherine had passed her with a smiling "Good-by for the present," and
+walked down the road beside the precise lawyer.
+
+"She is going-to her uncle, Mr. John Liddell, who expressed a wish to
+see her to-day, and that gentleman is Mr. Liddell's solicitor," returned
+the elder lady, smiling to think how soon she had been driven in upon
+the reserved force of her daughter's suggestion.
+
+"What! that terrible old miser poor Fred used to talk of? Why, he will
+take a favorable turn, and leave everything to Katie! Oh, dear Mrs.
+Liddell, that will not be fair. _Do_ contrive to let him see Cis and
+Charlie. We will declare that Cecil is his very image. Old men like to
+be considered like pretty young creatures. I always get on with crabbed
+old men. Let _me_ see him too. Katherine must not keep the game all in
+her own hands. Let me have a chance."
+
+"I don't fancy Katie has much of a chance herself," returned Mrs.
+Liddell, as she followed her daughter-in-law into the dining-room. "It
+is an old man's whim, and he will probably never wish to see her again."
+
+"Very likely. You know dear Katherine does not do herself justice; her
+manners are so abrupt. You do not mind my saying so?"
+
+"Not in the least." Mrs. Liddell had a fine temper, and also a keen
+sense of humor. Though fond of and indulgent to her daughter-in-law, she
+saw through her more clearly than Katherine did, as she gave full credit
+for the good that was in her, in spite of her little foibles and
+greediness. "Katherine is much more abrupt than you are."
+
+"Exactly. She will never be quite up to her dear mother's mark. Few
+step-mothers and daughters get on as we do, and I am sure you would look
+after poor Fred's boys as if they were your own."
+
+"So would Katherine. Of that you may be sure, my dear."
+
+"Oh yes; she is very fond of them, especially Charlie. I do not think
+she is really just to Cecil."
+
+"Real justice is rare," returned Mrs. Liddell, calmly. "There is a note
+for you, Ada, on the chimney-piece; it came just after you went out."
+
+"Why, it is from Mrs. Burnett!"--pouncing on it and tearing it open.
+"What shall I do?" she almost screamed as she read it. "I am afraid I
+shall never get there in time. What o'clock is it?--my watch is never
+right. Half-past twelve, and luncheon is at half-past one. Oh, I must
+manage it! Read that, dear.--Jane! Jane! bring me some hot water
+immediately, and come help me to dress.--What is the cab fare to Park
+Terrace? Eighteenpence?--it can't be so much. Just lend me a shilling;
+you can take it out of the ten pounds you are to pay me next week." And
+she flew out of the room.
+
+"Mrs. Liddell sat down with a sigh, and read the note which caused this
+excitement:
+
+
+"DEAR MRS. LIDDELL,--Do help me in a dilemma! We have a box for
+Miss St. Germaine's benefit matinee to-morrow, and Lady Alice Mordaunt
+wants to come with Fanny and Bea. You know she is not out yet. Now I am
+engaged to go with Florence to Lady McLean's garden party at Twickenham.
+So may I _depend_ on you to come and chaperon them? If it were my own
+girls only, they could go with Ormonde or any one. But Lady Alice is to
+be escorted to our house by that incarnation of propriety, Mr.
+Errington; so they must have a chaperon. I therefore depend on you.
+Luncheon at 1.30. Do not fail. Ever yours affectionately.
+                                                    E. BURNETT."
+
+
+Mrs. Liddell folded up the epistle and placed it in its envelope; then
+she sat musing. How cruel it would be to break this butterfly on the
+wheel of bitter circumstance! It would be irrational, she thought, "to
+expect the strength that could submit to and endure the inevitable from
+_her_. She will at once suffer more and less than my Katie. Small
+exterior things will sting Ada and make her miserable. As long as
+Katherine's heart is satisfied all else can be borne; but _her_
+conditions are more difficult. Heigho! for material ills there is
+nothing so intolerable as debt." She rose and went to her room with the
+vague intention of doing some of the hundred and one things which needed
+doing, one more than another, as was usual in her busy life, but somehow
+the uncertainty and anxiety oppressing her heart made her incapable of
+continued action; she was always breaking off to think--and the more she
+thought, the more uneasy she grew. If she had worked out the thin vein
+of invention and observation which gained her her humble literary
+success, one source of income was gone--a source on which she had
+reckoned too surely. Then she had not anticipated that her
+daughter-in-law would be so expensive an inmate. Self-denial was a thing
+incomprehensible to her. As long as she took care of her clothes, and
+refrained from buying the very expensive garments her soul longed for,
+she considered herself most exemplary. As for the smaller savings of
+omnibus and cabs not absolutely needful, she rarely thought of such
+matters, or, if she did, it made her frightfully cross, and urged her to
+many spiteful and contemptuous remarks on girls who have the strength of
+a horse, and do not care what horrid places they tramp through: so that
+she never was able to lighten the household burdens by a farthing beyond
+the very small amount she had originally agreed to contribute toward
+them.
+
+Her mother-in-law's meditations were interrupted by the young widow
+skurrying in in desperate haste. "Jane has gone for a cab," she
+exclaimed; "have you that shilling?"
+
+"Here; you had better have eighteenpence, in case--"
+
+"Oh yes, I had better; and do I look nice?"
+
+"Very nice indeed. I think you are looking so much better than you did
+last year--"
+
+"That is because I go out a little; I delight in the theatre. Now I must
+be off. There is the cab--oh! a horrid four-wheeler. Good-by, dear."
+
+Mrs. Burnett was the wife of a civilian high up in the Indian service,
+and was herself a woman of good family. She had come home in the
+previous winter in order to introduce her eldest daughter to society,
+and accidentally meeting Mrs. Frederic Liddell, whom she had known in
+India, was graciously pleased to patronize her. She had taken a handsome
+furnished house near Hyde Park, and kept it freely open during the
+season. Admission to such an establishment was a sort of "open sesame"
+to heaven for the little widow. She loved, she adored Mrs. Burnett and
+her dear charming girls, to say nothing of two half-grown sons, "the
+most delightful boys!" She was really fond of them for the time, and it
+was this touch of temporary sincerity that gave her the unconscious
+power to hold the hearts of Mrs. Burnett and her daughters.
+
+She was quite the pet of the family, and always at their beck and call.
+To keep this position she strained every means; she even denied herself
+an occasional pair of gloves in order to tip the stately man-servant who
+opened the door and opened her umbrella occasionally for her.
+
+She found the whole party assembled in the dining-room, and her entrance
+was hailed with acclamations.
+
+"I had just begun to tremble lest you should not come," cried Mrs.
+Burnett, stretching out her hand, but not rising from her seat at the
+head of the table.
+
+"I only had your note half an hour ago," said Mrs. Liddell, with
+pardonable inaccuracy, feeling her spirits rise in the delightful
+atmosphere, flower-scented, and stirred by the laughter and joyous
+chatter of the "goodlie companie."
+
+A long table set forth with all the paraphernalia of an excellent
+luncheon was surrounded by a merry party, the girls in charming summer
+toilettes, and as many men as women. Men, too, in the freshest possible
+attire, all "on pleasure bent."
+
+"Do you know us all?" asked Mrs. Burnett, looking round. "Yes, I think
+all but Lady Alice Mordaunt and Mr. Kirby."
+
+"I have never had the pleasure of meeting Lady Alice Mordaunt
+before"--with a graceful little courtesy--"but Mr. Kirby, though _he_
+has forgotten me, I remember meeting him at Rumchuddar, when I first
+went out to my poor dear papa. Perhaps you remember _him_--Captain
+Dunbar, at----?" Thus said Mrs. Liddell, as she glided into her seat
+between one of the Burnetts and a tall, big, shapeless-looking man with
+red hair, small sharp eyes, a yellow-ochreish complexion, and craggy
+temples, who had risen courteously to make room for her.
+
+"God bless my soul!" he exclaimed, turning red--a dull deep red. "I
+remember perfectly--that is, I don't remember _you_; I remember your
+father. I'm sure I do not know how I could have forgotten you," with a
+shy, admiring glance.
+
+"Nor I either," cried Colonel Ormonde, who sat opposite. "Though Mrs.
+Liddell does not seem to remember _me_."
+
+"Why, I only saw you yesterday, and I am sure I bowed to you as I came
+in." So saying, Mrs. Liddell lifted her head with a sweet caressing
+smile to the eldest of the Burnett boys, who himself brought her some
+pigeon pie; and from that moment she devoted herself to her new
+acquaintance, utterly regardless of the hitherto tenderly cultivated
+Colonel.
+
+Kirby, a newly arrived Indian magistrate, was not given to conversation,
+but he was assiduous in attending to his fair neighbor's wants, and
+seemed to like listening to her lively remarks.
+
+Colonel Ormonde glanced at them from time to time; he was amazed and
+indignant that Mrs. Liddell could attend to any one save himself. He was
+rather unfortunately placed between Miss Burnett, whose attention was
+taken up by Sir Ralph Brereton, a marriageable baronet, who sat on her
+other side, and Lady Alice Mordaunt, a timid, colorless, but graceful
+girl, still in the school-room, who scarcely spoke at all, and if she
+did, always to her right-hand neighbor, a stately-looking man with grave
+dark eyes, which saved him from being plain, and a clear colorless brown
+complexion. He said very little, but his voice, though rather cold, was
+pleasant and refined, conveying the impression that he was accustomed to
+be heard with attention. He too was very attentive to Lady Alice, but in
+a kind, fatherly way, as if she were a helpless creature under his care.
+
+"I believe we are quite an Indian party," said Mrs. Burnett, looking
+down the table. "Of course my children are Indian by inheritance; then
+there are Mr. Kirby and Mr. Errington"--nodding to the dark man next
+Lady Alice--"and Colonel Ormonde."
+
+"I am not Indian, you know; I was only quartered in India for a few
+years," returned Ormonde, contradictiously.
+
+"And I was only a visitor for one season's tiger-shooting," said
+Brereton.
+
+"And I do not want to go," cried Tom Burnett; "I want to be an attache."
+
+"Oh yes; you speak so many languages!" said his younger sister.
+
+"I certainly do not consider myself an old Indian," said the man
+addressed as Errington, "though I have visited it more than once."
+
+"You an Indian!" cried Ormonde. "Why, you have just started as an
+English country gentleman. We are to have Errington for a comrade on the
+bench and in the field down in Clayshire. His father has bought Garston
+Hall--quite close to Melford, Lady Alice. But I suppose you know all
+about it."
+
+"Yes," said Lady Alice, in a tone which might be affirmation or
+interrogation. "There are such pretty walks in Garston Woods!"
+
+"Errington was born with a silver spoon in his mouth," returned Ormonde.
+"Garston dwarfs Castleford, I can tell you. It was a good deal out of
+repair--the Hall I mean?"
+
+"It is. We do not expect to get it into thorough repair till winter.
+Then I hope, Mrs. Burnett, you will honor us by a visit," said
+Errington.
+
+"With the greatest pleasure," exclaimed the hostess.
+
+"And oh, Mr. Errington, do give a ball!" cried Fanny, the second
+daughter.
+
+"I fear that is beyond my powers. I do not think I ever danced in my
+life."
+
+"Are you to be of the party on board Lord Melford's yacht?" asked
+Ormonde, speaking to Lady Alice.
+
+"Oh no. I am to stay with Aunt Harriet at the Rectory all the summer."
+
+"Ah, that is too bad. You'd like sailing about, I dare say?"
+
+"Oh, yachting must be the most delightful thing in the world," cried
+Mrs. Liddell, from her place opposite. "If I were you I should coax my
+father to let me go."
+
+"Papa knows best. I am very fond of the Rectory," said Lady Alice,
+blushing at being so publicly addressed.
+
+"And _you_ understand the beauty of obedience," said Errington, with
+grave approval.
+
+"Now, if you intend to see the whole 'fun of the fair,'" said Mrs.
+Burnett, "you had better be going, young people. The carriage is to come
+back for us after setting you down at the theatre. Who are going? My
+girls, Lady Alice, and Mrs. Liddell? Who is to be their escort? Colonel
+Ormonde?"
+
+He glanced across the table. Mrs. Liddell sent no glance in his
+direction; she again devoted her attention to Kirby.
+
+"No, thank you. To be intensely amused from two to six is more than I
+can stand; besides, I hope to meet you at Lady Maclean's this
+afternoon."
+
+"I have an engagement, a business engagement at three," said Errington;
+"but I shall be happy to call for these ladies and see them home."
+
+"You need not take that trouble," said Mrs. Burnett. "My son will be in
+the theatre later, and take charge of them; but there is still a place
+in the box. Will you go, Mr. Kirby?"
+
+"Oh, pray do!" cried Mrs. Liddell. "You will be sure to be amused; a
+matinee of this kind is great fun. There is singing and dancing and
+acting and recitations of all kinds." She spoke in her liveliest manner
+and her sweetest tones.
+
+"You are very good. I have not been in a theatre since I arrived; so if
+you really have a place for me, I shall be most happy to accompany you."
+
+"That's settled. Go and put on your hats, my dears," said Mrs. Burnett;
+and her daughters, with Lady Alice, left the room.
+
+"Well, Mrs. Liddell, have you persuaded your handsome sister-in-law to
+join our party on Thursday?" asked Ormonde.
+
+"I have really had no time to speak much to her. An old uncle of hers,
+as rich as a Jew and a perfect miser, sent his lawyer for her this
+morning. I suppose he is going to make her his heiress. I hope they will
+give a share to my poor little boys. I am going to take them to ask a
+blessing from their aged relative, I assure you."
+
+"Oh yes, by George! you try and hold on to him. The little fellows ought
+to have the biggest share, of course, as the _nephew's_ children. Why,
+it would change your position altogether if your boys had ten or fifteen
+thou. between them."
+
+"Or apiece," said Mrs. Liddell, carelessly. She was immensely amused by
+the Colonel's tone of deep interest. "You may be very sure I shall do my
+best. I know the value of money."
+
+"May I ask where this Mr. Liddell resides?" asked Mr. Errington, joining
+them, with a bow to the young widow.
+
+"I really do not know, though he is my uncle-in-law. Pray do you know
+him?"
+
+"No; I know of him, but we are not personally acquainted."
+
+"And is he not supposed to be very rich?"
+
+"That I cannot say; but I have an idea that he is well off."
+
+With another bow Errington retreated to say good-morning to his hostess.
+
+"Well, whether your sister-in-law comes or not, I hope we are sure of
+your charming self?" said Ormonde.
+
+"Unless I am obliged to parade my boys for their grand-uncle's
+inspection, I am sure to honor you."
+
+"Of course everything must give away to _that_. I shall come and inquire
+what news soon, if I may?"
+
+"Oh yes; come when you like."
+
+"They are all ready, Mrs. Liddell," remarked her hostess.
+
+Mr. Kirby offered his arm, which was accepted with a smile, and the
+little widow sailed away with the sense of riding on the crest of a
+wave. The ladies were packed into the carriage, the polite man out of
+livery whistled up a hansom for the two gentlemen, and the luncheon
+party was over.
+
+It was a weary day to Mrs. Liddell--the dowager Mrs. Liddell, as society
+would have called her, only she had no dower. All she had inherited from
+her husband was the remnant of his debts, which she had been struggling
+for some years to pay off, and the care and maintenance of her boy and
+girl, on her own slender funds.
+
+At present the horizon looked very dark, and she almost regretted for
+Katherine's sake that she had agreed to make a home for her son's widow
+and children. Yet what would have become of them without it?
+
+Partly to rouse herself from her fruitless reflections, partly to
+relieve the house-maid, who had been doing some extra scrubbing, Mrs.
+Liddell took her little grandsons to Kensington Gardens, and when they
+had selected a place to play in she sat down with a book which she had
+brought in the vain hope of getting out of herself. But her sight was
+soon diverted from the page before her by the visions which came
+thronging from the thickly peopled past.
+
+Her life had been a hard continuous fight with difficulty after the
+first few years of her wedded existence. She had seen her gay,
+pleasure-loving husband change under the iron grasp of untoward
+circumstances into a querulous, bitter, disappointed man, rewarding all
+her efforts to keep their heads above water by sarcastic complaints of
+her narrow stinginess, venting on her the remorseful consciousness,
+unacknowledged to himself, that his reverses were the result of his own
+reckless extravagance. Perhaps to her true heart the cruelest pain of
+all was the gradual dying out, or rather killing out, of the love she
+once bore him, the vanishing, one by one, of the illusions she cherished
+respecting him, till she saw the man as he really was, weak, unstable,
+self-indulgent, incapable of true manliness. Still she was patient with
+him to the last; and when she was relieved by friendly death from the
+charge of so wilful and ungrateful a burden--though things were easier,
+because hers was the sole authority--it was a constant strain to provide
+the education necessary for her boy. But that accomplished, she had a
+sweet interlude with her daughter in humble peace, and while she did her
+best to arm the child for the conflict of life, she avoided weakening
+herself by too much thought for her future. This spell of repose was
+broken by the necessity for sacrificing some of her small capital to set
+her son free from his embarrassments. Then came his death and her
+present experiment in house-keeping in order to give his widow and
+children a refuge.
+
+For the last four or five years she had made a welcome addition to her
+small income by her pen, contributing to the smaller weekly periodicals
+stories and sketches; for Mrs. Liddell had seen much with keen,
+observant eyes, and had a fair share of humor. This small success had
+tempted her to spend several months on a three-volume novel, thereby
+depriving herself of present remuneration which shorter, lighter tales
+had brought in. She sorely feared this ambitious step was a
+mistake--that she had over-estimated her own powers. She feared that she
+could never manage to keep up the very humble establishment she had
+started. Above all, she feared that her own health and physical force
+were failing. It was such an effort to do much that formerly was as
+nothing. That attack of bronchitis last spring had tried her severely:
+she had never felt quite the same since. And if she were called away,
+what would become of Katherine? Never was there a dearer daughter than
+her Katie. She knew every turn, every light and shade in her nature--her
+faults, her pride and hastiness, her deep, tender heart. A sob rose in
+her throat at the idea of Katherine being left alone to engage
+single-handed in the struggle for existence. No! She _would_ live!--she
+would battle on with poverty and difficulty till Katherine was a few
+years older; till she was stronger and better able to stand alone.
+
+"Yet she is strong and brave for nineteen," thought the mother, proudly.
+"Perhaps I have kept her too much by my side. I wish I could let her pay
+a visit to the Mitchells. They have asked her repeatedly; but we must
+not think of it at present."
+
+Here her little grandsons, who had more than once broken in upon her
+musings, came running across the grass to inform her they were sure it
+was tea-time, as they were very hungry.
+
+"Then we shall go home," said Mrs. Liddell, immediately clearing her
+face of its look of gloom, and rising to accompany them, cheered by the
+thought that perhaps Katie's dear face might be ready to welcome her.
+
+But neither daughter nor daughter-in-law awaited her, and a couple of
+hours went slowly over--slowly and wearily, for she forced herself to
+tell the boys a couple of thrilling tales, before they went to bed, to
+keep them quiet and cool. Then, with promises that both mamma and auntie
+should come and kiss them as soon as they returned, she dismissed the
+little fellows.
+
+It was past seven when Katherine at last appeared at the garden gate.
+
+"I am so glad you have come in before Ada," cried Mrs. Liddell,
+embracing her. "Are you very tired, dearest?"
+
+"No, not nearly so tired as yesterday; and, mother dear, I think that
+strange old man will certainly give us the money."
+
+"Thank God! Tell me all about your day."
+
+"It was all very funny, but not terrible, like yesterday. My uncle seems
+determined to make a cook of me. He would not let them buy or prepare
+any food for him, except a cup of tea and some toast, until I came. How
+that frail old man can exist upon so little nourishment I cannot
+imagine; but though I seem to give him satisfaction, he does not express
+any. While he and Mr. Newton talked I was sent to look at the condition
+of the rooms upstairs. Such a condition of dust and neglect you could
+not conceive. Oh, the gloom and misery of the whole house is beyond
+description!"
+
+"Did you get anything to eat yourself?" asked Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"Yes; Mr. Newton, who is really kind and friendly under his cool,
+precise exterior, sent for some cakes. He staid a good while. I think he
+has a good deal of influence on Mr. Liddell. (I can hardly call him
+uncle.) He was more polite when Mr. Newton was present. When he was
+going away he said, 'I am happy to say I have convinced Mr. Liddell that
+you are his niece, and if you and your mother will call upon me at noon
+to-morrow, the loan you wish for can be arranged, if you will agree to
+certain conditions, which I should like to explain both to you and to
+Mrs. Liddell.' He gave me his card. Here it is. He has written 'twelve
+to one' on it."
+
+"They must be very hard conditions if we cannot agree to them," said
+Mrs. Liddell, taking out her porte-monnaie and putting the card into it.
+"This is indeed a Godsend, Katie, dear. I am thankful you had the pluck
+to attack the old lion in his den."
+
+"Lion! Hyena rather. Yet I cannot help feeling sorry for him. Think of
+passing away without a soul to care whether you live or die--without one
+pleasant memory!"
+
+"His memories are anything but pleasant," returned Mrs. Liddell,
+gravely. "His wife, of whom I believe he was fond in his own way, left
+him when their only child, a son, was about ten years old. This seemed
+to turn his blood to gall. He took an unnatural dislike to his poor boy,
+and treated him so badly that he ran away to sea. Poor fellow? he used
+sometimes to write to your father. Their mutual dislike to John Liddell
+was a kind of bond between them. It is an unhappy story, for, as I told
+you, he was afterward killed at the gold diggings.
+
+"Very dreadful!" said Katherine, thoughtfully. "What a cruel visiting of
+the mother's sin on the unfortunate child!--that horrible bit of the
+decalogue! With all his icy cold selfishness Mr. Liddell is a gentleman.
+His voice is refined, and except when he was carried away by hi-fury
+against his roguish housekeeper he seems to have a certain self-respect.
+After Mr. Newton went away I read for a long time all the money articles
+in two penny papers, for the _Times_ had been taken away. Then I wrote a
+couple of letters, and all my uncle said was: 'So it seems you really
+are my niece. Well, I hope you know more of the value of money than
+either your father or mother.' I could not let that pass, and said, 'My
+father died when I was too young to know him; but no one could manage
+money better nor with greater care than my mother.' He stared at me. 'I
+am glad to hear it,' he returned, very dryly. He had a note from his
+stock-broker in reply to one I wrote for him yesterday. He seemed
+greatly pleased with it. He kept chuckling and murmuring, 'Just in time,
+just in time!'"
+
+"Perhaps he will fancy you bring him luck."
+
+"I am awfully afraid he will want me to go and read to him every day,
+for when I was directing one of the letters he said, as though to
+himself, 'If she can read and write for me I need not buy a new pair of
+spectacles.' It would be too dreadful to be with that cynical hyena
+every day."
+
+"Oh, when he gets a good servant he will not want you."
+
+"I hope not."
+
+"Now come, you must have your supper, dear. I am sure you have earned
+it. We will have it quietly together before Ada comes back. I feel so
+relieved, I shall be able to eat now."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+"INTO THE SHADOWS."
+
+
+To avoid Mrs. Frederic Liddell's almost screaming curiosity was not
+easy, and to appease it Kate assumed an air of frankness, saying that
+she believed Mr. Liddell merely wished to test her powers as secretary,
+and that she hoped she had not succeeded too well.
+
+"Oh, you lazy thing! You really ought to try and get in with him.
+Oughtn't she, Mrs. Liddell?"
+
+"Yes, certainly, if she can; but I fancy it will not be so easy. What
+are you going to do to-day, Ada?"
+
+"Oh, nothing"--in a rather discontented tone. "Why do you ask?"
+
+"Because I am obliged to go into town on a matter of business, and I
+want to take Katherine."
+
+"Well, I will look after the boys"--condescendingly, as if it were not
+her legitimate business. "But I really think you worry too much about
+those tiresome publishers. They would think more of you if you troubled
+them less. Your mother looks pale and fagged, Katherine."
+
+"Yes, she does indeed," looking anxiously at her.
+
+"I am afraid the publishers would leave me too utterly undisturbed if I
+left them alone," returned Mrs. Liddell, smiling, and leaving the
+suggestion uncontradicted. This conversation took place at breakfast.
+
+Mother and daughter made the journey cityward very silently, both a good
+deal occupied conjecturing what conditions John Liddell could possibly
+mean to impose. Perhaps only a very high rate of interest, which would
+cost no small effort to spare from their narrow income.
+
+Mr. Newton received his visitors directly their names were sent up to
+him. His was an eminent firm; their offices, light, clean, well
+furnished, an abode which impressed those who entered with the idea of
+fair dealing, and forbade the notion of dark dusty corners moral or
+physical.
+
+Katherine's quick eyes took in the aspect of the place: the bookshelves,
+where stores of legal learning in calf-bound volumes were ranged: the
+various brown tin boxes with names in white paint suggestive of the
+title-deeds "of all the land"; the big knee-hole table loaded with
+papers; the heavy chairs upholstered in the best leather for the
+patients who came to be treated; and Mr. Newton himself, more intensely
+cleaned up and starched than ever, in an oaken seat of mediaeval form.
+
+He rose and set chairs for Mrs. Liddell and her daughter himself; then
+he rustled among his papers, and spoke down a tube.
+
+"Ahem!" he began. "Your brother-in-law, madam, is a man of peculiar
+character, but by no means without discrimination. Thank you"--to a
+clerk who brought in a long folded paper and laid it beside him,
+disappearing quickly. "By no means without discrimination," repeated Mr.
+Newton. "Unfortunately the love of money grows on a childless man, and
+his terms for the loan you require may not meet your approbation."
+
+"Pray what are they?" asked Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"My client will accept a bill of sale on your furniture as security, but
+he will give you a period of eighteen months to repay him, and he will
+charge ten per cent.; but if you agree to another condition, which I
+will explain, he will be content with five per cent."
+
+"This must be a severe condition," said Mrs. Liddell, with a slight
+smile.
+
+"No; it may prove a fortunate condition," said the lawyer, with some
+hesitation. "In short, I have persuaded Mr. Liddell to allow me to
+choose him a respectable servant at fair wages. The state into which he
+has fallen is deplorable. I felt it my duty to remonstrate with him, and
+he is not averse to my influence. I therefore pressed upon him the
+necessity of having a better class of housekeeper, a person who could
+read to him and write for him, and would be above drink and pilfering."
+
+"What did he say to that?" asked Katherine, with a bright, amused look.
+
+"He said, very decidedly: 'I will have that girl you say is my niece to
+be my housekeeper and reader. She gave me the best and cheapest dinner I
+ever ate; her letter to my stock-broker brought me luck; and I will pay
+ready money for everything, so she shall not be able to leave books
+unpaid. If she comes I will be content with five per cent, on the loan,
+which must do instead of salary; and if she refuses, why, so do I.' An
+ungracious speech, Mrs. Liddell, but there is the condition."
+
+"Do you mean my brother-in-law will refuse to help me if my daughter
+does not go to manage his house?"
+
+"So he says."
+
+"But did you not say at first that he would take ten per cent, without
+this sacrifice?"
+
+"_He_ said so at first; then this plan seemed to strike him, and he was
+very firm about it."
+
+"It is an awful place to go to." The words burst from Katherine's lips
+before she could stop herself.
+
+"I can hardly agree to such a condition as this," cried Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"And I must urge you not to reject it," said Mr. Newton, impressively,
+"for the sake of your daughter and grandsons. I must point out that by
+refusing you not only deprive yourself of the temporary aid you
+require, but you cut off your daughter from all chance of winning
+over her uncle by the influence of her presence. Propinquity, my dear
+madam--propinquity sometimes works wonders; and Mr. Liddell has a great
+deal in his power. I would not encourage false hopes, but this is a
+chance you may never have again--a chance of sharing her uncle's
+fortune. If she refuses, he will never see her again."
+
+Silence ensued. The choice was a grave difficulty. Mrs. Liddell looked
+at Katherine, and Katherine looked at the carpet.
+
+Suddenly Katherine looked up quickly, and said, in a clear, decided
+voice: "I will go. I will undertake the office of secretary and
+housekeeper--at least until my mother pays off this loan."
+
+"Katie, my child, how shall you be able to bear it?"
+
+"Miss Liddell has decided wisely and well," said the lawyer. "I
+earnestly hope--nay, I believe--she will reap a rich reward for her
+self-sacrifice."
+
+"But, Mr. Newton, I cannot consent without some reflection. I too have
+some conditions to impose."
+
+"And they are?" put in Newton, uneasily.
+
+"I cannot define them all clearly on the spur of the moment; but I must
+have leave to go and see my daughter whenever I choose, and she must
+have the right to spend one day in the week at home."
+
+"This might be arranged," said the lawyer, thoughtfully. "Be brave, my
+dear madam. Sacrifice something of the present to secure future good."
+
+"Provided we do not pay too high a price for a doubtful benefit. It will
+be terrible for a young girl to be the bond-slave of such a man as John
+Liddell."
+
+"Well, mother, I am quite willing to undertake the task. Not that I am
+going to be a bond-slave, but as soon as you have paid your debt, I
+shall consider myself free."
+
+"By that time, my dear young lady, I hope you will have made yourself of
+so much importance to your uncle that he will make it worth your while
+to stay," exclaimed Newton, who was evidently actuated by a friendly
+feeling toward both mother and daughter.
+
+"He must bribe high, then," returned Kate, laughing.
+
+"Then may I inform Mr. Liddell that you accept his proposition? and you
+are prepared to begin your duties at once! Remember he considers his
+acceptance of five instead of ten per cent, frees him from the necessity
+of paying you any salary."
+
+"Surely the laborer is worthy of his hire," said Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"No doubt of it, madam; but the case is a peculiar one."
+
+Some more particulars were discussed and arranged; Mr. Newton begged
+Mrs. Liddell to look out for and select a servant, that Katherine might
+begin with some prospect of comfort. It was settled that an interview
+should be arranged between Mrs. Liddell and her brother-in-law on the
+day but one following, at which Mr. Newton was to assist, Finally she
+signed a paper, and received six lovely new crisp bank-notes, the magic
+touch of which has so marvellously reviving an effect.
+
+Katherine slipped her arm through her mother's and pressed it lovingly
+as they walked to the Metropolitan station for their return journey.
+"Now, dear, you will have a little peace," she said.
+
+"Dear-bought peace, my darling. I cannot reconcile myself to such a fate
+for you."
+
+"Still, the money is a comfort."
+
+"It is indeed. I will pay the rent to-day, and to-morrow I will give Ada
+her money. That will be an infinite relief. And still I shall have a few
+pounds left. Katie dear, is it not too dreadful, the prospect of eating,
+drinking, sleeping, and beginning _di nuovo_ each morning in that gloomy
+house? How shall you bear it?"
+
+"You shall see. If I can have a little chat with you every week I shall
+be able for a good deal. Then, remember, the book still remains. When
+that succeeds we may snap our fingers at rich uncles."
+
+"When that time comes," interrupted her mother, "you will be tied to the
+poor old miser by habit and the subtle claims which pity and
+comprehension weave round the sympathetic."
+
+"Oh, if I ever grow to like him it will simplify matters very much. I
+almost hope I may, but it is not likely. How strange it will be to live
+in a different house from you! How dreadfully the boys will tease you
+when I am away! Come; suppose we go and see the _Cheerful Visitor_--the
+editor, I mean--before we return, and then we can say we _have_ been to
+a publisher. I really do not think Ada knows the difference between an
+editor and a publisher."
+
+"Very likely; nor would you, probably, if you had not a mother who
+scribbles weak fiction."
+
+"It is a great deal better than much that is published and paid for,"
+said Katherine, emphatically.
+
+"Ah! Kate, when money has long been scarce you get into a bad habit of
+estimating things merely at their market value. However, let us visit
+the _Cheerful Visitor_ on our homeward way. Of course we must tell Ada
+of the impending change, but we need not explain too much."
+
+The journey back was less silent. Both mother and daughter were
+oppressed by the task undertaken by the latter. But Katherine was
+successful in concealing the dismay with which she contemplated a
+residence with John Liddell. "Whatever happens, I must not seem afraid
+of him or _be_ afraid of him," she thought, with instinctive perception.
+"I will try to do what is just and right, and leave the rest to
+Providence. It must be a great comfort to have faith--to believe that if
+you do the right thing you will be directed and assisted by God. What
+strength it would give! But I haven't faith. I cannot believe that
+natural laws will ever be changed for me, and I _know_ that good,
+honest, industrious creatures die of hunger every day. No matter. Do
+rightly, come what may, is the motto of every true soul. I don't
+suppose I shall melt this old man's stony heart, but I will do my best
+for him. His has been a miserable life in spite of his money. There is
+so much money cannot buy!"
+
+"How dreadfully late you are!" said Mrs. Frederic, querulously, when
+they reached home. "I really could not keep the children waiting for
+you, so we have finished dinner; but Maria is keeping the mutton as hot
+as she can for you. Dear me! how sick I am of roast mutton! but I
+suppose it is cheap"--contemptuously.
+
+"Poor dear! it shall have something nice to-morrow," returned Mrs.
+Liddell, with her usual strong good temper.
+
+"I suppose you are too tired, Katherine, to come with me. The band plays
+in Kensington Gardens to-day, and I wanted so much to go and hear it."
+
+"I am indeed! Besides, mother has a great deal to tell you when we have
+had some dinner."
+
+"Oh, indeed! Has your book been accepted, Mrs. Liddell? or has that
+terrible uncle of ours declared Katherine to be his heiress?"
+
+"Have a little patience, and you shall hear everything."
+
+"I am dying of curiosity and impatience. Here, Sarah, _do_ bring up
+dinner--Mrs. Liddell is so hungry!"
+
+The announcement that Katherine was invited to live with John Liddell
+created a tornado of amazement, envy, anticipation--with an undercurrent
+of exultant pride that they were at last recognized by the only rich man
+in the family--in the mind of the pretty, impressionable little widow.
+
+"Gracious! What a grand thing for Kate! But she will be moped to death,
+and he will starve her. Why, Katherine, when it is known that a
+millionaire has adopted you his den will be besieged by your admirers.
+You will never be able to stand such a life for long at a time. Suppose
+I relieve guard every fortnight? You must let me have my innings too.
+Old gentlemen always like me, I am so cheerful. Then I might have the
+boys to see him; you know he ought to divide the property between us."
+
+"Of course he ought. I wish he would have us alternately; it would be a
+great relief," said Katherine, laughing.
+
+"I fancy he is _im_-mensely rich," continued Ada. "Why, Mr. Errington
+evidently knew his name."
+
+"Who is Mr. Errington?" asked Mrs. Liddell, with languid curiosity.
+
+"Did you never hear of the Calcutta Erringtons?" cried Ada, with
+infinite superiority. "There are as rich as Jews, and one of the
+greatest houses in India. Old Mr. Errington bought a fine place in the
+country lately, and this young man--I'm sure I don't know if he _is_
+young; he is as grave as a judge and as stiff as a poker--at all events
+he is an only son. I met him at the Burnett's yesterday. Well, he seemed
+to know Mr. Liddell's name quite well. Colonel Ormonde pricked up his
+ears too when I said you had gone to see him. It is a great advantage to
+have a rich old bachelor uncle, Katherine, but you must not keep him all
+to yourself."
+
+
+The next few days were agitated and much occupied. Katherine went for
+part of each to read and write and market for the old recluse, and he
+grew less formidable, but not more likable, as he became more familiar.
+He was an extraordinary example of a human being converted into a
+money-making and accumulating machine. He was not especially irritable;
+indeed his physical powers were weak and dying of every species of
+starvation; but his coldness was supernatural. Fortunately for
+Katherine, his former housekeeper was greedy and extravagant, so that
+his niece's management seemed wise and economical, and she had an
+excellent backer-up in Mr. Newton.
+
+The old miser was with difficulty persuaded to see his sister-in-law;
+but Mrs. Liddell insisted on an interview, and Mr. Newton himself
+supported her through the trying ordeal.
+
+The mother's heart sank within her at she sight of the gloomy, desolate
+abode in which her bright daughter was to be immured; but she comforted
+herself by reflecting that it need not be for long.
+
+Mr. Liddell did not rise from the easy-chair in which he sat crouched
+together, his thin gray locks escaping as usual from under the
+skull-cap, his long lean brown hands grasping the arms of his chair,
+when Mrs. Liddell came in; neither did he hold out his hand. He looked
+at her fixedly with his glittering dark eyes.
+
+"You wanted to see me?" he said. "Why?"
+
+"Because I thought it right to see and speak with you before committing
+my only child to your keeping."
+
+"But you have done it!--She has agreed to the conditions, has'nt she?"
+turning to Newton. "If you go back, I must have my money back."
+
+"Of course, my dear sir--of course," soothingly.
+
+"I am glad that Katherine can be of use to you. I do not wish to retract
+anything I have agreed to, but I wish to remind you that my child is
+young; that you must let her go in and out, and have opportunities for
+air and exercise."
+
+"She may do as she likes; she can do anything. So long as she reads to
+me, and buys my food without wasting my money, _I_ don't want her
+company. She seems to know something of the value of money, and I'll
+keep her in pledge till you have paid me. I'll never let myself be
+cheated again, as I was by your worthless husband."
+
+"Let the dead rest," said Mrs. Liddell, sadly. "I have paid you what I
+could."
+
+"Ay, the principal--the bare principal. What is that? Do men lend for
+the love of lending?" he returned, viciously.
+
+"Pray do not vex yourself. It is useless to look back--annoying and
+useless," said the lawyer, with decision.
+
+"Useless indeed! What more have you to say?"
+
+"I should like to see the room my daughter is to occupy. It is as well
+she should have the comforts necessary to health, for all our sakes.
+_You_ will not find one who will serve you as Katherine can, even for a
+high price. I think you feel this yourself," said Mrs. Liddell,
+steadily.
+
+"You may go where you like, but do not trouble me. You can come and see
+your daughter, but _I_ shall not want to see you; and she may go and see
+you of a Sunday, when there are no newspapers to be read; but, mark you
+I will not pay for carriages or horses or omnibuses; and mark also that
+I have made my will, and I'll not alter it in any one's favor. Your
+daughter will have her food and lodging and my countenance and
+protection."
+
+"She has done without these for nineteen years," said Mrs. Liddell, with
+a slight smile. "But you have given me very opportune help, for which I
+am grateful; so I have accepted your terms. Kate shall stay with you
+till I have paid you principal and interest, and then _I_ warn you I
+shall reclaim my hostage."
+
+"She'll be a good while with me," he said, with a sneer. "None of
+you--you, your husband, or your son--ever had thirty pounds to spare in
+your lives."
+
+"Time will show," returned Mrs. Liddell, with admirable steadiness and
+temper. "Now I will bid you good-day, and take advantage of your
+permission to look over your house."
+
+"Let me show you the way," said Newton. "I shall return to you
+presently, Mr. Liddell."
+
+The old man bent his head. "See that the girl comes to-morrow," he said,
+and leaned back wearily in his chair.
+
+The friendly lawyer led the way upstairs, and showed Mrs. Liddell a
+large room, half bed, half sitting, with plenty of heavy old-fashioned
+furniture. "This was, I think, the drawing-room," said Mr. Newton; "and
+having extracted permission from my very peculiar client to have the
+house cleaned, so far as it could be done, which it sorely needed, the
+person I employed selected the best of the furniture for this room. We
+propose to give the next room at the back to the servant. You have, I
+believe, found one?"
+
+"Yes, a respectable elderly woman, of whom I have had an excellent
+character."
+
+After Mrs. Liddell had visited the rooms upstairs--mere dismantled
+receptacles of rubbish--and they returned to what was to be Katherine's
+abode, she sat down on the ponderous sofa, and in spite of her efforts
+to control herself the tears would well up and roll over.
+
+"I feel quite ashamed of myself," said she, in a broken voice; "but when
+I think of my Katie, here alone, with that cruel old man, it is too much
+for my strength. She has been so tenderly reared, her life, though quiet
+and humble, has been so cared for, so tranquil, that I shrink from the
+idea of her banishment here."
+
+"It is not unnatural, my dear madam, but indeed the trial is worth
+enduring. Do not believe that the will of which Mr. Liddell speaks is
+irrevocable. He has made two or three to my certain knowledge, and it
+would be foolish to cut your daughter off from, any chance of sharing
+his fortune, which is considerable, I assure you, merely to avoid a
+little present annoyance."
+
+"It would indeed. Do not think me very weak. It is a passing fit of the
+dolefuls. I have had much anxiety of late, and for the moment I have a
+painful feeling that I have sold myself and my dear daughter into the
+hands of a relentless creditor; that I shall never free my neck from his
+yoke. I shall probably feel differently to-morrow."
+
+"I dare say you will. You are a lady of much imagination; a writer, your
+daughter tells me. Such an occupation should be an outlet for all
+imaginative terrors or anticipations, and leave your mind, your
+judgment, clear and free. I am sure Miss Liddell will do her uncle and
+herself good by her residence here. Mr. Liddell has been a source of
+anxiety to me and to my partners. We have, you know, been his legal
+advisers for years, and to know that he is in good hands will be a great
+relief. Rely on my--on our doing our best to assist your daughter in
+every way."
+
+Mrs. Liddell, perceiving the friendly spirit which actuated the precise
+lawyer, thanked him warmly, and after a little further discussion of
+details, took her way home.
+
+From the step she had voluntarily taken there was no retreat, nor, to do
+her justice, was Katherine Liddell in the least disposed to turn back,
+having once put her hand to the plough. Indeed the blessed
+castle-building powers of youth disposed her to rear airy edifices as
+regarded the future, which lightened the present gloom. Suppose John
+Liddell were to soften toward her, and make her a handsome present
+occasionally, or forgive this debt to her mother? What a delightful
+reward this would be for her temporary servitude! But though Katherine
+really amused herself with such fancies, they never crystallized into
+hope. Hope still played round her mother's chance of success with the
+publishers. Not that she fancied her dear mother a genius; on the
+contrary, because she _was_ her mother, she probably undervalued her
+work; but she knew that hundreds of stories printed and paid for lacked
+the common-sense and humor of Mrs. Liddell's.
+
+How ardently she longed to give her mother something of a rest after the
+burden and heat of the day, which she had borne so well and so long--a
+spell of peaceful twilight before the gray shadows of everlasting
+darkness closed, or the brightness of eternal light broke upon her! Yes,
+she would stand four-square against the steely terrors of John Liddell's
+cold egotism and penuriousness, against the desolation and gloom of his
+forbidding abode, the crushing sordidness of an existence reduced to the
+merest straws of sustenance, provided she could lighten her mother's
+load--perhaps secure her future ease; and she would do her task well,
+thoroughly, keeping a steady heart and a bright face. Then, should the
+tide ever turn, what deep draughts of pleasure she would drink!
+Katherine was not socially ambitious; finery and grandeur as such did
+not attract her; but real joys, beauty and gayety, the company of
+pleasant people, _i.e._ people who suited _her_, graceful surroundings,
+becoming clothes, and plenty of them, all were dear and delightful to
+her.
+
+Some of these things she had tasted when she lived with her mother in
+the German and Italian towns where she had been chiefly educated; the
+rest she was satisfied to imagine. Above all, she loved to charm those
+with whom she associated--loved it in a half-unconscious way. Were it to
+a poor blind beggar woman, or a little crossing sweeper, she would speak
+as gently and modulate her voice as carefully as to the most brilliant
+partner or the greatest lady. This might be tenderness of nature, or the
+profound instinct to win liking and admiration. As yet it was quite
+instinctive; but if hurt or offended she could feel resentment very
+vividly, and was by no means too ready to forgive.
+
+Unfortunately she started with a strong prejudice against her uncle, and
+sometimes rehearsed in her own mind exceedingly fine speeches which she
+would have liked to address to her miserly relative on the subject of
+his cruelty to his son, his avarice, his egotism.
+
+Still a strain of pity ran through her meditations. Was life worth
+living, spent as his was? How far had his nature been warped by his
+wife's desertion?
+
+It was an extraordinary experience to Katherine, this packing up of her
+belongings to quit her home. She took as little as she could help, to
+keep up the idea that she was entering on a very temporary engagement;
+besides, as she meant to adhere rigidly to her right of a weekly visit
+to her mother, she could always get what she wanted.
+
+After Mrs. Liddell, Katherine found it hardest to part with the boys,
+specially little Charlie, whose guardian and champion she had
+constituted herself. Her sister-in-law had rather an irritating effect
+upon her, of which she was a little ashamed, and whenever she had spoken
+sharply, which she did occasionally, she was ready to atone for it by
+doing some extra service, so that, on the whole, the pretty little widow
+got a good deal more out of her sister than out of her mother-in-law.
+
+But meditations, resolutions, regrets, and preparations notwithstanding,
+the day of Katherine's departure arrived. It was a bright, glowing
+afternoon, and the Thursday fixed for the boating party. Mrs. Liddell
+junior had expended much eloquence to no purpose, as she well knew it
+would be, in trying to persuade her sister-in-law to postpone the
+commencement of what the little widow was pleased to call her "penal
+servitude," and accompany her to Twickenham.
+
+She departed, however, without her, looking her very best, and uttering
+many promises to come and see Katie soon, to try her powers of pleasing
+on that dreadful old uncle of ours, to bring the dear boys, and see if
+they would not cut out their aunty, etc.
+
+Mrs. Liddell and her daughter were most thankful to have the last few
+hours together, and yet they said little, and that chiefly respecting
+past days which they had enjoyed together--little excursions on the Elbe
+or in the neighborhood of Florence; a couple of months once passed at
+Siena, which was a mental epoch to Katherine, who was then about
+fifteen; promises to write; and tender queries on the mother's side if
+she had remembered this or that.
+
+The little boys clung to her, Charlie in tears, Cecil very solemn. Both
+had taken up the sort of camera-obscura image of their elders' views
+which children contrive to obtain so mysteriously without hearing
+anything distinct concerning them, and both considered "Uncle John" a
+sort of modern ogre, only restrained by the policeman outside from
+making a daily meal of the nearest infant school, and sure to gobble up
+aunty some day. Charlie trembled at the thought; Cecil pondered
+profoundly how, by the judicious arrangement of a trap-door in the
+middle of his room, he might carry out the original idea of Jack the
+Giant-Killer.
+
+"Pray don't think of coming with me, mother," said Katherine, seeing
+Mrs. Liddell take out her bonnet. "I could not bear to think of your
+lonely drive back. Trust me to myself. I am not going to be either
+frightened or cast down, and I will write to-morrow."
+
+"Then I must let you go, darling! On Sunday next, Katie, we shall see
+you."
+
+A long, fond embrace, and Mrs. Liddell was indeed alone.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+"SHIFTING SCENES."
+
+
+Parting is often worst to those who stay behind. Imagination paints the
+trials and difficulties of the one who has put out to sea as far worse
+than the reality, while variety and action brace the spirit of him who
+goes forth.
+
+Katherine's reception, however, was paralyzing enough.
+
+Nothing was in her favor save the mellow brightness of the fine warm
+evening, though from its south-east aspect the parlor at Legrave
+Crescent was already in shadow. There, in his usual seat beside the
+fire--for, though a miser, John Liddell had a fire summer and
+winter--sat the old man watching the embers, in himself a living
+refrigerator.
+
+"You are late!" was his greeting, in a low, cold voice. "I have been
+expecting you. The woman Newton found for me has been up and down with a
+dozen questions I cannot answer. I must be saved from this; I will not
+be disturbed. Go and see what she wants; then, if there is more food to
+be cooked, come to me for money. Mark! no more bills. I will give you
+what cash you want each day, so long as you do not ask too much."
+
+"Very well. Your fire wants making up, uncle." She brought out this last
+word with an effort. "I suppose I _am_ to call you uncle?"
+
+"Call me what you choose," was the ungracious reply.
+
+In the hall she found the new servant, whom she had already seen,
+waiting her orders. She was a stout, good-humored woman of a certain
+age, with vast experience, gathered in many services, and partly tempted
+to her present engagement by the hope that in so small a household her
+labor would be light.
+
+"Will you come up, miss, and see if your room is as you like it?" was
+her first address. "I'm sure I _am_ glad you have come! I've been
+groping in the dark, in a manner of speaking, since I came yesterday;
+and Mr. Liddell, he's not to be spoke to. Believe me, miss, if it wasn't
+that I promised your mar, and saw you was a nice young lady yourself,
+wild horses wouldn't keep me in such a lonesome barrack of a place!"
+
+"I hope you will not desert us, Mrs. Knapp," returned Katherine,
+cheerfully. "If you and I do our best, I hope the place will not be so
+bad."
+
+"Well, it didn't ought to," returned Mrs. Knapp. "There's lots of good
+furniture everywhere but in the kitchen, and that's just for all the
+world like a marine store!"
+
+"Is it?" exclaimed Katherine, greatly puzzled by the metaphor. "At all
+events you have made my room nice and tidy." This conversation,
+commenced on the staircase, was continued in Katherine's apartment.
+
+"It ain't bad, miss; there's plenty of room for your clothes in that big
+wardrobe, and there's a chest of drawers; but Lord, 'm, they smell that
+musty, I've stood them open all last night and this morning, but they
+ain't much the better. I didn't like to ask for the key of the bookcase,
+but I can see through the glass the books are just coated with dust,"
+said Mrs. Knapp.
+
+"We must manage all that by-and-by," said Katherine. "Have you anything
+in the house? I suppose my uncle will want some dinner."
+
+"I gave him a filleted sole with white sauce, and a custard pudding, at
+two o'clock, and he said he wanted nothing more. I had no end of trouble
+in getting half a crown out of him, and he had the change. If the
+gentleman as I saw with your mar, miss, hadn't given me five shillings,
+I don't know where I should be."
+
+"I will ask my uncle what he would like for dinner or supper, and come
+to you in the kitchen afterward."
+
+Such was Katherine's inauguration.
+
+She soon found ample occupation. Not a day passed without a battle over
+pennies and half-pennies. Liddell gave her each morning a small sum
+wherewith to go to market; he expected her to return straight to him and
+account rigidly for every farthing she had laid out, to enter all in a
+book which he kept, and to give him the exact change. These early
+expeditions into the fresh air among the busy, friendly shopkeepers soon
+came to be the best bit of Katherine's day, and most useful in keeping
+up the healthy tone of her mind. Then came a spell of reading from the
+_Times_ and other papers. Every word connected with the funds and money
+matters generally, even such morsels of politics as effected the pulse
+of finance, was eagerly listened to; of other topics Mr. Liddell did not
+care to hear. A few letters to solicitor or stock-broker, some entries
+in a general account-book, and the forenoon was gone. Friends,
+interests, regard for life in any of its various aspects, all were
+nonexistent for Liddell. Money was his only thought, his sole
+aspiration--to accumulate, for no object. This miserliness had grown
+upon him since he had lost both wife and son. Fortunately for Katherine,
+his ideas of expenditure had been fixed by the comparatively liberal
+standard of his late cook. When, therefore, he found he had greater
+comfort at slightly less cost he was satisfied.
+
+But his satisfaction did not prompt him to express it. His nearest
+approach to approval was not finding fault.
+
+In vain Katherine endeavored to interest him in some of the subjects
+treated of in the papers. He was deaf to every topic that did not bear
+on his self-interest.
+
+"There is a curious account here of the state of labor in Manchester and
+Birmingham; shall I read it to you?" asked Katherine, one morning, after
+she had toiled through the share list and city article. She had been
+about a fortnight installed in her uncle's house.
+
+"No!" he returned; "what is labor to me? We have each our own work to
+do."
+
+"But is there nothing else you would care to hear, uncle?" She had grown
+more accustomed to him, and he to her; in spite of herself, she was
+anxious to cheer his dull days--to awaken something of human feeling in
+the old automaton.
+
+"Nothing! Why should I care for what does not concern me? You only care
+for what touches yourself; but because you are young, and your blood
+runs quick, many things touch you."
+
+"Did you ever care for anything except--except--" Katherine pulled
+herself up. The words "your money" were on her lips.
+
+"I cannot remember, and I do not wish to look back. I suppose, now, you
+would like to be driving about in a fine carriage, with a bonnet and
+feathers on your head. I suppose you are wishing me dead, and yourself
+free to run away from your daily tasks in this quiet house, to listen to
+the lying tongue of some soft-spoken scoundrel, as foolish women will;
+but the longer I live the better for _you_, till your mother's debt is
+paid, or my executors will give her a short shrift and scant time."
+
+"I don't want you to die, Uncle Liddell," said Katherine, with simple
+sincerity, "but I wish there was anything I could do to interest you or
+amuse you. I am sorry to see you so dull. Why, you are obliged to sleep
+all the afternoon!"
+
+"Amuse _me_?" he returned, with infinite scorn. "You need not trouble
+yourself. I have thoughts which occupy me of which you have no idea, and
+then I pass from thoughts to dreams--grand dreams!"--he paused for a
+moment. "Where is that pile of papers that lay on the chair there?" he
+resumed, sharply.
+
+"I have taken them away upstairs; when I have collected some more I am
+going to sell them. My mother always sells her waste paper--one may as
+well have a few pence for them."
+
+"Did you mother say so?" with some animation--then another pause. "Are
+you going to see her on Sunday?"
+
+"Not next Sunday," returned Katherine, quite pleased to draw him into
+conversation. "You know we must let Mrs. Knapp go out every alternate
+Sunday, and you cannot be left alone."
+
+"Why not? Am I an imbecile? Am I dying? I can tell you I have years of
+life before me yet."
+
+"I dare say; still, it is my duty to stay here in case you want
+anything. But I shall go home on Saturday afternoon instead, if you have
+no objection."
+
+"You would not heed my objections if I had any. You are self-willed, you
+are resolute. I see things when I care to look. There, I am very tired!
+You will find some newspapers in my room; you can add them to the
+others. How soon will dinner be ready?" Katherine felt herself
+dismissed.
+
+The afternoons were much at her own disposal; and as she found a number
+of old books, some of which greatly interested her, she managed to
+accomplish a good deal of reading, and even did a little dreaming.
+Still, though time seemed to go so slowly, the weeks, on looking back,
+had flown fast.
+
+The monotony was terrible; but a break was at hand which was not quite
+unexpected.
+
+The day following the above conversation, Katherine had retired as usual
+after dinner to write to a German friend with whom she kept up a
+desultory correspondence; the day was warm, and her door being open, the
+unwonted sound of the front door-bell startled her.
+
+"Who could it possibly be?" asked Katherine of herself. The next minute
+a familiar voice struck her ear, and she quickly descended to the front
+parlor.
+
+There an appalling sight met her eyes. In the centre of the room, her
+back to the door, stood Mrs. Fred Liddell, a little boy in either
+hand--all three most carefully attired in their best garments, and
+making quite a pretty group.
+
+Facing them, Mr. Liddell sat upright in his chair, his lean, claw-like
+hands grasping the arms, his eyes full of fierce astonishment.
+
+"You see, my dear sir, as you have never invited me, I have ventured to
+come unasked to make your acquaintance, and to introduce my dear boys to
+you; for it is possible you have sent me a message by Katherine which
+she has forgotten to deliver; so I thought--" Thus far the pretty little
+widow had proceeded when the children, catching sight of their auntie,
+sprang upon her with a cry of delight.
+
+"Who--who is this?" asked Mr. Liddell, compressing his thin lips and
+hissing out the words.
+
+"My brother's widow, Mrs. Fred Liddell," returned Katherine, who was
+kissing and fondling her nephews.
+
+"Did you invite her to come here?"
+
+"No, uncle."
+
+"Then explain to her that I do not receive visitors, especially
+relations, who have no claims upon me, and--and I particularly object to
+children."
+
+"I shall take my sister-in-law to my room for a little rest," returned
+Katherine, wounded by his manner, though greatly vexed with Ada for
+coming.
+
+"Ay, do, anywhere you like."
+
+But Mrs. Fred made a gallant attempt to stand her ground.
+
+"My dear sir, you must not be so unkind as to turn me out, when I have
+taken the trouble to come all this way on purpose to make your
+acquaintance. Let Katherine take away the children by all means--some
+people _are_ worried with children--but let _me_ stay and have a little
+talk with you."
+
+Mr. Liddell's only reply was to rise up. Gaunt, bent, his gray locks
+quivering with annoyance, and leaning on his stick, he slowly walked to
+the door, his eyes fixed with a cold glare on the intruder. At the door
+he turned, and addressing Katherine, said, "Let me know when she is
+gone;" then he disappeared into the hall.
+
+Little Charlie burst into tears. Cecil cried out, "You are a nasty,
+cross old man"; while Mrs. Fred grew very red, and exclaimed: "I never
+saw such a bear in all my life! Why, a crossing-sweeper would have
+better manners! I am astonished at you, Katie. How can you live with
+such a creature? But _some_ people would do anything for money."
+
+"I am dreadfully sorry," said Katherine; "do come up to my room. If you
+had only told me you were coming I should have advised you against it.
+You must rest a while in my room."
+
+"I really do not think I will sit down in this house after the way in
+which I have been treated," said the irate widow, while she followed her
+sister-in-law upstairs.
+
+"Oh yes, do, mammy; I want to see the house," implored Cecil.
+
+"Why did you not tell me what a dreadful man he is, Katherine, and I
+should not have put myself in the way of being insulted?"
+
+"I think I told you enough to keep you away, Ada. What put it into your
+head to come?"
+
+"I scarcely know. I always intended it, and Colonel Ormonde said it was
+my duty to let him, Mr. Liddell, see the boys. I really did not want to
+come."
+
+"I wish Colonel Ormonde would mind his own affairs," cried Katherine. "I
+fancy he only talks for talking's sake."
+
+"That is all you know," indignantly; "he is a very clever man of the
+world, and I am fortunate in having such a friend to interest himself in
+me."
+
+"Oh, well, perhaps so. At all events, I am very glad to see the bays,
+and--you too, Ada. Charlie is very pale. Come here, Charlie."
+
+"Oh, auntie, is this your own, own room? Does the cross old man ever
+come here? Are all those books yours--and the funny little table with
+the crooked legs? Who is the man in a wig?" cried Cecil. "Mightn't we
+stay with you? we would be so quiet? Mother says we are _dreffully_
+troublesome since you went away. We could both sleep with you in that
+great big bed! The cross old gentleman would never know. It would be
+such fun! Do, do, let us stay, auntie!"
+
+"But I am afraid of the old gentleman," whispered the younger boy. "Does
+he ever hurt you, auntie dear? I wish you would come home."
+
+"Charlie is such a coward," said Cecil, with contempt.
+
+"Don't talk nonsense, children," exclaimed their mother, peremptorily.
+"I should die of fright if I thought you were left behind with that
+ogre. _I_ wouldn't sacrifice my children for the sake of filthy lucre."
+
+"Do not talk nonsense, Ada?" said Katherine, impatiently. "I am
+infinitely distressed that my uncle should have behaved so rudely, but
+he is really eccentric, and if you had consulted--"
+
+"He is the boys' uncle as well as yours," interrupted Ada, indignantly.
+"Why should they not come and see him? How was I to suppose he was such
+an unnatural monster?"
+
+"I always told you he was very peculiar."
+
+"Peculiar! that is a delicate way of putting it. If I were you I should
+be ashamed of wasting my time and my youth acting servant to an old
+miser who will not leave you a sou!"
+
+"No, I don't suppose he will," returned Katherine, quietly. "Still, I am
+not the least ashamed of what I am doing; I am quite satisfied with my
+own motives."
+
+"Oh, you are always satisfied with yourself, I know," was the angry
+answer, "But"--with a slight change of tone--"I am sorry to see you look
+so pale and ill, though you deserve it."
+
+"Never mind, Ada. Take off your bonnet and sit down. I will get you a
+cup of tea."
+
+"Tea! no, certainly not! Do you think me so mean as to taste a mouthful
+of food in this house after being ordered out of it?"
+
+"Oh, I am _so_ hungry!" cried Cecil, in mournful tones.
+
+"You are a little cormorant: Grannie will give you nice tea when we get
+home. Put on your gloves, children, I shall go at once."
+
+"Do come back with us, auntie," implored the boys. "Grannie wants you
+ever so much."
+
+"Not more than I want her," returned Katherine. "How is she, Ada?"
+
+"Oh, very well; just the same as usual. People who are not sensitive
+have a great deal to be thankful for. _I_ feel quite upset by this
+encounter with your amiable relative, so I will say good-by."
+
+"Oh, wait for me; I will come with you. Let me put on my hat and tell
+Mr. Liddell I am going out."
+
+"Of course you must ask the master's leave!"
+
+"Exactly," returned Katherine, good-humoredly. And she put on her hat
+and gloves.
+
+"Well, I shall be glad of your guidance, for I hardly know my way back
+to where the omnibus starts. Such a horrible low part of the town for a
+man of fortune to live in! I wonder what Colonel Ormonde would say to
+it?"
+
+"I am sure I don't know," returned Kate, laughing. "Now come downstairs.
+If you go on I will speak to my uncle, and follow you."
+
+"I am sorry you have been annoyed," said Katherine, when having tapped
+at the door, Mr. Liddell desired her to "come in." He was standing at an
+old-fashioned bureau, the front of which let down to form a writing-desk
+and enclosed a number of various-sized drawers. He had taken out several
+packets of paper neatly tied with red tape and seemed to be rearranging
+them.
+
+"I am going to take my sister-in-law back to the omnibus; you may be
+sure she will never intrude again."
+
+"She shall not," he replied, turning to face her. Katherine thought how
+ghastly pale and pinched he looked. "I see the sort of creature she
+is--a doll that would sell her sawdust soul for finery and glitter; ay,
+and the lives of all who belong to her for an hour of pleasure."
+
+Katherine was shocked at his fierce, uncalled-for bitterness.
+
+"She has lived with us for more than a year and a half, and we have
+found her very pleasant and kind. Her children are dear, sweet things.
+You should not judge her so harshly."
+
+"You are a greater fool than I took you for," cried Mr. Liddell. "Go
+take them away, and mind they do not come back."
+
+Katherine hastened after her visitors and led them by a more direct
+route than they had traversed in coming. It took them past a cake shop,
+where she spent one of her few sixpences in appeasing her nephews'
+appetite, which, at least, with Cecil, grew with what it fed upon, in
+the matter of cakes.
+
+The children, each holding one of her hands, chattered away, telling
+many particulars of grannie and Jane, and the cat, to say nothing of a
+most interesting gardener who came to cut the grass. To all of which
+Katherine lent a willing ear. How ardently she longed to be at home with
+the dear mother again! She had never done half enough for her. Ah, if
+they only could be together again in Florence or Dresden as they used to
+be!
+
+Mrs. Fred Liddell kept almost complete silence--a very unusual case with
+her--and only as she paused before following her little boys into the
+omnibus did she give any clew to the current of her thoughts. "Should
+Colonel Ormonde come on Saturday when you are with us--which is not
+likely--do not say anything about that horrid old man's rudeness; one
+does not like to confess to being turned out."
+
+"Certainly not. I shall say nothing, you may be sure."
+
+"Good-by, then. I shall tell your mother you are looking _wretchedly_."
+
+"Pray do not," cried Katherine, but the conductor's loud stamping on his
+perch to start the driver drowned her voice.
+
+It was a fine evening, fresh, too, with a slight crispness, and
+Katherine could not resist the temptation of a walk in Regent's Park.
+She felt her spirits, which had been greatly depressed, somewhat revived
+by the free air, the sight of grass and trees. Still she could not
+answer the question which often tormented her, "If my mother cannot sell
+her book, how will it all end--must I remain as a hostage forever?" It
+was a gloomy outlook.
+
+She did not allow herself to stray far; crossing the foot-bridge over
+the Regent's Canal, she turned down a street which led by a circuit
+toward her abode. It skirted Primrose Hill for a few yards, and as she
+passed one of the gates admitting to the path which crosses it, a
+gentleman came out, and after an instant's hesitation raised his hat.
+Katherine recognized the man who had rescued Cecil at Hyde Park Corner.
+She smiled and bowed, frankly pleased to meet him again; it was so
+refreshing to see a bright, kindly face--a face, too, that looked glad
+to see her.
+
+"May I venture to inquire for my little friend?" said the gentleman,
+respectfully. "I trust he was not the worse for his adventure?"
+
+"Not at all, thanks to your promptness," said Katherine, pausing. "I
+have only just parted with him and his mother. She would have been very
+glad of an opportunity to thank you."
+
+"So slight a service scarcely needs your thanks," he said, in a soft,
+agreeable voice, as he turned and walked beside her.
+
+Katherine made no objection; she knew he was an acquaintance of Colonel
+Ormonde, and it was too pleasant a chance of speaking to a civilized
+human being to be lost. Her new acquaintance was good-looking without
+being handsome, with a peculiarly happy expression, and honest, kindly
+light-brown eyes. He was about middle height, but well set up, and
+carried himself like a soldier.
+
+"Then your little charge does not live with you?" he asked.
+
+"Not now. I am staying with my uncle. Cecil lives with his mother and
+mine at Bayswater."
+
+"Indeed! I think my old friend, Colonel Ormonde, knows the young
+gentleman's mother."
+
+"He does."
+
+"Then, may I introduce myself to you? My name is Payne--Gilbert Payne."
+
+"Oh, indeed!" returned Katherine, with a vague idea that she ought not
+perhaps to walk with him, yet by no means inclined to dismiss a pleasant
+companion.
+
+"I fancy your young nephew is a somewhat rebellious subject."
+
+"He is sometimes very troublesome, but you cannot help liking him."
+
+"Exactly--a fine boy. What bewildering little animals children are! They
+ought to teach us humility, they understand us so much better than we
+understand them."
+
+"I believe they do, but I never thought of it before. Have you little
+brothers and sisters who have taught you this?"
+
+"No. I am the youngest of my family; but I am interested in a refuge for
+street children, and I learn much there."
+
+"That is very good of you," said Katherine, looking earnestly at him.
+"Where is it--near this?"
+
+"No; a long way off. There are plenty of such places in every direction.
+I have just come from a home for poor old women, childless widows,
+sickly spinsters, who cannot work, and have no one to work for them. If
+you have any spare time, it would be a great kindness to go and read to
+them now and then. The lees of such lives are often sad and tasteless."
+
+"I should be glad to help in any way," said Katherine, coloring, "but
+just now I belong (temporarily) to my uncle, who is old, and requires a
+good deal of reading--and care."
+
+"Ah, I see your work is cut out for you: that, of course, is your first
+duty."
+
+The conversation then flowed on easily about street arabs and the
+various missions for rescuing them, about soldiers' homes, and other
+kindred topics. Katherine was much interested, and taken out of herself;
+she was quite sorry when on approaching Legrave Crescent she felt
+obliged to pause, with the intention of dismissing him. He understood.
+"Do you live near this?" he asked.
+
+"Yes, quite near."
+
+"May I bring you some papers giving you an account of my poor old
+women?"
+
+"I should like so much to have them," said Katherine. "But my uncle is
+rather peculiar. He does not like to be disturbed; he does not like
+visitors; he was vexed because my sister-in-law and the children came
+to-day."
+
+"I understand, and will not intrude. But should you be able and willing
+to help these undertakings, Colonel Ormonde will always know my address.
+He honors me still with his friendship, though he thinks me a
+moon-struck idiot."
+
+"Because you are good. The folly is his," said Katherine, warmly. Then
+she bowed, Mr. Payne lifted his hat again, and they parted, not to meet
+for many a day.
+
+When Mrs. Knapp opened the door she looked rather grave, but Katherine's
+mind was so full of her encounter with Gilbert Payne that she did not
+notice it, seeing which, Mrs. Knapp said, "I'm glad you have come in,
+miss."
+
+"Why?" with immediate apprehension. "Is my uncle ill?"
+
+"He is not right, miss. I took him up his cup or tea and slice of dry
+toast about five, and he was lying back, as he often does, asleep, as I
+thought, in the chair. I says, 'Here's your tea, sir,' but he made no
+answer, and I spoke again twice without making him hear; then I touched
+his hand; it was stone cold; so I got water and dabbed his brow, when he
+sat up all of a sudden, and swore at me for making him cold and damp
+with my--I don't like to say the word--rags. Then he shivered and shook
+like an aspen; but I made up the fire and popped a spoonful of brandy in
+his tea--he never noticed. But he kept asking for you, miss. I think he
+doesn't know he was bad."
+
+Katherine hastened to her uncle, greatly distressed at having been
+absent at the moment of need. In her eagerness she committed the mistake
+of asking how he felt now, and received a tart reply. There was nothing
+the matter with him, nothing unusual--only his old complaint, increasing
+years and infirmity; still he was not to be treated like a helpless
+baby.
+
+Katherine felt her error, and turned the subject; then, returning to it,
+begged him to see a doctor. This he refused sternly. Finally she had
+recourse to an article on the revenue in the paper, which soothed him,
+and she saw the old man totter off to bed with extreme uneasiness, yet
+not daring even to suggest a night light, so irritable did he seem.
+
+Before she slept she wrote a brief account of what had occurred to Mr.
+Newton, and implored him to come and remonstrate with his client.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+THE BEGINNING OF THE END.
+
+
+Katherine Liddell had never spent so uneasy a night, save when her
+mother had been ill. Her nerves were on the stretch, her ears painfully
+watchful for the smallest sound. What if the desolate old man should
+pass away, alone and unaided, in the darkness of night! The sense of
+responsibility was almost too much for her. If she could have her mother
+at her side she would fear nothing. She was up early, thankful to see
+daylight, and eager for Mrs. Knapp's report of her uncle.
+
+Generally the old man was afoot betimes, and despised the luxury of warm
+water. This morning Mrs. Knapp had to knock at his door, as he was not
+moving, and after a brief interview returned to inform Katherine that
+Mr. Liddell grumbled at her for being up too early, and on hearing that
+it was half past eight, said she had better bring him a cup of tea.
+
+Katherine carried it to him herself. He took very little notice of her,
+but said he would get up presently and hear the papers read.
+
+When she came back with some jelly, for which she had sent to the
+nearest confectioner, he ate it without comment, and told her she
+might go.
+
+It was a miserable morning, but about noon, to her great delight,
+she saw Mr. Newton opening the garden gate. She flew to admit
+him.
+
+"I am so thankful you have come!"
+
+"How is Mr. Liddell?"
+
+"He seems quite himself this morning, except that he is inclined
+to stay in bed."
+
+"He must see a doctor," said Mr. Newton, speaking in a low
+voice and turning into the parlor. "We must try and keep him
+alive and in his senses for every reason. I am glad he is still in bed;
+it will give me an excuse for urging him to take advice, for of
+course I shall not mention your note."
+
+"No pray do not. He evidently does not like to be thought ill."
+
+"Pray how long have you been here--nearly a month? Yes, I
+thought so. I cannot compliment you on your looks. How do you
+think you have been getting on with our friend?"
+
+"Not very well, I fear," said Katherine, shaking her head. "He
+rarely speaks to me, except to give some order or ask some necessary
+question. Yet he does not speak roughly or crossly, as he does
+to Mrs. Knapp; and something I cannot define in his voice, even in
+his cold eyes, tells me he is growing used to my presence, and that
+he does not dislike it."
+
+"Well, I should think not, Miss Liddell," said the precise lawyer,
+politely. "I trust time may be given to him to recognize the claims
+of kindred and of merit. Pray ask him if he will see me, and in the
+mean time please send a note to Dr. Brown--a very respectable
+practitioner, who lives not far; ask him to come at once. I must
+persuade Mr. Liddell to see him, and if possible while I am present."
+
+The old man showed no surprise at Mr. Newton's presence; it was
+almost time for his monthly visit, and as he brought a small sum of
+money with him, the result of some minor payments, he was very
+welcome.
+
+Katherine, immensely relieved, sat trying to work in the front
+parlor, but really watching for the doctor. Would her uncle see
+him? and if not, ought she still to undertake the responsibility of
+such a charge?
+
+At last he arrived, a staid, thoughtful-looking man; and before
+he had time to do more than exchange a few words with her, Mr.
+Newton appeared and carried him off to see the patient.
+
+They seemed a long time gone; and when they returned the doctor
+wrote a prescription--a very simple tonic, he said. "What your
+uncle needs, Miss Liddell," he said, "is constant nourishment. He
+is exceedingly weak; the action of the heart is feeble, the whole
+system starved. You must get him to take all the food you can, and
+some good wine--Burgundy if possible. He had better get up.
+There is really no organic disease, but he is very low. He ought to
+have some one in his room at night."
+
+"It will be difficult to manage that," said Mr. Newton.
+
+"I shall look in to-morrow about this time," said the doctor, and
+hurried away.
+
+"How have you contrived to make him hear reason?" asked
+Katherine, eagerly.
+
+"I took the law into my own hands, for one thing, and I suggested
+a powerful motive for living on. I reminded him that he and
+another old gentleman are the only survivors in a 'Tontine,' and
+that he must try to outlive him. So the cost of doctor, medicine,
+etc., etc., ought to be considered as an investment. Do not fail to
+get him all possible nourishment. If he rebels, send for me."
+
+"I will indeed. I am almost afraid to stay here alone. Might I
+not have my mother with me?"
+
+"Do not think of it"--earnestly. "I was going to say that I believe
+you are decidedly gaining on your uncle; but the intrusion of
+Mrs. Frederic Liddell yesterday was very unfortunate. My rather
+peculiar client is impressed with the idea that you invited her."
+
+"Indeed I did not!" cried Katherine.
+
+"I did not suppose you did, but her appearance seems to have
+given Mr. Liddell a shock." Mr. Newton paused, and then asked
+in a slow tone, as if thinking hard, "What was your sister-in-law's
+maiden name?"
+
+"Sandford," said Katherine.
+
+"Sandford? That is rather a curious coincidence. The late Mrs.
+John Liddell was a Miss Sandford."
+
+"Is she dead, then?"
+
+"Yes; she died eight or nine years ago."
+
+"Could they have been related?"
+
+"Possibly. Some likeness seems to have struck your uncle."
+
+There was a short silence, and Mr. Newton resumed. "I trust
+you do not find your stay here too trying? I consider it very important
+that you should persevere, though it is only right to tell you
+that Mr. Liddell has made a will--not a just one, in my opinion--and
+it is extremely unlikely he will ever change it."
+
+"That does not really affect me. Of course I should be very glad
+if he chose to leave anything to my mother or myself, but I shall do
+my best for him under any circumstances. Besides, I have a sort
+of desire to make him speak to me and like me--perhaps it is vanity--quite
+apart from a sense of duty. He is so like a frozen man!"
+
+"Try, try by all means, my dear young lady."
+
+"What I do not like is the hour or half hour after market. The
+wolfish greed by which he clutches the change I bring back, the
+glare in his eyes, the fierce eagerness with which he asks the price
+of everything--he is not human at such times, and I almost fear
+him."
+
+"It is a dreadful picture, but perhaps the details may soften in
+time."
+
+"How shall I get money for all he wants?" asked Katherine,
+anxiously.
+
+"I shall impress upon Mr. Liddell the necessity of his case, and
+even make out that the good things he requires cost more than they
+do. I will beg him to allow me to supply the money during his indisposition
+and enter it in his account. Here, I will give you five
+pounds while we are alone."
+
+"Thank you so much! You see I dare not get into debt. I will keep a
+careful account of all expenditure, and ask him--my uncle, I mean--not
+to give me any money, then there will be no confusion.
+
+"Very well. I will go back to him now. He will be almost ready to come
+in here. Write to me frequently. I shall try to look in to-morrow for a
+few minutes."
+
+Katherine stirred the fire, and placed a threadbare footstool before the
+invalid's easy-chair, thanking Heaven in her heart for sending her such
+an ally as the friendly lawyer.
+
+Then Mr. Liddell appeared, leaning on Newton's arm, and not looking much
+worse than usual, Katherine thought. He took no notice of her until she
+put the footstool under his feet; then, wonderful to relate, he looked
+down into her grave, kindly face and smiled, not bitterly or cynically,
+but as if, on the whole, pleased to see her. He seemed a little
+breathless, yet he soon began to speak to Newton as if in continuation
+of their previous conversation--"And is Fergusson really a year younger
+than I am?"
+
+"Yes, quite a year, I should say, and he takes great care of himself. I
+do not think he has really so good a constitution as you have, but he
+takes everything that is strengthening--good wine, turtle soup, and I do
+not know what."
+
+"Ah, indeed!" returned Mr. Liddell, thoughtfully.
+
+"I have been explaining to Mr. Liddell," said the lawyer, turning to
+Katherine, "that it would be well to let me give you the house-keeping
+money for the present, so that he need not be troubled about anything
+except to get well; and when well, my dear sir, you really must go out.
+Fresh air--"
+
+"Fresh fiddle-sticks," interrupted the old man; "I have been well for
+years without going out, and I'll not begin now. I'll give in to
+everything else; only, if _I_ am obliged to take costly food as a
+medicine, I expect the rest of the household to live as carefully as
+ever."
+
+"I shall do my best, uncle," said Katherine, softly.
+
+After a little more conversation the lawyer took his leave, and then
+Katherine applied herself to read the papers which had been neglected.
+
+It was not till toward evening she was able to write a few lines to her
+mother describing Mr. Liddell's illness, and begging she would come to
+see her on Saturday, as she (Katherine) could not absent herself while
+her uncle was so unwell.
+
+After this things went on much as usual, only Mr. Liddell never resumed
+his habits of early rising; he was a shade less cold too, though at
+times terribly irritable.
+
+He took the food prepared for him obediently enough, but with evident
+want of appetite, rarely finishing what was provided.
+
+Mr. Newton generally called every week, and Katherine wrote to him
+besides; she was strict in insisting on the audit of her accounts, which
+the accurate lawyer sometimes praised. By judicious accounts of
+Fergusson, the other surviving member of the Tontine, he managed to keep
+his client in tolerable order. Katherine, though grateful to him for his
+friendly help, little knew how strenuously he strove to lengthen the old
+miser's days, hoping he would make some provision for his niece, while
+he dared not offer any suggestion on the subject, lest it should
+produce an effect contrary to what he desired.
+
+
+Mrs. Fred Liddell was bitterly disappointed by the result of her visit
+to the rich uncle. A good deal, indeed, hung upon it. A wealthy
+succession was certainly a thing to be devoutly wished for in itself,
+but the sharp little widow felt that provision for her boys and a dowry
+for herself meant marriage, _if_ she chose, with Colonel Ormonde.
+
+And she very decidedly did wish it. Her imagination, which was vivid
+enough of its kind, was captivated by the Colonel's imposing "bow-wow"
+manner, the idea of a country place--an old family place too--by his
+diamond ring and florid compliments, his self-satisfied fastidiousness
+and his social position. In short, to her he seemed a fashionable hero;
+but she was quite sure he never would hamper himself with two little
+portionless boys. Ada Liddell was by no means unkind to her children;
+she was ready to pet them when they met, and give them what did not cost
+her too much; but she considered them a terrible disadvantage, and
+herself a most generous and devoted mother.
+
+The day after she had been so ignominiously expelled from John Liddell's
+house she put on the prettiest thing she possessed in the way of a
+bonnet--a contrivance of black lace and violets--and having inspected
+the turn-out of the children's maid in her best go-to-meeting attire,
+also the putting on of the boys' newest sailor suits, the curling of
+their hair, and many minor details, she sallied forth across Kensington
+Gardens to the ride, feeling tolerably sure that, in consequence of a
+hint she had dropped a day or two before, when taking afternoon tea in
+Mrs. Burnett's drawing-room, Colonel Ormonde would probably be amongst
+the riders on his powerful chestnut, ready to receive her report. She
+was quite sure he was very much smitten, and eager to know what her
+chances with old Liddell might be; and as her mother-in-law had a bad
+habit of presiding over her own tea-table, it would be more convenient
+to talk with her gay Lothario in the Park.
+
+Many admiring glances were cast upon the pretty little woman in becoming
+half-mourning, with the two golden-haired, sweet-looking children and
+their trim maid, which did not escape their object, and put her into
+excellent spirits. She felt she had gone forth conquering and to
+conquer. About half-way down the row she recognized a well-known figure
+on a mighty horse, who cantered up to where she stood, followed by a
+groom.
+
+"Good-morning, Mrs. Liddell; I thought this piece of fine weather would
+tempt you out," cried Colonel Ormonde, dismounting and throwing his rein
+to the groom, who led away the horse as if in obedience to some
+previously given command. "I protest you are a most tantalizing little
+woman!" he exclaimed, when they had shaken hands and he had patted the
+children's heads. "I have been looking for you this half-hour. Where did
+you hide yourself?"
+
+"I did not hide myself. I am dying to tell you about my uncle."
+
+"Ah! was he all your prophetic soul painted him?"
+
+"He was, and a good deal more. He is quite an ogre, and lives in a
+miserable hovel. How Katherine can degrade herself by grovelling there
+with him for the sake of what she can get passes my understanding."
+
+"Deuced plucky, sensible girl! She is quite right to stick to the old
+boy. Hope she will get his cash. Gad! with her eyes and _his_ thousands,
+she'd rouse up society!"
+
+"Well, I believe she intends to have them all. She was quite vexed at my
+going over to see the ogre, and I think has prejudiced him against my
+poor darling boys, for as soon as he saw them he called out that he
+could not receive any one, that he was ill and nervous. But I smiled my
+very best smile, and said I had come to introduce myself, and I hoped he
+would let me have a little talk with him. The poor old ogre looked at me
+rather kindly and earnestly when I said that, and I really do think he
+would have listened to me, but my sister-in-law would make me come away,
+as if the sight of me was enough to frighten a horse from his oats; so
+somehow we got hustled upstairs, and there was an end of it."
+
+"Ah, Mrs. Liddell, you ought not to have allowed yourself to be
+outmanoeuvred," cried the Colonel, who greatly enjoyed irritating his
+pretty little friend. "Your _belle-soeur_ (as she really is) is too
+many for you. Don't you give up; try again when the adorable Katherine
+is out of the way."
+
+"I fully intend to do so, I assure you," cried Mrs. Frederic, her eyes
+sparkling, her heart beating with vexation, but determined to keep up
+the illusion of ingratiating herself with the miserly uncle. "Pray
+remember this is only a first attempt."
+
+"I am sure you have my devout wishes for your success. How this wretched
+old hunk can resist such eyes, such a smile, as yours, is beyond my
+comprehension. If such a niece attacked _me_, I should surrender at the
+first demand."
+
+"I don't think you would"--a little tartly. "I think you have as keen a
+regard for your own interest as most men."
+
+"I am sure you would despise me if I had not, and the idea of being
+despised by you is intolerable."
+
+"You know I do not"--very softly. "But it is time I turned and went
+toward home."
+
+"Nonsense, my dear Mrs. Liddell! or, if you will turn, let it be round
+Kensington Gardens. Do you know, I am going to Scotland next week, to
+Sir Ralph's moor; then I expect a party to meet Errington at my own
+place early in September; so I shall not have many chances of seeing you
+until I run up just before Christmas. Now I am going to ask a great
+favor. It's so hard to get a word with you except under the Argus eyes
+of that mother-in-law of yours."
+
+"What can it be?" opening her eyes.
+
+"Come with me to see this play they have been giving at the Adelphi. I
+have never had a spare evening to see it. We'll leave early, and have a
+snug little supper at Verey's, and I'll see you home."
+
+"It would be delightful, but out of the question, I am afraid: Mrs.
+Liddell has such severe ideas, and I dare not offend her."
+
+"Why need she know anything about it? Say--oh, anything--that you are
+going with the Burnetts: they have gone to the Italian lakes, but I
+don't suppose she knows."
+
+The temptation was great, but the little widow was no fool in some ways.
+She saw her way to make something of an impression on her worldly
+admirer.
+
+"No, Colonel Ormonde," she said, shaking her head, while she permitted
+the "suspicious moisture" to gather in her eyes. "It would indeed be a
+treat to a poor little recluse like me, but though there is not a bit of
+harm in it, or you would not ask me, I am sure, I must not offend my
+mother-in-law; and though Heaven knows I am not straight-laced, I never
+will tell stories or act deceitfully if I can help it; that is my only
+strong point, which has to make up for a thousand weak ones."
+
+Colonel Ormonde looked at her with amazement; her greatest charm to men
+such as he was her dolliness, and this was a new departure.
+
+"Well," he said, in his most insinuating tones, "I thought you might
+have granted so much to an old friend and faithful admirer like myself.
+There is no great harm in my little plan."
+
+"Certainly not, but you see I must hold on to my mother-in-law: she is
+my only real stay. While pleasant and friendly as you are, my dear
+Colonel"--with a pretty little toss of her head--"you will go off
+shooting, or hunting, or Heaven knows what, and it is quite possible I
+may never see your face again."
+
+"Oh, by George! you will not get rid of me so easily," cried Ormonde, a
+good deal taken back.
+
+"I shall be very glad to see you if you do turn up again," said Mrs.
+Liddell, graciously. "So as this will probably be the last time I shall
+see you for some months, pray tell me some amusing gossip."
+
+But gossip did not seem to come readily to Colonel Ormonde; nevertheless
+they made a tour of the gardens in desultory conversation, till Mrs.
+Liddell stopped decidedly, and bade him adieu.
+
+"At last," said the cautious ex-dragoon, "you will write and tell me how
+you get on with this amiable old relative of yours."
+
+"I shall be very pleased to report progress, if you care to write and
+ask me, and tell me your whereabouts."
+
+"Then I suppose it is to be good-by?" said Ormonde, almost
+sentimentally. "You are treating me devilishly ill."
+
+"I do not see that." Here the boys came running up, at a signal from
+their mother.
+
+"Well, my fine fellow," said Ormonde, laying his hand on Cecil's
+shoulder, "so you went to see your old uncle. Did he try to eat you?"
+
+"No; but he is a nasty cross old man. He wouldn't speak a word to mammy,
+but took his stick and hobbled away."
+
+"Yes, he is a wicked man, and I am afraid he will hurt auntie," put in
+Charlie.
+
+Colonel Ormonde laughed rather more than the mother liked. "I think you
+may trust 'auntie' to take care of herself.--So you forced the old boy
+to retreat? What awful stories your sister-in-law must have told of
+you!" to Mrs. Liddell.
+
+She was greatly annoyed, but, urged by all-powerful self-interest, she
+maintained a smooth face, and answered, "Oh yes, when Katherine kept
+worrying about our disturbing her uncle, the poor old man got up and
+left the room."
+
+"Well, you must turn her flank, and be sure to let me know how matters
+progress. I suppose you will be here all the autumn?"
+
+"I should think so; small chance of my going out of town," she returned,
+bitterly, and the words had scarce left her lips before she felt she had
+made a mistake. Men hate to be bothered with the discomforts of others.
+
+The result was that Colonel Ormonde cut short his adieux, and parted
+from her with less regret than he felt five minutes before.
+
+The young widow walked smartly back, holding her eldest boy's hand, and
+administered a sharp rebuke to him for talking too much. To which Cecil
+replied that he had only answered when he was spoken to. This elicited a
+scolding for his impertinence, and produced further tart answers from
+the fluent young gentleman, which ended by his being dismissed in a fury
+to Jane, _vice_ Charles, promoted to walk beside mamma.
+
+
+As may be supposed, Mrs. Liddell lost no time about answering her
+daughter's note in person. In truth, toward the end of a week's
+separation she generally began to hunger painfully for a sight of her
+Katie's face, to feel the clasp of her soft arms, and to this was added
+in the present instance serious uneasiness respecting the strain to
+which her sense of responsibility as nurse as well as housekeeper must
+subject so inexperienced a creature.
+
+It was rather late in the afternoon when Mrs. Liddell reached Legrave
+Crescent, and the servant showed her into the front parlor at once.
+Katherine almost feared to draw her uncle's attention to the visitor. He
+had had all the papers read to him, and even asked for some articles to
+be read a second time; now after his dinner he seemed to doze. If he had
+not noticed Mrs. Liddell's entry she had perhaps better take her away
+upstairs at once, but while she thought she sprang to her and locked her
+in a close, silent embrace.
+
+Turning from her, he saw that Mr. Liddell's eyes were open and fixed
+upon them, and she said, softly: "I am sorry you have been disturbed. I
+shall take my mother to my room; perhaps if you want anything you will
+ring for me."
+
+"I will," he returned; and Mrs. Liddell thought his tone a little less
+harsh than usual. "I said you might come and see your daughter when you
+like," he added, "and I repeat it. You have brought her up more usefully
+than I expected." Having spoken, he leaned his head back wearily and
+closed his eyes.
+
+"I am pleased to hear you say so," returned Mrs. Liddell, quietly, and
+immediately followed her daughter out of the room.
+
+"Oh, darling mother, I am so delighted to have you here all to myself!
+It is even better than going home," cried Kate, when they were safe in
+her own special chamber. "But you are looking pale and worn and
+thin--_so_ much thinner!"
+
+"That is an improvement, Katherine," returned Mrs. Liddell; "I shall
+look all the younger."
+
+"Ah! but your face looks older, dear. What has been worrying you? Has
+Ada--"
+
+"Ada has never worried me, as you know, Katie," interrupted Mrs.
+Liddell. "She is not exactly the companion I should choose for every day
+of my life, but she has always been kind and nice with me."
+
+"Oh, she is not bad, and she would be clever if she managed to make
+_you_ quarrel. I am quite different. Now I must get you some tea. Pray
+look round while I am gone, and see how comfortable it is;" and
+Katherine hurried away.
+
+She soon returned, followed by Mrs. Knapp, who was glad to carry up the
+tea-tray to the pleasant, sensible lady who had engaged her for what
+proved to be not an uncomfortable situation. When, after a few civil
+words, she retired, with what delight and tender care Katie waited on
+her mother, putting a cushion at her back and a footstool under her
+feet, remembering her taste in sugar, her little weakness for cream!
+
+"It was very warm in the omnibus, I suppose, for you are looking better
+already."
+
+"I _am_ better; but, Katherine, your uncle is curiously changed. It is
+not so much that he looks ill, but by comparison so alarmingly amiable."
+
+"Well, he is less appalling than he was, and I have grown wonderfully
+accustomed to him. But for the monotony, it is not so bad as I expected,
+and it will be better now, as Mr. Newton is to give me the weekly money.
+I think my uncle is trying to live."
+
+"Poor man! he has little to live for," said Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"He wishes to outlive some other old man, because then he will get a
+good deal of money, according to some curious system--called a
+'Tontine.'"
+
+"Is it possible? The ruling passion, then, in his instance is strong
+against death."
+
+"What a poverty-stricken life his has been, after all!" exclaimed
+Katherine. "Did Ada tell you how vexed he was at her visit?"
+
+"She was greatly offended, but I should like your version of it."
+
+Katherine told her, and repeated Mr. Newton's inquiry about Mrs. Fred
+Liddell's family name.
+
+"Mr. Newton is very kind. He is very formal and precise, and very
+guarded in all he says, yet I feel that he likes me--us--and would like
+my uncle to do something for us."
+
+"I never hoped he would do as much as he has. If he would remember those
+poor little boys in his will it would be a great help. You and I could
+always manage together, Katie."
+
+"I wish that we were together by our own selves once more," returned
+Kate, nestling up to her mother on the big old-fashioned sofa, and
+resting her head on her shoulder.
+
+"I wish to God we were! I miss you so awfully, my darling!"
+
+There was a short silence while the two clung lovingly together. Then
+Katherine said, in a low tone, "Mr. Newton evidently thinks he--my
+uncle--has made a very unjust will, and fears he will never change it."
+
+"Most probably he will not; but he ought not to cut off his natural
+heirs."
+
+"Would Cecil and Charlie be his natural heirs?"
+
+"I suppose so, and something would come to you too; but I do not
+understand these matters. It is dreadful how mean and mercenary this
+terrible need for money makes one."
+
+"You want it very much, mother? There is trouble in your voice; tell me
+what it is."
+
+"There is no special pressure, dear, just now; but unless I am more
+successful with my pen I greatly fear I shall get into debt before I can
+liberate myself from that house. Yet if I do, what will become of Ada
+and the boys?" She paused to cough.
+
+Katherine was silent; the tone of her mother's voice told more than her
+words. "But," resumed Mrs. Liddell, "all is not black. The _Dalston
+Weekly_ has taken my short story, and given me ten pounds for it.
+However, you must take the bad with the good; my poor three-decker has
+come back on my hands."
+
+Katherine uttered a low exclamation. "I did hope they would have taken
+it! and what miserable pay for that bright, pretty story! Mother, I
+cannot believe that the novel will fail. _Do, do_ try Santley & Son! I
+have always heard they were such nice people. Try--promise me you will."
+
+"Dear Katie, I will do whatever you ask me; but--but I confess I feel as
+if Hope, who has always befriended me, had turned her back at last. I am
+so dreadfully tired! I feel as if I was never to rest. Oh for a couple
+of years of peace before I go hence, and a certainty that _you_ would
+not want!"
+
+"Do not fear for me," cried Katherine, pressing her mother to her and
+covering her pale cheeks with kisses. "For myself I fear nothing, but
+for _you_, I greatly fear you are unwell; you breathe shortly; your
+hands are feverish. Do not let hope go. A few weeks and my uncle will be
+stronger, or he may be invigorated by feeling he has killed out the
+other old man, and then I will go back to you and help you, whatever
+happens. I won't stay here to act compound interest. My own darling
+mother, keep up your heart."
+
+"I am ashamed of myself," said Mrs. Liddell, in an unsteady voice. "I
+ought not to have grieved your young heart with my depression, for I
+_have_ been depressed."
+
+"Why not? What is the good of youth and strength if it is not to uphold
+those who have already had more than their share of life's burdens?"
+
+"I assure you this outpouring has relieved me greatly; I shall return
+like a giant refreshed," said Mrs. Liddell, rallying gallantly; "and you
+may depend on my trying the fortune of my poor novel once more, with
+Santley & Son. Now tell me how your domestic management prospers."
+
+A long confidential discussion ensued, and at last Mrs. Liddell was
+obliged to leave.
+
+Katherine went to tell her uncle she was going to set her mother on her
+way, and to see his cup of beef tea served to him. His remark almost
+startled her. "Very well," he said. "Come back soon."
+
+This interview agitated Katherine more than Mrs. Liddell knew. Her worn
+look, her cough, her unwonted depression, thrilled her daughter's warm
+heart with a passion of tender longing to be with her, to help her, to
+give her the rest she so sorely needed; and in the solitude of her large
+dreary room she sobbed herself to sleep, her lips still quivering with
+the loving epithets she had murmured to herself.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+"THE LONG TASK IS DONE."
+
+
+The facility with which human nature assimilates new conditions is among
+its most remarkable attributes. A week had scarcely elapsed since John
+Liddell's sudden indisposition and subsidence into an invalid condition,
+yet it seemed to Katherine that he had been breakfasting in bed for
+ages, and might continue to do so for another cycle without change. Her
+inexperience took no warning from the rapidly developing signs of
+decadence and failing force which Mr. Newton perceived; and, on the
+whole, she found her task of housekeeper and caretaker less ungrateful
+since weakness had subdued her uncle, and the friendly lawyer had been
+appointed paymaster.
+
+The days sped with the swiftness monotony lends to time. Mrs. Liddell
+always visited her daughter once a week. Occasionally Katherine got
+leave of absence, and spent an hour or two at home, where she enjoyed a
+game of play with her little nephews. Otherwise home was less homelike
+than formerly. Ada was sulky and dissatisfied; she dared not intrude on
+Mr. Liddell in his present condition; and she was dreadfully annoyed at
+not being able to give Colonel Ormonde any encouraging news on this
+head. Her influence on the family circle, therefore, was not cheerful.
+Besides this, though Mrs. Liddell kept a brave front, and did not again
+allow herself the luxury of confidence in her daughter, there were
+unmistakable signs of care and trouble in her face, her voice. She was
+unfailing in her kind forbearance to the woman her son had loved, and
+whatever good existed in Mrs. Fred's rubbishy little heart responded to
+the genial, broad humanity of her mother-in-law. But Katherine
+perceived, or thought she perceived, that Mrs. Liddell was wearing
+herself down in the effort to make her inmates comfortable, and so to
+beat out her scanty store of sovereigns as to make them stretch to the
+margin of her necessities. It was a very shadowy and narrow pass through
+which her road of life led Katherine at this period, nor was there much
+prospect beyond. Moreover, as her mother had anticipated, the invisible
+cords which bound her to the moribund old miser were tightening their
+hold more and more, she often looked back and wondered at the sort of
+numbness which stole over her spirit during this time of trial.
+
+September was now in its first week; the weather was wet and cold; and
+Katherine was thankful when Mr. Newton's weekly visit was due. It was
+particularly stormy that day, and he was a little later than usual.
+
+When she had left solicitor and client together for some time, she
+descended, as was her custom, to make a cup of tea for the former, and
+give her uncle his beef tea or jelly.
+
+Mr. Newton rose, shook hands with her, and then resumed his conversation
+with Mr. Liddell.
+
+"I do not for a moment mean to say that he is a reckless bettor or a
+mere gambling horse-racer; and, after all, to enter a horse or two for
+the local races, or even Newmarket, is perfectly allowable in a man of
+his fortune--it will neither make him nor mar him."
+
+"It _will_ mar him," returned Mr. Liddell, in more energetic tones than
+Katherine had heard him utter since he was laid up. "A man who believes
+he is rich enough to throw away money is on the brink of ruin. He
+appears to me in a totally different light. I thought he was steady,
+thoughtful, alive to the responsibility of his position. Ah, who is to
+be trusted? Who?"
+
+There seemed no reply to this, for Mr. Newton started a new and
+absorbing topic.
+
+"Mr. Fergusson is keeping wonderfully well," he remarked. "His sister
+was calling on my wife yesterday, and says that since he took this new
+food--'Revalenta Arabica,' I think it is called--he is quite a new man."
+
+"What food is that?" asked Mr. Liddell. While Newton explained,
+Katherine reflected with some wonder on the fact that there was a Mrs.
+Newton; it had never come to her knowledge before. She tried to imagine
+the precise lawyer in love. How did he propose? Surely on paper, in the
+most strictly legal terms! Could he ever have felt the divine joy and
+exultation which loving and being loved must create? Had he little
+children? and oh! did he, could he, ever dance them on his knee? He was
+a good man, she was sure, but goodness so starched and ironed was a
+little appalling.
+
+These fancies lasted till the description of Revalenta Arabica was
+ended; then Mr. Liddell said, "Tell my niece where to get it." Never had
+he called her niece before; even Mr. Newton looked surprised. "I will
+send you the address," he said. "And here, Miss Liddell, is the check
+for next week."
+
+"I have still some money from the last," said Katherine, blushing. "I
+had better give it to you, and then the check need not be interfered
+with." She hated to speak of money before her uncle.
+
+"As you like. You are a good manager, Miss Liddell."
+
+"Give it to me," cried the invalid from his easy-chair; "I will put it
+in my bureau. I have a few coins there, and they can go together."
+
+"Very well; but had not my uncle better write an acknowledgment? We
+shall be puzzled about the money when we come to reckon up at the end of
+the month, if he does not."
+
+Katherine had been taught by severe experience the necessity of saving
+herself harmless when handling Mr. Liddell's money.
+
+"An acknowledgment," repeated the old man, with a slight, sobbing,
+inward laugh. "That is well thought. Yes, by all means write it out, Mr.
+Newton, and I will sign. Oh yes; I will sign!"
+
+Newton turned to the writing-table and traced a few lines, bringing it
+on the blotting-pad for his client's signature.
+
+"I can sign steadily enough still," said Mr. Liddell, slowly, "and my
+name is good for a few thousands. Hey?"
+
+"That it certainly is, Mr. Liddell."
+
+"Do you think old Fergusson could sign as steadily as that?" asked Mr.
+Liddell, with a slight, exulting smile.
+
+"I should say not. What writing of his I have seen was a terrible
+scrawl."
+
+"Hum! he wasn't a gentleman, you know. He drank too; not to be
+intoxicated, but too much--too much! For he will find the temperance man
+too many for him. _I'll_ win the race, the waiting race;" and he laughed
+again in a distressing, hysterical fashion, that quite exhausted him.
+
+Katherine flew to fetch cold water, while the old man leaning back
+panting and breathless, and Mr. Newton, much alarmed, fanned him with a
+folded newspaper.
+
+He gradually recovered, but complained much of the beating of his heart.
+Mr. Newton wished to send for the doctor, but Mr. Liddell would not hear
+of it. Then he urged his allowing the servant at least to sleep on the
+sofa in the front parlor, leaving the door into Mr. Liddell's room open.
+To this the object of his solicitude was also opposed, so Mr. Newton
+bade him farewell. Katherine, however, waylaid him in the hall, and they
+held a short conference.
+
+"He really ought not to be left alone at night."
+
+"No, he must not," said Katherine. "I will make our servant spend the
+night in the parlor. She can easily open the door after the lights are
+out, without his being vexed by knowing she is there. I could not sleep
+if I thought he was alone. I will come very early in the morning to
+relieve her."
+
+"Do, my dear young lady. I will call on the doctor and beg him to come
+round early."
+
+"Do you think my uncle so ill, then?"
+
+"He is greatly changed, and his weakness makes me uneasy. I trust in God
+he may be spared a little longer."
+
+Katherine looked and felt surprised at the fervor of his tone. Little
+did she dream the real source of the friendly lawyer's anxiety to
+prolong a very profitless existence.
+
+After a few more remarks and a promise to come at any time if he were
+needed, Mr. Newton departed; and Katherine got through the dreary
+evening as best she could.
+
+How she longed to summon her mother! but she feared to irritate her
+uncle, who was evidently unequal to bear the slightest agitation.
+
+Next day was unusually cold, and though Mr. Liddell had passed a
+tranquil night, he seemed averse to leave his bed. He lay there very
+quietly, and listened to the papers being read, and it was late in the
+afternoon before he would get up and dress. From this time forward he
+rarely rose till dusk, and it grew more and more an effort to him. He
+was always pleased to see Mr. Newton, and to converse a little with him.
+He even spoke with tolerable civility to Mrs. Liddell when she came to
+see her daughter.
+
+As the weather grew colder--and autumn that year was very wintry--he
+objected more and more to leave his bed, and at last came to sitting up
+only for a couple of hours in the chair by his bedroom fire. It was
+during one of these intervals that Katherine, who had been racking her
+brains for something to talk of that would interest him, bethought her
+of a transaction in old newspapers which Mrs. Knapp had brought to a
+satisfactory conclusion. She therefore took out "certain moneys" from
+her purse.
+
+"We have sold the newspapers at last, uncle," she said. "I kept back
+some for our own use, so all I could get was a shilling and three
+half-pence." She placed the coins on a little table which stood by his
+arm-chair, adding, "I suppose you know the Scotch saying, 'Many mickles
+make a muckle'; even a few pence are better than a pile of useless
+papers."
+
+"I know," said Liddell, with feeble eagerness, clutching the money and
+transferring it to his little old purse. "It is a good saving--a wise
+saying. I did not think you knew it; but--but why did you keep back
+any?"
+
+"Because one always needs waste paper in a house, to light fires and
+cover things from dust. I shall collect more next time," she added,
+seeing the old man was pleased with the idea.
+
+He made no reply, but sat gazing at the red coals, his lips moving
+slightly, and the purse still in his hand. Again he opened it, and took
+out the coins she had given him, holding them to the fire-light in the
+hollow of his thin hand.
+
+"Do you know the value of money?" he said at length, looking piercingly
+at her. "Do you know the wonderful life it has--a life of its own?"
+
+"If the want of can teach its value I ought to know," she returned.
+
+"You are wrong! Poverty never teaches its worth. You never hold it and
+study it when, the moment you touch it, you have to exchange it for
+commodities. No! it is when you can spare some for a precious seed, and
+watch its growth, and see--see its power of self-multiplication if it is
+let alone--just let alone," he repeated, with a touch of pathos in his
+voice. "Now these few pence, thirteen and a half in all--a boy with an
+accumulative nature and youth, early youth, on his side, might build a
+fortune on these. Yes, he might, if he had not a grovelling love of food
+and comfort."
+
+"Do you think he really could?" asked Kate, interested in spite of
+herself in the theories of the old miser.
+
+"Would you care to know?" said her uncle, fixing his keen dark eyes upon
+her.
+
+"I should indeed." Her voice proved she was in earnest.
+
+"Then I will tell you, step by step, but not to-night. I am too weary.
+You are different from the others--your father and your brother. You
+are--yes, you are--more like _me_."
+
+"God forbid!" was Katherine's mental ejaculation.
+
+Mr. Liddell slowly put the thirteenpence half penny back in his purse,
+drew forth his bunch of keys, looked at them, and restored them to his
+pocket; then, resting his head wearily against the chair, he said, "Give
+me something to take and I will go to bed."
+
+Katherine hastened to obey, and summoned the servant to assist him, as
+usual.
+
+The next morning was cold and wet, with showers of sleet, and Mr.
+Liddell declared he had taken a chill, and refused to get up. He was
+indisposed to eat, and did not show any interest in the newspaper. About
+noon the doctor called. Mr. Liddell answered his questions civilly
+enough, but did not respond to his attempts at conversation.
+
+"Your uncle is in a very low condition," said the doctor, when he came
+into the next room, where Katherine awaited him. "You must do your best
+to make him take nourishment, and keep him as warm as possible. I
+suppose Mr. Newton is always in town?"
+
+"I think so; at least I never knew him to be absent since I came here. I
+rather expect him to-day or to-morrow. Do you think my uncle seriously
+ill?"
+
+"He is not really ill, but he has an incurable complaint--old age. He
+ought not to be so weak as he is; still, he may last some time, with
+your good care."
+
+Katherine took her needle-work and settled herself to keep watch by the
+old man. The doctor's inquiry for Mr. Newton had startled her, but his
+subsequent words allayed her fears. "He may last for some time,"
+conveyed to her mind the notion of an indefinite lease of life.
+
+Mr. Liddell seemed to be slumbering peacefully, when, after a long
+silence, during which Katherine's thoughts had traversed many a league
+of land and sea, he said suddenly, in stronger tones than usual, "Are
+you there?" He scarcely ever called her by her name.
+
+"I am," said Katherine, coming to the bedside.
+
+"Here, take these keys"--he drew them from under his pillows; "this one
+unlocks that bureau"--pointing to a large old-fashioned piece of
+furniture, dark and polished, which stood on one side of the fireplace;
+"open it, and in the top drawer left you will find a long, folded paper.
+Bring it to me."
+
+Katherine did as he directed, and could not help seeing the words, "Will
+of John Wilmot Liddell," and a date some seven or eight years back,
+inscribed upon it. She handed it to her uncle, arranging his pillows so
+that he might sit up more comfortably, while she rather wondered at the
+commonplace aspect of so potent an instrument. A will, she imagined, was
+something huge, of parchment, with big seals attached.
+
+John Liddell slowly put on his spectacles, and unfolding the paper, read
+for some time in silence.
+
+"This will not do," he said at last, clearly and firmly. "I was mistaken
+in him. The care for and of money must be born in you; it cannot be
+taught. No, I can make a better disposition. Could _you_ take care of
+money, girl?" he asked sternly.
+
+"I should try," returned Katherine, quietly.
+
+There was a pause. The old man lay thinking, his lean, brown hand lying
+on the open paper. "Write," he said at length, so suddenly and sharply
+that he startled his niece; get paper and write to Newton. Katherine
+brought the writing materials, and placed herself at the small table.
+
+"Dear sir," he dictated--"Be so good as to come to me as soon as
+convenient. I wish to make a will more in accordance with my present
+knowledge than any executed by me formerly. I am, yours faithfully."
+
+Katherine brought over pen and paper, and the old man affixed his
+signature clearly.
+
+"Now fold it up and send it to post. No--take it yourself; then it will
+be safe, and so much the better for you."
+
+Katherine called the good-natured Mrs. Knapp to take her place, and
+sallied forth. She was a good deal excited. Was she in a crisis of her
+fate? Would her grim old uncle leave her wherewithal to give the dear
+mother rest and peace for the remainder of her days? It would not take
+much; would he--oh, would he remember the poor little boys? She never
+dreamed of more than a substantial legacy; the bulk of his fortune he
+might leave to whom he liked. How dreadful it was that money should be
+such a grim necessity!
+
+She felt oppressed, and made a small circuit returning, to enjoy as much
+fresh air as she could, and called at some of the shops where she was
+accustomed to deal, to save sending the servant later. She was growing a
+little nervous, and disliked being left alone in the house.
+
+When she returned, her uncle was very much in the same attitude; but he
+had folded up his will and placed his hand under his head.
+
+"You have been very long," he said, querulously.
+
+Katherine said she had been at one or two shops.
+
+"Read to me," he said, "I am tired thinking; but first lock the bureau
+and give me the keys; you left them hanging in the lock. I have never
+taken my eyes from them. Now I have them," he added, putting them under
+his pillow, "I can rest. Here, take this"--handing her the will: "put it
+in the drawer of my writing-table; we may want it to morrow; and I do
+not wish that bureau opened again; everything is there."
+
+Having placed the will as he desired, Katherine began to read, and the
+rest of the day passed as usual.
+
+She could not, however, prevent herself from listening for Mr. Newton's
+knock. She felt sure he would hasten to his client as soon as he had
+read his note. He would be but too glad to draw up another and a juster
+will.
+
+Without a word, without the slightest profession of friendship, Newton
+had managed to impress Katherine with the idea that he was anxious to
+induce Mr. Liddell to do what was right to his brother's widow and
+daughter.
+
+But night closed in, and no Mr. Newton came. Mr. Liddell was unusually
+wakeful and restless, and seemed on the watch himself, his last words
+that night being, "I am sure Newton will be here in good time
+to-morrow."
+
+Instead, the morrow brought a dapper and extremely modern young man, the
+head of the firm in right of succession, his late father having founded
+the house of Stephens & Newton.
+
+Mr. Liddell had just been made comfortable in his great invalid's chair
+by the fire, having risen earlier than usual in expectation of Mr.
+Newton's visit. When this gentleman presented himself, Katherine
+observed that her uncle was in a state of tremulous impatience, and the
+moment she saw the stranger she felt that some unlucky accident had
+prevented Newton from obeying his client's behest.
+
+"Who--what?" gasped Mr. Liddell, when a card was handed to him. "Read
+it," to Katherine.
+
+"Mr. Stephens, of Stephens & Newton, Red Lion Square," she returned.
+
+"I will not see him, I do not want him," cried her uncle, angrily.
+"Where is Newton? Go ask him?"
+
+With an oppressive sense of embarrassment, Katherine went out into the
+hall, and confronted a short, slight young man with exceedingly tight
+trousers, a colored cambric tie, and a general air of being on the turf.
+He held a white hat in one hand, and on the other, which was ungloved,
+he wore a large seal ring. Katherine did not know how to say that her
+uncle would not see him, but the stranger took the initiative.
+
+"Aw--I have done myself the honor of coming in person to take Mr.
+Liddell's instructions, as Mr. Newton was called out of town by very
+particular business yesterday morning. I rather hoped he might return
+last night, but a communication this morning informs us he will be
+detained till this afternoon, not reaching town till 9.30 P.M. I am
+prepared to execute any directions in my partner's stead."
+
+He spoke with an air of condescension, as if he did Mr. Liddell a high
+honor, and made a step forward. Katherine did not know what to say. It
+was terrible to keep this consequential little man in the hall, and
+there was literally nowhere else to take him.
+
+"I am so sorry, but my uncle is very unwell and nervous. I do not think
+he could see any one but Mr. Newton, who is an old friend, you know,"
+she added, deprecatingly.
+
+"I am his legal adviser too," returned the young man, with a slightly
+offended air. "I am the senior partner and head of the house, and the
+worse Mr. Liddell is, the greater the necessity for his giving
+instructions respecting his will."
+
+"I will tell him Mr. Newton is away," said Katherine, courteously;
+"and--would you mind sitting down here? I am quite distressed not to
+have any better place to offer you, but I cannot help it."
+
+"It is of no consequence," returned the young lawyer, struck by her
+sweet tones and simple good-breeding, yet looking round him at the worn
+oil-cloth and shabby stair-carpeting with manifest amazement.
+
+"Mr. Newton is out of town, and does not return till late this evening,"
+said Katherine, returning to the irate old man. "This gentleman says he
+is the head of the firm, and will do your bidding in Mr. Newton's
+stead."
+
+"Tell him he shall do nothing of the kind," returned Mr. Liddell, in a
+weak, hoarse, impatient voice. "I saw him once, and I know him; he is an
+ignorant, addle-pated jackanapes. He shall not muddle my affairs; send
+him away; I can wait for Newton. I don't suppose I am going to die
+to-night."
+
+And Katherine, blushing "celestial rosy red," hied back to the smart
+young man, who was reposing himself on the only seat the entrance
+boasted, and conjecturing that if this fine, fair, soft-spoken girl was
+to be the old miser's heir, she would be almost deserving of his own
+matrimonial intentions.
+
+"My uncle begs me to apologize to you, Mr. Stephens, but he is so much
+accustomed to Mr. Newton, and in such a nervous state, that he would
+prefer waiting till that gentleman can come."
+
+"Oh, very well; only I wish I had known before--I came up here at some
+inconvenience; and also wish Mr. Liddell could be persuaded that delays
+are dangerous."
+
+"The delay is not for very long. I am sorry you had this fruitless
+trouble. Mr. Liddell is very weak."
+
+"I am sure if anything could restore him, it would be the care of such a
+nurse as you must be," with a bow and a grin.
+
+"Thank you; good-morning," said Katherine, with such an air of decided
+dismissal that the young senior partner at once departed.
+
+Mr. Liddell fretted and fumed for an hour or two before he had exhausted
+himself sufficiently to sit still and listen to Katherine's reading; and
+after he had apparently sunk into a doze, he suddenly started up and
+exclaimed: "That idiot, young Stephens, will never think of sending to
+his house. Write--write to Newton's private residence."
+
+"I think Mr. Stephens will, uncle. He seemed anxious to meet your
+wishes."
+
+"Don't be a fool--do as I bid you! Get the paper and pen. Are you
+ready?"
+
+"I am."
+
+"Dear sir, Let nothing prevent your coming to me to-morrow," he
+dictated; "I want to make my will. It is important that affairs be not
+left in confusion. Yours truly. Give me the pen," he went on, in the
+same breath. "I can sign as well as ever. Now go you yourself and put
+this in the post. I do not trust that woman--they all stop and gossip,
+and I want this to go by the next despatch."
+
+Katherine, always thankful to be in the air, went readily enough. She
+was distressed to find how the nervous uneasiness of yesterday was
+growing on her. The perpetual companionship of the grim old skeleton,
+her uncle, was making her morbid, she thought; she must ask leave to go
+and spend a day at home to see how her mother was getting on, to refresh
+herself by a game of romps with the children. Why, she felt absolutely
+growing old!
+
+When she re-entered the house she found, much to her satisfaction, that
+the doctor was with Mr. Liddell; and after laying aside her out-door
+dress, she went to the parlor.
+
+"I have been advising Mr. Liddell to try the effect of a few glasses of
+champagne," said the former, who was looking rather grave, Katherine
+thought. "But as there is none in his cellar, he objects. Now you must
+help me to persuade him. I am going on to a patient in Regent's Park,
+and shall pass a very respectable wine-merchant's on my way; so I shall
+just take the law into my own hands and order a couple of bottles for
+you. Consider it medicine. It is wonderful how much more generally
+champagne is used than when you and I were young, my dear sir!" etc.,
+etc., he went on, with professional cheerfulness. But Mr. Liddell did
+not heed him much.
+
+"He is very weak. The action of the heart is extremely feeble," said the
+doctor, when Katherine followed him to the door. "Try and make him take
+the champagne."
+
+Another day dragged through; then Katherine, rather worn with the
+constant involuntary sense of watching which had strained her nerves all
+day, slept soundly and dreamlessly. She woke early next morning, and was
+soon dressed. Mrs. Knapp reported Mr. Liddell to be still slumbering.
+
+"But law, miss, he have had a bad night--the worst yet, I think. He was
+dreaming and tossing from side to side, and then he would scream out
+words I couldn't understand. I made him take some wine between two and
+three, but I do not think he knew me a bit. I have had a dreadful night
+of it."
+
+Katherine expressed her sympathy, and did what she could to lighten the
+good woman's labors.
+
+Mr. Liddell, however, though he looked ghastly, seemed rather stronger
+than usual. He insisted on getting up, and came into the sitting-room
+about eleven.
+
+It was a cold morning, with a thick, drizzling rain. Katherine made up
+the fire to a cheerful glow, and by her uncle's directions placed pen,
+ink and paper on the small table he always had beside him. Then he
+uttered the accustomed commanding "Read," and Katherine read.
+
+Suddenly he interrupted her by exclaiming, "Give me the deaths first."
+
+It had been a whim of his latterly to have this lugubrious list read to
+him every day.
+
+Katherine had hardly commenced when she descried Mr. Newton's well-known
+figure advancing from the garden gate.
+
+"Ah, here is Mr. Newton!" she exclaimed.
+
+"Ha! that is well," cried her uncle, with shrill exultation. "Now--now
+all will go right."
+
+The next moment the lawyer was shown in, and having greeted them,
+proceeded to apologize for his unavoidable absence. "Here I am, however,
+sir," he concluded, "at your service."
+
+"Go--leave us," said Liddell, abruptly yet not unkindly, to Katherine;
+then, as she left the room, "Finish the deaths for me, will you, before
+we go to business. She had just read the first two. Read--make haste!"
+
+Somewhat surprised, Mr. Newton took up the paper and continued: "On the
+30th September, at Wimbledon, universally regretted, the Rev. James
+Johnson, formerly minister of "Little Bethel, Bermondsey." On October
+1st, at her residence, Upper Clapton, Esther, relict of Captain
+Doubleday, late of the E. I. C. Service. On the 2nd instant, at
+Bournemouth, Peter Fergusson, of Upper Baker Street, in the
+seventy-fifth year of his age."
+
+"Fergusson dead! and he is three years my junior! Now it is all
+mine--all!--all! I shall be able to settle it as I like. I haven't
+eaten and drunk in vain. I'm strong, quite strong. All the papers are
+there, in my bureau. I'll show them to you. Aha! I thought I'd outlive
+him! I was determined to outlive him!"
+
+With an uncanny laugh he struggled to his feet, and attempted to walk to
+his bedroom, his stick in one hand and the keys he had taken from his
+pocket in the other. For a few steps he walked with a degree of strength
+that astonished Newton; then he gave a deep groan, staggered, and fell
+to the ground with a crash.
+
+Newton rushed to raise him, which he did with some difficulty. The noise
+brought the servant to his assistance.
+
+"Go! fetch Dr. Bilhane," said Mr. Newton, as soon as they had laid the
+helpless body on the bed. "Though I doubt if he can do anything. The old
+man is gone."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+"TEMPTATION."
+
+
+To Katherine, who was in her own room, the sound beneath came with a
+subdued force, and knowing Mr. Newton was with him, she thought it
+better to stay where she was, for it never struck her that Mr. Liddell
+had fallen.
+
+When, therefore, Mrs. Knapp, with that eagerness to spread evil tidings
+peculiar to her class, rushed upstairs to announce breathlessly that she
+was going for the doctor, but that the poor old gentleman was quite
+dead, Katherine could not believe her.
+
+She quickly descended to the parlor, where she found Mr. Newton standing
+by the fire, looking pale and anxious.
+
+"Oh, Mr. Newton, he cannot be dead!" cried Katherine. "He seemed
+stronger this morning, and he has fainted more than once. Let me bathe
+his temples." She took a bottle of eau-de-Cologne from the sideboard as
+she spoke.
+
+"My dear young lady, both your servant and I have done what we could to
+revive him, and I fear--I believe he has passed away. The start and the
+triumph of finding himself the last survivor of the Tontine association
+were too much for his weak heart. I would not go in if I were you: death
+is appalling to the young."
+
+Katherine stopped, half frightened, yet ashamed of her fear. "Oh yes; I
+must satisfy myself that I can do nothing more for him. Can it be
+possible that he will never speak again--never search for news of that
+other poor old man?" She went softly into the next room, followed by
+Newton, and approaching the bed, laid her hand gently on his brow. "How
+awfully cold!" she whispered, shrinking back in spite of herself at the
+unutterable chill of death. "But he looks so peaceful, so different from
+what he did in life!" She stood gazing at him, silent, awe-struck.
+
+"Come away," said Newton, kindly. "The doctor will be here, I trust, in
+a few minutes, and will be able to give a certificate which will save
+the worry of an inquest."
+
+Katherine obeyed his gesture of entreaty, and went slowly into the
+front room, where she sat down, leaning her elbows on the table and
+covering her face with her hands, while Mr. Newton closed the door.
+
+It was all over, then, her hopes and fears; the poor wasted life, as
+much wasted and useless as if spent in the wildest and most extravagant
+follies, was finished. What had it left behind? Nothing of good to any
+human being; no blessing of loving-kindness, of help and sympathy, to
+any suffering brother wayfarer on life's high-road; nothing but hard,
+naked gold--gold which, from what she had heard, would go to one already
+abundantly provided. Ah, she must not think of that gold so sorely
+needed, or bad, unseemly ideas would master her!
+
+But Mr. Newton was speaking. "It is fortunate I was here to be some stay
+to you," he said; "the shock must be very great, and--" He interrupted
+himself hastily to exclaim, "Here is the doctor! I shall go with him
+into our poor friend's room; let me find you here when I come back."
+Katherine bent her head, and remained in the same attitude, thinking,
+thinking.
+
+How long it was before the kind lawyer returned she did not know; but he
+came and stood by her, the doctor behind him.
+
+"It is as I supposed," said Newton, in a low tone. "Life is quite
+extinct." Katherine rose and confronted them, looking very white.
+
+"Yes," added the doctor; "death must have been instantaneous. Your uncle
+was in a condition which made him liable to succumb under the slightest
+shock. Can you give me paper and ink? I will write a certificate at
+once. Then, Miss Liddell, I shall look to you."
+
+Katherine placed the writing materials before him silently, and watched
+him trace the lines; then he handed the paper to Mr. Newton, saying,
+"You will see to what is necessary I presume," and rising he took
+Katherine's hand and felt her pulse. "Very unsteady indeed; I would
+recommend a glass of wine now, and at night a composing draught, which I
+will send. If I can do nothing more I must go on my rounds. I shall be
+at home again about six, should you require my services in any way."
+
+He went out, followed by Mr. Newton, and they spoke together for a few
+moments before the doctor entered his carriage and drove off.
+
+"Now, my dear," said Mr. Newton, when he returned--the startling event
+of the morning seemed to have taken off the sharp edge of his
+precision--"what shall you do? I suppose you would like to go home. It
+would be rather trying for you to stay here."
+
+"To go home!" returned Katherine, slowly. "Yes, I should, oh, very much!
+but I will not go. My uncle never was unkind to me, and I will stay in
+his house until he is laid in his last resting place. Yet I do not like
+to stay alone. May I have my mother with me?"
+
+"Yes, by all means. I tell you what, I will drive over and break the
+news to her myself; then she can come to you at once. I have a very
+particular appointment in the city this afternoon, but I shall arrange
+to spend to-morrow forenoon here, and examine the contents of that
+bureau. I have thought it well to take possession of your uncle's keys."
+
+"Yes, of course," said Katherine; "you ought to have them. And you will
+go and send my mother to me! I shall feel quite well and strong if she
+is near. How good of you to think of it!" and she raised her dark
+tearful eyes so gratefully to his that the worthy lawyer's heart kindled
+within him.
+
+"My dear young lady, I have rarely, if ever, regretted anything so much
+as my unfortunate absence yesterday, though had I been able to answer my
+late client's first summons, I doubt if time would have permitted the
+completion of a new will. Now my best hope, though it is a very faint
+one, is that he may have destroyed his last will, and so died
+intestate."
+
+"Why?" asked Katherine, indifferently. She felt very hopeless.
+
+"It would be better for you. You would, I rather think, be the natural
+heir." Katherine only shook her head. "Of course it is not likely.
+Still, I have known him destroy one will before he made another. He has
+made four or five, to my knowledge. So it is wiser not to hope for
+anything. I shall always do what I can for you. Now you are quite cold
+and shivering. I would advise your going to your room, and keeping there
+out of the way. You can do no more for your uncle, and I will send your
+mother to you as soon as I can. I suppose you have the keys of the
+house?"
+
+Katherine bowed her head. She seemed tongue-tied. Only when Mr. Newton
+took her hand to say good-by she burst out, "You will send my mother to
+me soon--soon!"
+
+Then she went away to her own room. Locking the door, she sat down and
+buried her face in the cushions of the sofa. She felt her thoughts in
+the wildest confusion, as if some separate exterior self was exerting a
+strange power over her. It had said to her, "Be silent," when Mr. Newton
+spoke of the possibility of _not_ finding the will, and she had obeyed
+without the smallest intention to do good or evil. Some force she could
+not resist--or rather she did not dream of resisting--imposed silence on
+her. To what had this silence committed her? To nothing. When Mr. Newton
+came and examined the bureau he would no doubt open the drawer of the
+writing-table also. She had locked it, and put the key in the little
+basket where the keys of her scantily supplied store closet and of the
+cellaret lay: there it stood on the round table near the window, with
+her ink-bottle and blotting-book. She sat up and looked at it fixedly.
+That little key was all that intervened between her and rest, freedom,
+enjoyment. The more she recalled her uncle's words and manner on the day
+he had dictated his first note to Mr. Newton, the more convinced she
+felt that he had intended to provide for her, and now his intentions
+would be frustrated, and the will the old man wished to suppress would
+be the instrument by which his possessions would be distributed.
+
+It was too bad. She did not know how closely the hope of her mother's
+emancipation from the long hard struggle with poverty and its attendant
+evils by means of Uncle Liddell's possible bequest had twined itself
+round her heart. Now she could not give it up. It seemed to her that her
+mental grasp refused to relax.
+
+She rose and began to make some little arrangement for her mother's
+comfort, and presently the servant came to ask if she would take some
+tea.
+
+"I'm sure, miss, you must be faint for want of food, and we are just
+going to have some--the woman and me."
+
+"What woman?"
+
+"A very respectable person as Dr. Bilham sent in to--to attend to the
+poor old gentleman, miss."
+
+"Ah! thank you. I could not take anything now. I expect my mother soon;
+then I shall be glad of some tea.
+
+"Well, miss, you'll ring if you want me. And dear me! you ought to have
+a bit of fire. I'll light one up in a minnit."
+
+"Not till you have had your tea. I am not cold."
+
+"You look awful bad, miss!" With this comforting assurance Mrs. Knapp
+departed, leaving the door partially open.
+
+A muffled sound, as if people were moving softly and cautiously, was
+wafted to Katherine as she sat and listened: then a door closed gently;
+voices murmuring in a subdued tone reached her ear, retreating as if the
+speakers had gone downstairs.
+
+Katherine went to the window. It was a wretchedly dark, drizzling
+afternoon--cold too, with gusts of wind. She hoped Mr. Newton would make
+her mother take a cab. It was no weather for her to stand about waiting
+for an omnibus. Would the time ever come when they need not think of
+pennies?
+
+Suddenly she turned, took a key from her basket, and walked composedly
+downstairs, unlocked the drawer of the writing-table, and took out her
+uncle's last will and testament. Then she closed the drawer, leaving the
+key in the lock, as it had always been, and returned to her room.
+
+Having fastened her door, she applied herself to read the document. It
+was short and simple, and with the exception of a small legacy to Mr.
+Newton, left all the testator possessed to a man whose name was utterly
+unknown to her. Mr. Newton was the sole executor, and the will was dated
+nearly seven years back.
+
+Katherine read it through a second time, and then very deliberately
+folded it up. "It shall not stand in my way," she murmured, her lips
+closing firmly, and she sat for a few minutes holding it tight in her
+hand, as she thought steadily what she should do. "Had my uncle lived a
+few hours more, this would have been destroyed or nullified. I will
+carry out his intentions. I wonder what is the legal penalty for the
+crime or felony I am going to commit? At all events I shall risk it. The
+only punishment I fear is my mother's condemnation. She must never know.
+It is a huge theft, whether the man I rob is rich or poor. I hope he is
+very rich. I know I am doing a great wrong; that if others acted as I am
+acting there would be small security for property--perhaps for life--but
+I'll do it. Shall I ever be able to hold up my head and look honest folk
+in the face! I will try. If I commit this robbery I must not falter nor
+repent. I must be consistently, boldly false, and I must get done with
+it before my dearest mother comes. How grieved and disappointed she
+would be if she knew! She believes so firmly in my truthfulness. Well, I
+have been true, and I _will_ be, save in this. Here I will lie by
+silence. Where shall I hide it? for I will not destroy it--not yet at
+least. No elaborate concealment is necessary."
+
+She rose up and took some thin brown paper--such as is used in shops to
+wrap up lace and ribbons--and folded the will in it neatly, tying it up
+with twine, and writing on it, "old MSS., to be destroyed." Then she
+laid it in the bottom of her box. "If my mother sees it, the idea of old
+MS. will certainly deter her from looking at it." She put back the
+things she had taken out and closed the box; then she stood for a moment
+of thought. What would the result be? Who could tell? Some other unknown
+Liddells might start up to share the inheritance. Well, she would not
+mind that much; so long as she could secure some years of modest
+competence to her mother, some help for her little nephews, she would be
+content.
+
+Now that she had accomplished what an hour ago was a scarcely
+entertained idea, she felt wonderfully calm, but curious as to how
+things would turn out, with the sort of curiosity she might have felt
+with regard to the action of another.
+
+She did not want to be still any more, however; she went to and fro in
+her room, dusting it and putting it in order; she rearranged her own
+hair and dress, and then she went to the window to watch for her mother.
+Time had gone swiftly while her thoughts had been so intensely occupied,
+and to her great delight she soon saw a cab drive up, from which Mrs.
+Liddell descended.
+
+Katherine flew to receive her, and in the joy of feeling her mother once
+more by her side she temporarily forgot the sense of a desperate deed
+which had oppressed her.
+
+Mrs. Liddell had been much shocked by the sudden death of her
+brother-in-law, but her chief anxiety was to fly to Katie, to shorten
+the terrible hours of loneliness in the house of mourning.
+
+She too honestly confessed her regret that the old man had been cut off
+before he could fulfil his intention of making a new will, "though," she
+said to her daughter as they talked together, "we cannot be sure that he
+would have remembered us--or rather you. But there is no use in thinking
+of what is past out of the range of possibilities. Let us only hope
+whoever is heir will not insist on immediate repayment of that loan. It
+is strange that you should have managed to make the poor old man's
+acquaintance, and to a certain degree succeed with him, only in his last
+days."
+
+"Try and talk of something else, mother dear. It is all so ghastly and
+oppressive! Tell me about Ada and the boys."
+
+"Ada was out when Mr. Newton came. I left a little note telling her of
+your uncle's awfully sudden death, and of my intention of remaining with
+you until after the funeral. What a state of excitement she will be in!
+I have no doubt she will be here to-morrow."
+
+"Very likely," said Katherine, who was pouring out tea.
+
+"Did Mr. Newton mention to you that your uncle had written to him to
+come and draw up a new will?"
+
+"Why, I wrote the note, which my uncle signed."
+
+"Yes, of course; I had forgotten. But did Mr. Newton say that he had a
+faint hope that he might have destroyed the other will?"
+
+"He did; but it is not probable."
+
+"It would make an immense difference to us if he had."
+
+"Would it?" asked Kate, to extract an answer from her mother.
+
+"Mr. Newton believes that if he died intestate you would inherit
+everything."
+
+"What! would not the little boys share?"
+
+"I am not sure. But to get away from the subject, which somehow always
+draws me back to it, I have one bit of good news for you, my darling. I
+had a letter from Santley this morning. He will take my novel, and will
+give me a hundred and fifty pounds for it."
+
+"Really? Oh, this is glorious news! I am so delighted! Then you will get
+more for the next; you will become known and appreciated."
+
+"Do not be too sure; it may be a failure. And at present I do not feel
+as if I should ever have any ideas again. My brain seems so weary."
+
+"Perhaps," whispered Katherine, "you _may_ be able to rest. You are
+looking very tired and ill."
+
+
+Somewhat to her own surprise, Katherine slept profoundly that night. The
+delicious sense of comfort and security which her mother's presence
+brought soothed her ineffably. It seemed as if no harm could touch her
+while she felt the clasp of those dear arms.
+
+The early forenoon brought Mr. Newton, and after a little preliminary
+talk respecting the arrangements he had made for the funeral, he
+proposed to look for the will which he had drawn up some years before,
+and which, to the best of his recollection, Mr. Liddell had taken charge
+of himself.
+
+"Might you not wait until the poor old man is laid in his last home?
+asked Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"Perhaps it would be more seemly," said the lawyer; "but it is almost
+necessary to know who is the heir and who is the executor. Besides, it
+is quite possible that since he signed the will I drew up for him in
+'59, and to which I was executor, he may have made another, of which I
+know nothing, and I may have to communicate with some other executor. I
+will therefore begin the search at once. Would you and your daughter
+like to be present?"
+
+"Thank you, no," returned Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"I would rather not," said Katherine.
+
+Mr. Newton proceeded on his search alone, while Mrs. Liddell and her
+daughter went to the latter's room, anxious to keep from meddling with
+what did not concern them.
+
+Scarcely had the former settled herself to write a letter to an old
+friend in Florence with whom she kept up a steady though not a frequent
+correspondence, when she was interrupted by a tap at the door. Before
+she could say "Come in," it was opened to admit Mrs. Frederic Liddell,
+who came in briskly. She had taken out a black dress with crape on it,
+and retouched a mourning bonnet, so that she presented an appearance
+perfectly suited to the occasion.
+
+"Oh dear!" she cried, "I have been in such a state ever since I had your
+note! I thought I should never get away this morning. The stupidity of
+those servants is beyond description. Now do tell all about everything."
+She sat down suddenly, then jumped up, kissed her mother-in-law on the
+brow, and shook hands with Katherine.
+
+"There is very little more to tell beyond what I said in my note,"
+returned Mrs. Liddell. "The poor old man never spoke or showed any
+symptom of life after he fell. Mr Newton, of course, will make all
+arrangements. The funeral will be on Friday, and Katherine and I will
+remain here till it is over."
+
+"And the will?" whispered Mrs. Frederic, eagerly. "Have you found out
+anything about that?"
+
+Mrs. Liddell shook her head. "I have not even asked, so sure am I that
+it will not affect us in any way. Mr. Newton is now examining the bureau
+where my brother-in-law appears to have kept all his papers, hoping to
+find the will."
+
+"Is it not cruel to think of all this wealth passing away from us?"
+cried the little woman, in a tearful tone.
+
+"I do not suppose that John Liddell was wealthy," said Mrs. Liddell. "He
+was very careful of what he had, but it does not follow that he had a
+great deal."
+
+"Oh, nonsense! My dear Mrs. Liddell, you only say that to keep us quiet.
+Misers always have heaps of money. What do you say, Katherine?"
+
+"That from all I saw I should say he was not rich. He never mentioned
+large sums of money, or--"
+
+"I do not mind you," interrupted the young widow. "You always affect to
+despise money."
+
+"Indeed I do not, Ada. I am only afraid of thinking too much of it."
+Katherine perceived that her mother had wisely abstained from telling
+the whole circumstances to this most impulsive young person.
+
+"And do you mean to say," pursued Mrs. Frederic, who could hardly keep
+still, so great was her excitement, "that the horrid lawyer is rummaging
+through the old man's papers all alone? You ought to be present, Mrs.
+Liddell. You don't know what tricks he may play. He may put a will in
+his own favor in some drawer. It is very weak not to have insisted on
+being present, and shows such indifference to our interests!"
+
+"I am not afraid of Mr. Newton forging a will," said Mrs. Liddell,
+smiling; "and I greatly fear that whoever may profit by the old man's
+last testament, we will not. But I assure you Mr. Newton did ask me to
+assist in the search, and I declined. Indeed I asked him not to search
+while the poor remains were unburied."
+
+"Why, my goodness! you do not mean to say you are pretending to be
+_sorry_ for this rude--miser!" cried Mrs. Frederic, with uplifted hand
+and eyes.
+
+"Personally I did not care about him, but, Ada, death demands respect."
+
+"Oh yes, of course. Then there is absolutely nothing to do or to hear."
+
+"Nothing," said Katherine, rather shortly.
+
+"Could I go out and buy anything for you? Surely the executors, whoever
+they may be, will give you some money for mourning?"
+
+"I do not think it at all likely. I will tell you what you can do, Ada:
+go to my large cupboard and bring me," etc., etc.--sundry directions
+followed. "Katherine and I can quite well do all that is necessary
+ourselves to make a proper appearance on Friday."
+
+"Very well; and I will come to the funeral too, and bring the boys. A
+little crape on their caps and sleeves will be quite enough. They will
+produce a great effect. I dare say if I speak to Mrs. Burnett's friend,
+that newspaper man, he will put an account into the _Morning News_, with
+all our names. Whatever comes, it would have a good effect."
+
+"Of course you can come if you like, Ada, but I would not bring the
+boys. Children are out of place except at a parent's grave."
+
+"Well, I do not agree with you, and I do not think you need grudge my
+poor children that much recognition."
+
+"Poor darlings! Do you believe we could grudge them anything that was
+good for them?" cried Katherine.
+
+"Oh, there is no knowing! Pray is there any plate in the house,
+Katherine, or diamonds? You know the nephew's wife _ought_ to have the
+diamonds!"
+
+"Do not make me laugh, Ada, while the poor man is lying dead!" exclaimed
+Katherine, smiling. "The idea of plate or diamonds in _this_ house is
+too funny!"
+
+"Then are the spoons and forks only Sheffield ware?" asked her
+sister-in-law. "How mean!"
+
+After a good deal more cross-examination Mrs. Fred rose to depart, her
+pretty childish face clouded, not to say very cross.
+
+"I might have saved myself the trouble of coming here," she said.
+
+"We are very glad to see you, and it will be a great help if you can
+send or bring the things I want."
+
+"Perhaps, if I wait a little longer, this admirable Mr. Newton may find
+something," resumed Mrs. Fred, pausing, and reluctant to move.
+
+"If he does I will let you know immediately," said Katherine; "but there
+are numbers of little drawers in the bureau; it will take him a long
+time to look through them all."
+
+"Have you seen the inside of it?" asked Mrs. Fred, greedily.
+
+"I have seen my uncle writing at it," returned Katherine; "but I never
+had an opportunity of examining it."
+
+"Well, I suppose I had better go. I am evidently not wanted here!"
+exclaimed Mrs. Frederic, longing to quarrel with some one, being in that
+condition of mind aptly described as "not knowing what to be at."
+Finding no help from her auditors, she went reluctantly away.
+
+"I wish poor Ada would not allow her imagination to run away with her.
+It will be such a disappointment when she finds it is all much ado about
+nothing," said Mrs. Liddell, as she returned to her letter. "I am
+afraid, Katie dear, you have had a great shock; you do not look a bit
+like yourself."
+
+"I feel dazed and stupid, but I dare say I shall be all right
+to-morrow." She took a book and pretended to read, while her mother's
+pen scratched lightly and quickly over the paper.
+
+The light was beginning to change, when a message from Mr. Newton
+summoned both mother and daughter to the sitting-room, where they found
+him awaiting them.
+
+"I have looked most carefully through the bureau, and can find no sign
+of the will. There are various papers and account-books, a very clear
+statement of his affairs, and about a hundred and fifteen pounds of
+ready money, but no will. I have also looked in his writing-table
+drawer, his wardrobe, and every possible and impossible place. It may be
+at my office, though I am under the impression he took charge of it
+himself. There is a possibility he may have deposited it at his banker's
+or his stock-broker's, though that is not probable."
+
+"It is curious," remarked Mrs. Liddell, feeling she must say something.
+
+"Pray," resumed Newton, addressing Katherine, "have you ever seen him
+tearing up or burning papers?"
+
+She thought for a moment, and then said quietly, "No, I never have."
+
+"I can do no more here, at least to-day," Newton went on. "I must bid
+you a good-afternoon. You may be sure I will leave nothing undone to
+discover the missing will, and I can only say I earnestly hope I may not
+be successful."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+"FRUITION."
+
+
+The funeral over, Mrs. Liddell and her daughter went back to their
+modest home, feeling as though they had passed through some strange
+dream, which had vanished, leaving "not a wrack behind."
+
+To Katherine it was like fresh life to return to the natural cheerful
+routine of her daily cares and employments, to struggle good-humoredly
+with indifferent servants, to do battle with her little nephews over
+their lessons, to walk with them and tell them stories. At times she
+almost forgot that the diligently sought will lay in its
+innocent-looking cover among her clothes, or that any results would flow
+from her daring and criminal act; then again the consciousness of having
+weighted her life with a secret she must never reveal would press
+painfully upon her, and make her greedy for the moment when Mr. Newton
+would relinquish the search, and she should reap the harvest she
+expected.
+
+She never believed that her uncle was as rich as Ada supposed, but she
+did hope for a small fortune which might secure comfort and ease.
+
+Mrs. Frederic Liddell was a real affliction during this period. The idea
+of inheriting John Liddell's supposed wealth was never absent from her
+thoughts, and seldom from her lips. Even the boys were infected by her
+gorgeous anticipations.
+
+"I shall have a pony like that, and a groom to ride beside me," Cecil
+would cry when his attention was caught by any young equestrian. "And I
+will give you a ride, auntie. Shall you have a carriage too, or will you
+drive with mammy?"
+
+"And I shall have a beautiful dog, like Mrs. Burnett's, and a garden
+away in the country," was Charlie's scheme. "You shall come and dig in
+it, auntie."
+
+"Do not think of such things, my dears," was auntie's usual reply. "I am
+afraid we shall never be any richer than we are; so you must be diligent
+boys, and work hard to make fortunes for yourselves."
+
+"Where did Uncle Liddell keep all his money?" was one of Cecil's
+questions in reply. "Did he keep it in big bags downstairs? He hadn't a
+nice house; it was quite a nasty one."
+
+"Had he a big place in a cave, with trees that grow rubies and diamonds
+and beautiful things?" added Charlie.
+
+"Why doesn't mamma buy us some ponies now?" continued Cis; "we should be
+some time learning to ride."
+
+"I will not listen to you any more if you talk so foolishly. Try and
+think of something else--of the Christmas pantomime. You know grannie
+says you shall go if you do your lessons well," returned Katherine.
+
+"It isn't silly!" exclaimed Cecil. "Mammy tells us we must take care of
+her when we are rich men, and that we shall be able to hold up our heads
+as high as any one. _I_ can hold up my head _now_."
+
+Such conversations were of frequent occurrence, and kept Katherine in a
+state of mental irritation.
+
+Toward the end of October Mrs. Burnett brought relief in the shape of an
+invitation to Mrs. Frederic.
+
+The Burnett family were spending the "dark days before Christmas" at
+Brighton, and thither hied the lively young widow in great glee. Things
+generally went smoother in her absence; the boys were more obedient, the
+meals more punctual.
+
+Nevertheless Katherine observed that her mother did not settle to her
+writing as usual. Occasionally she shut herself up in the study, but
+when Katherine came in unexpectedly she generally found her resting her
+elbow on the table and her head on her hand, gazing at the blank sheet
+before her, or leaning back in her chair, evidently lost in thought.
+
+"You do not seem to take much to your writing, mother dear," said
+Katherine one morning as she entered and sat down on a stool beside her.
+
+"In truth I cannot, Katie. I do not know how it is, but no plots will
+come. I have generally been able to devise something on which to hang my
+characters and events; but my invention, such as it is--or rather
+was--seems dried up and withered. What shall I do if my slight vein is
+exhausted? Heaven knows I produced nothing very original or remarkable,
+but my lucubrations were saleable, and I do not see how we can do
+without this source of income."
+
+"You only want rest," returned Katherine, taking her hand and laying her
+cheek against it. "Your fancy wants a quiet sleep, and then it will wake
+up fresh and bright. Take a holiday; put away pen, ink, and paper; and
+you will be able to write a lovely story long before the money we expect
+for your novel is expended."
+
+"I hope so." She paused, and then resumed, with a sigh: "I ought to have
+more sense and self-control at my age, but I confess that the
+uncertainty about John Liddell's will absorbs me. Suppose, Katie, that
+his money were to come to you. Imagine you and I rich enough not to be
+afraid of the week after next! Why, our lives would be too blissful."
+
+"They would," murmured Katherine. "When do you think we shall know?"
+
+"I cannot tell. All possible search must be made before the law can be
+satisfied. My own impression is that your uncle _did_ destroy his will,
+intending to make a different distribution of his money, and to provide
+for you."
+
+"Yes, I believe he did," said Katherine, quietly. "I wish--oh, I _do_
+wish my uncle had had time to divide his property between us all; then
+there would be no ill feeling. But I suppose Cis and Charlie will get
+some, even if no will is found?"
+
+"I have no idea. If poor Fred had lived, I suppose he would take a
+share."
+
+They sat silent for some minutes. Then Kate rose and very deliberately
+shut up her mother's writing-book, collected her papers and rough
+note-book, and locked them away in her drawer. "Now, dearest mother,"
+she said, "promise me not to open that drawer for ten days at least,
+unless a very strong inspiration comes to you. By that time we may know
+something certain about the will, and at any rate you will have had
+change of occupation. Then put on your bonnet and let us go to see our
+friend Mrs. Wray. Perhaps she may let us see her husband's studio, and
+if he is there we are sure to have some interesting talk. We both sorely
+need a change of ideas."
+
+
+Mrs. Frederic Liddell returned from Brighton in a very thoughtful mood.
+She said she had had a "heavenly visit." Such nice weather--such a
+contrast to dirty, dreary, depressing London! She had met several old
+acquaintances, they had had company every night, and had she only had a
+third evening dress her bliss would have been complete. As it was, a
+slight sense of inferiority had taken the keen edge off her joy. "At any
+rate, the men didn't seem to think there was much amiss with me. Sir
+Ralph Brereton and Colonel Ormonde were really quite troublesome. I do
+not much like Sir Ralph. I never know if he is laughing at me or not,
+though I am sure I do not think there is anything to laugh at in me.
+Colonel Ormonde is so kind and sensible! Do you know, Mrs. Liddell, he
+says _I_ ought to see Mr. Newton myself, to look after the interests of
+my darling boys, and--and try to ascertain the true state of affairs.
+That is what Colonel Ormonde says, and I suppose you wouldn't mind, Mrs.
+Liddell?" she ended, in a rather supplicating tone; for she was just a
+little in awe of her mother-in-law, kind and indulgent though she was.
+
+"Go and see Mr. Newton by all means, Ada, if you feel it would be any
+satisfaction to you; but until the right time comes it will be very
+useless to make any inquiries. We leave it all to Mr. Newton."
+
+"Oh, you and Katherine are so cold and immovable; you are not a bit like
+me. I am all sensitiveness and impulse. Well, if it is not raining cats
+and dogs I _will_ go into that awful City and see Mr. Newton
+to-morrow."
+
+"Would it not be well to make an appointment?"
+
+"Oh dear no! I will take my chance; I would not write. Katie dear, I
+have torn all the flounce off my black and white dinner dress; you are
+so much more clever with your needle than I am, would you sew it on for
+me to-morrow?"
+
+"No, I cannot, Ada--not to-morrow at least. I am busy altering mother's
+winter cloak, and she has nothing warm to put on until it is finished. I
+will show you how to arrange the flounce, and you will soon do it
+yourself if you try."
+
+"Very well"--rather sulkily. "I am sure I was intended to be a rich
+man's wife, I am _so_ helpless."
+
+"And I am sure I was born under 'a three-half-penny constellation,' as
+L. E. L. said, for I rather like helping myself," returned Katherine,
+laughing. "Only I should like to have a little exterior help besides."
+
+"Do you know, Katherine, I am afraid you are very proud. I believe you
+think yourself the cleverest girl in the world."
+
+"I should be much happier if I did," said Katherine, good-humoredly.
+"Don't be a goose, Ada; let my disposition alone. I am afraid it is too
+decidedly formed to be altered."
+
+"Colonel Ormonde was asking for you," resumed Mrs. Frederic, fearing she
+had allowed her temper too much play. "He is quite an admirer of yours."
+
+"I am much obliged to him. Would you like to come to the theatre
+to-night? Mr. and Mrs. Wray have a box at the Adelphi, and have offered
+us two places. My mother thought you might like to go."
+
+"With the Wrays? No, thank you. I never seem to get on with them; and if
+Colonel Ormonde happens to be there (and he might, for he is in town
+to-day), I should not care to be seen with them; they are not at all in
+society, you know."
+
+"True," said Katherine, with perfect equanimity. "Then, dear mother, do
+come. Nothing takes you out of yourself so much as a good play. I shall
+enjoy it more if you are with us."
+
+After a little discussion Mrs. Liddell agreed to go, and Mrs. Frederic
+retired to unpack, and to see what repairs were necessary, in a somewhat
+sulky mood.
+
+The following morning Mrs. Liddell's head was aching so severely that
+her daughter would not allow her to get up. She therefore gave her
+sister-in-law an early luncheon, and saw her set forth on her visit to
+Mr. Newton. She was a little nervous about it; she wished Katherine to
+go with her, and yet she did not wish it.
+
+She attired herself completely in black, and managed to give a mournful
+"distressed widow" aspect to her toilette: the little woman was an
+artist in her way, so long as her subject was self and its advantages.
+Then Katherine devoted herself to her mother, who had taken a chill. It
+grieved her to see how the slightest indisposition preyed upon her
+strength.
+
+The period of waiting was terribly long and wearing. Had she, after all,
+committed herself to an ever-gnawing loss of self-respect to enrich
+another? Katherine asked herself this question more than once.
+
+She had refrained from troubling Mr. Newton with fruitless questions or
+impatient expressions, and her mother admired her forbearance. But in
+truth Catherine hated to approach the subject of her possible
+inheritance, though she never faltered in her purpose of keeping the
+existence of her uncle's will a profound secret.
+
+Mrs. Frederic Liddell returned from her visit to the friendly lawyer
+rather sooner than Katherine expected.
+
+The moment she entered the drawing-room, where the latter was dusting
+the few china and other ornaments, her countenance evinced unusual
+disturbance.
+
+"I am sure," she began, in a very high key, "if I had known what I was
+going to encounter, I should have stayed at home. There's no justice in
+this world for the widow and the fatherless."
+
+"I cannot believe that Mr. Newton could be rude or unkind!" exclaimed
+Katherine, much startled.
+
+"I do not say he was," returned Mrs. Fred, snappishly. "But either he is
+a stupid old idiot, or he has been telling me abominable stories. I
+don't--I can't believe them! Do you know he says he, they, all the old
+rogues together, believe that wretched miser had destroyed his will and
+died intestate, and that every penny will be yours; not a sou comes to
+the widow and children of the nephew. It is preposterous. It is the most
+monstrous injustice. If it is law, an act of Parliament ought to be
+passed to--to do away with it. Fancy your having everything, and me, my
+boys and myself, dependent on _you_!"--scornful emphasis on "you."
+
+"Is this possible?" exclaimed Katherine, dropping her duster in dismay.
+"I thought that the property would be divided between the boys and
+myself."
+
+"Why, that is only common-sense! If you _do_ get everything you will be
+well rewarded for your three months' penal servitude. You knew what you
+were about, though you _do_ despise rank and riches."
+
+"But, Ada, I suppose my uncle would have destroyed his will whether I
+had been there or not."
+
+"No. Mr. Newton's idea is that he intended to make a new will, probably
+leaving you a large sum, and so destroyed the old one. Mr. Newton thinks
+he grew to like you. Oh! you played your cards well! But it is too hard
+to think you cut out my dar-arling boys," she ended, with a sob.
+
+Katherine grew very white; this outburst of fury roused her conscience.
+She pulled herself together in an instant of quick thought, however.
+"This is folly. What I have done will benefit the boys more than
+myself," she reflected.
+
+"I do not wonder at your being vexed, Ada," she said, gently. "But
+fortunately one is not compelled to act according to law. If the whole
+of the fortune, whatever it may be, becomes mine, do you think I would
+keep it all to myself?"
+
+"I am sure I don't know" said Mrs. Frederic, who had now subsided into
+the sulks. "When people get hold of money they seldom like to part with
+it; and I know you do not like _me_?"
+
+"Why should you think so, Ada? We may not agree in our tastes, but that
+is no reason for dislike; and you know how glad I am to be of use to
+you, both for your own sake and poor Fred's."
+
+"Well, I would rather not be dependent on you or any one. But there! I
+do not believe what that stupid old man says--I do not believe such a
+horrible law exists. I shall write and consult Colonel Ormonde, and find
+out if I could not dispute the will--no, not the will--the property. I
+should not like to give up my rights."
+
+"Please, Ada, do not speak so loudly. My mother had just fallen asleep
+before you came in; and she had such a bad night!"
+
+"Loud? I am not talking loudly. You mean to insinuate I am in a
+passion? I am nothing of the kind. I am perfectly cool, but
+determined--determined to have justice, and my fair share of this man's
+wealth!"
+
+"It may not be wealth; it may be only competence, and it is not ours to
+share yet."
+
+"Not yours, you mean; that is what you _thought_, Katherine. And as to
+wealth, I believe that cruel old miser was _enor_mously rich! Where are
+the boys?"
+
+"Out walking with Lottie. I am _so_ glad they were not in to hear all
+this! Do not talk to them of being rich, dear Ada; it puts unhealthy
+ideas into their minds, and--"
+
+"Upon my word! I like to hear _you_, a mere girl, not quite nineteen
+yet, advising me, a mother, a married woman, about my own children. You
+need not presume on your expected riches. _I'll_ never play the part of
+a poor relation, and submit to be lectured by _you_."
+
+Her sister-in-law's stings and passing fits of ill-humor never irritated
+Katherine unless they worried her mother, nor did this most unwonted
+outburst of irrepressible indignation, but it distressed her. "Come,
+Ada, don't be cross," she said. "It was perhaps want of tact in me to
+suggest anything, though my idea is right enough. It is quite natural
+that you should be awfully vexed. Perhaps Mr. Newton _is_ wrong; at all
+events, if the law is unjust, _I_ need not act unjustly, and believe me,
+I _will_ not."
+
+"I hope not," returned the young widow, a little mollified. "I always
+believe you haven't a bad heart, Katherine, though you have a
+disagreeble sullen temper. Now _I_ am too open; you see the worst of me
+at once; but I do not remember unkindness; and if you do what is right
+in this, I--I shall always speak of you as you deserve. Do get me
+something to eat; I am awfully hungry, and though I hate beer, I will
+take some; it is better than nothing. How _you_ go on on water I cannot
+imagine; it will ruin your digestion."
+
+So they went amicably enough into the dining-room together, one to be
+ministered to, the other to minister.
+
+Here the boys joined them; but for a wonder their mother was silent
+respecting her visit to the lawyer, and soon went away to write to
+Colonel Ormonde, on whom she had conferred, unasked, the office of prime
+counsellor and referee. This opened up a splendid field for letters full
+of flattering appeals to his wisdom and judgment, and touching little
+confessions of her own weakness, folly, and need for guidance.
+
+
+"DEAR MISS LIDDELL,--I should be glad if you could call on
+Tuesday next about one o'clock. I have various documents to show you,
+or I should not give you the trouble to come here. If Mrs. Liddell is
+disengaged and could come also it would be well. I am yours faithfully,
+                                                            A. NEWTON."
+
+
+Such was the letter which the first post brought to Katherine about six
+weeks after the death of John Liddell.
+
+Katherine, who always rose and dressed first, found it on the table when
+she went down to give the boys their breakfast, to coax the fire to burn
+brightly if it was inclined to be sulky, and to make the coffee for her
+mother and Mrs. Fred.
+
+As soon as she had seen the two little men at work on their bread and
+milk she flew back to her mother.
+
+"Do read this! Do you think that Mr. Newton wants me because I am to
+have my uncle's money at last?"
+
+"Yes, I do. There can be no other reason for his wishing to see you,
+dearest child. What a wonderful change it will make if this is the case!
+I can then cease, to mourn the failure of my poor powers, and let the
+publishers go free. My love, I did not think anything could affect you
+so much. You are white and trembling."
+
+"I have been more anxious than you knew," returned Katherine, who felt
+strangely overcome, curiously terrified, at the near approach of
+success--the success she had ventured on so daring an act to secure. "I
+greatly feared some other claimant--some other will, I mean--might be
+found."
+
+"Yes, I feared too. Yet there could be no claimant, apart from another
+will. Poor George, your uncle's only son, was killed, I remember. Take a
+little water, dear, and sit down. No, I did not fear another claimant
+when I thought, but I feared to hope too much."
+
+"I feel all right now, mother. Such a prospect does not kill. Suppose we
+say nothing to Ada--she will worry our lives out--not at least till we
+know our fate certainly?"
+
+"Perhaps it will be better not."
+
+"And whatever I get we will share with the dear children, and give Ada
+some too. Oh, darling mother, think of our being alone together again,
+and tolerably at ease!"
+
+It would be wearisome to the reader were the details of the interview
+with Mr. Newton minutely recorded.
+
+He was evidently relieved and delighted to announce that all attempts to
+find the will had failed, and explained at some length to his very
+attentive listeners the steps to be taken and the particulars of the
+property bequeathed; how it devolved on Katherine to take out letters of
+administration; how at her age she had the power of choosing her own
+guardian for the two years which must elapse before she was of age; and
+finally that the large amount of which she had become mistress was so
+judiciously invested that he (Mr. Newton) could advise no change save
+the transference of stock to her name.
+
+As it dawned upon Katherine that the sum she inherited amounted to
+something over eighty thousand pounds, she felt dizzy with surprise and
+fear. She had no idea she had been playing for such stakes. The sense of
+sudden responsibility pressed upon her; her hands trembled and her cheek
+paled.
+
+"My dear young lady, you look as if you had met a loss instead of
+gaining a fortune," said Mr. Newton, looking kindly at her. "I have no
+doubt you will make a good use of your money, and I trust will enjoy
+many happy days."
+
+"But my nephews, my sister-in-law, do they get nothing?"
+
+"Not a penny. Of course you can, when of age, settle some portion upon
+them."
+
+"I certainly will; but in the mean time--"
+
+"In the mean time I will take care that you have a proper allowance."
+
+"Thank you, dear Mr. Newton. Do get me something big enough to make us
+all comfortable, and I can share with Ada--with Mrs. Frederic. I do so
+want to take my mother abroad, and I could not leave Ada and the boys
+unless they were well provided for."
+
+"Make your mind easy; the court will allow you a handsome income. So you
+must cheer up, in spite of the infliction of a large fortune," added Mr.
+Newton, with unwonted jocularity.
+
+"Both Katherine and myself are warmly grateful for your kind sympathy,"
+said Mrs. Liddell, softly. Then, after a short pause, she asked, "Do you
+know what became of Mr. Liddell's unfortunate wife?"
+
+"She died eleven or twelve years ago. The family of--of the man she
+lived with had the audacity to apply for money, on account of her
+funeral, I think, and so I came to know she was dead. It was a sad
+business. The poor woman had a wretched life, but I don't think she was
+in any want."
+
+"I only asked, because if she was in poverty--"
+
+"Oh," interrupted the lawyer, "if she were alive, she would have her
+share of the estate, as her marriage was never dissolved."
+
+A short pause ensued, and then Newton asked if Miss Liddell would like
+some money, as he would be happy to draw a check for any sum she
+required. Then, indeed, Katherine felt that her days of difficulty were
+over.
+
+
+Mrs. Liddell and her daughter were in no hurry to leave their humble
+home. In truth Katherine was more frightened than elated at the amount
+of property she had inherited, and would have felt a little less guilty
+had she only succeeded in obtaining a moderate competence.
+
+A curious stunned feeling made her incapable of her usual activity for
+the first few days, and averse even to plan for the future.
+
+She kept her sister-in-law quiet by a handsome present of money
+wherewith to buy a fresh outfit for herself and her boys. Finally she
+roused up sufficiently to persuade Mrs. Liddell to see an eminent
+physician, for she did not seem to gather strength as rapidly as her
+daughter expected.
+
+The great man, after a careful examination, said there was nothing very
+wrong; the nervous system seemed to be a good deal exhausted, and the
+bronchial attack of the previous year had left the lungs delicate, but
+that with care she might live to old age.
+
+He directed, however, that Mrs. Liddell should go as soon as possible to
+a southern climate. He recommended Cannes or San Remo--indeed it would
+be advisable that several winters in future should be spent in a more
+genial atmosphere than that of England.
+
+This advice exactly suited the wishes both of Katherine and her mother.
+
+How easy it was to make arrangements in their altered circumstances! How
+magical are the effects of money! How quickly Katherine grew accustomed
+to the unwonted ease of her present lot! _If_--oh, if--she were ever
+found out, how should she bear it? How could she endure the pinch of
+poverty, added to the poison of shame? But the idea that all this wealth
+was really _hers_ gained on her, while her fears were lulled to sleep by
+a pleasant sense of comfort and security.
+
+Mrs. Frederic Liddell was a good deal disturbed on hearing that her
+mother-in-law was ordered abroad.
+
+"Pray what is to become of _me_?" was her first question when Katherine
+announced the doctor's verdict. They were sitting over the fire in the
+drawing-room, after the boys had said good-night.
+
+"Would you prefer staying in England?" asked Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"For some reasons I should, but you know I _must_ have something to live
+on."
+
+"I know that," returned Katherine. "As I cannot execute any any deed of
+gift for two years, I think I had better give you an allowance for
+yourself and the boys, and let you do as you like. I have talked with
+Mr. Newton about it."
+
+"Well, dear, I think it _would_ be the best plan," said Mrs. Frederic,
+amiably. "I have not the least scruple in taking the money, because you
+know it ought really to be ours."
+
+"Exactly," returned Katherine, with a slight smile, and she named so
+liberal a sum that even Mrs. Fred was satisfied.
+
+"Well, I am sure that is very nice, dear," she said; "and when you are
+of age will you settle it on my precious boys?"
+
+"I will," replied Katherine, deliberately; "and I hope always to see a
+great deal of them."
+
+"Of course you will, but you will not long be Katherine Liddell. When
+Mr. Wright comes, my boys will get leave to stay with their mother as
+much as they like."
+
+"I do not think I shall easily forget them, even if Mr. Wright appears,"
+said Katherine, good-humoredly.
+
+"What a strange girl Katie is!" pursued her sister-in-law. "Was she
+never in love, Mrs. Liddell? Had she never any admirers?"
+
+"Not that I know of, Ada."
+
+"Oh! I have been in love many times!" cried Katherine, laughing. "Don't
+you remember, mother, the Russian prince I used to dance with at Madame
+du Lac's juvenile parties?--I made quite a romance about him; and that
+young Austrian--I forget his name--whom we met at Stuttgart, Baron
+Holdenberg's nephew; he was charming, to say nothing of Lohengrin and
+Tannhauser. I have quite a long list of loves, Ada. Oh, I _should_ like
+to dance again! To float round to the music of a delightful Austrian
+band would be charming."
+
+"My dear Katherine, that is all nonsense, as you will find out one day."
+Then, after some moments of evidently severe reflection, her brows knit,
+and her soft baby-like lips pressed together she said: "I think I should
+like to move nearer town, and get a nice nursery governess for Cis and
+Charlie, and--Don't you think it would be a good plan?"
+
+"The governess, yes, as they will lose their present one when Katherine
+goes. But why not stay on here till next autumn, when the lease or
+agreement expires? You will have it all to yourself in about ten days,
+and it will be quite large enough," said Mrs. Liddell.
+
+"Stay on here!" began her daughter-in-law, in a high key, and with a
+look of great disgust. She stopped herself suddenly, however, smoothed
+her brow, and added, "Well, I will think about it," after which, with
+unusual self-control, she changed the subject, and talked gravely about
+governesses, their salaries and qualifications, till it was time to go
+to bed.
+
+A few days after this conversation the house was invaded by a host of
+applicants for the post of instructress to the two little boys. Every
+shade of complexion, all possible accomplishments, the most varied and
+splendid testimonials, were presented to the bewildered little widow, in
+consequence of her application to a governesses' institution. She was
+fain to ask Katherine to help her in choosing, much to the latter's
+satisfaction, as she did not like to offer assistance, though she wished
+to influence the choice of a preceptress. Together they fixed on a
+quiet, kindly looking young woman, to whom both took rather a fancy, and
+Katherine felt very much relieved to know that this important point was
+settled.
+
+But Mrs. Frederic did not seem at ease; there was a restlessness about
+her, a disinclination to leave the house, that attracted Katherine's
+notice, although she was much occupied with preparations for their
+departure. At last the mystery was solved.
+
+One afternoon Mrs. Liddell and Katherine had been a good deal later than
+usual in returning home, having determined to finish their shopping and
+take a few days' complete rest before starting on their travels.
+
+Mrs. Frederic met them with a heightened color and a curious embarrassed
+look. The drawing room was lit by a splendid fire, and sweet with the
+perfume of abundant hot-house flowers; there was something vaguely
+prophetic in the air.
+
+"Do come to the fire, dear Mrs. Liddell; you must be so cold! I have
+been quite uneasy about you," she exclaimed, effusively.
+
+"Have you had a visitor, Ada?" asked Katherine, whose suspicions were
+aroused.
+
+"I have, and I want to tell you all about it. I am far too candid to
+keep anything from those I love. My visitor was Colonel Ormonde. He
+asked me to marry him, and--and, dear Mrs. Liddell--Katherine--I hope
+you will not be offended, but I--I said I would," burst forth Mrs.
+Frederic; and then she burst into tears.
+
+There was a minute's silence. Katherine flushed crimson, and did not
+speak, but Mrs. Liddell said, kindly: "My dear Ada, if you think Colonel
+Ormonde will make you happy and be kind to the boys, you are quite
+right. I never expected a young creature like you to live alone for the
+rest of your existence, and I believe Colonel Ormonde is a man of
+character and position."
+
+"He is indeed," cried Ada, falling on her mother-in-law's neck. "You are
+the wisest, kindest woman in the world. And you, Katherine?"
+
+"I _do_ hope you will be _very, very_ happy," responded Katherine; "but
+I must say I think he is rather too old for you. That, however, is your
+affair."
+
+"Yes, of course it is"--leaving Mrs. Liddell to hug Katherine. "I am
+quite fond of him; that is, I esteem and like him. Of course I shall
+never love any one as I did my dear darling Fred; but I do want some one
+to help me with the boys, and Marmaduke (that's his name) is quite fond
+of them. So now, dear Mrs. Liddell, I will stay on here till--till I am
+married, if you don't mind."
+
+"It is the best thing you can do, Ada. I wish we could stay and be
+present at your marriage."
+
+"But that is impossible," cried Katherine.
+
+"And not at all necessary," added Mrs. Frederic, hastily. "My friend
+Mrs. Burnett will help me in every way, and I have been trouble enough
+already."
+
+"I do not think so," said Mrs. Liddell, quietly. "But I am very weary. I
+will go to my room. Katie dear, bring me some tea presently."
+
+And the widow escaped to rest, perhaps to weep over the bright boy so
+dear to her, so soon forgotten by the wife of his bosom.
+
+Not many days after, Katherine and her mother set forth upon their
+travels, leaving nothing they regretted save the two little boys,
+respecting whose fate Katherine felt anything but satisfied. Of this she
+said nothing to her mother. And so, with temporary forgetfulness of the
+deed which was destined to color her whole life, she saw the curtain
+fall on the first act of her story.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+"A NEW PHASE."
+
+
+"An interval of three weeks--six months--ten years," as the case may
+be--"is supposed to have elapsed since the last act." This is a very
+commonly used expression in play-bills, and there seems no just cause or
+impediment why a story-teller should not avail himself of the same
+device to waft the patient reader over an uneventful period, during
+which the hero or heroine has been granted a "breathing space" between
+the ebb and flow of harrowing adventures and moving incidents.
+
+It was, then, more than two years since the last chapter, and a still
+cold day at the end of February--still and somewhat damp--in one of the
+midland shires--say Clayshire. The dank hedges and sodden fields had a
+melancholy aspect, which seemed to affect a couple of horsemen who were
+walking their jaded, much-splashed horses along a narrow road, or
+rather lane, which led between a stretch of pasture-land on one side and
+a ploughed field on the other. The red coats and top-boots of both were
+liberally besprinkled with mud; even their hats had not quite escaped.
+Their steeds hung their heads and moved languidly; both horses and
+riders had evidently had a hard day's work. Presently the road sloped
+somewhat steeply to a hollow sheltered at one side by a steep bank
+overgrown with brushwood and large trees. The country behind the
+huntsmen was rather flat and very open, but from this point it became
+broken and wooded, sloping gradually up toward a distant range of low
+blue hills.
+
+"Ha, you blundering idiot!" exclaimed the elder of the two men, pulling
+up his horse, a powerful roan, as he stumbled at the beginning of the
+descent. He was a big, heavy man with a red face, thick gray mustache,
+and small, angry-looking eyes. "He'll break my neck some day."
+
+"Don't take away his character," returned his companion, laughing.
+"Remember he has had a hard run, and you are not a feather-weight." The
+speaker was tall (judging from the length of the well-shaped leg which
+lay close against his horse's side), large-framed, and bony; his plain
+strong face was tanned to swarthiness by exposure to wind and weather;
+moreover, a pair of deep-set dark eyes and long, nearly black mustache
+showed that he had been no fair, ruddy youth to begin with.
+
+"No, by Jove!" exclaimed the first speaker. "I don't understand how it
+is that I grow so infernally stout. I am sure I take exercise enough,
+and live most temperately."
+
+"Exercise! Yes, for five or six months; the rest of the twelve you do
+nothing. And as to living temperately, what with a solid breakfast, a
+heavy luncheon, and a serious dinner, you manage to consume a great deal
+in the twenty-four hours."
+
+"Come, De Burgh! Hang it, I rarely eat lunch."
+
+"Only when you can get it. Say two hundred and ninety times out of the
+three hundred and sixty-five days of the year."
+
+"I admit nothing of the sort. The fact is, what I eat goes into a good
+skin. Now you might _cram_ the year round and be a bag of bones at the
+end of it."
+
+"Thank God for all his mercies," replied De Burgh. "The fact is, you are
+a spoiled favorite of fortune, and in addition to all the good things
+you have inherited you pick up a charming wife who spoils you and
+coddles you in a way to make the mouth of an unfortunate devil like
+myself water with envy."
+
+"None of that nonsense, De Burgh," complacently. "The heart of a
+benedict knoweth its own bitterness, though I can't complain much. If
+you hadn't been the reckless _roue_ you are, you might have been as well
+off as myself."
+
+De Burgh laughed. "You see, I never cared for domestic bliss. I hate
+fetters of every description, and I lay the ruin of my morals to the
+score of that immortal old relative of mine who persists in keeping me
+out of my heritage. The conviction that you are always sure of an
+estate, and possibly thirty thousand a year, has a terrible effect on
+one's character."
+
+"If you had stuck to the Service you'd have been high up by this time,
+with the reputation you made in the Mutiny time, for you were little
+more than a boy then."
+
+"Ay, or low down! Not that I should have much to regret if I were. I
+have had a lot of enjoyment out of life, however, but at present I am
+coming to the end of my tether. I am afraid I'll have to sell the few
+acres that are left to me, and if that gets to the Baron's ears, good-by
+to my chance of his bequeathing me the fortune he has managed to scrape
+together between windfalls and lucky investments. The late Baroness had
+a pot of money, you know."
+
+"I know there's not much property to go with the title."
+
+"A beggarly five thousand a year. I say, Ormonde, are you disposed for a
+good thing? Lend me three thousand on good security? Six per cent., old
+man!"
+
+"I am not so disposed, my dear fellow! I have a wife and my boy to think
+of now."
+
+"Exactly," returned the other, with a sneer. "You have a new edition of
+Colonel Ormonde's precious self."
+
+"Oh, your sneers don't touch me! You always had your humors; still I am
+willing to help a kinsman, and I will give you a chance if you like.
+What do you say to a rich young wife--none of your crooked sticks?"
+
+"It's an awful remedy for one's financial disease, to mortgage one's
+self instead of one's property; still I suppose I'll have to come to it.
+Who is the proposed mortgagee?"
+
+"My wife's sister."
+
+"Oh!"
+
+The tone of this "Oh!" was in some unaccountable way offensive to
+Colonel Ormonde. "Miss Liddell comes of a very good old county family I
+can tell you," he said, quickly; "a branch of the Somerset Liddells; and
+when I saw her last she was the making of an uncommon fine woman."
+
+"But your wife was a Mrs. Liddell, was she not?"
+
+"Yes. This girl is her sister-in-law, really, but Mrs. Ormonde looks on
+her as a sister."
+
+"Hum! She _has_ the cash? I suppose you know all about it?"
+
+"Well, yes, you may be sure of sixty or seventy thousand, which would
+keep you going till Lord de Burgh joins the majority."
+
+"Yes, that might do; so 'trot her out.'"
+
+"She is coming to stay with us in a week or two, before the hunting is
+quite over, so you will be down here still."
+
+"I suspect I shall. The lease of the lodge won't be out till next
+September, and I may as well stay there as anywhere."
+
+"Katherine Liddell is quite unencumbered; she has neither father nor
+mother, nor near relation of any kind; in fact Mrs. Ormonde and myself
+are her next friends, and in a few weeks she will be of age."
+
+"All very favorable for her," said De Burgh, in his careless, commanding
+way. His tones were deep and harsh, and though unmistakably one of the
+"upper ten," there was a degree of roughness in his style, which,
+however, did not prevent him from being rather a favorite with women,
+who always seemed to find his attentions peculiarly flattering.
+
+"Come," cried Ormonde, "let us push on. I am getting chilled to the
+bone, and we are late enough already."
+
+He touched his horse with the spur, and both riders urged their steeds
+to a trot. Turning a bend of the road, they came suddenly upon a young
+lady accompanied by two little boys, in smart velvet suits. They were
+walking in the direction of Castleford--walking so smartly that the
+smaller of the two boys went at a trot. "Hullo!" cried Colonel Ormonde,
+pulling up for an instant. "What are you doing here? I hope the baby has
+not been out so late?"
+
+"Baby has gone to drive with mother," chorussed the boys eagerly, as if
+a little awed.
+
+"All right! Time you were home too," and he spurred after De Burgh.
+
+"Mrs. Ormonde's boys?" asked the latter.
+
+"Yes; have you never seen them?"
+
+"I knew they existed, but I cannot say I ever beheld them before."
+
+"Oh, Mrs. Ormonde never bores people with her brats."
+
+"After they are out of infancy," returned the other, dryly.
+
+A remark which helped to "rile" Colonel Ormonde, and he said little more
+till they reached their destination, and both retired to enjoy the
+luxury of a bath before dressing for dinner.
+
+John de Burgh was a distant relation of Ormonde's, but having been
+thrown together a good deal, they seemed nearer of kin than they really
+were. De Burgh was somewhat overbearing, and dominated Colonel Ormonde
+considerably. He was also somewhat lawless by nature, hating restraint
+and intent upon his own pleasure. The discipline of military life, light
+as it is to an officer, became intolerable to him when the excitement
+and danger of real warfare were past, and he resigned his commission to
+follow his own sweet will.
+
+Ultimately he became renowned as a crack rider, and one of the best
+steeple-chase jockeys on the turf in all competitions between gentlemen.
+
+Mrs. Ormonde considered him quite an important personage, heir to an old
+title, and first or second cousin to a host of peers. It took many a day
+to accustom her to think of her husband's connections without a sense of
+pride and exultation, at which Ormonde laughed heartily whenever he
+perceived it. On his side De Burgh thought her a very pretty little toy,
+quite amusing with her small airs and graces and assumption of
+fine-ladyism, and he showed her a good deal of indolent attention, at
+which her husband was rather flattered.
+
+The rector of the parish and one or two officers of Colonel Ormonde's
+old regiment, which happened to be quartered at a manufacturing town a
+few miles distant, made up the party at dinner that evening, and
+afterward they dropped off one by one to the billiard-room, till Mrs.
+Ormonde and De Burgh found themselves _tete-a-tete_.
+
+"Do you wear black every night because it suits you down to the ground?"
+he asked, after very deliberately examining her from head to foot, when
+he had thrown down a newspaper he had been scanning.
+
+"No; I am in mourning. Don't you see I have only black lace and jet, and
+a little crape?"
+
+"Ah! and that constitutes mourning, eh? Well, there is very little
+mourning in your laughing eyes. Who is dead?"
+
+"My mother-in-law."
+
+"Your mother-in-law! I didn't know Ormonde----"
+
+"I mean Mrs. Liddell; and I am quite sorry for her; she was wonderfully
+fond of me, and very kind."
+
+"Why, what an angel you must be to fascinate a _belle-mere_! Then the
+dear departed must be the mother of that Miss Liddell whom Ormonde was
+recommending to me this afternoon?"
+
+"Who--my husband? How silly! She would not suit you a bit."
+
+"Well, Ormonde thought her fortune might."
+
+"Oh, her fortune! that is another thing. But she will not be so very
+rich if she fulfils her promise to settle part of her fortune on my
+boys. You see, if their poor father had lived, he would have shared
+their uncle's money with his sister. Now it is too hideously unjust that
+my poor dear boys should have nothing, and Katherine is very properly
+going to make it up to them."
+
+"A young woman with a very high sense of justice. A good deal under the
+influence of her charming sister-in-law, I presume."
+
+"Well, rather," returned Mrs. Ormonde, with an air of superiority.
+"Katherine is a mere enthusiastic school-girl, easily imposed upon. Both
+Colonel Ormonde and myself feel bound to look after her."
+
+"Will she let you?" asked De Burgh, dryly.
+
+"Of course she will. She knows nothing of the world, or at least very
+little, for she did not go much into society while they were abroad."
+
+"Has she been abroad?"
+
+"Yes; Mrs. Liddell was out of health when Katherine came into this
+money, and they have been away in Italy and Germany and Paris for quite
+two years. They were on their way home when Mrs. Liddell was taken ill.
+She died in Paris, of typhoid fever, just before Christmas."
+
+"Two years in Italy, Germany, and Paris," repeated De Burgh; "she can't
+be quite a novice, then."
+
+"Oh, she thinks she knows a great deal; and she _is_ a nice girl, though
+curious and fanciful. I like her very much indeed, but I do not fancy
+_you_ would. She is certainly obstinate. Instead of coming direct to us,
+and making her home here, as we were quite willing she should, she has
+gone to Miss Payne, a woman who, I believe, exists by acting chaperon to
+rich girls with no relations. Fancy, she has absolutely agreed to live
+with this Miss Payne for a year before consulting us, or asking our
+consent--or--or anything!"
+
+"Is she not a minor?"
+
+"She will be of age in a week or two, and it makes me quite nervous to
+think that other influences may prevent her keeping her promise to my
+boys. It is a mercy she did not marry some greedy foreigner while she
+was under age. Fortunately, men never seemed to take a fancy to
+Katherine."
+
+"They will be pretty sure to take a fancy to her money."
+
+"I think she lived so quietly people did not suspect her of having any.
+She is awfully cut up about the death of her mother, and does not go
+anywhere. I hope she will come down here next week. The only person I am
+afraid of is a horrid stiff old lawyer who seems to be her right hand
+man. He went over to Paris when Mrs. Liddell died, and did everything,
+instead of sending for Colonel Ormonde! I felt quite hurt about it."
+
+"Ha! a shrewd old lawyer is bad to beat," said De Burgh, looking at his
+lively informant with half-closed eyes and an amused expression. "I
+wouldn't be too sure of your sister if I were you. Under such guidance
+the young lady may alter her generous intentions."
+
+"Pray do not say such horrible things, Mr. De Burgh!" cried Mrs.
+Ormonde, growing very grave, even pathetic, and looking inclined to cry.
+"What would become of me--I mean us--if she changed her mind? 'Duke
+would be furious; he would never forgive me."
+
+"Pooh! nonsense! a man would forgive a woman like you anything."
+
+"A woman, perhaps, but not his wife," she returned, shaking her head.
+"But I won't think of anything so dreadful. I am quite sure Katie will
+never break her word; she is awfully true."
+
+"That is rather an alarming character. You make me quite curious. What
+is she like--anything like you?"
+
+"Not a bit. You know, she is only my sister-in-law. She is tall and
+large, and much more decided"--looking up in his face with a caressing
+smile.
+
+"I understand. Not a delicate little darling, made for laughter and
+kisses, and sugar, and spice, and all that's nice, like _you_." This
+with an insolent, admiring look. "Not a woman to fall in love with, but
+useful as a wife to keep one's household up to the collar."
+
+"Really, Mr. De Burgh, you are very shocking! You must not say such
+things to me."
+
+"Mustn't I? How shall you prevent me? I am a relative, you know. You
+can't treat me as a stranger."
+
+"You are quite too audacious--" she was beginning, when a slim young
+cornet came back from the billiard-room.
+
+"The Colonel wants you, Mrs. Ormonde," he said; "and you too, De Burgh.
+We are not enough for pool, and you play a capital game, Mrs. Ormonde."
+
+"What are the stakes?" asked De Burgh, rising readily enough.
+
+"Oh, I can't play well at all," said Mrs. Ormonde, following him with
+evident reluctance. "Certainly not when Colonel Ormonde is looking on."
+
+"Oh, never mind him. I'll screen you from his hypercritical eyes,"
+returned De Burgh, as he held the door open for her to pass out.
+
+So it was, after a spell of heavenly tranquility, as Katherine and her
+mother were on their way to England, intending to make a home in or near
+London, Mrs. Liddell had been struck down with fever, and Katherine was
+left unspeakably desolate. Then she turned to her old friend Mr. Newton,
+and found him of infinite use and comfort.
+
+A short space of numb inaction followed, during which she fully realized
+the loneliness of her position, and from which she roused herself to
+plan her future.
+
+At the time Mrs. Liddell was first attacked with fever they had just
+renewed their acquaintance with a Miss Payne, whom they had met in Rome
+and at Berlin. She was not unknown in society, for she came of a good
+old county family, and was half-sister of the Bertie whose name has
+already appeared in these pages.
+
+Their father, with an old man's pride in a handsome only son, had left
+the bulk of his fortune to Bertie, while Hannah, who had ministered to
+his comfort and borne his ill-humor, inherited only a paltry couple of
+hundred a year, with a fairly well furnished house in Wilton Street,
+Hyde Park. Her brother would have willingly added to this pittance, but
+she sternly refused to accept what did not of right belong to her.
+Bertie went with his regiment to India, whence he returned a wiser, a
+poorer, and a physically weaker man.
+
+His sister, whose business instincts were much too strong to permit her
+wrapping up such a "talent" as a freehold house in the napkin of
+unfruitful occupation, looked round to see how she could best turn it to
+account. Accident threw in her way a girl of large fortune with no
+relations, whose guardians, thankful to find a respectable home for her,
+readily agreed to pay Miss Payne handsomely for taking charge of the
+orphan. Her first _protegee_ married well, under her auspices, and from
+henceforth her house was rarely empty. Sometimes she accepted a roving
+commission and travelled with her charge, meanwhile letting her house in
+town, so making a double profit. It was on one of these expeditions that
+she was introduced to Mrs. and Miss Liddell. There was an air of
+sincerity and common-sense about the composed elderly gentlewoman which
+rather attracted the former, and, when they met again in Paris, Miss
+Payne came to Katie in her trouble and proved a brave and capable nurse;
+nor was she unsympathetic, though far from effusive. So, finding that
+Miss Payne's last young lady had left her, Katherine, with the approval
+of Mr. Newton, proposed to become her inmate for a year--an arrangement
+entirely in accordance with Miss Payne's wishes.
+
+"I did not know you were acquainted with Miss Liddell," she said one
+evening when she was sitting with her brother, Katherine having retired
+early, as she often did. "It is quite a surprise to me."
+
+"I can hardly say I am acquainted with her; I happened to be of some
+slight use to her once, and I met her after by accident, when we spoke;
+that is all."
+
+"I wonder she did not mention it to me."
+
+"I imagine she hardly knew my name." Miss Payne uttered an inarticulate
+sound between a h'm and a groan, by which she generally expressed
+indefinite dissent and disapprobation. Then she rose and walked to the
+dwarf bookcase at the end of the room to fetch her tatting. She was tall
+and slight. Following her, you might imagine her young, for her figure
+was good and her step brisk. Meeting her face to face, her pale,
+slightly puckered cheeks, closely compressed lips, keen light eyes, and
+crisp pepper-and-salt hair--Cayenne pepper, for it had once been
+red--suggested at least twenty or twenty-five additional years as
+compared with the back view.
+
+Returning to her seat, she began to tat, slowing drawing each knot home
+with a reflective air.
+
+"That woman is hunting her up," she exclaimed suddenly, after a few
+minutes' silence, during which Bertie looked thoughtfully at the
+fire--his quiet face, with its look of unutterable peace, the strongest
+possible contrast to his sister's hard, shrewd aspect.
+
+"What woman?" asked, as if recalled from a dream.
+
+"Mrs. Ormonde. There was a telegram from her this afternoon. She has
+been worrying Miss Liddell to go to them ever since she set foot in
+England; and as that won't do, she is coming up to-morrow to see what
+personal persuasion will do."
+
+"I dare say Mrs. Ormonde is fond of her sister-in-law. She is too well
+off to have any mercenary designs."
+
+"Is that all your experience has taught you?" (contemptuously). "If
+there is any truth in hand-writing, that Mrs. Ormonde is a fool. Her
+letter after Mrs. Liddell's death, which Katherine showed me because it
+touched her, was the production of an effusive idiot. I don't trust
+sentimentalists; they seldom have much honesty or justice. Katherine
+Liddell is a little soft too, but she is by no means so asinine as the
+others I have had. Wait, however--wait till some man takes her fancy;
+that is the divining-rod to show where the springs of folly lie."
+
+"Miss Liddell is a good deal changed," returned Bertie, slowly. "She
+looks considerably older. No, that is not the right expression: I mean
+she seems more mature than when I saw her before. What she says is said
+deliberately; what she does is with the full consciousness of what she
+is doing; but she looks as if she had suffered."
+
+"She has," said Miss Payne, with an air of conviction. "Her grief for
+her mother was, is, deep and real. I don't believe in floods of
+tears--they are a relief."
+
+"Yes; and though she looks so pale and sad, she is not a whit less
+beautiful than she was."
+
+"Beautiful!" repeated Miss Payne. "I rather admire her myself, but I
+don't think any one could call her beautiful."
+
+"Perhaps not. There is so much expression in her face, such feeling in
+her eyes, that not many really beautiful women would stand comparison
+with her."
+
+Miss Payne sniffed, and then she smiled. "She is not a commonplace young
+woman, though I fear she is easily imposed upon. I am afraid she may be
+snapped up by some plausible fortune-hunter."
+
+Bertie frowned slightly. "I trust she may be guided to happiness with
+some good, God-fearing man," he said, and then, he bid his sister
+good-night somewhat abruptly.
+
+Meantime, Katherine sat plunged in thought beside the fire in her
+bedroom. She was not given to weeping, but she was profoundly sad. To
+find herself again in London without her mother seemed to renew the
+intense grief which had indeed lost but little of its keenness. Never
+had a mother been more terribly missed. They had been such sympathetic
+friends, such close companions; they had had such a hearty respect for
+and appreciation of each other's qualities, such a pleasant
+comprehension of each other's different tastes, that it would be hard to
+fill the place of the dear, lost comrade with whom she had hitherto
+walked hand in hand. It soothed her to think of the delightful
+tranquility Mrs. Liddell had enjoyed for the last two years, of the
+untroubled sweetness of their intercourse, of her mother's last
+contented words: "I am quite happy, dear. Your future is secure, and you
+have never given me a moment's pain. We have had such delightful days
+together!"
+
+How could she have borne to have seen a pained, anxious look--such a
+look as was once familiar to them--in those dear eyes, as they closed
+forever on this mortal scene! Oh, thank God for the heavenly security of
+those last days whatever the price she had paid for them!
+
+Motherless, she was utterly desolate. It would be long, long before she
+could find any one to fill her mother's place, if she ever did. For the
+present she was satisfied to stay with Miss Payne, but she did not think
+she could ever love her. The idea of residing with Colonel Ormonde and
+his wife was distasteful. The most attractive scheme was to beg her
+little nephews from their mother, and take them to live with her. She
+was almost of age, and _felt_ old enough to set up for herself. As she
+pondered on these things she felt bitterly that, rich or poor, a
+homeless woman is a wretched creature.
+
+At last she went to bed, and lay for a while watching the fire-light as
+it cast flickering shadows, thinking of the tender, watchful love which
+had dropped away out of her life; and with the murmured words, "Dear,
+dear mother!" on her lips she fell asleep.
+
+
+The next day broke bright and clear, though cold, and having kept
+Katherine at home all day, Mrs. Ormonde made her appearance in time for
+afternoon tea.
+
+"My dear, dearest Katherine!" cried the little woman, fluttering in, all
+fur and feathers, in the richest and most becoming morning toilette,
+looking prettier and younger than ever, "I am _so_ delighted to see you
+once more! Why have you staid in town, instead of coming straight to
+us?" and she embraced her tall sister-in-law effusively.
+
+Katherine returned her embrace. For a moment or two she could not
+command her voice; the sight of the known childish face, the sound of
+the shrill familiar voice, brought a flood of sudden sorrow over her
+heart; but Mrs. Ormonde was not the sort of woman to whom she could
+express it.
+
+"And _I_ am very glad to see _you_, Ada! How well you are looking--even
+younger and fairer than you used!"
+
+"Yes, I am uncommonly well; and you, dear, you are looking pale and ill
+and older! You will forgive me, but I am quite distressed. You must come
+down to Castleford at once."
+
+"Thank you. Where are the boys? I hoped you would bring them."
+
+"Oh, Colonel Ormonde thought they would be too troublesome for me in a
+hotel, so I left them behind. They were awfully disappointed, poor
+dears; but it is better _you_ should come down and see them. Cecil is
+going to school after Easter, and I believe Charlie must go soon."
+
+"I long to see them," said Katherine, assisting her visitor to take off
+her cloak.
+
+"And _I_ long to show you my new little boy," cried Mrs. Ormonde,
+drawing a chair to the fire, and putting her small, daintily shod feet
+on the fender. "He is a splendid child, amazingly forward for six
+months."
+
+"I am glad you are so happy, Ada; I shall be pleased to make the
+acquaintance of my new nephew. I suppose I may consider him a sort of
+nephew?"
+
+"My dear, of _course_! Colonel Ormonde, as well as myself, is proud to
+consider you his aunt. Yes, I am very happy--though Ormonde _is_ rather
+provoking sometimes; still, he is not half bad, and I know how to manage
+him. You are _such_ a favorite with my husband, Katie. He admires you so
+much, I sometimes threaten to be jealous--why, what is the matter,
+dear?"
+
+Katherine had suddenly covered her face with her handkerchief and burst
+into tears.
+
+"Do not mind me, Ada!" she said, when she could speak. "It was just that
+name; no one has called me Katie except my mother and you, and the idea
+that I should never hear her speak again overpowered me for a moment."
+
+Mrs. Ormonde was puzzled. Not knowing what to do in face of a great
+grief, she took out her own pocket-handkerchief politely.
+
+"Of course, dear," she said; "it is quite natural. I was awfully cut up
+when I heard of your sad loss--and mine too, for I am sure Mrs. Liddell
+loved me like her own child; it was quite wonderful for a mother-in-law.
+I was afraid to speak to you about her, but I am sure she would like you
+to live with us; it is your natural home. And--and she would, I am sure,
+be pleased if she can know what is going on here below, to see that you
+fulfilled your kind intentions to her poor little grandsons." These last
+words with some hesitation.
+
+Katherine kept silence, and still held her handkerchief to her eyes. So
+Mrs. Ormonde resumed: "A good, religious girl like you, Katherine, must
+feel that it is right to submit to the will of--"
+
+"Yes, yes; I know all about that," interrupted Katherine, who was rather
+irritated than soothed by her sister-in-law's attempt at preaching; and
+recovering herself, she added: "I will not worry you with my tears. Tell
+me how the boys get on with Colonel Ormonde."
+
+"Very well indeed, especially Cecil. 'Duke is very kind. They have a
+pony, and quite enjoy the country; but now that we have a boy of our
+own, we feel doubly anxious that Cis and Charlie should be permanently
+provided for; so do, dear, come back with me, and talk it all over with
+my husband. He is _such_ a good man of business."
+
+Katherine smiled faintly; she had not seen the drift of Mrs. Ormonde's
+remarks at first; there was no mistaking them now. A slightly
+mischievous sense of power kept her from setting her sister-in-law's
+mind at rest immediately.
+
+"I do not think it necessary to consult with Colonel Ormonde, Ada, for I
+have quite made up my mind what to do. I think you may trust your boys
+to me. I must see Mr. Newton and arrange many matters, so I do not think
+I can go to you just yet. Then, I do not like to be in the way, and I
+could _not_ mix in society just yet. Oh, I am not morbid or sentimental,
+but some months of seclusion I _must_ have."
+
+Mrs. Ormonde played with the tassel of the screen with which she
+sheltered her face from the fire while she thought: "What can she really
+mean to do? I wonder if she is engaged to any one, and waiting for him
+here? Once she is married, good-by to a settlement. She is awfully
+deep!" Then she said aloud, coaxingly, "Oh, we are very quiet
+home-staying people. We have a few men to stay now and again, but we
+never give big dinners. Tell me the truth, dear, are you not engaged? It
+would be but natural. A charming girl like you, with a large fortune,
+could not escape a multitude of lovers."
+
+"You are wrong, Ada. I am not engaged, and I have no lovers. Of course a
+prince or two and a German graf did me the honor of proposing to annex
+my property, taking myself with it. Any well-dowered girl may expect
+such offers in Continental society; but they did not affect me."
+
+"No, no; certainly not! It will be an Englishman. Quite right. And 'Duke
+must find out all about him. You know, dear, you would marry ever so
+much better from _my_ house than you possibly could _here_, with a
+person who, after all, merely keeps a _pension_."
+
+"If Miss Payne could hear you!" said Katherine.
+
+"Oh, I should never say it to her. But, Katherine, now is your time,
+when you are of age, and before you marry--now is the time to settle
+whatever you intend to settle on my poor little boys. I am sure you will
+excuse me for mentioning it, won't you? Between you and me, I don't
+think 'Duke would have married if he had not believed you would provide
+for Cis and Charlie. I don't know what would become of us if they were
+thrown on his hands."
+
+"You need not fear," cried Katherine, quickly. "My nephews shall never
+cost Colonel Ormonde a sou."
+
+"No, I was sure you wouldn't, dear, you are such a kind, generous
+creature, so unselfish. I do hate selfishness, and though the allowance
+you now give is very handsome--"
+
+"I am to make it a little larger," put in Katherine, good-humoredly, as
+Mrs. Ormonde paused, not knowing how to finish her sentence. "Be
+content, Ada; you shall have due notice when I have made all my plans. I
+have a good deal to do, for I ought to make my will too."
+
+"Your will! Oh yes, to be sure. I never thought of that. But if you
+marry it will be of no use."
+
+"Until I _am_ married it will be of use."
+
+"And when do you intend to come to us?"
+
+"Oh, some time next month."
+
+"I hope so. I want to come up for a while after Easter, and am trying to
+get the Colonel to take a house; _that_ depends on you a good deal. If
+you would join me in taking a house for three months he would agree at
+once."
+
+"But I have just agreed to stay with Miss Payne for a year."
+
+"How foolish! how short-sighted!" cried Mrs. Ormonde. "You will be just
+lost in a second-rate place like this."
+
+"It will suit me perfectly. I only want rest and peace at present. I
+dare say it will not be so always."
+
+"Well, I know there is no use in talking to you. You will go your own
+way. Only, as I am in town, _do_ come to my dressmaker's. Though you had
+your mourning in Paris, do you know, you look quite dowdy. You'll not
+mind my saying so?"
+
+"I dare say I do. Miss Payne got everything for me."
+
+"Oh, are you going to give yourself into her hands blindfold? I am
+afraid she is a designing woman. You really must get some stylish
+dresses. You must do yourself justice."
+
+"I have as many as I want, and there is no need of wasting money, even
+if you have a good deal. How many poor souls need food and clothes!"
+
+"Oh, Katherine, if you begin to talk in that way, you will be robbed and
+plundered to no end."
+
+"I hope not. Here is tea, and Miss Payne. I will come and see you
+to-morrow early, and bring some little presents for the boys."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+"I WAS A STRANGER AND YE TOOK ME IN."
+
+
+Mrs. Ormonde lingered as long as she could. Bond Street was paradise to
+her, Regent Street an Elysian Field. While she staid she gave her
+sister-in-law little peace, and until she had departed Katherine did not
+attempt to go into business matters with Mr. Newton. She was half
+amused, half disgusted, at Mrs. Ormonde's perpetual reminders, hints,
+and innuendoes touching the settlement on her boys. Ada was the same as
+ever, yet Katherine liked her for the sake of the memories she evoked
+and shared.
+
+It was quite a relief when she left town, and Katherine felt once more
+her own mistress. Her heart yearned for her little nephews, but she felt
+it was wiser to wait and see them at home rather than send for them at
+present. She greatly feared that the new baby, the son of a living,
+prosperous father, was pushing the sons of the first husband--who had
+taken his unlucky self out of the world, where he had been anything but
+a success--from their place in her affections.
+
+Meantime she held frequent consultations with Mr. Newton, who was very
+devoted to her service, and anxious to do his best for her. He
+remonstrated earnestly with her on her over-generosity to her nephews.
+"Provide for them if you will, my dear young lady, but believe me you
+are by no means called upon to _divide_ your property with them. Do not
+make them too independent of you; hold something in your hand. Besides,
+you do not know what considerations may arise to make you regret too
+great liberality."
+
+"I have very little use for money now," said Katherine, sadly.
+
+"You have always been remarkably moderate in your expenditure," returned
+the lawyer, who had the entire management of her affairs. "But now you
+will probably like to establish yourself in London, say, for
+headquarters."
+
+"Not for the present. I shall stay where I am until some plan of life
+suggests itself."
+
+"Perhaps you are right, and certainly you are a very prudent young
+lady."
+
+This conversation took place in Mr. Newton's office, and after some
+further discussion Katherine was persuaded to settle a third instead of
+the half of her property on her nephews, out of which a jointure was to
+be paid to Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"I wish I could have the boys with me," said Katherine, as she rose to
+leave Mr. Newton.
+
+"My dear Miss Liddell, take care how you saddle yourself with the
+difficult task of standing _in loco parentis_; leave the very serious
+responsibilities of bringing up boys to the mother whose they are. At
+your age, and with the almost certainty of forming new ties, such a step
+would be very imprudent."
+
+"At all events I shall see how they all get on at Castleford before I
+commit myself to anything. You will lose no time, dear Mr. Newton, in
+getting this deed ready for my signature. I do not want to say anything
+about it till it is 'signed, sealed, and delivered.'"
+
+"It shall be put in hand at once. When shall you be going out of town?"
+
+"Not for ten days or a fortnight."
+
+"The sooner the better. I do not like to see you look so pale and sad.
+Excuse me if I presume in saying so. Well, I don't think your uncle ever
+did a wiser act than in destroying that will of his before he made
+another. The extraordinary instinct he had about money must have warned
+him that his precious fortune would be best bestowed on so prudent yet
+so generous a young lady as yourself."
+
+"Don't praise me, Mr. Newton," said Katherine, sharply. "Could you see
+me as I see myself, you would know how little I deserve it."
+
+"I am sure I should know nothing of the kind," returned the old lawyer,
+smiling. Katherine was a prime favorite with him--quite his ideal of a
+charming and admirable woman. All he hoped was that when the sharp edge
+of her grief had worn off she would mix in society and marry some highly
+placed man worthy of her, a Q.C., if one young enough could be found,
+who was on the direct road to the woolsack.
+
+The evening of this day Bertie Payne came in, as he often did after
+dinner. Katherine was always pleased to see him. He brought a breath of
+genial life into the rather glacial atmosphere of Miss Payne's
+drawing-room. Yet there was something soothing to Katherine in the
+orderly quiet of the house, in the conviction, springing from she knew
+not what, that Miss Payne liked her heartily in her steady,
+undemonstrative fashion. She never interfered with Katherine in any way;
+she was ready to go with her when asked, or to let her young guest go on
+her own business alone and unquestioned, while she saw to her comfort,
+and proved much more companionable than Katherine expected.
+
+On this particular evening which marked a new mental epoch for Katherine
+Liddell, the two companions were sitting by the fire in Miss Payne's
+comfortable though rather old-fashioned drawing-room, the curtains
+drawn, the hearth aglow, Miss Payne engaged on a large piece of
+patchwork which she had been employed upon for years, while Katherine
+read aloud to her. This was a favorite mode of passing the evening; it
+saved the trouble of inventing conversation--for Miss Payne was not
+loquacious--and it was more sympathetic than reading to one's self. Miss
+Payne, it need scarcely be said, had no patience with novels; biography
+and travels were her favorite studies; nor did she disdain history,
+though given to be sceptical concerning accounts of what had happened
+long ago. She had never been so happy and comfortable with any of her
+_protegees_ as with Katherine, though, as she observed to her brother,
+she did not expect it to last. "Stay till she is a little known, and the
+mothers of marriageable sons get about her; then it will be the old
+thing over again--dress, drive, dance, hurry-scurry from morning till
+night. However, I'll make the most of the present."
+
+Miss Payne, then, and her "favored guest" were cozily settled for the
+evening when Bertie entered.
+
+"May I present myself in a frock coat?" he asked, as he shook hands with
+Katherine. "I have had rather a busy day, and found myself in your
+neighborhood just now, so could not resist looking in."
+
+"At your usual work, I suppose," said Miss Payne, severely. "Pray have
+you had anything to eat?"
+
+"Yes, I assure you. I dined quite luxuriously at Bethnal Green about an
+hour and a half ago."
+
+"Ha! at a coffee-stall, I suppose; a cup of coffee and a ha'p'orth of
+bread. I must insist on your having some proper food." Miss Payne put
+forth her hand toward the bell as she spoke.
+
+"Do not give yourself the trouble; I really do not want anything, nor
+will I take anything beyond a cup of tea." Bertie drew a chair beside
+Katherine, asked what she was reading, and talked a little about the
+news of the day. Then he fell into silence, his eyes fixed on the fire,
+a very grave expression stilling his face.
+
+"What are you thinking of?" asked his sister. "What misery have you been
+steeping yourself in to-day?"
+
+"Misery indeed," he echoed. Then, meeting Katherine's eyes fixed upon
+him, he smiled. "Of course I see misery every day," he continued, "but I
+don't like to trouble you with too much of it. To-day I met with an
+unusually hard case, and I am going to ask you for some help toward
+righting it."
+
+"Tell me what you want," said Katherine.
+
+"Are you sure the story is genuine?" asked Miss Payne.
+
+"I am quite sure. I went into Bow Street Police Court to-day, intending
+to speak to the sitting magistrate about some children respecting whom
+he had asked for information, when I was attracted by the face of a
+woman who was being examined; she was poorly clad, but evidently
+respectable--like a better class of needle-woman. I never saw a face
+express such despair. It seemed she had been caught in the act of
+stealing two loaves from the shop of a baker. The poor creature did not
+deny it. Her story was that she had been for some years a widow; that
+she had supported herself and two children by needle-work and
+machine-work. Illness had impoverished her and diminished her
+connection, other workers having been taken on in her absence. In short
+she had been caught in that terrible maelstrom of misfortune from which
+_no_ one can escape without a helping hand. Her sewing machine was
+seized for rent; one article after another of furniture and clothes went
+for food; at last nothing was left. She roamed the city, reduced to beg
+at last, and striving to make up her mind to go to the workhouse, the
+cry of the hungry children she had left in her ears. At several bakers'
+shops she had petitioned for food and had been refused. At last,
+entering one while the shop-girl's back was turned, she snatched a
+couple of small loaves and rushed out into the arms of a policeman, who
+had seen the theft through the window."
+
+"And would the magistrate punish her for this?" asked Katherine,
+eagerly.
+
+"He must. Theft is theft, whatever the circumstances that seem to
+extenuate it. Nothing, no need, gives a right to take what does not
+belong to you. But, for all that, I am certain the poor creature has
+been honest hitherto, and deserves help. She is committed to prison for
+stealing, and I promised her I would look to her children; so I have
+been to see them, and took them to the Children's Refuge that you were
+kind enough to subscribe to, Miss Liddell. To-morrow we must do what we
+can for the mother. I imagine it is worse than death to her to be put in
+prison."
+
+"I do not wonder at it," ejaculated Miss Payne. "And in spite of what
+you say, Bertie, I should not like to give any materials to be made up
+by a woman who deliberately stole in broad daylight."
+
+"I do not see that the light made any difference," returned Bertie; and
+they plunged into a warm discussion. Katherine soon lost the sense of
+what they were saying. Her heart was throbbing as if a sudden stunning
+blow had been dealt her, and the words, "Theft is theft, whatever the
+circumstances that seem to extenuate it," beat as if with a
+sledge-hammer on her brain.
+
+If for a theft, value perhaps sixpence, this poor woman, who had been
+driven to it by the direst necessity, was exposed to trial, to the gaze
+of careless lookers-on, to loss of character, to the exposure of her
+sore want, to the degradation of imprisonment, what should be awarded to
+her, Katherine Liddell, an educated gentlewoman, for stealing a large
+fortune from its rightful owner, and that, too, under no pressure of
+immediate distress? True, she firmly believed that had her uncle not
+been struck down by death he would have left her a large portion of it;
+that she had a better right to it than a stranger. Still that did not
+alter the fact that she was a thief. If every one thus dared to infringe
+the rights of others, what law, what security would remain?
+
+These ideas had never quite left her since the day she had written
+"Manuscript to be destroyed" on the fatal little parcel, which had been
+ever with her during her various journeyings since. More than once she
+had made up her mind to destroy it, but some influence--some terror of
+destroying this expression of what her uncle once wished--had stayed her
+hand; her courage stopped there. Perhaps a faint foreshadowing of some
+future act of restitution caused this reluctance, unknown to herself,
+but certainly at present no such possibility dawned upon her. She felt
+that she held her property chiefly in trust for others, especially her
+nephews. Often she had forgotten her secret during her mother's
+lifetime, but the consciousness of it always returned with a sense of
+being out of moral harmony, which made her somewhat fitful in her
+conduct, particularly as regarded her expenditure, being sometimes
+tempted to costly purchases, and anon shrinking from outlay as though
+not entitled to spend the money which was nominally hers. Nathan's
+parable did not strike more humiliating conviction to Israel's erring
+king than Bertie Payne's "ower true tale." At length she mastered these
+painful thoughts, and sought relief from them in speech.
+
+"What do you think of doing for this poor woman?" she asked, taking a
+screen to shelter her face from the fire and observation.
+
+"I have not settled details in my own mind yet," he said; "but as soon
+as she is released I must get her into a new neighborhood and redeem her
+sewing-machine. Then, if we can get her work and help her till she
+begins to earn a little, she may get on."
+
+"Pray let me help in this," said Katherine, earnestly. "I live quite a
+selfish life, and I should be thankful if you will let me furnish what
+money you require."
+
+"That I shall with great thankfulness. But, Miss Liddell, if you are
+anxious to find interesting work, why not come and see our Children's
+Refuge and the schools connected with it? Then there is an association
+for advancing small sums to workmen in time of sickness, or to redeem
+their tools, which is affiliated to a ladies' visiting club, the members
+of which make themselves acquainted personally with the men and their
+families."
+
+"I shall be most delighted to go with you to both, but I do not think I
+could do any good myself. I am so reluctant to preach to poor people,
+who have so much more experience, so much more real knowledge of life,
+than I have, merely because they _are_ poor."
+
+"I do not want you to do so, but I think personal contact with the
+people you relieve is good both for those benefited and their
+benefactor."
+
+"I suppose it is; and those poor old people who cannot read or are
+blind, I am quite willing to read to them if they like it."
+
+"I can find plenty for you to do, Miss Liddell," Bertie was beginning
+when his sister broke in with:
+
+"This is quite too bad, Bertie. You know I will not have you dragging my
+young friends to catch all sorts of disorders in the slums. You must be
+content with Miss Liddell's money."
+
+"Miss Payne, I really do wish to see something of the work on which your
+brother is engaged, and--forgive me if I seem obstinate--I am resolved
+to help him if I can."
+
+The result of the conversation was that the greater portion of the
+contents of Miss Liddell's purse was transferred to Bertie's, and he
+left them in high spirits, having arranged to call for Katherine the
+next day in order to escort her to the Children's Refuge and some other
+institutions in which he took an interest.
+
+From this time for several weeks Katherine was greatly occupied in the
+benevolent undertakings of her new friend. The endless need, the
+degradations of extreme poverty, the hopeless condition of such masses
+of her fellow-creatures, depressed her beyond description. She would
+gladly have given to her uttermost farthing, but it would be a mere drop
+in the ocean of misery around.
+
+"Even if we could supply their every want, and give each family a decent
+home," she said to Bertie one evening as she walked back with him, "they
+would not know how to keep it or to enjoy it. If the men, and the women
+too, have not the tremendous necessity to labor that they may live, they
+relax and become mere brutes. We must, above all things, educate them."
+
+"Yes, education is certainly necessary; but the most ignorant being who
+has laid hold on the Rock of Ages, who has received the spirit of
+adoption whereby he can cry, 'Abba, Father!' has a means of elevation
+and refinement beyond all that books and art can teach," cried Bertie,
+with more warmth than he usually allowed himself to show.
+
+"You believe that? I cannot say I do. We need other means of moral and
+intellectual life besides spiritualism. At least I have tried to be
+religious, but I always get weary."
+
+"That is only because you have not found the straight and true road,"
+said Bertie, earnestly. "Pray, my dear Miss Liddell--pray, and light
+will be given you."
+
+"Thank you--you are very good," murmured Katherine "At all events,
+though we can do but little, it is a comfort to help some of these poor
+creatures, especially the children and old people."
+
+"It is," he returned. "And if it be consolatory to minister to their
+physical wants, how much more to feed their immortal souls!"
+
+Katherine was silent for a few minutes, and then said: "It is impossible
+they can think much about their souls when they suffer so keenly in
+their bodies. Poverty and privation which destroy self-respect cannot
+allow of spiritual aspiration. Is it to be always like this--one class
+steeped in luxury, the other grovelling in cruel want?"
+
+"Our Lord says, 'Ye have the poor always with you,'" returned Bertie.
+"Nor can we hope to see the curse of original sin lifted from life here
+below until the great manifestation; in short, till Shiloh come."
+
+"Do you think so? I do not like to think that Satan is too strong for
+God," said Katherine, thoughtfully.
+
+Bertie replied by exhorting her earnestly not to trust to mere human
+reason, to accept the infallible word of God, "and so find safety and
+rest." Katherine did not reply.
+
+"I think you could help me in a difficult case," said Bertie, a few days
+after this conversation.
+
+"Indeed!" said Katherine, looking up from the book she was reading by
+the fire after dinner. "What help can I possibly give?"
+
+"Hear my story, and you will see."
+
+"I shall be most happy if I can help you. Pray go on."
+
+"You know Dodd, the porter and factotum at the Children's Refuge? Well,
+Dodd has a mother, a very respectable old dame, who keeps a very mild
+sweety shop, and also sells newspapers, etc. Mrs. Dodd, besides these
+sources of wealth, lets lodgings, and seems to get on pretty well. Now
+Dodd came to me in some distress, and said, 'Would you be so good, sir,
+as to see mother? she wants a word with you bad, very bad.' I of course
+said I was very ready to hear what she had to say. So I called at the
+little shop, which I often pass. I found the old lady in great trouble
+about a young woman who had been lodging with her for some time. She,
+Mrs. Dodd, did not know that her lodger was absolutely ill, but she
+scarcely eats anything, she never went out, she sometimes sat up half
+the night. Hitherto she had paid her rent regularly, but on last
+rent-day she had said she could only pay two weeks more, after which she
+supposed she had better go to the workhouse. When first she came she
+used to go out looking for work, but that ceased, and she seemed in a
+half-conscious state. As I was a charitable gentleman, would I go and
+speak to her? Well, rather reluctantly, I did. I went upstairs to a
+dreary back room, and found a decidedly lady-like young woman, neatly
+dressed enough, but ghastly white with dull eyes. She seemed to be
+dusting some books, but looked too weary to do much. She was not
+surprised or moved in any way at seeing me. When I apologized for
+intruding upon her, she murmured that I was very good. Then I asked if I
+could help her in any way. She thanked me, but suggested nothing. When I
+pressed her to express her needs, she said that life was not worth
+working for, but that she supposed they would give her something to do
+in the workhouse, and she would do it. As for seeking work, she could
+not, that she was a failure, and only cared not to trouble others. I was
+quite baffled. She was so quiet and gentle, and spoke with such
+refinement, that I was deeply interested. I called again this morning,
+and she would hardly answer me. As she is young (not a great deal older
+than yourself), perhaps a lady--a woman--might win her confidence. She
+seems to have been a dressmaker. Could you not offer her some
+employment, and draw her from the extraordinary lethargy which seems to
+dull her faculties? No mind can hold out against it; she will die or
+become insane."
+
+"It is very strange. I should be very glad to help her, but I feel
+afraid to attempt anything. I shall be so awkward. What can I say to
+begin with?"
+
+"Your offering her work would make an opening. Do try. I am sure her
+case needs a woman's delicate touch."
+
+"I will do my best," said Katherine. "It all sounds terribly
+interesting. Shall I go to-morrow?"
+
+"Yes, by all means. I am so very much obliged to you. I feel you will
+succeed."
+
+"Don't be too sure."
+
+The next day, a drizzling damp morning, Katherine, feeling unusually
+nervous, was quite ready when Bertie called for her. The drive to Camden
+Town seemed very long, but it came to an end at last, all the sooner
+because Bertie stopped the cab some little way way from the sweety shop.
+
+"I have brought a young lady to see your invalid," said Bertie,
+introducing Katherine to Mrs. Dodd, a short broad old lady, with a shawl
+neatly pinned over her shoulders, a snowy white cap with black ribbons,
+and a huge pair of spectacles, over which she seemed always trying to
+look.
+
+"I'm sure it's that kind of you, sir. And I _am_ glad you have come. The
+poor thing has been offering me a nice black dress this morning to let
+her stay on. It's the last decent thing she has. I expect she has been
+just living on her clothes. I'll go and tell her. Maybe miss will come
+after me, so as not to give her time to say no?"
+
+Katherine cast a troubled look at Bertie. "Don't wait for me," she said;
+"your time is always so precious. I dare say I can get a cab for
+myself." And she followed Mrs. Dodd up a steep narrow dark stair.
+
+"Here is a nice lady come to see you," said Mrs. Dodd, in a soothing
+tone suited to an infant or a lunatic.
+
+"No, no; I don't want any lady; I would rather not see any lady," cried
+a voice naturally sweet-toned, but now touched with shrill terror.
+Curiously enough, this token of fear gave Katherine courage. Here was
+some poor soul wanting comfort sorely.
+
+"Do not forbid me to come in," she said, walking boldly into the room,
+and addressing the inmate with a kind bright smile. "I very much want
+some needle-work done, and I shall be glad if you will undertake it."
+While she spoke, Mrs. Dodd retired and softly closed the door. Katherine
+found herself face to face with a ladylike-looking young woman, small
+and slight--slight even to extreme thinness--fair-skinned, with large
+blue eyes, delicate features, a quantity of fair hair carelessly coiled
+up, and with white cheeks. The strange pallor of her trembling lips, the
+despair in her eyes, the shrinking, hunted look of face and figure,
+almost frightened her visitor. "I hope you are not vexed with me for
+coming in," faltered Katherine, deferentially; "but they said you wanted
+employment, and I should like to give you some. You must be ill, you
+look so pale. Can I not be of some use to you?"
+
+The girl's pale cheek flushed as, partially recovering herself, she
+stood up holding the back of her chair, her eyes fixed on the floor; she
+seemed endeavoring to speak, but the words did not come. At last, in a
+low, hesitating voice: "You are too good. I have tried to find work
+vainly; now I do not think I have the force to do any." The color faded
+away from the poor sunken cheeks, and the eyes hid themselves
+persistently under the downcast lids.
+
+"I am sure you are very weak," returned Katherine, tenderly, for there
+was something inexpressibly touching in the hopelessness of the
+stranger's aspect. "But some good food and the prospect of employment
+will set you up, When you are a little stronger and know me better you
+will perhaps tell me how Mr. Payne and I can best help you. We all want
+each other's help at times; and life must not be thrown away, you know.
+I do not wish to intrude upon you, but you see we are nearly of an age,
+and we ought to understand and help each other. It is my turn now; it
+may be yours by-and-by."
+
+"Mine!" with unspeakable bitterness.
+
+"Do sit down," said Katherine, who felt her tears very near her eyes,
+"and I will sit by you for a little while. Why, you are unfit to stand,
+and you are so cold!" She pulled off her gloves, and taking one of the
+poor girl's hands in both her own soft warm ones, chafed it gently. No
+doubt practically charitable people would smile indulgently at
+Katherine's enthusiastic sympathy; but she was new to such work, and
+felt that she had to deal with no common subject. Whether it was the
+tender tone or the kindly touch, but the hard desperate look softened,
+and big tears began to roll down, and soon she was weeping freely,
+quietly, while she left her hand in Katherine's, who held it in silence,
+feeling how the whole slight frame shook with the effort to control
+herself.
+
+At length Katherine rose and went downstairs to take counsel with Mrs.
+Dodd. "She seems quite unable to recover herself. Ought she not to have
+a little wine or something?"
+
+"Yes, miss; it's just _that_ she wants. She is nigh starved to death."
+
+"Have you any wine?"
+
+"Well, no, miss; but there's a tavern round the corner where you can get
+very good port from the wood. I'll send the girl for a pint."
+
+"Pray do, and quickly, and some biscuits or something; here is some
+money. What is her name?"
+
+"Trant--Miss Trant," returned Mrs. Dodd, knowing who her interrogator
+meant. "Leastways we always called her miss, for she is quite the lady."
+
+Katherine hurried back, and found Miss Trant lying back in her chair
+greatly exhausted. With instinctive tact Katherine assumed an air of
+authority, and insisted on her patient eating some biscuits soaked in
+wine.
+
+Presently Miss Trant sat up, and, as if with an effort raised her eyes
+to Katherine's. "I am not worth so much trouble," she said. "You deserve
+that I should obey you. It is all I can do to show gratitude. If, then,
+you will be content with very slow work, I will thankfully do what you
+wish; but I must have time."
+
+"So you shall," cried Katherine, delightedly. "You shall have plenty of
+time to make me a dress; that will be more amusing than plain work. I
+will bring you the material to-morrow, and if you fit me well, you know,
+it may lead to a great business;" and she smiled pleasantly.
+
+"What is your name?" asked the patient, feebly. Katherine told her. "You
+are so good, you make me resigned to live."
+
+"Do you care to read?"
+
+"I used to love it; but I have no books, nor could I attend to the sense
+of a page if I had."
+
+"If you sit here without book or work, I do not wonder at your being
+half dead."
+
+"Not nearly half dead yet; dying by inches is a terribly long process. I
+am dreadfully strong."
+
+"I will not listen to you if you talk like that. Well, I will bring you
+some books--indeed, I will send you some at once if you will promise to
+read and divert your thoughts. To-morrow afternoon I will come, you
+shall take my measure (I like to be made to look nice), and you shall
+begin again."
+
+"Begin again! Me! That would be a miracle."
+
+"Now try and get a little sleep," said Katherine, "your eyes look so
+weary. You want to stop thinking, and only sleep can still thought. When
+you wake you shall find some of the new magazines, and you must try and
+attend to them."
+
+"I will, for your sake."
+
+"Good-by, then, till to-morrow;" and having pressed her hand kindly,
+Katherine departed.
+
+It was quite a triumph for Katherine to report her success to Bertie
+that evening. Miss Payne rather shook her head over the whole affair.
+
+"I must say it puts me on edge altogether to hear you two rejoicing over
+this young woman's condescension in accepting the work you lay at her
+feet, while such crowds of starving wretches are begging and praying for
+something to do; and here is a mysterious young woman with lady-like
+manners and remarkable eyes, taken up all at once because she won't eat
+and refuses to speak. It isn't just. I suspect there is something in her
+past she does not like to tell."
+
+"Your _resume_ of the facts makes Mr. Payne and me seem rather foolish,"
+said Katherine. "Yet I am convinced she is worth helping, and that no
+common methods will do to restore to her any relish for life. She
+interests me. I may be throwing away my time and money, but I will risk
+it."
+
+"It is hard to say, of course, whether she is a deserving object or
+not," added Bertie, thoughtfully; "and I have been taken in more than
+once."
+
+"More than once?" echoed his sister in a peculiar tone.
+
+"Still, I feel with Miss Liddell that this girl's, Rachel Trant's, is
+not a common case," continued Bertie.
+
+"Her very name is suggestive of grief," said Katherine, "and she, too,
+refuses to be comforted. I am sure she will tell me her story later. Her
+landlady says she never receives or sends a letter, and does not seem to
+have a creature belonging to her. Such desolation is appalling."
+
+"And shows there is something radically wrong," added Miss Payne.
+
+"I acknowledge that it has a dubious appearance," said Bertie, and
+turned the conversation.
+
+Katherine was completely taken out of herself by the interest and
+curiosity excited by her meeting with Rachel Trant. She visited her
+daily, and saw that she was slowly reviving. She took a wonderful
+interest in the dress which Katherine had given her to make, and,
+moreover, succeeded in fitting her admirably. She was evidently weak and
+unequal to exertion, yet she worked with surprising diligence. Her
+manner was very grave and collected--respectful, yet always ready to
+respond to Katherine's effort to draw her out.
+
+The subject on which she spoke most readily was the books Katherine lent
+her. Her taste was decidedly intelligent and rather solid. To the
+surprise of her young benefactress, she expressed a distaste for
+novels--stories, as she called them. "I used to care for nothing else,"
+she said; "but they pain me now." She expressed herself like an
+educated, even refined, woman; and though she said very little about
+gratitude, it showed in every glance, in the very tone of her voice, and
+in her ready obedience to whatever wish Katherine expressed. The
+greatest sacrifice was evidently compliance with her new friend's
+suggestion that she should take exercise and breathe fresh air.
+
+Miss Payne, after critically examining Katherine's new garment, declared
+it really well made, inquired the cost, and finally decided that she
+would have an every-day dress for herself, and that "Miss Trant" should
+make it up. Then Katherine presented the elegant young woman who waited
+on her with a gown, promising to pay for the making if she employed her
+protegee.
+
+"Miss Trant" could not conceal her reluctance to come so far from the
+wilds of Camden Town; but she came, closely muffled in a thick gauze
+veil, doubtless to guard against cold in the chill March evening.
+Katherine was immensely pleased to find that both gowns gave
+satisfaction, though the "elegant young woman's" praise was cautious and
+qualified.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII.
+
+RECOGNITION.
+
+
+"After all, life is inexhaustible," said Katherine.
+
+She was speaking to Rachel Trant, who had laid aside her work to speak
+with the good friend who had come, as she often did, to see how she was
+going on and to cheer her.
+
+"Life is very cruel," she returned. "Neither sorrow nor repentance can
+alter its pitiless law.
+
+"Still, there are compensations." Katherine did not exactly think what
+she was saying; her mind was filled with the desire of knowing her
+interlocutor's story.
+
+"Compensations!" echoed Rachel. "Not for those who deserve to suffer,
+nor, indeed, often for the innocent. I don't think we often find vice
+punished and virtue rewarded in history and lives--true stories, I
+mean--as we do in novels."
+
+Katherine did not reply at once; she thought for a moment, and then,
+looking full into Rachel's eyes, said: "I wonder how you came to be a
+dressmaker? You have read a great deal for a girl who must have had her
+hands full all day. I am not asking this from idle curiosity, but from
+real interest."
+
+"I may well believe you. I should like to tell you much; but--" She
+paused and grew very white for a second, her lips trembling, and a
+troubled look coming into her eyes. "I always loved reading," she
+resumed; "it has been almost my only pleasure, though I was apprenticed
+to a milliner and dressmaker when little more than sixteen. Then I went
+to work with another, a very great person in her way, and I like the
+work. Still I used to think I was a sort of lady; my poor mother
+certainly was."
+
+"I am sure of it," cried Katherine, impulsively. "I quite feel that
+_you_ are."
+
+"Thank you," said Rachel, in a very low voice, the color rising to her
+pale cheek. "My mother was so sweet and pretty," she continued, "but so
+sad! I was an orphan at ten years old, and then a very stiff,
+severe-looking woman, the sister of my father, had charge of me. I was
+sent to a school, a kind of institution, not exactly a charity school,
+for I know something was paid for me. It was a very cold sort of place,
+but I was not unhappy there. I had playfellows--some kind, some
+spiteful. One of the governesses was very good to me, and used to give
+me books to read. Had she remained, things might have been very
+different; but she left long before I did. The rare holidays when I was
+permitted to visit my father's sister were terrible days to me. She
+could not bear to see me. I felt it. She seemed to think my very
+existence was an offence. I was ashamed of living in _her_ presence. Of
+my father I have a very faint recollection. He died abroad, and I
+remember being on board ship for a long time with my mother. When I was
+sixteen my father's sister sent for me, and told me that the money my
+mother left was nearly exhausted, and what remained ought to provide me
+with some trade or calling by which I could earn my own bread; that she
+did not think I was clever enough to be a governess, so she advised my
+to apprentice myself to a dressmaker. I had seen enough of teaching in
+school, so I took her advice. At the same time she gave me some papers
+my mother had left for me. _They_ fully explained why my existence was
+an offence--why I belonged to nobody. It was a bitter hour when I read
+my dear mother's miserable story. I felt old from that day. Well, I
+thanked my father's sister--mind you, she was not my aunt--for what she
+had done, and promised she should never more be troubled with me. I have
+kept my word."
+
+Katherine, infinitely touched by the picture of sorrow and loneliness
+this brief story conjured up, took and pressed the thin quivering hand
+that played nervously with a thimble. Rachel glanced at her quickly,
+compressed her lips for an instant, and went on:
+
+"I will try and tell you all. You ought to know. As far as work went, I
+did very well. I loved to handle and drape beautiful stuffs--I enjoy
+color--and it pleased me to fit the pretty girls and fine ladies who
+came to our show-rooms. It was even a satisfaction to make the plain
+ones look better. I should have made friends more easily with my
+companions but for the knowledge of what I was. Even this I might have
+got over--I am not naturally morbid--but I could not share their chatter
+and jests, or care for their love affairs. They were not bad, poor
+things! but simply ordinary girls of a class to which it would have
+been, perhaps, better for me to belong. With my employers I did fairly
+well. They were sometimes just, sometimes very unjust; but when I was
+out of my time, and receiving a salary, I found I was a valued
+_employee_. Then it came into my mind that I should like to found a
+business--a great business. It seemed rather a 'vaulting ambition' for
+so humble a waif as myself. But I began to save even shillings and
+sixpences. I tried to kill my heart with these duller, lower aims, it
+ached so always for what it could not find. I began to think I was
+growing so useful to madame that she might make me a partner; for even
+in millinery mental training is of use." She stopped, and clasping her
+hands, she rested them on her knee for a few moments of silence, while
+her brow contracted as if with pain. "It is dreadfully hard to go on!"
+she exclaimed at length, and her voice sounded as if her mouth were
+parched.
+
+"Then do not mind now; some other time," said Katherine, softly.
+
+"No," cried Rachel, with almost fierce energy; "I _must_ finish. I
+cannot leave _you_ ignorant of my true story." She paused again, and
+then went on quickly, in a low tone: "I don't think I was exactly
+popular--certainly not with the men employed in the same house. I was
+thought cold and hard, and to me they were all utterly uninteresting.
+One or two of the girls I liked, and they were fond of me." Another
+pause. Then she pushed on again: "One evening I went out with another
+girl and her brother--at least she said he was her brother--to see the
+illuminations for the Queen's birthday. In Pall Mall we got into a crowd
+caused by a quarrel between two drunken men. I was separated from my
+companions, and one of the crowd, also tipsy, reeled against me. I
+should have been knocked down but for a gentleman who caught me; he had
+just come down the steps from one of the clubs. I thanked him. He kindly
+helped me to find my companions. He came on with us almost to the door
+of Madame Celine's house. He talked frankly and pleasantly. Two days
+after I was going to the City on madame's business. He met me. He said
+he had watched for me. There! I cannot go into details. We met
+repeatedly. For the first time in my life I was sought, and, as I
+believed, warmly loved. I knew the unspeakable gulf that opened for me,
+but I loved him. At last there was light and color in my
+poverty-stricken existence." She stopped, and a glow came into her sad
+eyes. "I was bewildered, distracted, between the passion of my heart and
+the resistance of my reason. I ceased to be the efficient assistant I
+had been. I was rebuked, and looked upon coldly. Six months after I had
+met _him_ first, I gave madame warning. I said I was going into the
+country. So I was, but not alone. No one asked me any questions; no one
+had a right. I belonged to no one, was responsible to no one, could
+wound no one. I was quite alone, and, oh, so hungry for a little love
+and joy!" She paused, and then resumed rapidly, "I was that man's
+unwedded wife for nearly two years." She rested her arm on the table,
+and hid her face with her hand.
+
+Katherine listened with unspeakable emotion. The eloquent blood flushed
+cheek and throat with a keen sense of shame. She had read and heard of
+such painful stories, but to be face to face with a creature who had
+crossed the Rubicon, overpassed the great gulf, which separates the
+sheep from the goats was something so unexpected, so terrible, that she
+could not restrain a passionate burst of tears. "Ah," she murmured at
+last, "you were cruelly deceived, no doubt. You are too hard upon
+yourself. You----"
+
+"No, Miss Liddell; I am trying to tell you the whole truth. The man I
+loved never deceived me--never held put any hope that we could marry. He
+was not rich; there were impediments--what, I never knew. But I thought
+such love as he professed, and at the time felt for me, would last; and
+so long as he was mine, I wanted nothing more. Have you patience to hear
+more, or have I fallen too low to retain your interest?"
+
+"Ah, no! tell me everything."
+
+"I was very happy--oh, intensely happy for a while. Then a tiny cloud of
+indifference, thin and shifting like morning mist, rose between us. It
+darkened and lowered. He was a hasty, masterful man, but he was never
+rough to me. Gradually I came to see that time had changed me from a joy
+to a burden. How was it I lived? How was it I shut my eyes and hoped? At
+last he told me he was obliged to go abroad, but that he could not take
+me with him; and then proposed to establish me in some such undertaking
+as my late employer's. When he said _that,_ I knew all was over; that
+nothing I could do or say would avail; that I had been but a toy; that
+he could not conceive what my nature was, nor the agony of shame, the
+torture of rejected love, he was inflicting. I contrived to keep silent
+and composed. I knew I had no right to complain: I had risked all and
+lost. I managed to say we might arrange things later, and he praised me
+for being a sensible, capital girl. I had seen this coming, or I don't
+suppose I could have so controlled myself. But I could not accept his
+terms. I had a little money and some jewels; I thought I might take
+these. So I wrote a few lines, saying that I needed nothing, that he
+should hear of me no more, and I went away out into the dark. If I could
+only have died then! I was too great a coward to put an end to my life.
+Why do I try to speak of what cannot be put into words? Despair is a
+grim thing, and all life had turned to dust and ashes for me. I could
+not even love him, though I pined for the creature I _had_ loved, who
+once understood me, but from whose heart and mind I had vanished when
+time dulled his first impression, and to whom I became even as other
+women were. But as I could not die, I was obliged to work, and there was
+but one way. I dreaded to be found starving and unable to give an
+account of myself, so I applied to one of those large general shops
+where they neither give nor expect references. There I staid for some
+months, so silent, so steeled against everything, that no one cared to
+speak to me. I dare not even think of that time. I do not understand how
+I managed to do anything. At last I grew dazed, made blunders, and was
+dismissed. I wandered here. I failed to find employment, and felt I
+could do no more. Still death would _not_ come, I think my mind was
+giving way when _you_ came. Now am I worth helping, now that you know
+all?"
+
+"Yes. I will do my best for you. Suffering such as yours must be
+expiation enough," cried Katherine, her eyes still wet. "Put the past
+behind you, and hope for the better days which _will_ come if you strive
+for them. But, oh! tell me, did _he_ never try to find you?"
+
+"Yes. I saw advertisements in the paper which were meant for me; but
+after a while they ceased, and no doubt I was forgotten. I reaped what I
+had sown. Few men, I imagine, can understand that there are hearts as
+true, as strong, as tenacious, among women such as I am as among the
+irreproachable, the really good. I have no real right to complain; only
+it is _so_ hard to live on without hope or--" She stopped abruptly.
+
+"Hope will come," said Katherine, gently; "and time will restore your
+self-respect. I should be so glad to see you build up a new and better
+life on the ruins of the past! I am sure there is independence and
+repose before you, if you will but fold down this terrible page of your
+life and never open it again."
+
+"And can you endure to touch me--to be to me as you have been?" asked
+Rachel, her voice broken and trembling.
+
+Katherine's answer was to stretch out her hand and take that of her
+_protegee_, which she held tenderly. "Let us never speak of this again,"
+she said. "Bury your dead out of sight. All you have told me is sacred;
+none shall ever know anything from me. Let us begin anew. I am certain
+you are good and true; and how can one who has never known temptation
+judge you?"
+
+Rachel bent her head to kiss the fair firm hand which held hers; then
+she wept silently, quietly, and said, softly, in an altered voice, "I
+will do _whatever_ you bid me; and while you are so wonderfully good to
+me I will not despair."
+
+There was an expressive silence of a few moments. Then Katherine began
+to draw on her gloves, and trying to steady her voice and speak in her
+ordinary tone, said:
+
+"Mr. Payne is going to make you known to a lady who may be of great use
+to you in obtaining customers. I have not met her myself, but should you
+receive a note from Mrs. Needham, pray go to her at once. There is no
+reason why you should not make a great business yet. I should be quite
+proud of it. Now I must leave you. Promise me to resist unhappy
+thoughts. Try to regain strength, both mental and physical. Should you
+see Mrs. Needham before I come again, pray ask quite two-thirds more for
+making a dress than I paid, for both your work and your fit are
+excellent."
+
+With these practical words Katherine rose to depart. Rachel followed her
+to the door, and timidly took her hand. "Do you understand," she said,
+"all you have done for me? You have given me back my human heart,
+instead of the iron vise that was pressing my soul to death. I will live
+to be worthy of you, of your infinite pity."
+
+Katherine had hardly recovered composure when she reached home. The sad
+and shameful story to which she had listened had not arrested the flow
+of her sympathy to Rachel. There was something striking in the strength
+that enabled her to tell such a tale with stern justice toward herself,
+without any whining self-exculpation. What a long agony she must have
+endured! Katherine's tears were ready to flow afresh at the picture her
+warm imagination conjured up. Weak and guilty as Rachel was to yield to
+such a temptation, what was her wrong-doing to that of the man who,
+knowing what would be the end thereof, tempted her?
+
+
+Castleford was an ordinary comfortable country house, standing in not
+very extensive grounds. The scenery immediately around it was flat and
+uninteresting, but a few miles to the south it became undulating, and
+broken with pretty wooded hollows, but north of it was a rich level
+district, and as a hunting country second only to Leicestershire.
+
+Colonel Ormonde was a keen sportsman, and when he had reached his
+present grade had gladly taken up his abode in the old place, which had
+been let at a high rent during his term of military service. Castleford
+was an old place, though the house was comparatively new. It had been
+bought by Ormonde's grandfather, a rich manufacturer, who had built the
+house and made many improvements, and his representative of the third
+generation was considered quite one of the country gentry.
+
+Colonel Ormonde was fairly popular. He was not obtrusively hard about
+money matters, but he never neglected his own interests. Then he
+appreciated a good glass of wine, and above all he rode straight. Mrs.
+Ormonde was adored by the men and liked by the women of Clayshire
+society, Colonel Ormonde being considered a lucky man to have picked up
+a charming woman whose children were provided for.
+
+That fortunate individual was sitting at breakfast _tete-a-tete_ with
+his wife one dull foggy morning about a month after Katherine Liddell
+had returned to England. "Another cup, please," he said, handing his in.
+Mrs. Ormonde was deep in her letters. "What an infernal nuisance it is!"
+he continued, looking out of the window nearest him. "The off days are
+always soft and the 'meet' days hard and frosty. The scent would be
+breast-high to-day." Mrs. Ormonde made no reply. "Your correspondence
+seems uncommonly interesting!" he exclaimed, surprised at her silence.
+
+"It is indeed," she cried, looking up with a joyful and exultant
+expression of countenance. "Katherine writes that she has signed a deed
+settling twenty thousand on Cis and Charlie, the income of which is to
+be paid to me until they attain the age of twenty-one, for their
+maintenance, education, and so forth; after which any sum necessary for
+their establishment in life can be raised or taken from their capital,
+the whole coming into their own hands at the age of twenty-five. Dear
+me! I hope they will make me a handsome allowance when they are
+twenty-five. I really think Katherine might have remembered _me_." She
+handed the letter to her husband.
+
+"Well, little woman, you have your innings now, and you must save a pot
+of money," he returned, in high glee. "What a trump that girl is! and,
+by Jove! what lucky little beggars your boys are! I can tell you I was
+desperately uneasy for fear she might marry some fellow before she
+fulfilled her promise to you. Then you might have whistled for any
+provision for your boys; no man would agree to give up such a slice of
+his wife's fortune as this. I know I would not. Women never have any
+real sense of the value of money; they are either stingy or extravagant.
+I am deuced glad I haven't to pay all _your_ milliner's bills, my dear.
+I am exceedingly glad Katherine has been so generous, but I'll be hanged
+if it is the act of a sensible woman."
+
+"Never mind; there is quite a load off my heart. I think I'll have a new
+habit from Woolmerhausen now."
+
+"Why, I gave you one only two years ago."
+
+"Two years ago! Why, that is an age. And _you_ need not pay for this
+one."
+
+"I see she says she will pay us a visit if convenient. Of course it is
+convenient. I'll run up to town on Sunday, and escort her down next day.
+The meet is for Tuesday. And mind you make things pleasant and
+comfortable for her, Ada. She would be an important addition to our
+family. A handsome, spirited girl with a good fortune to dispose of
+would be a feather in one's cap, I can tell you."
+
+"You'll find her awfully fallen off, Ormonde, and her spirits seem quite
+gone. Still I shall be very glad to have her here. But I do not see why
+you should go fetch her. You know Lady Alice Mordaunt is coming on
+Saturday."
+
+"What does that matter? I shall only be away one evening; and between
+you and me, though Lady Alice is everything that is nice and correct,
+she is enough to put the liveliest fellow on earth to sleep in half an
+hour."
+
+"How strange men are!" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde, gathering up her letters
+and putting them into the pocket of her dainty lace and muslin apron.
+"Nice, gentle, good women never attract you; you only care for bold----"
+
+"Vivacious, coquettish, attractive little widows, like one I once knew,"
+said the Colonel, laughing, as he carefully wiped his gray moustache.
+
+"You are really too absurd!" she exclaimed, sharply. "Do you mean to say
+I was ever bold?"
+
+"No; I only mean to say you are an angel, and a deuced lucky angel in
+every sense into the bargain! Now, have you any commissions? I am going
+to Monckton this morning, and I fancy the dog-cart will be at the door.
+Where's the boy? I'll take him and nurse down to the gate with me if
+they'll wrap up. The little fellow is so fond of a drive."
+
+"My dear 'Duke!--such a morning as this! Do you think I would let the
+precious child out?"
+
+"Nonsense! Do not make a molly-coddle of him. He is as strong as a
+horse. Send for him anyway. I haven't seen him this morning. And be sure
+you write a proper letter to Katherine Liddell; you had better let me
+see it before it goes."
+
+"Indeed I shall do nothing of the kind. Do you think I never wrote a
+letter in my life before I knew you?"
+
+"Oh, go your own way," retorted the Colonel, beating a retreat to save a
+total rout.
+
+In due course Katherine received an effusive letter of thanks, and a
+pressing invitation to come down to Castleford on the following Monday,
+and saying that as the hunting season was almost over, they would be
+very quiet till after Easter, when Mrs. Ormonde was going to town for a
+couple of months, ending with an assurance that the dear boys were dying
+to see her, and that Colonel Ormonde was going to London for the express
+purpose of escorting her on her journey.
+
+"It is certainly not necessary," observed Katherine, with a smile,
+"considering how accustomed I am to take care of myself. Still it is
+kindly meant, and I shall accept the offer." This to Miss Payne, as they
+rose from luncheon where Katherine had told her the contents of her
+letter.
+
+"Ahem! No doubt they are anxious to show you every attention. Would you
+like to take Turner with you? I could spare her very well." Turner was
+the maid expressly engaged to wait upon Miss Liddell.
+
+"Oh no, thank you, I want so little waiting on. Lady Alice Mordaunt will
+be with Mrs. Ormonde, and will be sure to have a maid, so another might
+be inconvenient."
+
+"My dear Miss Liddell, if you will excuse me for thrusting advice upon
+you, I would say that 'considering' people is the very best way to
+prevent their showing you consideration."
+
+"Do you really think so? Well, it is really no great matter."
+
+"Then you shall not want Turner? Then I shall give her a holiday. Her
+mother or her brother is ill, and she wants to go home. Servants'
+relations always seem to be ill. It must cost them a good deal."
+
+"No doubt. Will you come out with me? I have some shopping to do, and
+your advice is always valuable."
+
+"I shall be very pleased, and I will say I shall miss you when you
+leave--miss you very much."
+
+"Thank you," said Katherine, gently. "I believe you will as you say so."
+
+Without fully believing Ada's rather exaggerated expressions of
+gratitude and affection, Katherine was soothed and pleased by them. She
+was so truthful herself that she was disposed to trust others, and the
+hearty welcome offered her took off from the sense of loneliness which
+had long oppressed her. Hers was too healthy a nature to encourage
+morbid grief. To the last day of her life she remembered her mother with
+tender, loving-regret; but the consolation of knowing that her later
+days had been so happy, that she had passed away so peacefully, did much
+toward healing the wounds which were still bleeding.
+
+On the appointed Monday Colonel Ormonde made his appearance in the early
+afternoon, and found Katherine quite ready to start. He was stouter,
+louder, bluffer, than ever. When Miss Payne was introduced to him he
+honored her with an almost imperceptible bow and a very perceptible
+stare. Turning at once to Katherine, he exclaimed:
+
+"What! in complete marching order already? I protest I never knew a
+woman punctual before. But I always saw you were a sensible girl. No
+nonsense about you. Why, my wife told me you were looking ill. I don't
+see it. At any rate Castleford air will soon bring back your roses."
+
+"I am feeling and looking better than when I came over, and Miss Payne
+has taken such good care of me," said Katherine, who did not like to see
+the lady of the house so completely over-looked.
+
+"Ah! that's well. You know you are too precious a piece of goods to be
+tampered with. I believe Bertie Payne is a nephew of yours," he added,
+addressing Miss Payne--"a young fellow who was in my regiment three or
+four years ago, the Twenty-first Dragoon Guards?"
+
+"He is my brother," returned Miss Payne, stiffly.
+
+"Ah! Hope he is all right. Have scarcely seen him since he has gone, not
+to the dogs, but to the saints, which is much the same thing. Ha! ha!
+ha!"
+
+"Indeed it is not, Colonel Ormonde!" cried Katherine. "If every one was
+as good as Mr. Payne, the world would be a different and a better
+place."
+
+"Hey! Have you constituted yourself his champion? Lucky dog! Come, my
+dear girl, we must be going. Are you well wrapped up? It is deuced cold,
+and we have nearly three miles to drive from the station."
+
+He himself looked liked a mountain in a huge fur-lined coat.
+
+"Good-by, then, dear Miss Payne. I suppose I shall not see you again for
+a fortnight or three weeks."
+
+"By George! we sha'n't let you off with so short a visit as that! Say
+three years. Come, march; we haven't too much time." Throwing a brief
+"good-morning" at the "old maid" of uncertain position, the Colonel
+walked heavily downstairs in the wake of his admired young guest.
+
+Monckton was scarcely four hours from London, but when the drive to
+Castleford was accomplished there was not too much time left to dress
+for dinner.
+
+Mrs. Ormonde was awaiting Katherine in the hall, which was bright with
+lamps and fire-light; behind her were her two boys.
+
+When Katherine had been duly welcomed. Mrs. Ormonde stood aside, and the
+children hesitated a moment. Cecil was so much grown, Katherine hardly
+knew him. He came forward with his natural assurance, and said,
+confidently: "How d'ye do, auntie? You have been a long time coming."
+
+Charlie was more like what he had been, and less grown. He hesitated a
+moment, then darted to Katherine, and throwing his arms round her neck,
+clung to her lovingly. She was infinitely touched and delighted. How
+vividly the past came back to her!--the little dusty house at Bayswater,
+the homely establishment kept afloat by her dear mother's industry, the
+small study, and the dear weary face associated with it. How ardently
+she held the child to her heart! How thankfully she recognized that here
+was something to cherish and to live for!
+
+"They may come with me to my room?" she said to her hostess.
+
+"Oh, certainly!--only if you begin that sort of thing you will never be
+able to get rid of them."
+
+"I will risk it," said Katherine, as she followed Mrs. Ormonde upstairs
+to a very comfortable room, where a cheerful fire blazed on the hearth.
+
+"I am afraid you find it rather small, but I was obliged to give the
+best bedroom to Lady Alice--_noblesse oblige_, you know. I am sure you
+will like her, she is so gentle; I think her father was very glad to let
+her come, as she can see more of her _fiance_. They are not to be
+married till the autumn, so--Oh dear! there is the second bell. Cis, run
+away and tell Madeline to come and help your auntie to dress; and you
+too, Charlie; you had better go too."
+
+"He may stay and help me to unpack."
+
+"Why did you not bring your maid, dear? It is just like you to leave her
+behind; but we could have put her up; and you will miss her dreadfully."
+
+"I do not think either of us has been so accustomed to the attentions of
+a maid as not to be able to do without one," returned Katherine,
+smiling.
+
+"You know _I_ always had a maid in India," said Mrs. Ormonde, with an
+air of superiority. "Don't be long over your toilet; Ormonde's cardinal
+virtue is punctuality."
+
+In spite of the hindrance of her nephew's help, Katherine managed to
+reach the drawing-room before Lady Alice or the master of the house.
+Mrs. Ormonde was talking to an elderly gentleman in clerical attire
+beside the fireplace, and at some distance a tall, dignified-looking man
+was reading a newspaper. Mrs. Ormonde was most becomingly dressed in
+black satin, richly trimmed with lace and jet--a brilliant contrast to
+Katherine, in thick dull silk and crape, her snowy neck looking all the
+more softly white for its dark setting: the only relief to her general
+blackness was the glinting light on her glossy, wavy, chestnut brown
+hair.
+
+"You have been very quick, dear," said the hostess. "I am going to send
+you in to dinner," she added, in a low tone, "with Mr. Errington, our
+neighbor. He is the head of the great house of Errington in Calcutta,
+and the _fiance_, of Lady Alice; but Colonel Ormonde must take her in.
+Mr. Errington!" raising her voice. The gentleman thus summoned laid down
+his paper and came forward. "Let me introduce you to my sister, Miss
+Liddell." Mr. Errington bowed, rather a stately bow, as he gazed with
+surprised interest at the large soft eyes suddenly raised to his, then
+quickly averted, the swift blush which swept over the speaking face
+turned toward him, the indescribable shrinking of the graceful figure,
+as if this stranger dreaded and would fain avoid him. It was but for a
+moment; then she was herself again, and the door opening to admit Lady
+Alice, Errington hastened to greet her with chivalrous respect, and
+remained beside her chair until Colonel Ormonde entered with the butler,
+who announced that dinner was ready.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+IN THE TOILS.
+
+
+The drawing and dining rooms at Castleford were at opposite sides of a
+large square hall, and even in the short transit between them Errington
+felt instinctively that Miss Liddell shrank from him. The tips merely of
+her black-gloved fingers rested on his arm, while she kept as far from
+him as the length of her own permitted. At table her host was on her
+right, and Lady Alice opposite, next to the rector, who was the only
+invited guest; Errington was always expected, and had returned from a
+distant canvassing expedition, for the present member for West Clayshire
+was believed to be on the point of retiring on account of ill health,
+and Mr. Errington of Garston Hall, intended to offer himself for
+election to the free and independent.
+
+He had had a fatiguing day, but scarcely admitted to himself how much
+more restful a solitary dinner would have been, with a cigar and some
+keen-edged article or luminous pamphlet in his own comfortable library
+afterward, than making conversation at Colonel Ormonde's table. However,
+to slight the lady who had promised to be his wife was impossible, so he
+exerted himself to be agreeable.
+
+The rector discussed some parish difficulties with his hostess, while
+Colonel Ormonde, though profoundly occupied with his dinner, managed to
+throw an observation from time to time to his young neighbors.
+
+"Rode round by Brinkworth Heath in two hours and a half," he was saying
+to Lady Alice, when Katherine listened. "That was fair going. I did not
+think you would have got Mrs. Ormonde to start without an escort."
+
+"We had an escort. Lord Francis Carew and Mr. De Burgh came over to
+luncheon, and they rode with us."
+
+"Ha, Errington! you see the result of leaving this fair lady's side all
+unguarded! These fellows come and usurp your duties."
+
+"Do you think I should wish Lady Alice to forego any amusement because I
+am so unlucky as to be prevented from joining her?" returned Errington,
+in a deep mellow voice.
+
+Katherine looked across the table to see how Lady Alice took the remark,
+but she was rearranging some geraniums and a spray of fern in her
+waistband, and did not seem to hear. She was a slight colorless girl of
+nineteen, with regular features, an unformed though rather graceful
+figure, and a distinguished air.
+
+Errington caught the expression of his neighbor's face as she glanced at
+his _fiancee_, a sympathetic smile parting her lips. It was rarely that
+a countenance had struck him so much, which was probably due to his odd
+but strong impression that his new acquaintance, was both startled and
+displeased at being introduced to him--an impression very strange to
+Errington, as he was generally welcomed by all sorts and conditions of
+men, and especially of women.
+
+The silence of Lady Alice did not seem to disturb her lover; he turned
+to Katherine and asked, "Were you of the riding party to-day!"
+
+"No," she replied, meeting his eyes fully for an instant, and then
+averting her own, while the color came and went on her cheek; "I only
+arrived in time for dinner."
+
+"Have I ever met this young lady before?" thought Errington, much
+puzzled. "Have I ever unconsciously offended or annoyed her? I don't
+think so; yet her face is not quite strange to me." And he applied
+himself to his dinner.
+
+"I fancy you have had rather a dull time of it in town?" said Colonel
+Ormonde, leaning back, while the servants removed the dishes.
+
+"No, I was not dull," replied Katherine, glad to turn to him. "I was
+very comfortable, and of course not in a mood to see many strangers or
+to go anywhere. Then I was interested in Mr. Payne's undertakings; they
+are quite as amusing as amusements."
+
+"Bertie Payne! to be sure; the nephew or brother of your doughty
+chaperon. He is always up to some benevolent games. Queer fellow."
+
+"He is very, _very_ good," said Katherine, warmly, "and he _does_ so
+much good; only the amount of evil is overpowering."
+
+"Yes," said Errington; "I am afraid such efforts as Payne's are mere
+scratching of the surface, and will never touch the root of the evil."
+
+"I suspect he is a prey to impostors of every description," said Colonel
+Ormonde, with a fat laugh. "He is always worrying for subscriptions and
+God knows what. But I turn a deaf ear to him."
+
+"I cannot say I do always," remarked Errington. "While we devise schemes
+of more scientific amelioration, hundreds die of sharp starvation or
+misery long drawn out. Payne is a good fellow, and enthusiasts have
+their uses."
+
+"You are so liberal yourself, Mr. Errington," cried Mrs. Ormonde, "I
+dare say you are often imposed upon in spite of your wisdom."
+
+"My wisdom!" repeated Errington, laughing. "What an original idea, Mrs.
+Ormonde! Did you ever know I was accused of wisdom?" he added,
+addressing Lady Alice.
+
+"Papa says you are very sensible," she returned, seriously.
+
+"Of course," cried Mrs. Ormonde. "Why, he has written a pamphlet on 'Our
+Colonies,' and something wonderful about the state of Europe--didn't he,
+Mr. Heywood?"
+
+"Yes," returned the rector. "I suspect our future member will be a
+cabinet minister before the world is many years older."
+
+Lady Alice looked up with more of pleasure and animation than she had
+yet shown. Errington bent his head.
+
+"Many thanks for your prophecy;" and he immediately turned the
+conversation to the ever-genial topics of hunting and horses. Then Mrs.
+Ormonde gave the signal of retreat to the drawing-room.
+
+Here Katherine looked in vain for her nephews.
+
+"I suppose the boys have gone to bed, Ada?"
+
+"To bed! oh yes, of course. Why, it is more than half past eight; it
+would never do to keep them up so late. Would you like to see baby boy
+asleep? he looks quite beautiful."
+
+"Yes, I should, very much," returned Katherine, anxious to gratify the
+mother.
+
+"Come, then," cried Mrs. Ormonde, starting up with alacrity. As the
+invitation was general, Lady Alice said, in her gentle way.
+
+"Thank you; I saw the baby yesterday."
+
+"She has really very little feeling," observed Mrs. Ormonde, as she went
+upstairs with her sister-in-law. "She never notices baby."
+
+"I am afraid I should not notice children much if they did not belong to
+me."
+
+"My dear Katherine, you are quite different. Of course Lady Alice is
+sweet and elegant, but not clever. Indeed, I cannot see the use of
+cleverness to women. There is a fine aristocratic air about her. After
+all, there is nothing like high birth. I assure you it is a high
+compliment her being allowed to stay here. Her aunt, Lady Mary Vincent,
+is a very fine lady indeed, and chaperons Lady Alice. But her father,
+Lord Melford, is a curious, reckless sort of man, always wandering
+about--yachting and that kind of thing; he is rather in difficulties
+too. They are glad enough to send her down here to see something of
+Errington. You know Errington is a very good match; he has bought a
+great deal of the Melford property, and when old Errington dies he will
+be immensely rich. The poor old man is in miserable health; he has not
+been down here all the winter. I believe the wedding is to take place in
+June; we will be invited, of course; you see Colonel Ormonde is so
+highly connected that I am in a very different position from what I was
+accustomed to. And you, dear, you _must_ marry some person of rank;
+there is nothing like it."
+
+"Yes," said Katherine, with a sigh, "everything is changed."
+
+"Fortunately!" cried the exultant Mrs. Ormonde, opening the door of a
+luxuriously appointed nursery.
+
+"Here, nurse, I have brought Miss Liddell to see Master Ormonde."
+
+A middle-aged woman, well dressed, and of authoritative aspect, rose
+from where she sat at needle-work, and came forward.
+
+"I have only just got him to sleep, ma'am," she said, almost in a
+whisper, "and if he is awoke now, I'll not get him off again before
+midnight."
+
+"We'll be very careful, nurse. Is he not a fine little fellow,
+Katherine?" and she softly turned back the bedclothes from the sturdy,
+chubby child, who had a somewhat bull dog style of countenance and a
+beautifully fair skin.
+
+"How ridiculously like Colonel Ormonde he is!" whispered Katherine. "I
+do not see any trace of you."
+
+"No; he is quite an Ormonde. He is twice as big as either Cis or Charlie
+was at his age."
+
+After a few civil comments Katherine suggested their visiting the other
+children.
+
+"Perhaps it would be wiser not to go," said the mother; "they will not
+be so sound asleep as baby, and----"
+
+"You must indulge me this once, Ada. I long to look at them."
+
+"Oh! of course, dear; ring for Eliza, nurse; she will show Miss Liddell
+the way. I must go back; it would never do to leave Lady Alice so long
+alone."
+
+"Do not apologize," said Katherine, with a curious jealous pang, as she
+noted Mrs. Ormonde's indifference to the children of her first poor
+love-match.
+
+A demure, flat-faced girl answered the bell, and led Katherine down
+passages and up a crooked stair to another part of the house.
+
+Here she was shown into a room sparsely supplied with old furniture.
+There was a good fire, and a shaded lamp stood on a large table, where a
+girl sat writing.
+
+"Here is a lady to see the young gentlemen," said the nurse-maid. The
+young scribe started up, looking confused.
+
+"If it would not disturb them," said Katherine, gently, "I should like
+to see my nephews in their sleep."
+
+"Oh, Miss Liddell!" exclaimed the governess, a younger, commoner-looking
+person than Katherine had chosen before she left England. "This is their
+bedroom," and she led Katherine through a door opposite the fireplace
+into an inner room. There in their little beds lay the boys who were all
+of kith or kin left to Katherine Liddell.
+
+How lovingly she bent over and gazed at them!
+
+Cecil had grown much. He looked sunburnt and healthy. One arm was thrown
+up behind his head, the other stretched straight and stiff beside him,
+ending in a closely clinched little brown fist. His lips, slightly
+apart, emitted the softly drawn regular breath of profound slumber, and
+the smile which some pleasant thought had conjured up before he closed
+his eyes still lingered round his mouth. Katherine longed to kiss him,
+but feared to break his profound and restful slumbers. She passed to
+Charlie. His attitude was quite different. He had thrown the clothes
+from his chest, and his pinky white throat was bare; one little hand lay
+open on the page of a picture-book at which he had been looking when
+sleep overtook him; the other was under his soft round cheek; his sweet
+and still baby face was grave if not sad. He looked like a little angel
+who had brought a message to earth, and was grieved and wearied by the
+sin and sorrow here below. Katherine's heart swelled with tenderest love
+as she gazed upon him, and unconsciously she bent closer till her lips
+touched his brow. Then a little hand stole into hers, and, without
+moving, as though he had expected her, he opened his eyes and whispered,
+"Will you come and kiss me every night, as grannie did?"
+
+"I will, my darling, every night."
+
+"Will grannie _never_ come and kiss me again?"
+
+"Never, Charlie! She will never come to either of us in this life." A
+big tear fell on the boy's forehead.
+
+"Don't cry, auntie; she loves us all the same." And he kissed the fair
+cheek which now lay against his own as his aunt knelt beside his bed.
+
+"Go to sleep, dear love; to-morrow you shall take me to see your garden
+and the pony."
+
+"You will be sure to come?"
+
+"Yes, quite sure."
+
+In a few minutes the clasp of the warm little hand relaxed, and
+Katherine gently disengaged herself.
+
+"The boys are no longer first in their mother's heart," thought
+Katherine, as she returned to the drawing-room. "Were they ever first?
+They are--they might become all the world to me. They might fill my life
+and give it a fresh aspect. The new ties at which Mr. Newton hinted can
+never exist for me. Could I accept an honorable man and live with a
+perpetual secret between us? Could I ever confess? No. My most hopeful
+scheme is to be a mother to these children. And oh! I do want to be
+happy, to feel the joy in life that used to lift up my spirit in the old
+days when we were struggling with poverty! I _will_ throw off this load
+of self-contempt. I have not really injured any one."
+
+In the drawing-room Colonel Ormonde was seated beside Lady Alice, making
+conversation to the best of his ability. She looked serenely content,
+and held a piece of crochet, the kind of fancy-work which occupied the
+young ladies in the "sixties." The rector and Mr. Errington were in deep
+conversation on the hearth-rug, and Mrs. Ormonde was reading the paper.
+
+"So you have been visiting the nursery?" said the Colonel, rising and
+offering Katherine a chair. "Your first introduction to our young man, I
+suppose?"
+
+"Yes. What a great boy he is!--the picture of health!"
+
+"Ay, he is a Trojan," complacently. "The other little fellows are
+looking well, eh?"
+
+"Very well indeed. Cis is wonderfully grown; but Charlie is much what he
+was."
+
+"He'll overtake his brother, though, before long," said Colonel Ormonde,
+encouragingly, as he rang and ordered the card-table to be set.
+
+"You play whist, I suppose? We want a fourth."
+
+"I am quite ignorant of that fascinating game," returned Katherine, "and
+very sorry to be so useless."
+
+"It _is_ lamentable ignorance! Lady Alice, will you take compassion on
+us? No?--then we _must_ have Errington."
+
+Errington did not seem at all reluctant, and the two young ladies were
+left to entertain each other.
+
+Katherine, who had gone to the other end of the room to look at some
+water-color drawings, came back and sat down beside her. Lady Alice
+looked amiable, but did not speak, and Katherine felt greatly at a loss
+what to say.
+
+"What very fine work!" she said at length, watching the small,
+weak-looking hands so steadily employed.
+
+"Yes, it is a very difficult pattern. My aunt, Lady Mary, never could
+manage it, and she does a great deal of crochet, and is very clever."
+
+"It seems most complicated. I am sure I could never do it."
+
+"Do you crochet much?"
+
+"Not at all."
+
+"Then," with some appearance of interest, "what _do_ you do?"
+
+"Oh! various things; but I am afraid I am not industrious. I would
+rather mend my clothes than do fancy work."
+
+"Mend your clothes!" repeated Lady Alice, in unfeigned amazement.
+
+"Yes. I assure you there is great pleasure in a symmetrical patch."
+
+"But does not your maid do that?"
+
+"Now that I have one, she does. However, you must show me how to
+crochet, if you will be so kind; my only approach to fancy-work is
+knitting. I can knit stockings. Isn't that an achievement?"
+
+"But is it not tiresome?"
+
+"Oh! I can knit like the Germans, and talk or read."
+
+"Is it possible?" A long pause.
+
+"Mrs. Ormonde says you are very learned and studious," said Lady Alice,
+languidly.
+
+"How cruel of her to malign me!" returned Katherine, laughing. "Learned
+I certainly am not; but I am fond of indiscriminate reading, though not
+studious."
+
+"I like a nice novel, with dreadful people in it, like Miss St. Maur's.
+Have you read any of hers?"
+
+"I don't think so. I do not know the name."
+
+"The St. Maurs are Devonshire people--a very old country family, I
+believe. Still, when she writes about the season in London, I don't
+think it is very like." Another pause.
+
+"You have been in Italy, I think, Lady Alice?" recommenced Katherine.
+
+"Oh yes, often. Papa is always cruising about, you know, and we stop at
+places. But I have never been in Rome."
+
+"Yachting must be delightful."
+
+"I do not like it; I am always ill. Aunt Mary took me to Florence for a
+winter."
+
+"Then you enjoyed that, I dare say," said Katherine.
+
+"I got tired of it. I do not care for living abroad; there is nothing to
+do but to go to picture-galleries and theatres."
+
+"Well, that is a good deal," returned Katherine, smiling. "Where do you
+like to live, Lady Alice?"
+
+"Oh, in the country. I am almost sorry Mr. Errington has a house in
+town. I am so fond of a garden, and riding on quiet roads! I am afraid
+to ride in London. The country is so peaceful! no one is in a hurry."
+
+"What a happy, tranquil life she will lead under the aegis of such a man
+as Mr. Errington!" thought Katherine.
+
+"Do you play or sing?" asked Lady Alice, for once taking the initiative.
+
+"Yes, in a very amateur fashion."
+
+"Then," with more animation, "perhaps you would play my accompaniments
+for me; I always like to stand when I sing. Mrs. Ormonde says she
+forgets her music. Is it not odd?"
+
+"Well, people in India do as little as possible. I shall be very pleased
+to play for you. Shall we practice to-morrow?"
+
+"Oh yes; immediately after breakfast. There is really nothing to do
+here."
+
+"Immediately after breakfast I am going out with the boys--Mrs.
+Ormonde's boys. Have you seen them? But we shall have plenty of time
+before luncheon."
+
+"Are you fond of children?" slowly, while her busy needle paused and she
+undid a stitch or two.
+
+"I am fond of these children; I do not know much about any other."
+
+"Beverley's children (my eldest brother's) are very troublesome; they
+annoy me very much." Silence while she took up her stitches again. "The
+worst of this pattern is that if you talk you are sure to go wrong."
+
+"Then I will find a book and not disturb you," said Katherine,
+good-humoredly. She felt kindly and indulgent toward this gentle
+helpless creature, who seemed so many years younger than herself, though
+barely two, in fact. That she was Errington's _fiancee_ gave her a
+curious interest in Katherine's eyes. She would willingly have done him
+all possible good; she was strangely attracted to the man she had
+cheated. There was a simple natural dignity about him that pleased her
+imagination, yet she almost dreaded to speak to him, lest the very tones
+of her voice, the encounter of their eyes, should betray her.
+
+At last Errington, looking at his watch, declared that as the rubber was
+over, he must say good-night.
+
+"What, are you not staying here to-night?" said Colonel Ormonde.
+
+"No; I have a good deal of letter-writing to get through to-morrow, so
+did not accept Mrs. Ormonde's kind invitation."
+
+"You'll have a deuced cold drive. Come over on Thursday, will you? Old
+Wray, the banker, is to dine here, and one or two Monckton worthies.
+Stay till Tuesday or Wednesday. The next meets are Friday and Monday, on
+this side of the county. There will not be many more this season."
+
+"Thank you; I shall be very happy." He crossed to where Lady Alice still
+sat placidly at work, and made his adieux in a low tone, holding her
+hand for a moment longer than mere acquaintanceship warranted, and
+having exchanged good-nights, left the room, followed by his host.
+
+There was a good fire in Katherine's bedroom, and having declined the
+assistance of Mrs. Ormonde's maid, she put on her dressing-gown and sat
+down beside it to think. She was still quivering with the nervous
+excitement she had striven so hard and so successfully to conceal.
+
+When Mrs. Ormonde had given her rapid explanation of who Errington was,
+and without a pause presented him, Katherine felt as if she must drop at
+his feet. Indeed, she would have been thankful if a merciful
+insensibility had made her impervious to his questioning eyes. _She_
+well knew who he was.
+
+He was the real owner of the property she now possessed. The will she
+had suppressed bequeathed all John Liddell's real and personal property
+to Miles Errington, only son of his old friend Arthur Errington, of
+Calton Buildings, London, E. C., and Calcutta. She, the robber, stood in
+the presence of the robbed. Did he know by intuition that she was
+guilty? How grave and questioning his eyes were! Why did he look at her
+like that? How he would despise her and forbid his affianced wife to be
+outraged by her presence if he knew!
+
+He looked like a high-minded gentleman. If he seemed almost sternly
+grave, his smile was kind and frank, and she had made herself unworthy
+to associate with such men as he.
+
+But he was rich. He did not need the money she wanted so sorely. What of
+that? Did his abundance alter the everlasting conditions of right and
+wrong? Perhaps if she had not attempted to play Providence for the sake
+of her family, and let things follow their natural course, Mr. Errington
+might have spared a few crumbs from his rich table--a reasonable
+dole--to patch up the ragged edges of their frayed fortunes. Then she
+would not be oppressed with the sense of shame, this weight of riches
+she shrank from using. She had murdered her own happiness; she had
+killed her own youth. Never again could she know the joyousness of
+light-hearted girlhood, while nothing the world might give her could
+atone for the terrible trespass which had broken the harmony of her
+moral nature by the perpetual sense of unatoned wrong-doing. How she
+wished she had never come to Castleford! True, her seeing Mr. Errington
+did not make her guilt a shade darker, but oh, how much more keenly she
+felt it under his eyes! And now she could not rush away. She must avoid
+all eccentricities lest they might possibly arouse suspicion. Suspicion?
+What was there to suspect? No one would dream of suspicion. Then that
+will! She would try and nerve herself to destroy it, though it seemed
+sacrilege to do so. Whatever she did, however, she must think of Cis and
+Charlie. Having committed such an act, her only course was to bear the
+consequences, and do her duty by the innocent children, whose fate would
+be cruel enough should she indulge in any weak repentance or seek relief
+in confession. She had burdened herself with a disgraceful secret, and
+she must bear it her life long. It gave her infinite pain to face Miles
+Errington, yet while at one moment she longed to fly from him, the next
+she felt an extraordinary desire to hear him speak, to learn the
+prevailing tone of his mind, to know his opinions. There was an
+earnestness in his look and manner that appealed to her sympathies. He
+was a just, upright gentleman. What would he think of the dastardly deed
+by which she had robbed him?
+
+"I must not think of it. I must try and forget I ever did it, and be as
+good and true as I can in all else. And the will! I must destroy it. I
+am sure my poor old uncle meant to do away with it. Perhaps if it were
+clean gone I might feel more at rest. How strange it is that instead of
+growing accustomed to the contemplation of my own dishonesty I become
+more keenly alive to the shame of my act as time rolls on! Perhaps if I
+am brave and resolute I may conquer the scorpion stings of
+self-reproach. How dear those two sweet peaceful years have cost me!
+Would I undo it all to save myself these pangs? No. Then I suppose to
+bear is to conquer one's fate."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+CROSS PURPOSES.
+
+
+The first ten days at Castleford would have been dull indeed to
+Katherine but for the society of Cis and Charlie in the mornings, and
+the interest she took in watching Errington (who was of course a
+frequent visitor) in the evenings.
+
+Though she avoided conversing with him as much as possible, he was a
+constant study to her. He was different from all the men she had
+previously met. She often wondered if anything could disturb him or
+hurry him. Had he ever climbed trees and torn his clothes, or thrashed
+an adversary? Had he any weaknesses, or vivid joys, or passionate
+longings? Yet he did not seem a prig. His manner, though dignified, was
+easy and natural; his eyes, though steady and penetrating, were kindly;
+his bearing had the repose of strength. It was too awful to contemplate
+what his estimate of herself would be if he knew; but then he must
+_never_ know!
+
+As it was, he seemed inclined to be friendly and communicative, pleased
+when he met her strolling in the garden with Lady Alice, and gratified
+to find that she could accompany his _fiancee's_ songs. Indeed he said
+he had never heard Lady Alice sing so well as when Miss Liddell played
+for her.
+
+Apart from the boys and Errington, Katherine found time hang very
+heavily on her hands. The aimless lingering over useless fancy-work or
+second-rate novels, the discussion of such gossip as their
+correspondence supplied, by means of which Mrs. Ormonde and Lady Alice
+got through the day, were infinitely wearisome to her.
+
+Miles Errington was one of those happy individuals said to be born with
+a silver spoon in his mouth. The only son of a wealthy father, who,
+though enriched by trade, had come of an old Border race, he had had the
+best education money could procure. More fortunate still in the
+endowments of nature, he was well formed, strong, active, and blessed
+with perfect health; while mentally he was intelligent and reflective,
+thoughtful rather than brilliant, and by temperament profoundly calm. He
+had never got into scrapes or committed extravagance. He was the despair
+of managing mammas and fascinating young married women; yet he was not
+unpopular with either sex. Men respected his strong, steady character,
+his high standard, his sound judgment in matters affecting the stable
+and the race-course; women were attracted by his obligingness and
+generosity. Still he was the sort of man with whom few became intimate,
+and none dared take a liberty. Preserved by his fortunate surroundings
+and strong tranquil nature from difficulties or temptations, he could
+hardly understand the passionate outbreaks of weaker and more fiery men.
+
+His greatest physical pleasure was an exciting run with the hounds; his
+deepest interest centred in politics; though never indulging in
+sentiment, he was an earnest patriot. Whether he could be moved by more
+personal feelings remained to be proved. At present the sources of
+tenderer affection, if they existed, lay so deep below the strata of
+reason and common-sense that only some artesian process could pierce to
+the imprisoned spring's and set the "water of life" free, perhaps to
+bound, geyser-like, into the outer air.
+
+Having travelled by sea and land, and looked into the social and
+political condition of many countries, having mixed much with men and
+women at home and abroad, Errington thought it time to take his place in
+the great commonwealth--to marry, and to try for a seat in the House of
+Commons. He therefore selected Lady Alice Mordaunt. She was rather
+pretty, graceful, gentle, and quite at his service. He really like her
+in a sort of fatherly way; he looked forward with quiet pleasure to
+making her very happy, and did not doubt she would in his hands mature
+into a sufficient companion, for though Errington was not naturally a
+selfish man, his life and training disposed him to look on those
+connected with him as on the whole created for him.
+
+He had been absent for two or three days, having gone up to town to
+visit his father, who had been somewhat seriously unwell, and as he rode
+toward Castleford he gave more thought than usual to his young
+_fiancee_. In truth, a visit to Colonel Ormonde was a great bore to him.
+He had nothing in common with the Colonel, whose pig-headed conservatism
+jarred on Errington's broader views, while his stories and reminiscences
+were exceedingly uninteresting, and sometimes worse. Mrs. Ormonde's
+small coquetries, her airs and graces, were equally unattractive to him.
+Still it was well to have Lady Alice at Castleford, within easy reach,
+while there was so much to occupy his time and attention in the country.
+As soon as he was sure of his election he would hasten his marriage, and
+perhaps get the honey-moon over in time to take his seat while there was
+still a month or two of the session unexpired.
+
+From Lady Alice it was an easy transition of thought to the new guest at
+Castleford. Where had he seen her face? and with what was he associated
+in her mind? Nothing agreeable; of that he was quite sure. The vivid
+blush and indescribable shrinking he had noticed more than once (and
+Errington, like most quiet men, was a close observer) seemed
+unaccountable. Miss Liddell was far from shy; she was well-bred and
+evidently accustomed to society; her avoidance had therefore made the
+more impression. His experience of life had hitherto been exceedingly
+unemotional, and Katherine's unexpected betrayal of feeling puzzled him
+not a little.
+
+At this point in his reflections he had reached that part of the road
+where it dipped into a hollow, on one side of which the Melford woods
+began. A steep bank rose on the right, thickly studded with beech and
+oak trees, still leafless, but the scanty, yellowish grass which grew
+beneath them was tufted with primroses and violets.
+
+As Errington came round a bend in the little valley the sound of shrill,
+childish laughter came pleasantly to his ear, and the next minute
+brought him in sight of a lady in mourning whom he recognized
+immediately, and two little boys, who were high up the back, busily
+engaged filling a basket with sweet spring blossoms.
+
+Errington paused, dismounted, and raising his hat, approached her.
+
+"I did not expect so meet _you_ so far afield," he said. "You are not
+afraid of a long walk."
+
+"My nephews have led me on from flower to flower," she returned, again
+coloring brightly, but not shrinking from his eyes. "Now I think it is
+time to go home."
+
+"It is not late," he returned. "How is every one at Castleford?"
+
+"Quite well. Lady Alice has lost her cold, and regained her voice--she
+was singing this morning," said Katherine, smiling as if she knew the
+real drift of his question.
+
+"I am glad to hear it," he returned, soberly.
+
+Errington and Lady Alice did not write to each other every day.
+
+"Auntie," cried Cis, "the basket is quite full. If you open your
+sunshade and hold it upside-down, I can fill that too."
+
+"No dear; you have quite enough. We must go back now."
+
+"Oh, not yet, please?" The little fellow came tumbling down the bank,
+followed by Charlie, who immediately caught his aunt's hand and
+repeated, "Not yet, auntie!"
+
+"These are Mrs. Ormonde's boys, I suppose?" said Errington.
+
+"Yes; have you never seen them before?"
+
+"Never. And have you not had enough climbing?" he added, good-humoredly,
+to Charlie.
+
+"No, not half enough!" cried Cis. "There's _such_ a bunch of violets
+just under that biggest beech-tree, nearly up at the top! Do let me
+gather them--just those; do--do--do!"
+
+"Very well; do not go too fast, or you will break your neck."
+
+Both boys started off, leaving their basket at Katherine's feet.
+
+"I remember now," said Errington, looking at her, "where I saw I saw you
+before. Is was two--nearly three--years ago, at Hyde Park corner, when
+that elder boy had a narrow escape from being run over."
+
+"Were _you_ there?" she exclaimed, so evidently surprised that Errington
+saw the impulse was genuine. "I recollect Mr. Payne and Colonel Ormonde;
+but I did not see _you_."
+
+"Then where _have_ you met me?" was at his lips, but he did not utter
+the words.
+
+"Well, Payne was of real service; I did nothing. The little fellow had a
+close shave."
+
+"He had indeed," said Katherine, thoughtfully, with downcast eyes; then,
+suddenly raising them to his, she said, as if to herself, "And you were
+there too! How strange it all is!"
+
+"I see nothing so strange in it, Miss Liddell," smiling good-humoredly.
+"Have you any superstition on the subject?"
+
+"No; I am not superstitious; yet it was curious--I mean, to meet by
+accident on that day just before--" She stopped. "And now I am connected
+with Colonel Ormonde, living with Mr. Payne's sister and--and talking
+here with--_you_."
+
+"These coincidences occur perpetually when people move in the same set,"
+returned Errington, feeling absurdly curious, and yet not knowing how to
+get at the train of recollection or association which underlay her
+words--words evidently unstudied and impulsive.
+
+"I suppose so. And, you know--Mr. Payne," Katherine continued,
+quickly--"how good he is! He lives completely for others."
+
+"Yes, I believe him to be thoroughly, honestly good. How hard he toils,
+and with what a pitiful result!"
+
+"I wish he would go. Why does he stand there making conversation?"
+thought Katherine, while she said aloud: "I don't see that. If every one
+helped two or three poor creatures whom they knew, we should not have
+all this poverty and suffering which are distracting to think about."
+
+"I doubt it; it would be more likely to pauperize the whole nation."
+
+Here Charlie and Cis, with earth-stained knees and hands--the latter
+full of violets--reluctantly descended. Adding these to the basket
+already overflowing, they had a short wrangle as to who should carry it,
+and then Katherine turned her steps homeward. Errington passed the
+bridle over his arm, and to her great annoyance, walked beside her.
+
+"Are you, then, disposed to give yourself to faith and to good works?"
+
+"I do not know. I should like to help those who want, but I fear I am
+too fond of pleasure to sacrifice myself--at least I was and I suppose
+the love will return. Of course it is easy to give money; it is hard to
+give one's self."
+
+"You seem very philosophic for so young a lady."
+
+"I am not young," said Katherine, sadly; "I am years older than Lady
+Alice."
+
+"How many--one or two?" asked Errington, in his kind, fatherly, somewhat
+superior tone, which rather irritated her.
+
+"The years I mean are not to be measured by the ordinary standard; even
+_you_ must know that some years last longer--no, that is not the
+expression--press heavier than others."
+
+"Even I? Do you think I am specially matter-of-fact?"
+
+"I have no right to think you anything, for I do not know you; but you
+give me that impression."
+
+"I dare say I am; nor do I see why I should object to be so considered."
+
+Here Cecil, who got tired of a conversation from which he could gather
+nothing, put in his oar: "Are you Mr. Errington?"
+
+"I am. How do you know my name?"
+
+"I saw you going out with the Colonel to the meet--oh, a long while ago!
+And Miss Richards and nurse were talking about you."
+
+"They said you had a real St. Bernard dog--one that gets the people out
+of the snow," cried Charlie. "Will you let him come here? I want to see
+him."
+
+"_You_ had better come and pay him a visit."
+
+"Oh yes, thank you!" exclaimed Cis. "Auntie will take us, perhaps.
+Auntie will take us to the sea-side, and then we shall bathe, and go in
+boats, and learn to row."
+
+"Cis, run with me to that big tree at the foot of the hill. Auntie will
+carry the basket," cried Charlie, and the next moment they were off.
+
+"Fine little fellows," said Errington. "I like children."
+
+"I am going to ask Mrs. Ormonde to lend them to me for a few months, for
+they are all I have of kith or kin."
+
+"They are not at all like you," returned Errington, letting his quiet,
+but to her most embarrassing, eyes rest upon her face.
+
+"Yet they are my only brother's children." Here Katherine paused with a
+sense of relief; they had reached a stile where a footway led across
+some fields and a piece of common overgrown with bracken and gorse. It
+was the short-cut to Castleford, by which Cecil had led her to the
+Melford Woods.
+
+"Oh, do come round by the road, auntie," he exclaimed; "perhaps Mr.
+Errington will let me ride his horse."
+
+"I do not know if _he_ will, Cis, but I certainly will not. I am tired
+too, dear, and want to get home the shortest way I can, so bid Mr.
+Errington good-by, and come with me. No, don't shake hands; yours are
+much too dirty."
+
+"Never mind; when you are a big boy I'll give you a mount. Good by,
+Master Charlie--_you_ are Charlie, are you not? Till we meet at dinner,
+Miss Liddell." He raised his hat, and divining that she wished him to
+let her get over the stile unassisted, he mounted his horse and rode
+swiftly away.
+
+"I am sure he would have given me a ride if you had gone by the road,
+auntie," said Cecil, reproachfully.
+
+"I could not have allowed, you, dear; so do not think about it."
+Errington meanwhile rode on, unconsciously slackening his pace as he
+mused. "No, she certainly has never seen me before, yet she knows me.
+How? She was very glad to get rid of me just now. Why? I am inoffensive
+enough. There is something uncommon about her; she gives me the idea of
+having a history, which is anything but desirable for a young woman.
+What fine eyes she has! She is something like that Sibyl of Guercino's
+in the Capitol. Why does she object to me? It is rather absurd. I must
+make her talk, then I shall find out."
+
+Here his horse started, and broke the thread of his reflections. By the
+time the steed had pranced and curvetted a little, Errington's thoughts
+had turned into some of their usual graver channels, and Katherine
+Liddell was--well, not absolutely forgotten.
+
+The object of his reflections reached the house rather late for the
+boys' tea, and expecting to find her hostess and Lady Alice enjoying the
+same refreshment, she gave her warm out-door jacket to Cecil, who
+immediately put it on as the best mode of taking it upstairs, and went
+into Mrs. Ormonde's morning-room, where afternoon tea was always served.
+It was a pleasant room in warm summer weather, as its aspect was east,
+and the afternoons were cool and shady there; but of a chill evening at
+the end of March it was cold and dim, and needed the glow of a good fire
+to make it attractive.
+
+Daylight still lingered to the sky, but was fast fading, and the dancing
+light of a cheerful fire was a pleasant contrast to the gray shadows
+without. The room was very nondescript; its furniture was of the spidery
+fashion which ruled when the "first gentleman" held the reins; thin hard
+sofas and scanty draperies were supplemented by Persian rugs and showy
+cushions, while various specimens of doubtful china crowded the
+mantel-piece and consoles. Mrs. Ormonde was quite innocent of original
+taste, but was a quick, industrious imitator, while of comfortable
+chairs she was a most competent judge.
+
+Quite sure of finding Mrs. Ormonde, Lady Alice, and Miss
+Brereton--another visitor--refreshing themselves after their out-door
+exercise, and intending to announce the pleasant news of Errington's
+return, Katherine exclaimed, "Lady Alice!" as she crossed the threshold,
+then seeing no one, stopped.
+
+"Lady Alice is not here," said a strong, harsh voice, and a tall figure
+in a shooting-coat and gaiters rose from the depths of a large
+arm-chair, the back of which was toward the door and stood before her.
+
+Katherine was slightly startled, but guessed it was one of two guests
+expected to arrive that day. She advanced, therefore, and said, "Mrs.
+Ormonde is unusually late, but I am sure she will soon be here."
+
+"Meantime tea is quite ready. It has stood twice the regulation five
+minutes; and is there any just cause or impediment why it should not be
+poured out?"
+
+"Not that I am aware of," returned Katherine, taking off her hat and
+smoothing back her hair, which showed golden tints in the fitful
+fire-light.
+
+The low tea-table was set before the fire, she drew a chair beside it
+and removed the cozy from the teapot.
+
+Recognizing De Burgh from Mrs. Ormonde's description, she felt that he
+was even more at home at Castleford than herself, and she also came to
+the conclusion that he knew who she was. She had been prepared by Mrs.
+Ormonde's evident admiration to dislike De Burgh, having made up her
+mind that he would prove an empty-headed, insolent grandee, whose
+pretensions imposed upon her sister-in-law's somewhat slender
+experience, and whose life was probably given up to physical enjoyment.
+He had not, however, the aspect of a mere pleasure-seeker. His dark,
+strong face and bony frame looked as if he could work as well as play.
+
+"Do you take sugar?"
+
+"No, thank you; neither sugar nor cream."
+
+"Neither? That is very self-denying!"
+
+"Not self-denying! Were I foolish enough to do what I did not like, I
+should take the sugar and cream. They do not happen to please my
+palate."
+
+"It is well we do not all like the same things."
+
+"It is indeed!" He held his cup untasted for a moment, looking
+thoughtfully into the fire. "Tea is the best drink you can have in
+difficult, fatiguing journeys. Even the gold-diggers of Australia know
+that. They drink hard enough when they are on the spree, but when at
+work in earnest they stick to the teapot," he said, turning his eyes
+full upon her with a cool, critical gaze, which half amused, half
+irritated her. It was curious to sit there talking easily with a total
+stranger. Perhaps she ought to have left him to himself, but it was not
+much matter. Looking toward the window to avoid her companion's eyes,
+she exclaimed:
+
+"It is raining quite fast! I am glad I brought the children home before
+this shower."
+
+"An avant-courier of April. You were walking with Mrs. Ormonde's boys,
+then?"
+
+"Yes; I take them out every day."
+
+"An uncommonly good-looking governess," thought De Burgh. "You have not
+been here long, I think?" he said.
+
+"About three weeks. The boys are quite used to me now, and enjoy their
+walks, for I take them outside the grounds," said Katherine, feeling
+sure that De Burgh must guess who she was.
+
+"Indeed! You are a daring innovator. I suppose they were kept on the
+premises till you came?"
+
+"They were; and it is always tiresome to be kept within bounds."
+
+"I quite agree with you. The sentiment is extremely natural, only young
+ladies rarely confess it."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"Oh, you ought to know better than I do. You give me the idea of being a
+plucky woman."
+
+"You must be quick in gathering ideas," said Katherine, dryly.
+
+"Yes; some subjects inspire me," he returned, handing in his cup.
+"Another, please. I am a bit of a physiognomist. I think I could give a
+rough sketch of your character." He stirred the fire to a brighter blaze
+and added, "It is so deuced dark since that shower came on I can hardly
+see you, but I will tell you my ideas, if you care to hear them."
+
+"Yes, I should," she returned, laughing. "It will be curious to hear the
+result of an instantaneous estimate. Why, five minutes ago you had never
+seen me."
+
+"Five minutes? No; ten at least. Well, then, I should say you are a
+remarkably plucky girl, though perhaps not impervious to panic. And, let
+me see," fixing his keen, fierce eyes on hers, "gifted with no small
+power of enjoyment. With a strong dash of the rebel in you, and--well, I
+could tell you more, but I won't."
+
+Katherine laughed good-humoredly.
+
+"Have I hit it off?" he asked, after waiting for her to speak.
+
+"I cannot tell. Do we ever know ourselves?"
+
+"That's true; but few admit their ignorance. I begin to think that you
+are dangerous, in addition to your other qualities, as you can refrain
+from discussing yourself; that is a bait which draws out most women."
+
+"And most men," added Katherine. "We haven't much to reproach each other
+with on that score."
+
+"No, I must admit that. Self is a fascinating topic."
+
+"Some more tea?" asked Katherine, demurely.
+
+"No, thank you. I am not absolutely insatiable. Tell me," he went on,
+with a quaint familiarity which was not offensive, "how can a girl with
+your nature--mind, I have not told half I guess--how can you stand your
+life here--walking about with those brats, making tea while the others
+are out amusing themselves, hammering away at the same round day after
+day? You are made for different things."
+
+"I should not care to live at Castleford all the days of my life," said
+Katherine, a little surprised by his question, and feeling there was a
+mistake somewhere; "but I do not intend to stay long."
+
+"Oh, indeed! How do you get on with Mrs. Ormonde? She doesn't worry you
+about the boys? She is a jolly, pretty little woman; but you are not
+exactly the sort of young lady I should have fancied would be her
+choice."
+
+"Why not?" asked Katherine, beginning to see his mistake.
+
+"Because"--began De Burgh, looking full at her, and then paused. "You
+are too handsome by half!" were the words on his lips, but he did not
+utter them; he substituted, "You don't seem quite the thing for Mrs.
+Ormonde."
+
+"She finds I suit her admirably," said Katherine, gravely.
+
+"I don't quite understand"--De Burgh was beginning, when the door opened
+to admit Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"Ah, Mr. De Burgh, I did not expect you so early; but I am glad
+Katherine was here to give you your tea. It is not necessary to
+introduce you. I was afraid you would have been caught in that shower,
+Katie."
+
+"We just escaped it. I hope Lady Alice has found shelter, or she will
+renew her cold."
+
+"You are Miss Liddell, then?" said De Burgh, as he placed a chair for
+Mrs. Ormonde and took her cloak.
+
+"To be sure. Didn't you guess who she was?"
+
+"Mr. De Burgh guessed a good deal, but he did not guess my identity,"
+said Katherine, handing her a cup of tea.
+
+"What! Were you playing at cross questions and crooked answers?"
+
+"Something of that sort," he returned, and changed the subject by asking
+if they had heard how Errington's father was.
+
+"Better, I suppose, for Mr. Errington has returned. He met us when we
+were in Melford Woods."
+
+"I dare say he met Alice and Miss Brereton, then," said Mrs. Ormonde;
+"they were riding in that direction."
+
+"Lady Alice will be taken care of, then," said Katherine, and taking her
+hat she went away, seeing that Mrs. Ormonde was quite ready to absorb
+the conversation.
+
+"So that is Katherine Liddell," said De Burgh, looking after her,
+regardless of Mrs. Ormonde's declaration that she was going to scold
+him.
+
+"Yes. Is she not like what you expected?"
+
+"Expected? I did not expect anything; but she isn't a bit like what you
+described."
+
+"How so? Did I say too much?"
+
+"Yes, a great deal too much, but the wrong way."
+
+"What do you mean?"
+
+"Why, you talked as if she was a regular gushing school-girl, ready to
+swallow any double-barrelled compliment one chose to offer, whereas she
+is a finely developed woman, by Jove! with brains too, or I am much
+mistaken. Why, my charming little friend, she is older in some ways than
+you are."
+
+"Oh, nonsense. You need not flatter _me_."
+
+"It's not flattery, it's--"
+
+The arrival of the riding party with the addition of Errington prevented
+him from finishing his sentence.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+HANDLING THE RIBBONS.
+
+
+De Burgh was told off to take Katherine in to dinner that day and the
+next, and bestowed a good deal of his attention on her during the
+evening. He rather amused her, for he was a new type to her. The men she
+had met during her sojourn on the Continent were chiefly polished French
+and Italians, whose softness and respectful manner to women were perhaps
+exaggerated, and a sprinkling of diplomatic and dilettante Englishmen.
+De Burgh's style was curiously--almost roughly--frank, yet there was an
+unmistakable air of distinction about him. He seemed not to think it
+worth while to take trouble about anything, yet he could talk well when
+by chance a topic interested him, Katherine would have been very dull
+had she not perceived that he was attracted by her. She was by no means
+so exalted a character as to be indifferent to his tribute; nevertheless
+she was half afraid of the cynical, outspoken, high-born Bohemian, who
+seemed to have small respect for people or opinions. She showed little
+of this feeling, however, having held her own with spirit in their
+various arguments, as, it need scarcely be said, they rarely agreed.
+
+"What is this mysterious piece of work I see constantly in your hands?"
+asked De Burgh, taking his place beside Katherine when the men came in
+after dinner a few days after his arrival.
+
+"It is a black silk stocking for Cecil."
+
+"One of the nephews, eh? So you are capable of knitting! It must be a
+dreary occupation."
+
+"No; it becomes mechanical, and it is better than sitting with folded
+hands."
+
+"I am not sure it is. I have great faith in natures that can take
+complete rest--men who can do nothing, absolutely nothing--and so create
+a reserve fund of fresh energy for the next hour of need. There is no
+strength in fidgety feverishness."
+
+"There is not much feverishness in knitting," returned Katherine,
+beginning a new row.
+
+"There is very little feverishness about _you_, yet you are not placid.
+I am extending and verifying my original estimate of your character, you
+see."
+
+"A most interesting occupation," said Katherine, carelessly.
+
+"_Yes_, most interesting. I wish I had more frequent opportunities of
+studying it; but one never sees you all day. Where do you hide
+yourself?"
+
+"I take long rambles with the children, and--" She paused.
+
+"Does it amuse you to play nurse-maid?"
+
+"Yes, at present. Then my nephews and I were playfellows long ago."
+
+"I imagine it is a taste that will not last."
+
+"Perhaps not."
+
+"Miss Brereton and Lady Alice, with Errington and myself, are going to
+ride over to Melford Abbey to-morrow. You will, I hope, be of the
+party?"
+
+"Thank you. I do not ride."
+
+"It is rather refreshing to meet a young lady who is not horsy, but it
+is a loss to yourself not to ride."
+
+"I dare say it is. Yet what one has never known cannot be a loss. I am
+sorry I was not accustomed to ride in my youth."
+
+"It is not too late to learn, remote as that period must be," said De
+Burgh, smiling. "You are in the headquarters of horsemen and horsewomen
+at present. Appoint me your riding-master, and in a couple of months I
+shall be proud of my pupil."
+
+"I am not particularly brave," she returned, "and the experiment would
+produce more pain than pleasure."
+
+"Pain! nothing of the kind. I have a capital lady's horse, steady as a
+rock, splendid pacer, temper of an angel. He is quite at your service.
+Let me telegraph for him, and begin your lessons the day after
+to-morrow." De Burgh raised himself from his lounging position, and
+leaned forward to urge his pleading more earnestly. "Let me persuade
+you. You will thank me hereafter."
+
+"Thank you," said Katherine, shaking her head. "It is too late. I shall
+never learn how to ride, but I should like to know how to drive."
+
+"There I can be of use to you too. You will want an instructor. Pray
+take me!"
+
+The last words, spoken a little louder than the rest, caught Mrs.
+Ormonde's ear as she was crossing the room, and she paused beside her
+sister-in-law to ask, "Take him for what?--for better or worse,
+Katherine?"
+
+"Blundering little idiot!" thought De Burgh; while Katherine answered,
+with remarkable composure.
+
+"Nothing so formidable; only to be my instructor in the art of driving."
+
+"Well, and do you accept?"
+
+"Yes; I shall be very pleased to learn. I should like to be able to
+'conduct' a pair of ponies, as the French would say."
+
+"Ah yes! and cut a dash in the Park," said Mrs. Ormonde, taking the seat
+De Burgh reluctantly vacated for her. "I don't see why she should not,
+Mr. De Burgh; do you?"
+
+"Certainly not, provided only Miss Liddell can handle the ribbons."
+
+"Very well, Katherine: you devote yourself to acquire the art here, and
+then join us in a house in town this spring. I was reading the
+advertisements in the _Times_ to-day. I always look at the houses to
+let, and there is one to let in Chester Square which would suit us
+exactly; that is, if you will join. She ought to have a season in town,
+ought she not, Mr. De Burgh?"
+
+He looked keenly at Katherine, and smiled. "Yes, Miss Liddell ought to
+taste the incomparable delights of the season by all means. Life is
+incomplete without it."
+
+"I should like to experience it certainly, for once, but I shall be more
+in the mood for such excitements next year--_perhaps_," returned
+Katherine, gravely.
+
+"Oh, my dear Katie, never put things off! At all events, be presented.
+That would be a sort of beginning; and I am to be presented too, so we
+might go together."
+
+"I do not intend to be presented," said Katherine; "it would be needless
+trouble. I have not the least ambition to go to court."
+
+"But, Katherine, it is absolutely necessary to take your proper position
+in society. It is not, Mr. De Burgh?"
+
+"What is your objection?" asked De Burgh, disregarding his hostess. "Are
+you too radical, or too transcendental, or what?"
+
+"Neither. I simply do not care to go, and do not see the necessity of
+going."
+
+"You were always the strangest girl!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, a good deal
+annoyed. "But still, if you were with _us_, you might see a good deal--"
+
+"You know, Ada, I am fixed for this year, and would not change even if I
+could."
+
+"Forgive me for interrupting you," said Errington, coming from the next
+room. "But if you are disengaged, Lady Alice would be greatly obliged by
+your playing for her."
+
+"Certainly," cried Katherine. She had a sort of pleasure in obliging
+Errington, and Lady Alice for his sake; and putting her knitting into
+its little case, she rose and accompanied him to what was called the
+music-room, because it contained a grand piano and an old, nearly
+stringless violin.
+
+"I don't think," said De Burgh, looking after her, "that your
+sister-in-law is quite as much under your influence as you fancy."
+
+"Oh, don't you?" cried Mrs. Ormonde, feeling a flash of dislike to
+Katherine thrill through her. It was terribly trying to find an admirer,
+of whom she was so proud, drawn from her by that "tiresome, obstinate
+girl"; it was also enough to vex a saint to see her turn a deaf ear to
+her more experienced and highly placed sister's suggestion. "When you
+know a little more of her you will see how obstinate and headstrong she
+is."
+
+"Ah! troublesome qualities those, especially in a rich woman, and a
+handsome one to boot. There is something very taking about that
+sister-in-law of yours, Mrs. Ormonde. If I were Lady Alice I wouldn't
+trust Errington with her: she would be a dangerous rival."
+
+"Oh, nonsense! Do you think our Admirable Crichton could go wrong?"
+
+"I don't know. If he ever does, he'll go a tremendous cropper."
+
+"Well, Mr. De Burgh, if you would like to go in and win, you had better
+make the running now. Once she 'comes out' in town, you will find a host
+of competitors."
+
+"Ha! I suppose you think a rugged fellow like me would have little or no
+chance with the curled darlings of May Fair and South Kensington?" Mrs.
+Ormonde looked down on her fan, but did not speak. De Burgh laughed.
+"Who is going to bring her out?" he asked.
+
+"I am," with dignity.
+
+De Burgh's reply was short and simple. He said, "Oh!" and the
+interjection (is there an interjection now?--I am not young enough to
+know) brought the color to Mrs. Ormonde's cheek and a frown to her fair
+brow. "The young lady is, on the whole, original," he continued. "She
+does not care to be presented."
+
+"Do you believe her? I don't. She only said so from love of
+contradicting."
+
+"Yes, I believe her; she does not care about it now; but she will
+probably get the court fever after a plunge into London life. Who is
+singing?--that is something different from the penny whistling Lady
+Alice gives us."
+
+"Why it must be Katherine! It is the first time she has sung since she
+came. She is always afraid of breaking down, she says. I don't believe
+she has sung since the death of her mother." De Burgh's only reply was
+to walk into the next room. Leaving Mrs. Ormonde in a state of
+irritation against him, Katherine, and the world in general.
+
+Katherine was singing a gay Neapolitan air. She had a rich, sympathetic
+voice, and sang with arch expression.
+
+Errington stood beside her, and Lady Alice, the rector's wife and one or
+two other guests, were grouped round.
+
+"Thank you. That is thoroughly Italian. You must have studied a good
+deal," said Errington, who rather liked music, and was accustomed to the
+best.
+
+"Very nice indeed," added Lady Alice. "Very nice" was her highest
+praise. "I should like to learn the song."
+
+"I do not think it would suit you," observed Errington.
+
+"Why, Katherine, I had no notion you could 'tune up' in this way," cried
+Colonel Ormonde. "Give us another, like a good girl; something
+English--'Robin Adair.' There was a fellow in 'ours' used to sing it
+capitally."
+
+"I cannot sing it, Colonel Ormonde. I am very sorry."
+
+"Oh, Katherine! I have heard you sing it a hundred times," cried Mrs.
+Ormonde, joining them. "Why, it was a great favorite with poor dear Mrs.
+Liddell."
+
+"I cannot sing it, Ada," repeated Katherine, quick and low. As she spoke
+she caught Errington's eyes.
+
+"No one ought to dictate to a songstress," he said, very decidedly.
+"Give us anything you like, so long as you sing."
+
+Kate bent her head, feeling that he understood her, and her hands
+wandered over the keys for a minute; then, with a glance at Colonel
+Ormonde, she began "Jock o' Hazeldean."
+
+Katherine was not the kind of girl to nurse her grief, to dwell upon it
+with morbid insistence: but she remembered, warmly, lovingly. At times
+gusts of passionate regret swept over her and shook her self-control,
+and she dared not attempt her mother's favorite song; the mere request
+for it called up a cloud of memories. She saw the dear face, the sweet
+faded blue eyes that used to dwell upon her so tenderly, with such
+unutterable content. No other eyes would ever look upon her thus; never
+again could she hope for such perfect sympathy as she had once known.
+
+"Does that make up for 'Robin Adair,' Colonel Ormonde?" she said when
+the song was ended.
+
+"A very good song and very well sung, but it's not equal to 'Robin
+Adair.'"
+
+"Lady Alice, will you try that duet of Helmer's?" asked Katherine; and
+Lady Alice graciously assented.
+
+"I shall miss your accompaniment dreadfully when I leave," she said,
+when the duet was accomplished. "I feel so sure when you play, and you
+help me. I hope you will come and see me. Lady Mary, my aunt, would be
+very pleased; don't you think she would?" to Errington, appealingly.
+
+"Certainly. I hope, Miss Liddell, you will not desert Alice. If you will
+permit it, Lady Mary Vincent will have the pleasure of calling on you."
+
+"That will be very kind," returned Katherine, softly. If this man were
+safely married and settled, she thought, she would like to be friends
+with his wife, and serve him in any way she could. If his eyes did not
+always confuse and distress her, how much she could like him!
+
+As she rose from the piano, De Burgh, who had been speaking aside with
+Colonel Ormonde, left him to join her. "I have settled it all with
+Ormonde," he said. "I am to have the pony-carriage and the dun ponies
+(not those Mrs. Ormonde generally drives) to-morrow; so, if it does not
+rain, I'll give you your first lesson; that is, _if_ you will allow me."
+
+"You are very prompt," returned Katherine, "and very good to take so
+much trouble. If it is fine, then, to-morrow. Pray arm yourself with
+patience. Are not the dun ponies rather frisky?"
+
+"Spirited, but free from vice. Ormonde had them from _my_ stables. It's
+no use learning to drive with dull, inanimate brutes. You'll consider
+yourself engaged?"
+
+"I do, if Mrs. Ormonde does not want me to go anywhere with her."
+
+"She will not," said De Burgh, confidently.
+
+"Good-night," returned Katherine. "Tell Mrs. Ormonde I have stolen away,
+for I have a slight headache."
+
+"What? going already?" cried De Burgh. "No more songs? The evening,
+then, is over."
+
+
+The following day was soft and bright. March had evidently made up his
+martial mind to go out in a lamb-like fashion, and De Burgh was
+unusually amiable and communicative. "When shall you be ready to start?"
+he asked, following Katherine from the breakfast-table.
+
+"To start where?" she asked.
+
+"What! have you forgotten our plans of last night?" was his
+counter-question. "I am to give you your first lesson in driving this
+morning. I only wait your orders before going to see the ponies put in.
+We had better take advantage of the fine morning."
+
+"Ay, that's right, De Burgh; make hay while the sun shines," said
+Ormonde, with his usual tact and jocularity. "But it would be better to
+have tried a quieter pair than Dick and Dandie."
+
+"I think you may trust Miss Liddell to me," returned De Burgh,
+impatiently. "Well, when shall I bring round the trap?"
+
+"Whenever you like. I am afraid you have set yourself a tiresome task."
+
+De Burgh laughed. "If you prove careless or disobedient, why, I'll not
+repeat the dose. In half an hour, then, I'll have the carriage at the
+door."
+
+That half-hour was spent by Katherine in explaining to Cis and Charlie
+that she could not go out with them that day, for the morning was
+promised to De Burgh, and after luncheon she had undertaken to try over
+the song which had pleased her with Lady Alice, who was to leave the
+next day. The little fellows thought themselves very ill-used. But Miss
+Richards, who had greatly prized her deliverance from long muddy rambles
+since Katherine's advent, promised to take them to fish in a stream
+which ran between the Castleford and Melford properties.
+
+"Do you suppose I shall dare to touch the reins of these terrible
+creatures?" said Katherine when De Burgh dashed up to the door, and held
+the spirited, impatient animals steady with some difficulty.
+
+"We'll get rid of some of the steam first, and you will get accustomed
+to their playfulness," he returned. "Here, Ormonde, haven't you a rug
+for Miss Liddell? It may come on to rain."
+
+"Yes; here you are;" and Colonel Ormonde, who was examining the
+turn-out, tucked up his fair guest carefully, and warned them to be back
+in good time, as he wanted De Burgh to ride over with him to see some
+horses which were for sale a mile or two at the other side of Monckton.
+
+"What a frightful pace;" said Katherine, after they had whirled out of
+the gates, yet feeling comforted by De Burgh's evident mastery of the
+ponies.
+
+"You are not frightened? Don't you think I can manage them?"
+
+"I am not comfortable, because I am not accustomed to horses and furious
+driving."
+
+"Oh, they will settle down presently. Where shall we go--through
+Garston? It's a fine place. Perhaps you have seen it?"
+
+"I have not, and I should like to see it very much." She was delighted
+with the suggestion. It would be a help to her, a consolation, to see so
+visible a token of Errington's wealth.
+
+"Curious fellow, Errington," resumed De Burgh. "I suppose he is about
+the only man who isn't spoiled by the most unbroken prosperity. Still, a
+fellow who never did anything wrong in his life is rather uninteresting;
+don't you think so?"
+
+"Has he never done anything wrong? That seems rather incredible."
+
+"If he has, he has kept it deucedly close. But you are right; it is very
+incredible."
+
+They drove on for a while in silence. It was a delicious morning--a blue
+sky flecked with fleecy white clouds, bright sunlight, birds singing,
+hedges budding, all nature welcoming the first sweet intoxication of
+renewed youth stirring in her veins. Katherine loved the spring-time,
+and felt its influence profoundly, but it was the first spring in which
+she had been alone; this time last year she--they--had been at
+Bordighera. How heavenly fair it had been! But De Burgh was speaking:
+
+"You did not hear, or rather heed, what I said, Miss Liddell; that's not
+civil."
+
+"Indeed it is not--forgive me. What did you say?"
+
+"I suppose you like country life best, as you demolished Mrs. Ormonde's
+scheme respecting a house in town so promptly?"
+
+"I enjoy looking at the country, but I know nothing of country life. I
+am not sure I should like it."
+
+"What's your objection to drawing-rooms and balls--the season
+generally?"
+
+"I do not object; but is my deep mourning suited to these gayeties, Mr.
+De Burgh?"
+
+"Well, no. I beg your pardon. Mrs. Ormonde started it, you know. I fancy
+it would take double-distilled mourning to keep her out of the swim."
+
+"It is impossible for one nature to judge another which is totally
+different, fairly."
+
+"Very true and very prudent. I have not got to the bottom of your
+character yet, but I am pursuing my studies," said De Burgh, with a grim
+sort of smile. "You see they are settling down to their work now,"
+pointing his whip to the ponies. "I'll give you the reins in a minute or
+two."
+
+"I think I ought to begin with something quieter," said Katherine,
+looking at them uneasily.
+
+De Burgh laughed. "There is a nice stretch of level road before
+us--nothing to interfere with you. Change places with me, if you please.
+Here, put the reins between your fingers--so; now a turn of the wrist
+guides them. I'll hold your hand for a bit. You had better not let the
+whip touch them--so. There you are. I'll show you how to handle the
+ribbons before you are a fortnight older; that is if you will come out
+every day with me."
+
+"Would you take that trouble?" exclaimed Katherine.
+
+"I can take a good deal of trouble if I like my work. Now hold them
+steady, and keep your eye on them. When we come to the trees, on there,
+turn to the left."
+
+"So far there doesn't seem to be much difficulty; they seem to go all
+right of their own accord," she said, after a few minutes.
+
+"They are a capital pair; but there is nothing to disturb them."
+
+For the rest of the way to Garston, De Burgh only spoke to give the
+lesson he had undertaken, and Katherine found herself growing interested
+and pleased. When they entered the gates, however, she asked him to take
+the reins. She wanted to look about her, to remark the surroundings of
+Errington's house.
+
+It was a fine place, somewhat flat, perhaps, but beautiful with splendid
+trees, and a small lake, through which ran the stream in another part of
+which Cis and Charlie were going to fish. The house stood well, the
+grounds were admirably laid out and perfectly kept; evidences of wealth
+were on all sides.
+
+"I suppose it costs a great deal of money to keep up a place like this,"
+said Katherine, breaking a silence which had lasted some minutes: De
+Burgh never troubled himself to speak unless he really had something to
+say.
+
+"I shouldn't care to live here on less than ten thousand a year," he
+returned, glancing round.
+
+"And has Mr. Errington all that money?"
+
+"His father has a good deal more. He bought this place for him, I
+believe. Old Errington is very wealthy, and on his last legs, from what
+I hear."
+
+"Ten thousand a year! What a quantity of money!"
+
+"Hem! I think I could get through it without much trouble."
+
+"Then you have always been rich?"
+
+"Rich! I have been on the verge of bankruptcy all my life. I never knew
+what it was to have enough money."
+
+"But you seem to have gone everywhere and done everything."
+
+"Yes, by discounting my future at a ruinous rate," he returned, with a
+sort of reckless candor that amused his hearer. "You scarcely understand
+me, I suppose."
+
+"I think I do. I know how uncomfortable it is to want money."
+
+"Indeed! Still, it's not so hard on women as on men."
+
+"Why?"
+
+"We want so much more."
+
+"Then you have so many more chances of earning it."
+
+"Earning it! Oh, that is a new view of the case!"
+
+"I should not mind doing it; that is, if I could succeed."
+
+"Do you know, I took you for your nephews' governess. It never crossed
+my mind you were an heiress. As a rule, heiresses are revolting to the
+last degree."
+
+"I feel the compliment."
+
+"Remember, I like their money, only I object to its being encumbered."
+
+"You are wonderfully frank, Mr. De Burgh."
+
+"I dare say you said 'brutally frank' in your thoughts, Miss Liddell,
+and you are right. I am rather a bad lot, and a little too old to mend.
+But let it be a saving clause in your mind, if I ever recur to it, that
+the fact of your being nice enough for the governess impelled me to
+offer driving lessons to the heiress. Will you take the reins? You might
+hold them forever if you choose."
+
+"Not yet, thank you--when we get out on the road again," returned
+Katherine, not seeing or seeming to see his covert meaning. "You are
+surely not a democrat?"
+
+"A democrat? No. I have no particular view as regards politics; but if
+the devil ever got so completely the upper hand in this world as to
+leave it without a class to serve and obey _us_, their natural
+superiors, I'd decline to stay here any longer, and descend by the help
+of a bullet to lower regions, where I should have better society."
+
+"More congenial society, I am sure," said Katherine, laughing, though
+revolted by his tone. She felt it would never do to show she was. "You
+are quite different from any one _I_ ever met. Do you know, you give me
+the idea of a wicked Norman Baron in the Middle Ages."
+
+De Burgh laughed, as if he rather enjoyed the observation. "I know," he
+said; "a regular melodramatic villain, 'away with him to the lowest
+dungeon beneath the castle moat' sort of fellow, who would draw a Jew's
+teeth before breakfast and roast a restive burgher after. I wonder,
+considering you possess the two strongest attractions for men of this
+description--money and (may I say it?) beauty--that you trust yourself
+with me."
+
+"Ah! you concealed your vile opinions successfully; so you see I could
+not know my danger," returned Katherine, laughing. "You are not at all a
+modern man."
+
+"I accept the compliment."
+
+"Which I did not intend for one. When we get through the gates I will
+take the reins again."
+
+"Certainly; but the ponies' heads will be turned homeward, and I am
+afraid they will pull. They have steadied down wonderfully." The rest of
+the drive was spent in careful instruction, and Katherine was surprised
+to find how quickly the time had gone when they reached the house.
+
+De Burgh interested her in spite of her dislike of the opinions and
+sentiments he expressed. There was something picturesque about the man,
+and she felt that he was attracted to her in a curious and almost
+alarming manner. Yet she was conscious of an inclination to play with
+fire. It was some time since she felt so light-hearted. The sight of
+Errington's luxurious surroundings seemed to take something from the
+load upon her conscience, and this sense of partial relief gave
+brilliancy to her eyes, as the fresh balmy air gave her something of her
+former rich coloring.
+
+"By Jove!" cried Colonel Ormonde, as Katherine took her place at
+luncheon, "your drive has agreed with you. I've never seen you look so
+well. You must pursue the treatment. How did she get on, De Burgh?"
+
+"Not so badly. But Miss Liddell is more timid than I expected. She'll
+get accustomed to the look of the cattle in a little while. Courage is
+largely made up of a habit. I'll take some of that cold lamb, Ormonde."
+And De Burgh spoke no more till he had finished his luncheon.
+
+"Do you know, Miss Liddell, that my father was an old friend of your
+uncle's?" said Errington that evening, as he placed himself beside her
+on a retired sofa, while Miss Brereton was executing some gymnastics on
+the piano. "I have just been taking to Ormonde about him. I remember
+having been sent to call upon him--long ago, when I was at college, I
+think. He lived in some wild north-land; I remember it was a great way
+off. Then my father went for a trip to Calcutta, and I fancy lost sight
+of his old chum."
+
+Katherine grew red and white as he spoke; she could only murmur, "Yes, I
+was told they had been friends."
+
+"Then you must accept me as a hereditary friend," said Errington,
+kindly. "I shall tell my father that I have made your acquaintance,
+though he does not take much interest in anything now, I am sorry to
+say."
+
+"I am sorry--" faltered Katherine.
+
+"Both Lady Alice and I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you in town,"
+continued Errington, having waited in vain for her to finish her
+sentence. "I am going to see her safely in her aunt's charge to-morrow,
+and shall not return, I fancy, till you have left."
+
+"You are both very good. I shall be most happy to see you again,"
+returned Katherine, mastering her forces, though she felt ready to fly
+and hide her guilty head in any corner. Errington felt that she was
+unusually uneasy and uncomfortable with him, so made way the more
+readily for De Burgh, who monopolized her for rest of the evening.
+
+The next day was wet, and for a week the weather was unsettled, so that
+Katherine had only one more lesson in driving before the party broke up,
+and De Burgh too was obliged to leave.
+
+But Katherine prolonged her stay. Charlie, in ardor for fishing, had
+slipped into the river and caught a severe, feverish cold.
+
+The way in which he clung to his auntie, the evident comfort he derived
+from her presence, the delight he had in holding her cool soft hand in
+his own burning little fingers, made him impossible for her to leave
+him. By the time he was able to sit up and play with his brother, poor
+Charlie was a pallid little skeleton, and his auntie bade him a tender
+adieu, determined to lose no time in finding sea-side quarters for the
+precious invalid.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+TAKING COUNSEL.
+
+
+Miss Payne was busy looking over several cards which lay in a small
+china dish on her work-table. It was early in the forenoon, and she
+still wore a simple muslin cap and a morning gown of gray cashmere. Her
+mouth looked very rigid and her eyes gloomy. To her enters her brother,
+fresh and bright, a smile on his lips and a flower in his button-hole.
+
+Miss Payne vouchsafed no greeting. Looking at him sternly, she asked,
+"Well! what do you want?"
+
+"To ask at what hour Miss Liddell arrives, and if I am to meet her at
+the station."
+
+"She is not coming to-day," snapped Miss Payne; "she is not coming till
+Saturday."
+
+"Indeed!" In a changed tone, "I hope she is all right?"
+
+"It's hard to answer that. It seems one of the nephews has had a
+feverish cold, and she did not like to leave him. I do not feel sure
+there is not some real reason under this, for she adds that she is
+anxious to see and consult me about some matter she has much at heart.
+Perhaps there is a man at the bottom of it."
+
+"I hope not," said Bertie, quietly, "unless she has found some former
+friend at Castleford. I do not think Miss Liddell is the sort of girl to
+accept a man on five or six weeks' acquaintance, and she has scarcely
+been at Castleford so long."
+
+"It is impossible to fathom the folly of women when a lover is in the
+case."
+
+"You are hard, Hannah."
+
+"I do not care whether I am or not. I don't want to lose Miss Liddell
+before the time agreed for."
+
+"No doubt she is a profitable--"
+
+"It is no question of profit," interrupted Miss Payne, grimly. "Whether
+she goes or whether she stays she is bound to me financially for twelve
+months. But I am interested in Katherine, and it will be far better for
+her to stay on here and feel her way before she launches into the whirl
+of what they call society. I want to save her for a while from the wild
+rush of dressing, driving, dining, dancing, that has swept away all my
+girls sooner or later. Look here: the mothers are flocking round her
+already." She began to take the cards out of the dish and read the
+names: "Lady Mary Vincent, 23 Waldegrave Crescent; she is a sister of
+that Lord Melford who ran such a rig years ago. _Her_ boys are still at
+Eton. I suppose she comes because her niece and Miss Liddell have struck
+up a friendship at Castleford. Then here are Mrs. and Miss Alford; we
+all knew them in Rome; there's a son _there_; they are respectable
+people, well off, and fighting their way up judiciously enough. Lady
+Barrington; _she_ has a nephew, but she will be useful. Mr. and Mrs.
+Tracey; they were at Florence, and have a couple of daughters; there may
+be a nephew or a cousin, but I never heard of one; they are pleasant,
+sensible, artistic people, who just enjoy themselves and don't trouble.
+Lady Mildred Reptan, Miss Brereton, John de Burgh; I don't know these.
+All these people evidently think she is in town, or have only just come
+themselves, but you see the outlook."
+
+"John de Burgh," repeated Bertie, thoughtfully. "I remember something
+about him; nothing particularly good. I believe he is on the turf. Yes,
+he is a famous steeple-chase rider, and rather fast--not too desirable a
+follower for Miss Liddell."
+
+"She met him at Castleford, and I rather think he is related to Colonel
+Ormonde." Miss Payne put back the cards in the dish as she spoke, and
+remained silent for some instants.
+
+"You will be glad when Miss Liddell returns," said Bertie.
+
+"So will you," she returned, tartly. "But I hope you won't dip into her
+purse so freely as you used for your reformed drunkards and ragged
+orphans. It was _too_ bad."
+
+"Miss Liddell never waits to be asked. She seems on the lookout for
+cases on which to bestow money. As she has plenty, why should I hesitate
+to accept it?"
+
+Miss Payne slowly rubbed her nose with the handle of a small hook she
+used for pulling out the loops of her tatting. "Katherine Liddell is an
+uncommon sort of girl," she said, "but I like her. I have an idea that
+she likes me better than any of the others did, yet there are not many
+things on which we agree. She is a little flighty in some ways, but she
+has some sense too, some notion of the value of money; she does not lose
+her dead about dress, nor does she buy costly baubles at the jewellers'.
+She, certainly wastes a good many pounds on books, when a three-guinea
+subscription to Mudie's would answer the purpose quite as well. Then
+she is honestly deeply grieved at the loss of her mother, but she does
+not parade it, or nurse it either, and I think she has some opinion of
+_my_ judgment. Still she is a little unsettled, and not quite happy."
+
+"I think she deserves to be happy," observed Bertie, with an air of
+conviction--"if any erring mortal can deserve anything."
+
+"We seldom get our deserts, either way, _here_; indeed, this world is so
+upside down I am inclined to believe there must be another to put it
+straight."
+
+"We have fortunately better proof than that," returned her brother,
+gravely.
+
+"I must say I feel very curious to know what Katherine's plan is; I am
+terrible afraid there is a man in it."
+
+"Nothing more probable;" and Bertie fell into a fit of thought. "You
+know Mrs. Needham!" he asked suddenly.
+
+"Well, I just know her."
+
+"She is a most earnest, energetic woman, though we are not quite of one
+mind on all subjects. She wants to secure Miss Liddell's assistance in
+getting up a bazar for the Stray Children's Home. I shall bring her to
+call on you."
+
+"Don't!"--very emphatically. "I know more than enough people already,
+and I don't want any well-dressed beggars added to the number."
+
+"Well, I will not interfere; but that is of little consequence. If Mrs.
+Needham wants to come, she'll come."
+
+"I hate these fussy subscription-hunting women!" cried Miss Payne.
+
+"She does _not_ hunt for subscriptions, nor does she take any special
+interest in religious matters, but she approves of this particular
+charity. She is an immensely busy woman, and writes in I don't know now
+many newspapers."
+
+"Newspapers! And are our opinions made up for us by rambling hussies of
+_that_ description?"
+
+Bertie burst out laughing. "If Mrs. Needham heard you!" he exclaimed.
+"She considers herself 'the glass of fashion and the mould of form,' the
+most successful and important woman in the world--the English world."
+
+Miss Payne's only reply was a contemptuous upward toss of the head. "If
+you will be at Euston Square on Saturday to meet the five-fifty train
+from Monckton," she resumed, "I should be obliged to you--Miss Liddell
+travels alone--and you can dine with us if you like after, unless you
+are going to preach the gospel somewhere."
+
+"Thank you. Why do you object to my preaching?"
+
+"Because I like things done decently and in order. You are not ordained,
+and there are plenty of churches and chapels, God knows, for people to
+go to, if they would wash their faces and be decent. Now I can't stay
+here any longer, so good-by for the present." She took up a little
+basket containing an old pair of gloves, large scissors, and a ball of
+twine, and walked briskly away to attend to the plants in her diminutive
+conservatory.
+
+De Burgh did not prolong his absence; he returned to Castleford while
+Katherine was still in attendance on the little invalid; but he found
+his stay neither pleasant nor profitable. Katherine was far too much
+occupied nursing her nephew to give any time or attention to her
+impatient admirer.
+
+"Miss Liddell is a peculiar specimen of her sex," he growled, in his
+usual candid and unaffected manner, as he and Colonel Ormonde sat alone
+over their wine. "She never leaves those brats. She must know that it's
+not every girl _I_ should take the trouble of teaching, and yet she
+throws over each appointment I make. Does she intend to adopt your
+wife's boys? Adopted sons are an appendage no man would like to accept
+with a bride, be she ever so well endowed."
+
+"Oh, she will forget them as soon as she falls in love! You must carry
+on the siege more vigorously."
+
+"How the deuce are you to do it when you never get within hail of the
+fortress? There is something peculiar about Katherine Liddell I can't
+quite make out. If she were a commonplace woman, angular, squinting, or
+generally plain, I could go in and win and collar the cash without
+hesitation, but somehow or other I can't go into the affair in this
+spirit. I want the woman as well as the money."
+
+"Well, I see no reason why you shouldn't have both. Your faintness of
+heart never lost _you_ any fair lady, I am sure, Jack."
+
+"Perhaps not." And he smoked meditatively for a minute or two.
+
+"Then you will not leave us to-morrow?" said Ormonde.
+
+"When does _she_ go up to town?" asked De Burgh.
+
+"On Monday, I believe."
+
+"Then I'll run up the day after to-morrow. Old De Burgh has just come
+back from the Riviera. I'll go and do the dutiful, and tell him I have
+found a suitable partner for my joys and sorrows; it will score to my
+credit. He doesn't half like me, you know. Then I'll have a dozen better
+chances to cultivate Miss Liddell in town, and away from your nursery,
+than I have here. Give me her address. She is a frank, unconventional
+creature, and won't mind coming out with me alone."
+
+"Very true. Mrs. Ormonde has persuaded me to take her to town for a
+couple of months; so we'll be there to back you up."
+
+"Good! Meanwhile I will do my best for my own hand. If she starts on
+Monday, I'll pay my respects to the peerless one by the time she has
+swallowed her luncheon on Tuesday," said De Burgh, with a harsh laugh.
+
+Thus it came to pass that De Burgh's card was amongst those preserved
+for Katherine's inspection; but she postponed her departure first to
+Wednesday, next to Saturday, and De Burgh grew savagely impatient when
+Colonel Ormonde informed him of these changes in a private note.
+
+When at last she did arrive, Miss Payne was struck by the look of
+renewed hope and cheerfulness in her young friend's face. Her movements
+even were more alert, and her voice had lost its languid tone.
+
+"I thought you would find it difficult to get away," said Miss Payne,
+as she assisted her to remove her travelling dress. "But I am very
+pleased to see you again, and to see you looking more like yourself."
+
+"I _feel_ more like my old self," returned Katherine, actually kissing
+Miss Payne--a kind of treatment exceedingly new to her.
+
+"In fact, I am full of a project which will, I hope, make me much
+happier. I will tell you all about it after dinner, if we are alone.
+Your advice will be of great value to me."
+
+"Such as it is, I shall be glad to give it; though I do not suppose
+you'll take it unless it suits your wishes."
+
+"Perhaps not," said Katherine, laughing; "but I think it will."
+
+"She is going to marry some fortune-hunting scamp," thought Miss Payne.
+"I was afraid no good would come of her visit to that little dressy
+dolly sister-in-law of hers." She only said, "Dinner will be ready in
+half an hour, and we shall be quite alone."
+
+Then she went quickly down stairs to her brother, who was gazing out of
+the window, but not seeing what he looked at.
+
+"You can't dine here to-day, Bertie," said Miss Payne, abruptly, as she
+entered the room.
+
+"And why not?"
+
+"Because she wants to have some confidential conversation with me after
+dinner, and we must be alone."
+
+"Have you any idea what it will be about?"
+
+"No; and I am astonished at your putting the question. You may come in
+after church to-morrow if you like."
+
+"Thank you. I shall be rather late, as I am going to an open-air service
+beyond Whitechapel."
+
+"Well, I do hope you'll get something to eat after. Are _you_ going to
+preach?"
+
+"No. I seldom preach. I haven't the gift of eloquence."
+
+"Which means you have a little common-sense left. Really, Gilbert, for a
+man of thirty-five, or nearly thirty-five, you are too credulous."
+
+"It is my nature to be so," he returned, laughing. "Well, good-by to
+you. It is really unkind to turn me out in this unceremonious fashion."
+So saying, with his usual sweet-tempered compliance he departed.
+
+"What a good boy he is!" said Miss Payne to herself, looking at the
+grate, while by a dual brain action she made a brief calculation as to
+how much longer she must burn coal. "He ought to have been a girl. Why
+don't rich young women see that he is the very stuff to make a pleasant
+husband, instead of those monsters of strength and determination that
+fools of women make gods of, and themselves door mats for, and often
+find to be only big pumpkins after all?"
+
+Miss Payne's anticipations were of the gloomiest when, after their
+quickly despatched dinner, she settled herself between the fire and
+window with her favorite tatting, drawing up the knots with vicious
+energy. She opened proceedings by an interrogative "Well?" and closed
+her mouth with a snap.
+
+"Well, my dear Miss Payne," began Katherine, who had settled herself
+comfortably in a corner of the sofa, "I have an important plan in my
+mind, and I want your co-operation. I should have written to you about
+it, only I waited to get Colonel Ormonde's consent."
+
+"It's a man!" ejaculated Miss Payne to herself.
+
+"To begin: I was not at all satisfied with the boys when I first went to
+Castleford. They were not exactly neglected, but they were quite
+secluded. Mrs. Ormonde scarcely saw them, and their governess or
+attendant was not at all lady-like; she speaks with a London accent and
+misplaces her _h'_s; altogether she is not the sort of person I should
+have placed with the boys. Then the poor little fellows clung to me and
+monopolized me as if I had been their mother; they made me feel like
+one. Moreover, I seemed to see my own dear mother and hear her voice
+when they spoke to me. She loved them so much!"
+
+Katherine paused suddenly, but almost immediately resumed: "The
+youngest, Charlie, is not yet seven, and is very delicate. He has had
+rather a sharp attack of bronchitis. I am very anxious about him. How I
+want to take them to the sea-side next month, and to keep them there all
+the summer, and I want your help to find a nice place. I know nothing of
+the English coast. More than this: I feel I could not get on without
+you, so you must come with us. Suppose, dear Miss Payne, we take a house
+with a garden near the sea, and you let this one? I will gladly pay all
+extra cost, while our original agreement, as far as I myself am
+concerned, shall hold good."
+
+Miss Payne listened attentively to this long speech, the expression of
+her countenance relaxing; but she did not reply at once.
+
+"I think," she said, after a moment's thought, "that you are exceedingly
+liberal, but I am not sure you are wise. As far as I am concerned, I
+should like your plan very much. I do not profess to be fond of
+children, but I dare say these little boys would not interfere with me.
+As regards yourself, if you keep the children for the whole summer, it
+is possible Mrs. Ormonde might be inclined to leave them with you
+altogether, and this would create a burden for you--a burden you are by
+no means called upon to bear. It is a dangerous experiment."
+
+"Not to me," returned Katherine, thoughtfully. "In fact it is a
+consummation for which I devoutly wish. I should like to adopt my
+nephews."
+
+"That would certainly be foolish. It would not be kind to the children,
+Katherine (as you wish me to call you). In the course of a year or two
+you will marry, and then the creatures who had learned to love you and
+look on you as a mother would be again motherless. Do not take them from
+their natural guardian."
+
+"What you say is very reasonable. You cannot know how certain I feel
+that I shall _not_ marry. However, let us leave all that to arrange
+itself in the future; let us think of the present. Colonel and Mrs.
+Ormonde are coming up to town, for two or three months, in May, and I do
+not like the idea of Cis and Charlie being left behind; so will you help
+me, my dear Miss Payne? Shall you mind a spring and summer in some quiet
+sea-side place?"
+
+Again Miss Payne reflected before she spoke. "I should rather like it:
+and your idea of letting this house is a good one. Yes, I shall be happy
+to assist you as far as I can. The first question is, where shall we
+go?"
+
+"That, I am sure, _you_ know best."
+
+An interesting disquisition ensued. Miss Payne rejected Bournemouth,
+Weymouth, Worthing, Brighton, and Folkestone, for what seemed to
+Katherine sufficient reason, and finally recommended Sandbourne, a quiet
+and little-known nook on the Dorsetshire coast, as being mild but not
+relaxing, not too near nor too far from town, and possessing fine sands,
+while the country round was less bare and flat than what usually lies
+near the coast.
+
+Finally the "friends in council" decided to go down and look at the
+place. "For," observed Miss Payne, "if we are to go away the beginning
+of next month, we have little more than a fortnight before us."
+
+"By all means," cried Katherine, starting up. "Let us go to-morrow; we
+might 'do' the place in a day, and come back the next. You are really a
+dear, to fall into my views so readily."
+
+"To-morrow? Oh! that's a little too fast; the day after, if you like.
+Now I wish you would look at these cards; they have all been left for
+you in the last few days."
+
+Katherine took and looked over them with some running comments. "Mrs.
+Tracy! I shall be quite glad to see them again; they were always so kind
+and pleasant. Lady Mary Vincent! I did not think she would call so soon;
+I think I must go and see her to-morrow. I rather like her niece, Lady
+Alice Mordaunt; she is a nice, gentle girl. She is to be married very
+soon to a man who interested me a good deal; such a thoughtful, clever
+man, but rather provokingly composed and perfect--a sort of person who
+never makes a mistake."
+
+"He must be a remarkable person," said Miss Payne.
+
+"He will soon be in Parliament, and has some of the qualities which make
+a statesman, I imagine. I shall watch his progress." Here Katherine took
+up a card, and while she read the inscription, "John Fitzstephen de
+Burgh," a slight smile crept round her lips. "I had no idea _he_ was in
+town, or that he would take the trouble of calling on me so soon. I
+thought he was too utterly offended."
+
+"Why?" asked Miss Payne, looking at her curiously.
+
+"He is rather ill-tempered, I fancy, and he was vexed because I
+preferred staying with Charlie to going out with him: he offered to
+teach me how to drive; so I believe, like the rich young man in the
+gospel, he went away in desperation."
+
+"Hum! Is _he_ a rich young man?"
+
+"He is not young, and I am not sure about his being rich. He has a
+hunting-lodge and horses, yet I don't fancy he is rich. He is a sort of
+relation of the Ormondes."
+
+"I suspect he is a spendthrift, and would like _your_ money."
+
+"Oh, very likely; but, my dear Miss Payne, you need not warn me; I am
+quite sufficiently inclined to believe that the men who show me
+attention are thinking more of what I have than what _I_ am. Believe me
+it is not an agreeable frame of mind. Mr. De Burgh is a strange sort of
+character. He amuses me; he is not a bit like a modern man. He doesn't
+seem to think it worth while to conceal what he feels or thinks. There
+is an odd well-bred roughness about him, if I may use such an
+expression; but I greatly prefer him to Colonel Ormonde."
+
+"Oh, you do? Colonel Ormonde is just an average man," added Miss Payne.
+
+"I should hope the general average is higher; but I must not be
+ill-natured. He has always been very kind to me."
+
+This was a pleasant interlude to Katherine. She had succeeded in hushing
+her heart to rest for a while, in banishing the thoughts which had long
+tormented her. Nothing had comforted and satisfied her as did this
+project of adopting her nephews. It is true she had not yet announced
+it, but in her own mind she resolved that once they were under her wing,
+she would not let them go again, unless indeed something quite
+unforeseen occurred; nor did she anticipate any difficulties with their
+mother. She would thus secure a natural legitimate interest in life, and
+make a home, which to a girl of her disposition was essential. Yet she
+knew well that in renouncing the idea of marriage she was denying one of
+the strongest necessities of her nature. The love and companionship of a
+man in whom she believed, for whom she could be ambitious, who would
+link her with the life and movement of the outer world, who would be the
+complement of her own being, was a dream of delight. Not that she felt
+in the least unable to stand alone, or fancied she was too delicate to
+take care of herself, but life without the love of another self could
+never be full and perfect. She was too true a woman not to value deeply
+the tenderness of a man; yet she had firmly resolved in justice to
+herself, in fairness to any possible husband, to renounce that crown of
+woman's existence. It was the only atonement she could make. Well, at
+least her loving care of these dear little boys, who were in point of
+fact motherless, would in some degree expiate her evil deed, and would
+keep her heart warm and her mind healthy.
+
+[**extra space]
+
+Possessed of the true magic, "money," obstacles faded away. The
+expedition to Sandbourne was most successful. Katherine was brighter
+than Miss Payne had ever seen her before. The day was sunny, the place
+looked cheerful and picturesque. It lay under a wooded hill, ending in a
+bold rocky point, which sheltered it and a wide bay from the easterly
+winds. A splendid stretch of golden sands offered a playground for the
+racing waves, and an old tower crowned an islet near the opposite point
+of the land, which there lay low, and was covered with gorse and
+heather.
+
+There was an objectionable row of lodging-houses, against which must be
+entered a low, red-brick, ivy-grown inn, old-fashioned, picturesque, and
+comfortable. One or two villas stood in their own grounds but were
+occupied, and one, evidently older was shut up.
+
+Perhaps because it was inaccessible, perhaps because it had a pleasant
+outlook across the bay to the island and tower at its western extremity,
+Katherine at once determined it was the very place to suit them, and
+made her way to the local house agent to see what could be done toward
+securing it. Cliff Cottage was not on his books, said the agent; but if
+the lady wished "he would apply to the owner, who had gone with his wife
+in search of health to the Riviera. In the meantime there is Amanda
+Villa, at the other end of Beach Terrace, very comfortable and elegantly
+furnished"--pointing to a glaring white edifice with a Belvedere tower
+in would-be Italian style. "I don't think you could find anything
+better." But the aspect of Amanda Villa did not please either lady, so
+they returned to Cliff Cottage: and remarking a thin curl of blue smoke
+from one of the chimneys, they ventured to make their way to a side
+entrance, where their knocking was answered by an old deaf caretaker,
+who, for a consideration, permitted them to inspect the house. It proved
+to be all Katherine wished. Though the furniture was scanty and worn, it
+was clean and well kept, and "We can easily get what is necessary," she
+concluded, with the sense of power which always goes with a full purse.
+
+"Let us go back to the agent and get the address of the owner."
+
+"Better make your offer through him," returned Miss Payne, and Katherine
+complied.
+
+The days which succeeded seemed very long. Katherine had taken a fancy
+to the quaint pretty abode, and was impatient to be settled there with
+her boys. There was a "preparatory school for young gentlemen," which
+was an additional attraction to Sandbourne, both children being
+extremely ignorant even for their tender years; and Katherine was
+greatly opposed to Colonel Ormonde's intention of sending Cecil away to
+a boarding-school. She wished him to have some preliminary training
+before he was plunged into the difficulties of a large boarding-school.
+To Colonel Ormonde her will was law, and if only she could get the house
+she wanted, all would go well.
+
+Of course Katherine lost no time in visiting her _protegee_ Rachel. She
+had written to her during her absence to let her feel that she was not
+forgotten; and the replies were not only well written and expressed, but
+showed a degree of intelligence above the average.
+
+When Katherine entered the room where Rachel sat at work she was touched
+and delighted at the sudden brightening of Rachel's sunken eyes, the
+joyous flush that rose to her cheek.
+
+"Oh!" she exclaimed, "I did not expect you so soon. How good of you to
+come!" She placed a chair, and in reply to Katherine's friendly
+question, "How have you been going on?" Rachel gave an encouraging
+account of herself. Mrs. Needham had introduced her to two families,
+both of whom wished her to work in the house, which, though infinitely
+disagreeable to her, she did not like to refuse.
+
+"Perhaps," she added, "the counter-irritation was good for me, for I
+feel more braced up. And of all your many benefits, dear Miss Liddell,
+nothing has done me so much good as the books you sent me, except the
+sight of yourself. Do not think I am exaggerating, but I am a mere
+machine, resigned to work because I must not die, save when I see you
+and speak to you; then I feel I can live--that I have something to live
+for, to show I am not unworthy of your trust in me. Perhaps time will
+heal even such wounds as mine. Is it not terrible to try and live
+without hope?"
+
+"But you must hope, Rachel. You are not alone. I feel truly, deeply
+interested in you; believe me, I will always be your friend. You are
+looking better, but I want to see your eyes less hollow and your mouth
+less sad. We are both young, and life has many lights and shades for us
+both, so far as we can anticipate."
+
+A long and confidential conversation ensued, in the course of which
+Katherine quite forgot there was any difference of position between
+herself and the humble dressmaker whom her bounty of purse and heart had
+restored.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+"MRS. NEEDHAM."
+
+
+When Katherine returned that afternoon she found Miss Payne was not
+alone. On the sofa opposite to her sat a lady--a large, well-dressed
+lady--with bright black eager eyes, and a high color. She held open on
+her lap a neat black leather bag, from which she had taken some papers,
+and was speaking quickly, in loud dictatorial tones, when Katherine came
+in.
+
+"Here is Miss Liddell," said Miss Payne.
+
+"Ah! I am very glad," cried the large lady, starting up and letting the
+bag fall, much of its contents scattering right and left.
+
+"Mrs. Needham, Miss Liddell," said Miss Payne, with the sort of rigid
+accent which Katherine knew expressed disapprobation.
+
+"Oh, thank you--don't trouble!" exclaimed Mrs. Needham, as Katherine
+politely bent down to collect the letters, note-book, memorandum, etc.
+"So sorry! I am too careless in small matters. Now, my dear Miss
+Liddell, I must explain myself. Mr. Payne and I are deeply interested in
+the success of a bazar which I am trying to organize, and he suggested
+that I should see you and make our objects thoroughly clear."
+
+With much fluency and distinctness she proceeded to describe the origin
+and progress of the work she advocated, showing the necessity for a new
+wing to the "Children's Refuge," and entreating Katherine's assistance
+at the bazar.
+
+This Katherine gently but firmly declined. "I shall be most happy to
+send you a check, but more I cannot undertake," she said.
+
+"Well, that is very good of you; and in any case I am very pleased to
+have made your acquaintance. Mr. Payne has told me how ready you are to
+help in all charitable undertakings. Now in an ordinary way I don't do
+much in this line; my energies have been directed to another channel. I
+am not what is generally called a religious woman; I am too broad in my
+views to please the orthodox; but, at the same time, religion is in our
+present stage essential."
+
+"I am sure religion is much obliged to you," observed Miss Payne. "How
+do you and my brother get on?"
+
+"Remarkably well. _I_ think him rather a fanatic; he thinks me a pagan.
+But we both have common-sense enough to see that each honestly wishes to
+help suffering humanity, and on that broad platform we meet. Mr. Payne
+tells me you don't know much of London, Miss Liddell. I can help you to
+see some of its more interesting sides. I shall be most happy, though I
+am a very busy woman. I am a journalist, and my time is not my own."
+
+"Indeed?" cried Katherine. "You mean you write for newspapers?"
+
+"Yes; that is, I get what crumbs fall from the press_men's_ table. They
+get the best work and the best pay; but I can work as well as most of
+them, and sometimes mine goes in in place of what some idle,
+pleasure-loving scamp has neglected. Let me see"--pulling out her
+watch--"five minutes to four. I must not stay. I have to look in at Mrs.
+Rayner's studio; she has a reception, and will want a mention of it.
+Then there are Sir Charles Goodman's training schools for deaf-mutes and
+the new Art Photography Company's rooms to run through before I go to
+the House of Commons to do my 'Bird's-eye View' letter for the
+Australian mail to-morrow."
+
+"My dear Mrs. Needham, you take my breath away!" exclaimed Katherine. "I
+am sure you could show me more of London--I mean what I should like to
+see--than any one else."
+
+"Very well. Let me know when you come back to town, and you shall hear a
+debate if you like. I am not a society woman, but I have the _entree_ to
+most places. Now good-morning--good-morning. You see your agreeable
+conversation has made me forget the time." And shaking hands cordially,
+she hastened away.
+
+"_Our_ agreeable conversation," repeated Miss Payne, with a somewhat
+cynical accent. "I wonder how many words you and I uttered! Why she
+makes me stupid. Really Gilbert ought not to inflict such a tornado on
+us."
+
+"I like her," said Katherine; "there is something kind and true about
+her. I should like to see some of the places she goes to and the work
+she does. She seems happy enough, too. I must not forget to write to her
+and send that check I promised."
+
+"Hem! If you give right and left you'll not have much left for
+yourself," growled Miss Payne. Katherine laughed.
+
+"Oh, by-the-way," resumed her chaperon, "I forgot to tell you that
+Colonel Ormonde arrived, shortly after you went out, with a large basket
+of flowers. He was vexed at missing you. He came up about some business,
+and wanted to take you to see some one. However, he could not come back.
+I can't say that I think he is well mannered. He was quite rough and
+brusque, and asked with such an ill-bred sneer if you were off on any
+private business with my brother."
+
+"I can't help thinking that he was annoyed because I appointed Mr. Payne
+co-trustee with Mr. Newton to my deed of gift," said Katherine,
+thoughtfully. "But I know I could not have chosen a better man."
+
+"Well, I believe so," returned his sister, graciously. "He is coming to
+dinner, so you can give him your check."
+
+It was a great day for Cis and Charlie when they arrived in London to
+stay with "auntie," who was at the station to receive and convey them to
+Wilton Street.
+
+Charlie still looked pale and thin enough to warrant a general treatment
+of cuddling and coddling calculated to satisfy any affectionate young
+woman's heart. They were to sleep at Miss Payne's residence, in order to
+be rested and fresh for their journey to the sea-side next day.
+
+Miss Payne herself was unusually amiable, for she had let her house
+satisfactorily for the greater part of the season, and this as Katherine
+paid for the Sandbourne villa, was clear gain.
+
+When the boys and their auntie drove up to Miss Payne's abode she was a
+good deal annoyed to find De Burgh at the door in the act of leaving a
+card. He hastened to hand her out of the carriage, exclaiming:
+
+"This is the first bit of luck I have had for weeks. You always manage
+to be out when I call. Come along, my boys. What lucky little fellows
+you are to come to town for the season!"
+
+"Ah, but we are not going to stay in town. We are going to the sea-side
+to bathe, and to sail in boats, and--"
+
+"Run in, Charlie, like a good boy," interrupted Katherine. "Your tea
+will be quite ready."
+
+"I suppose you will think me horribly intrusive if I ask you to let me
+come in?" said De Burgh. There was something unusually earnest in his
+tone.
+
+"Oh, not at all," returned Katherine, politely, though she would have
+much preferred bidding him good-morning. "Here, Sarah, pray take the
+boys to their room and get their things off. I am sure they want their
+tea."
+
+Miss Payne's sedate elderly house-maid looked quite elated as she took
+Charlie's hand and, preceded by Cecil, led him upstairs.
+
+"Are you really 'out' when I come?" asked De Burgh when they reached the
+drawing-room.
+
+Katherine took off her hat and pushed her hair off her brow as she
+seated herself in a low chair.
+
+"Yes, I think so. I do not usually deny myself to any visitor." She
+looked up, half amused, half interested, by the almost imploring
+expression of his usually hard face.
+
+"I rather suspect I am not a favored guest?"
+
+"Why do you say that, Mr. De Burgh? am I uncivil?"
+
+"No. What a fool I am making of myself! Tell me, are you really going
+away to-morrow to bury yourself alive?"
+
+"I am _really_."
+
+"After all, I believe you are right. _I_ am always bored in London.
+Women think it a paradise."
+
+"I like London so well that I shall probably make it my headquarters."
+
+"It's rather premature for you to make plans, isn't it?"
+
+"Whether it is or not, I have arranged my future much to my own
+satisfaction."
+
+"The deuce you have! What, at nineteen?"
+
+"Is that an attempt to find out my age?" asked Katherine, laughing.
+
+"No! for I fancy I know it. How far is this place you are going to from
+town, and how do you get to it?"
+
+"The journey takes about three hours and a half, and you travel by the
+Southwestern line."
+
+"Well, I intend to have the pleasure of running down to see you
+presently, if you will permit me."
+
+"Oh, of course, we shall be very happy to see you."
+
+"I hope so," said De Burgh, with a smile. "I don't think you are very
+encouraging. If there are any decent roads about this place, shall we
+resume the driving lessons?"
+
+"Thank you"--evasively. "I think of buying a donkey and
+chaise--certainly a pony for the boys."
+
+De Burgh laughed. "I suppose there is some boating to be had there. I
+shall certainly have a look at the place, even if I be not admitted to
+the shrine." There was a pause, during which De Burgh seemed in profound
+but not agreeable thought; then he suddenly exclaimed: "By-the-way, have
+you heard the news? Old Errington died, rather sudden at last, some time
+last night."
+
+"Indeed!" cried Katherine, roused to immediate attention. "I am very
+sorry to hear it. The marriage will then be put off. You know they were
+going to have it nearly a month sooner than was at first intended,
+because Mr. Errington feared the end was near. He was with his father, I
+hope?"
+
+"Yes, I believe he hardly left him for the last few days. Now the
+wedding cannot take place for a considerable time."
+
+"It will be a great disappointment," observed Katherine.
+
+"To which of the happy pair?"
+
+"To both, I suppose," she returned.
+
+"Do you think they cared a rap about each other?"
+
+"Yes, I do indeed. Every one has a different way of showing their
+feelings, and Mr. Errington is _quite_ different from _you_."
+
+"Different--and immensely superior, eh?"
+
+"I did not say so, Mr. De Burgh."
+
+"No, certainly you did not, and I have no right to guess at what you
+think. You are right. I am very different from Errington; and _you_ are
+very different from Lady Alice. I fancy, were you in her place, even the
+irreproachable bridegroom-elect would find he had a little more of our
+common humanity about him than he suspects," said De Burgh, his dark
+eyes seeking hers with a bold admiring glance.
+
+Katherine's cheek glowed, her heart beat fast with sudden distress and
+anger. De Burgh's suggestion stirred some strange and painful emotion.
+
+"You are in a remarkably imaginative mood, Mr. De Burgh," she said,
+haughtily. "I cannot see any connection between myself and your ideas."
+
+"Can't you? Well, my ideas gather round you very often."
+
+"I wish he would go away; he is too audacious," thought Katherine. While
+she said, "I think Mr. Errington will be sorry for his father; I believe
+he has good feeling, though he is so cold and quiet."
+
+"Oh, he has every virtue under the sun! At any rate he ought to be fond
+of him, for I fancy the old man has toiled all his life to be able to
+leave his son a big fortune."
+
+"Has he no brothers or sisters?"
+
+"Two sisters, I believe, older than himself; both married."
+
+There was another pause. Katherine would not break it. She felt
+peculiarly irritated against De Burgh. His observations had greatly
+disturbed her. She could not, however, tell him to go, and he stood
+there looking perfectly at ease. This awkward silence was broken by the
+welcome appearance of Cecil, who burst into the room, exclaiming:
+"Auntie, tea is quite ready! There is beautiful chicken pie and buttered
+cakes, and _such_ a beautiful cat!"
+
+"What! for tea, Cis?" said Katherine, letting him catch her hand and try
+to drag her away.
+
+"No--o. Why, what a silly you are! Puss is asleep in an arm-chair. Do
+come, auntie. The lady said I was tell you that tea was _quite_ ready."
+
+"Which means that the audience is over," said De Burgh; "and I rather
+think you are not sorry." He smiled--not a pleasant smile. "Well, young
+man, did you never see me before?"--to Cecil, who was staring at him in
+the deliberate, persistent way in which children gaze at objects which
+fascinate yet partly frighten them.
+
+"I was thinking you were like--" The little fellow paused.
+
+"Like whom?"
+
+Cis tightened his hold on his auntie's hand, and still hesitated.
+
+"Whom is Mr. De Burgh like?" asked Katherine, amused by the boy's
+earnestness.
+
+"Like the wicked uncle in the 'Babes in the Wood.' Auntie gave it to me.
+Such a beautiful picture book!"
+
+De Burgh laughed heartily and good-humoredly. "I can tell you, my boy,
+you would not find me a bad sort of uncle if it were ever my good
+fortune to call you nephew."
+
+"But I have no uncle--only auntie," returned Cis.
+
+"Ay, a very pearl of an auntie. Try and be a good boy. Above all, do
+what you are bid. I never did what I was bid, and you see what I have
+come to."
+
+"I don't think there is much the matter with you," said Cis, eying him
+steadily. Then, with a sudden change in the current of his thoughts, he
+cried, "Do come, auntie; the cakes will be quite cold."
+
+"I will keep you no longer from the banquet," said De Burgh. "I know you
+are wishing me at--well, my probable destination; so good-by for the
+present." Then, to Cecil: "Shall I come and see you at--what is the name
+of the place?--Sandbourne, and take you out for a sail in a boat--a big
+boat?"
+
+"Oh, yes, please."
+
+"Will you come with me, though I _am_ like the wicked uncle?"
+
+"Yes, if auntie may come too."
+
+"If she begs very hard she may. Well, good-morning, Miss Liddell. I'll
+not forget Sandbourne, _via_ Southwestern Railway." So saying, De Burgh
+shook hands and departed.
+
+The next day Miss Payne escorted her suddenly increased party to their
+marine retreat, returning the following afternoon to attend to the
+details of letting her house, for which she had had a good offer.
+
+Then came a breathing space of welcome repose to Katherine. The
+interest--nay, the trouble--of the children drew her out of herself, and
+dwarfed the past with the more urgent demands of the present. Cliff
+Cottage was a pretty, pleasant abode. The living rooms, which were of a
+good size, two of them opening with bay-windows on the pleasure-ground
+which surrounded the house on three sides, were, with the bedrooms over
+them, additions to a very small abode.
+
+These Katherine succeeded in making pretty and comfortable. To wake in
+the morning and hear the pleasant murmur of the waves; to open her
+window to the soft sweet briny air, and look out on the waters
+glittering in the early golden light; to listen to the laughter and
+shrill cries of Cis and Charlie chasing each other in the garden, and
+feel that they were her charge--all this contributed to restore her to a
+healthy state of mind, to strengthen and to cheer her.
+
+Cecil, to his dismay at first, was dispatched every morning to school,
+where he soon made friends and began to feel at home. Charlie Katherine
+taught herself, as he was still delicate. Then a pony was added to the
+establishment, and old Francois, ex-courier and factotum, used to take
+the young gentlemen for long excursions each riding turn about on the
+quiet, sensible little Shetland.
+
+The pale cheeks which helped to make Charlie so dear to his aunt began
+to show something of a healthy color before the end of May, and
+Katherine sometimes laughed to find herself boasting of Cecil's parts
+and progress to Miss Payne. But the metamorphosis wrought by the young
+magicians in this important personage was the most remarkable of the
+effects they produced. Had Miss Liddell been less pleasant and
+profitable, it is doubtful if Miss Payne would have consented to allow
+children--boys--to desecrate the precincts of her spotless dwelling;
+they were in her estimation extremely objectionable. Katherine was,
+however, a prime favorite; she had touched Miss Payne as none of her
+former inmates ever did.
+
+Years of battling with the world had coated her heart with a tolerably
+hard husk; but there was a heart beneath the stony sheath, and by some
+occult sympathy Katherine had pierced to the hidden fount of feeling,
+and her chaperon found there was more flavor and warmth in life than she
+once thought.
+
+When, therefore, she had completed her business in London and was
+settled at Cliff Cottage, she was surprised to find that the boys did
+_not_ worry her; nay, when they came racing to meet her in wild delight
+to show a tangled dripping mass of shells and sea-weed which they had
+collected in their wading, scrambling wanderings on the shore and among
+the rocks, she found herself unbending, almost involuntarily, and
+examining their treasures with unfeigned interest. Then Cecil's very
+fluent descriptions of his experiences at school, his escapades, his
+torn garments, the occasional quarrels between the two boys, their
+appropriation of Francois, and their breakages--all seemed to grow
+natural and pardonable when the young culprits ran to take her by the
+hand, and looked in her face with their innocent, trusting eyes. On the
+whole, Miss Payne had never been so happy before, and Katherine forgot
+the shifting sands on which she was uprearing the graceful fabric of her
+tranquil life.
+
+Sometimes they lured Bertie to spend a couple of days with them--days
+which were always marked with a white stone. What arguments and rambles
+Katherine enjoyed with him, and what goodly checks she drew to further
+his numerous undertakings!
+
+De Burgh did not fail to carry out his threat of inspecting Sandbourne.
+He found a valid excuse in a commission from Colonel Ormonde to advise
+Miss Liddell respecting a pair of ponies she had asked him to buy for
+her.
+
+His visit was not altogether displeasing. No woman is quite indifferent
+to a man who admires her in the hearty, wholesale way which De Burgh did
+not try to conceal. Katherine was much too feminine not to like the
+incense of his devotion, especially when he kept it within certain
+limits. She did not credit him with any deep feeling; but in spite of
+her strong conviction that he was attracted by her money, she recognized
+a certain sincerity in his liking for herself. She enjoyed the idea of
+humbling his immense assurance, believing that any pain she might
+inflict would be short-lived, while he was amazed to find how swiftly
+the hours flew past when he allowed himself to spend a couple of days at
+Sandbourne--surprised to feel so little of the contemptuous bitterness
+with which he generally regarded his fellow-creatures, and sometimes
+wondered if it were possible that something more simple than even his
+boyish self had come back to him.
+
+Still, Bertie Payne was a more welcome guest than De Burgh, in spite of
+his unspoken but evident devotion. With Bertie she could speak openly of
+matters on which she would not touch when with the other. To Bertie she
+could talk of the mysteries of life, and argue on questions of belief.
+She was touched by the eagerness he showed to convert her to his own
+extremely evangelical views, and though differing from him on many
+points, she deeply respected the sincerity of his convictions.
+
+The degree of favor shown by her to "that psalm-singing Puritan," as De
+Burgh termed him, was gall and wormwood to the latter, and indeed so
+irritated his spirit that he was driven to speak of the annoyance it
+caused him to Mrs. Ormonde, of whose discretion and judgment he had but
+a poor opinion.
+
+Meantime no one heard or saw anything of Errington, who was supposed to
+be deep in the settlement of his father's affairs, and winding up the
+estate, as the well-known house of Errington ceased to exist when the
+head and founder was no more. Lady Alice had gone to stay with her
+brother and sister-in-law, who lived abroad, as it was impossible for
+her to enter into the gayeties of the season under existing
+circumstances, and the marriage was postponed until the end of July.
+
+In short, a lull had stilled the actors in this little drama. The stream
+of events had entered one of the quiet pools which here and there hold
+the most rapid current tranquil for a time.
+
+With Mrs. Ormonde all went well. She had the newest and most charming
+gowns and bonnets, mantles and hats. She found herself very well
+received by society, and quite a favorite with Lady Mary Vincent, who
+was a very popular person. So much occupied was the pretty little woman
+that May was nearly over before she could find time to accept her
+sister-in-law's repeated invitation to Cliff Cottage.
+
+"I am going down to Sandbourne on Friday," she said to De Burgh one
+evening as she was waiting for her carriage after a musical party at
+Lady Mary Vincent's.
+
+"Indeed! I thought you were going last Monday."
+
+"Oh, I could not go on Monday. But if I don't go on Friday I do not
+think I shall manage my visit at all. Tell me, what does Katherine find
+to keep her down there? Is it Bertie Payne?"
+
+"How can I tell? She seems contented enough. For that matter, she might
+find my society equally attractive. Payne does not go down as often as I
+do."
+
+"No?--but then Katherine has a leaning to sanctity, and you are no
+saint."
+
+"True. By-the-way, talking of saints, there is a report that old
+Errington's affairs were not left in as flourishing a condition as was
+expected."
+
+"Oh, nonsense! It is some mere ill-natured gossip."
+
+"I hope so. I think I will come down on Saturday and escort you back to
+town."
+
+"Pray do; it will enliven us a little." A shout of "Mrs. Ormonde's
+carriage!" cut short the conversation, and Mrs. Ormonde did not see De
+Burgh again until they met at Cliff Cottage.
+
+Mrs. Ormonde's visit, long anticipated, did not prove an unmixed
+pleasure. She objected to what she considered the terribly long drive of
+some five miles from the railway station to Katherine's secluded
+residence; she turned up her pretty little nose at the smallness of the
+cottage and its general homeliness; she evinced an unfriendly spirit
+toward Miss Payne, who was perfectly unmoved thereby; and when the boys,
+well washed and spruced up, approached her, not too eagerly, she
+scarcely noticed them. This, of course, reacted on the little fellows,
+who showed a decided inclination to avoid her.
+
+She was tired after a warm journey and previous late hours, and
+dreadfully afraid that sea air and sun together would have a ruinous
+effect on her complexion. When, however, she had had tea and made a
+fresh toilette, she took a less gloomy view of life at Sandbourne, and
+having recovered her temper, she remembered it would be wiser not to
+chafe her sister-in-law.
+
+"To be sure," thought the astute little woman, "the boys' settlement is
+out of her power to revoke; but it would be rather good if she came to
+live with us, instead of filling the pockets of this prim, presumptuous,
+self-satisfied old maid. I am sure she is awfully selfish, and I do hate
+selfishness."
+
+So reflecting, she descended serene and smiling. Half an hour after, she
+had so completely recovered herself as to declare she had never seen the
+boys look so well, that they were quite grown, etc., etc.
+
+After dinner Cecil displayed his exercise and copy books, and received a
+due meed of praise, not unmixed with a little sarcastic remark or two
+respecting the wonderful effect of his aunt's influence, which did not
+escape the notice of her son, who felt, though he did not understand
+why, that she was not quite so well pleased as she affected to be.
+
+"And don't you feel dreadfully dull here?" asked Mrs. Ormonde, as the
+sisters-in-law strolled along the beach under the shelter of the east
+cliff, which hid them from the bright morning sunlight.
+
+"No, not as yet. I should not like to live here always; but at present I
+like the place. You must confess it is very pretty."
+
+"Yes, just now, when the weather is fine. When you have rain and a gale,
+it must be fearfully dreary."
+
+"We have had some rough days, but the bay has a beauty of its own even
+in a storm, and we shall not be here in the winter."
+
+"De Burgh runs down to see you pretty often?" asked Mrs. Ormonde, after
+a short pause. The old regimental habit of calling men by their surnames
+still returned when she was off guard.
+
+"Yes," replied Katherine, calmly; "he seems to enjoy a day by the
+sea-side."
+
+Mrs. Ormonde laughed--a hard laugh. "I dare say _you_ enjoy it too."
+
+"Mr. De Burgh is not particularly sympathetic to me, but I like him
+better than I did."
+
+"Oh, I dare say he makes himself very pleasant to you, and I never knew
+him show attention to an unmarried woman before, nor to many married
+women either. Of course it would be absurd to suppose that if you had
+not a good fortune you would see quite so much of him."
+
+"Naturally," returned Katherine. "I fancy my money would be of great use
+to him; so it would to most men. That does not affect me. If it is an
+incentive to make them agreeable and useful, why, so be it."
+
+"I did not expect to hear _you_ talk like that. Now I hate and despise
+mercenary men."
+
+"Well, you see, the man or the woman _must_ have money or there can be
+no marriage."
+
+"How worldly you have grown, Kate!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, in a superior
+tone. She did not perceive anything but sober seriousness in her
+sister-in-law's tone, and was infinitely annoyed at her taking the
+insinuations against De Burgh's disinterestedness with such
+indifference. "I suppose you think it would be a very fine thing to be
+Baroness De Burgh, and go to court with all the family jewels on."
+
+"I shall certainly not go as Katherine Liddell."
+
+"Pray, why not? Ah, yes; it would all be very fine! But I am too deeply
+interested in you, dear, not to warn you that De Burgh would make a very
+bad husband; he has such a horrid, sneering way sometimes; and as to
+being faithful--constancy is a thing unknown to him."
+
+"What would Colonel Ormonde say if he knew you gave his favorite kinsman
+so bad a character?"
+
+"Oh, my dear Katherine, you must not betray me! Duke would be furious.
+But of course your happiness is my first consideration."
+
+"Thank you," returned Katherine, gravely.
+
+"And Mr. Payne, how does he like Mr. De Burgh's visits here?"
+
+"I don't think he minds"--seriously. "I should be sorry if he were
+annoyed. I am very fond of Bertie Payne."
+
+This declaration somewhat bewildered Mrs. Ormonde. But before she could
+find suitable words to reply, Charlie came running to meet them, jumping
+up to kiss his aunt first, and cried; "Mr. De Burgh has come. I saw him
+driving up to the hotel outside the omlibus."
+
+"The omnibus!" repeated Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"He would find no other conveyance from the train unless he ordered one
+previously," said Katherine, laughing.
+
+"Dear me! I suppose he will be here directly. How early he must have
+started!" in a tone of annoyance. "I feel so hot and uncomfortable after
+this dreadfully long walk, I _must_ change my dress before I see any
+one." And she hastened on.
+
+After holding his aunt's hand for a while, Charlie darted away to
+overtake Francois, whom he perceived at a little distance.
+
+"I declare, Katherine, you are quite supplanting me with those boys!"
+exclaimed their mother, querulously.
+
+"Ada, I would not for the world wean them from you, if--I
+mean"--stopping the words which rushed to her lips. "I should be sorry.
+But you have new ties--another boy. Could you not spare Cis and Charlie
+to me--for I have no one?"
+
+"I am sure that is your own fault. However, if after three or four
+months' experience you are not tired of them, I shall be very much
+surprised."
+
+On reaching the house, Mrs. Ormonde went straight to her own apartment
+to "refit," and Katherine sat down in the smaller drawing or morning
+room, which looked west and was cool. She had not been there many
+minutes before De Burgh was announced.
+
+"Alone!" he exclaimed. "Where is Mrs. Ormonde?"
+
+"She will be here immediately."
+
+"Has she persuaded you to return with her? I wish you would. Lady G----
+gives a dinner at Richmond on Thursday; it will be rather amusing. I
+know most of the fellows who are going, and I think you would enjoy it.
+You like good talkers, I know."
+
+"Thank you; I have refused."
+
+"Absolutely?"
+
+"Absolutely."
+
+De Burgh came over and leaned his shoulder against the side of the
+window opposite to where Katherine sat.
+
+"What are you thinking of, if I may ask, Miss Liddell?" he said. "You
+have scarcely heard what I said. They are not pleasant thoughts, I
+fancy."
+
+"No," she returned, glad to put them into words that she might exorcise
+them. "Ada has just reproached me with supplanting her with her boys,
+and it made me feel, as Americans say 'bad.'"
+
+"Why?" he asked. "Why should you not? I would lay long odds that you
+love them more than she does. You are more a real mother to them. Why
+are you always straining at gnats? You really lose a lot of time, which
+might be more agreeably occupied, worrying over the rights and wrongs of
+things. Follow my example: go straight ahead for whatever you desire,
+provided it's not robbery, and let things balance themselves."
+
+"Has that system made you supremely happy?"
+
+"Happy! Oh, that is a big word. I have had some splendid spurts of
+enjoyment; and now I have an object to win. It will give me a lot of
+trouble; it's the heaviest stake I ever played for; but it will go hard
+with me if I don't succeed."
+
+De Burgh had been looking out at the stretch of water before him as he
+spoke, but at his last words his eyes sought Katherine's with a look she
+could not misunderstand. She shivered slightly, an odd passing sense of
+fear chilling her for a moment as she turned to lay her hat upon the
+table near, saying, in a cold, collected tone.
+
+"You must always remember that the firmest resolution cannot insure
+success."
+
+"It goes a long way toward it, however," he replied.
+
+"Ah, there is Cis!" cried Katherine, glad to turn the conversation,
+"come back from school. Are you not earlier than usual, Cis?"--as the
+boy came bounding over the grass to the open window.
+
+"No, auntie; it is one o'clock."
+
+"Well, young man," said De Burgh, who was not sorry to be interrupted,
+as he felt he was treading dangerous ground, and with instinctive tact
+endeavored always to keep friends with Katherine's pets, "I have brought
+you a present, if auntie will allow you to keep it."
+
+"What is it?--a box of tools, real tools? I do so want a box of tools!
+But auntie is afraid I will cut myself."
+
+"No; it's a St. Bernard puppy that promises to turn out a fine dog."
+
+"Oh, thank you! thank you! that _is_ nice. I don't think you are a bit
+like the wicked uncle now. May I go and fetch it now, this moment?"
+
+"Not till after dinner, dear."
+
+"Oh, isn't it jolly! A real St. Bernard dog!"--capering about. "You
+_are_ a nice man!"
+
+"What _are_ you making such a noise for, Cis?" exclaimed his mother
+coming in, looking admirably well, fresh, becomingly dressed. "Go away,
+dear, and be made tidy for your dinner. Well, Mr. De Burgh, I never
+dreamed of your arriving so early. Did you get up in the middle of the
+night?"
+
+"Not exactly. The fact is, I must drive over to Revelstoke late this
+evening and catch the mail train. I have a command to dine with the
+Baron to-morrow, to talk over some business of importance, and dared not
+refuse, as you can imagine. The everlasting old tyrant has been quite
+amiable to me of late."
+
+"Then you'll not be here to escort me back to town, and I hate
+travelling alone!" cried Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"Unfortunately no," said De Burgh. "But I have a piece of news for you
+that will freeze the marrow in your bones: Errington is completely
+ruined."
+
+"Impossible!" cried both his hearers at once.
+
+"It's too true, I assure you. When, after the old man's death, he began
+to look into things with his solicitor, he was startled to find certain
+deficiencies. Then the head clerk, the manager, who had everything in
+his hands--bossed the show, in short--disappeared, and on further
+examination it proved that the whole concern was a mere shell, out of
+which this scoundrel had sucked the capital. There was an awful amount
+of debt to other houses, several of which would have come down, and
+ruined the unfortunates connected with them, if Errington had not come
+forward and sacrificed almost all he possessed to retrieve the credit of
+his name. He says he ought to have undertaken the risks as well as
+reaped the profit of the concern. Garston Hall is advertised for sale;
+so is the house in Berkley Square; his stud is brought to the
+hammer--everything is given up. What he'll do I haven't an idea. But I
+must say I think his sense of honor is a little overstrained."
+
+"And Lady Alice!" ejaculated Katherine.
+
+"Of course Melford will soon settle that, if it is not settled already,
+for a good deal was done before the matter got wind. There hasn't been
+such a crash for a long time. In short, Errington is utterly, completely
+ruined."
+
+"I never heard of such a fool!" cried Mrs. Ormonde. "It was bad enough
+to be disappointed of the wealth old Errington was supposed to have left
+behind him, but to give up everything! Why, he is only fit for a lunatic
+asylum. What an awful disappointment for poor Lady Alice!"
+
+Katherine did not, could not speak. The rush of sorrow for the heavy
+blow which had fallen on the man she had robbed, the shame and
+self-reproach, which had been lulled asleep for a while, which now woke
+up with renewed power to torment and irritate--these were too much for
+her self-control, and while Mrs. Ormonde and De Burgh eagerly discussed
+the catastrophe, she kept silence and struggled to be composed.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+CONFESSION.
+
+
+"Errington is completely ruined!" De Burgh's words repeated themselves
+over and over again in Katherine's ears through the darkness and silence
+of her sleepless night. What would become of him--that grave, stately
+man who had never known the touch of anything common or unclean? How
+would he live? And what an additional blow the rupture of his engagement
+with Lady Alice! He was certainly very fond of her. It was like him to
+give up all he possessed to save the honor of his name, but how would it
+be if he were penniless? Had _she_ not robbed him, he might have enough
+to live comfortably after satisfying every one. As she thought, a
+resolution to restore what she had taken formed itself in her mind.
+Perhaps if he could show that he had still a solid capital, his
+engagement to Lady Alice need not be broken off. If she could restore
+him to competence, he would not refuse some provision for the poor dear
+boys. Were she secure on _this_ point, she would be happier without the
+money than with it. But the humiliation of confession--and to _such_ a
+father confessor? How could she do it? Yet it must be done.
+
+"Good gracious, Katherine, you look like a ghost!" was Mrs. Ormonde's
+salutation when the little party met at breakfast next morning. "Pray
+have you seen one?"
+
+"Yes; I have been surrounded by a whole gallery of ghosts all
+night--which means that a bad conscience would not let me sleep."
+
+"What nonsense! Why, you are a perfect saint, Kate, in some ways; but in
+others I must say you are foolish; yes, dear, I must say it--_very_
+foolish."
+
+"I dare say I am," returned Katherine; "but whether I am or not, I have
+an intense headache, so you must excuse me if I am very stupid."
+
+"I am sure you want change, Katherine. Do come back with me to town.
+There is quite time enough to put up all you want before 11, and the
+train goes at 11.10. There is a little dance, 'small and early' at Lady
+Mary Vincent's this evening, and I know she would be delighted to see
+you."
+
+"I do not think hot rooms the best cure for a headache," observed Miss
+Payne; "and till yesterday Katherine had been looking remarkably well.
+She was out boating too long in the sun."
+
+"You are very good to trouble about me, Ada. My best cure is quiet. I
+will go and lie down as soon as I see you off, and I dare say shall be
+myself again in the evening. I may come up to town for a day or two
+before you return to Castleford, but I will let you know."
+
+Nothing more was said on the subject then, but when Katherine returned
+from the station after bidding her sister-in-law good-by, Miss Payne met
+her with a strong recommendation to take some "sal volatile and water,
+and to lie down at once."
+
+"I did not, of course, second Mrs. Ormonde's suggestions--the idea of
+your going for rest or health to _her_ house!--but I am really vexed to
+see you look so ill. How do you feel?"
+
+"Very well disposed to follow your good advice. If I could get some
+sleep, I should be quite well." Katherine smiled pleasantly as she
+spoke. She was extremely thankful to secure an hour or two of silence
+and solitude.
+
+During the night her heart, her brain, were in such a tumult she could
+not think consecutively. Alone in her room, and grown calmer, she could
+plan her future proceedings and screw her courage to the desperate
+sticking-point of action such as her conscience dictated.
+
+She fastened her door and set her window wide open. After gazing for
+some time at the sea, golden and glittering in the noonday sun, and
+inhaling the soft breeze which came in laden with briny freshness, she
+lay down and closed her eyes. But though keeping profoundly still, no
+restful look of sleep stole over her set face; no, she was thinking
+hard, for how long she could not tell. When, however, she came
+downstairs to join Miss Payne at tea, the anxious, nervous, alarmed
+expression of her eyes had changed to one of gloomy composure.
+
+"Though I do not care to stay with Ada, I want to go to town to-morrow
+for a little shopping, and to see Mr. Newton if I can. I will take the
+quick train at half-past eight and return in the evening. You might send
+to meet the nine o'clock express. Should anything occur to keep me, I
+will telegraph."
+
+"Very well"--Miss Payne's usual reply to Katherine's propositions. "But
+are you quite sure you feel equal to the journey?"
+
+"Yes, quite equal," returned Katherine, with a short deep sigh. "I
+believe it will do me good."
+
+
+That Errington had been stunned by the blow which had fallen so suddenly
+upon him cannot be disputed. His first and bitterest concern was dread
+lest the character of his father's house, which had always stood so
+high, lest the honor of his own name, should suffer the smallest
+tarnish. It was this that made him so eager to ascertain the full
+liabilities of the firm, so ready to sacrifice all he possessed so that
+no one save himself should be the loser. "If I accepted a handsome
+fortune from transactions over which I exercised no supervision, I must
+hold myself doubly responsible for the result," he argued, and at once
+set to work to turn all he possessed into money.
+
+In truth the prospect of poverty did not dismay him.
+
+His tastes were very simple. It was the loss of power and position,
+which wealth always bestows, which he would feel most, and the necessity
+of renouncing Lady Alice.
+
+This was imperative. Yet it surprised him to perceive how little he felt
+the prospect of parting with her on his own account. Indeed he was
+rather ashamed of his indifference. It was for Lady Alice he felt. It
+would be such a terrible disappointment--not that Errington had much
+personal vanity. He hoped and thought Lady Alice Mordaunt liked him in a
+calm and reasonable manner, which is the best guarantee for married
+happiness. But it was the loss of a tranquil home, a luxurious life, an
+escape from the genteel poverty of a deeply embarrassed earl's daughter
+to the ease and comfort of a rich man's wife, that he deplored for her.
+Poor helpless child! she would probably find a rich husband ere long who
+would give her all possible luxuries, for a noble's daughter of high
+degree is generally a marketable article. But he, Miles Errington, would
+have been kind and patient. Would that other possible fellow be kind and
+patient too? Knowing his own sex, Errington doubted it. He had a certain
+amount of the generosity which belongs to strength. To children, and the
+kind of pretty, undecided women who rank as children, he was wonderfully
+considerate. But it was quite possible that were he married to a
+sensible, companionable wife he might be exacting.
+
+At present it seemed highly improbable that he should ever reach a
+position which would enable him to commit matrimony. Thirty-four is
+rather an advanced age at which to begin life afresh.
+
+The prospect of bachelorhood, however, by no means dismayed him. Indeed
+it was more a sense of his social duties as a man of fortune and a
+future senator that had impelled him to seek a wife, not an irresistible
+desire for the companionship of a ministering spirit. He was truly
+thankful that his marriage had bean delayed, and that he was not
+hampered by any sense of duty toward a wife in his design of sacrificing
+his all to save his credit.
+
+After the first few days of stunning surprise, Errington set vigorously
+to work to clear the wreck. Garston was advertised; his stud, his
+furniture--everything--put up for sale, and his own days divided between
+his solicitor and his stock-broker. His first step was to explain
+matters to his intended father-in-law, who, being an impulsive,
+self-indulgent man, swore a good deal about the ill-luck of all
+concerned, but at once declared the engagement must be at an end.
+
+As Lady Alice was still in Switzerland with her brother and his wife, it
+was considered wise to spare her the pain of an interview. Lord Melford
+explained matters to his daughter in an extremely outspoken letter,
+enclosing one from Errington, in which, with much good feeling, he bade
+her a kindly farewell. To this she replied promptly, and a week saw the
+extinction of the whole affair. Errington could not help smiling at this
+"rapid act." It was then about three weeks after the blow had fallen--a
+warm glowing June morning. Errington's man of business had just left
+him, and he had returned to his writing-table, which was strewn, or
+rather covered, with papers (nothing Errington ever handled was
+"strewn"), and continued his task of making out a list of his
+private liabilities, which were comparatively light, when his
+valet--not yet discharged, though already warned to look for another
+master--approached, with his usually impassive countenance, and
+presented a small note.
+
+Errington opened it, and to his inexpressible surprise read as follows:
+
+
+  "TO MR. ERRINGTON,--Allow me to speak to you alone.
+                                         "KATHERINE LIDDELL."
+
+
+"Who brought this?" asked Errington, suppressing all expression as well
+as he could.
+
+"A young person in black, sir--leastways I think she's young."
+
+"Show her in; and, Harris, I am engaged if any one calls."
+
+Errington went to the door to meet his most unexpected visitor. The next
+moment she stood before him. He bowed with much deference. She bent her
+head in silence, but did not offer to shake hands. She wore a black
+dress and a very simple black straw hat, round which a white gauze veil
+was tied, which effectually concealed her face.
+
+"Pray sit down," was all Errington could think of saying, so astonished
+was he at her sudden appearance.
+
+Katherine took a seat opposite to his. She unfastened and took off her
+veil, displaying a face from which her usual rich soft color had faded,
+sombre eyes, and tremulous lips. Looking full at him, she said, without
+greeting of any kind, "Do you think me mad _to_ come here?"
+
+"I am a little surprised; but if I can be of any use--" Errington began
+calmly. She interrupted him.
+
+"I hope to be of use to _you_. No one except myself can explain how or
+why; that is the reason I have intruded upon you."
+
+"You do not intrude, Miss Liddell. I am quite at your service; only I
+hope you are not distressing yourself on my account."
+
+"On yours and my own." Her eyes sank, and her hands played nervously
+with the handle of a small dainty leather bag she carried, as she
+paused. Then, looking up steadily, and speaking in a monotonous tone, as
+if she were repeating a lesson, with parched lips she went on: "I did
+you a great wrong some years ago. I was sorry, but I had not the courage
+to atone until I learned (only yesterday) that you had lost, or rather
+given up, your fortune, and that your engagement might be broken off. (I
+_must_ speak of these things. You will forgive me before I come to an
+end.) Then I felt something stronger than myself that forced me to tell
+you all." Her heart beat so hard that her voice could not be steadied.
+She stopped to breathe.
+
+"I fear you are exciting yourself needlessly," said Errington, quite
+bewildered, and almost fearing that his visitor's brain was affected.
+
+"Oh, listen!--do listen! My uncle, John Liddell, your father's old
+friend, left all his money to you. I hid the will, and succeeded as next
+of kin. The property amounts to something more than eighty thousand
+pounds, and I have not spent half the income, so there are some savings
+besides. Can you not live comfortably on that, and marry Lady Alice?"
+
+Errington gazed at her for a moment speechless. A sigh of relief broke
+from Katherine. The color rose to her cheeks, her throat, her small
+white ears, and then slowly faded.
+
+"I can hardly understand you, Miss Liddell. I fear you are under the
+effect of some nervous hallucination."
+
+"I am not. I can prove I am not." She drew forth the packet inscribed
+"MS. to be destroyed," and laid it before him. "There is the will. Thank
+God I never could bring myself to destroy it. Here, pray read it." She
+opened the document and handed it to him.
+
+There were a few moments' dead silence while Errington hastily skimmed
+the will. "_I_ am most reluctantly obliged to believe you," he said at
+length. "But what an extraordinary circumstance! How"--looking earnestly
+at her--"how did it ever occur to you to--to--"
+
+"To commit a felony?" put in Katherine, as he paused.
+
+"No; I was not going to use such a word," he said, gravely, but not
+unkindly.
+
+"If you have time to listen I will tell you everything. Now that I have
+told the ugly secret that has made a discord in my life, I can speak
+more easily." But her sweet mouth still quivered.
+
+"Yes, tell me all," said Errington, more eagerly than perhaps he had
+ever spoken before.
+
+In a low but more composed voice Katherine gave a rapid account of the
+circumstances which led to her residence with her uncle: of her intense
+desire to help the dear mother whose burden was almost more than she
+could bear; then of the change which came to the old miser--his
+increasing interest in herself, and finally of his expressed intention
+to change his will--as she hoped, in her favor; of her leaving it, by
+his direction, in the writing-table drawer; of his terribly sudden
+death.
+
+Then came the great temptation. "When Mr. Newton said that if the will
+existed it would be in the bureau, but that as he had been on the point
+of making another, so he (Mr. Newton) hoped he had destroyed the last,"
+continued Katherine, "a thought darted through my brain. Why should it
+be found? _He_ no longer wished its provisions to be carried out. I
+should not, in destroying or suppressing it, defeat the wishes of the
+dead. I determined, if Mr. Newton asked me a direct question, I would
+tell him the truth; if not, I would simply be silent. In short, I
+mentally _tossed_ for the guidance of my conduct. Silence won. Mr.
+Newton asked nothing; he was too glad that everything was mine. He has
+been very, very good to me. I imagined that half my uncle's money would
+go to my brother's children, but it did not; so when I came of age I
+settled a third upon them. Of course the deed of gift is now but so much
+waste paper, and for them I would earnestly implore you to spare a
+little yearly allowance for education, to prepare them to earn their own
+bread. I feel sure you will do this, and I do deeply dread their being
+thrown on Colonel Ormonde's charity; their lot would be very miserable.
+My poor little boys!" Her voice broke, and she stopped abruptly.
+
+Errington's eyes dwelt upon her, almost sternly, with the deepest
+attention, while she spoke. Nor did he break silence at once; he leaned
+back in his chair, resting one closed hand on the table before him. At
+last he exclaimed: "I wish you had not told me this! I could not have
+imagined you capable of such an act."
+
+"And more," said Katherine; "although I wish to make what reparation I
+can, had that act to be done again--even with the anticipation of this
+bitter hour--I'd do it."
+
+She looked straight into Errington's eyes, her own aflame with sudden
+passion. He was silent, his brow slightly knit, a puzzled expression in
+his face. The natural motion of his mind was to condemn severely such a
+lawless sentiment, yet he could not resist thinking of those brilliant
+speaking eyes, nor help the conviction that he had never met a real live
+woman before. It was like a scene on the stage; for demonstrative
+emotion always appeared theatrical to him, only it was terribly earnest
+this time.
+
+"You would not say so were you calmer," said Errington, in a curious
+hesitating manner. "Why--why did you not come and tell me your need for
+your uncle's money? Do you think I am so avaricious as to retain the
+fortune, or all the fortune, that ought to have been yours, when I had
+enough of my own?"
+
+"How could I tell?" she cried. "If I knew you then as I do now I
+_should_ have asked you, and saved my soul alive; but what did the name
+of Errington convey to me? Only the idea of a greedy enemy! Are men so
+ready to cast the wealth they can claim into the lap of another? When
+you spoke to me that day at Castleford I thought I should have dropped
+at your feet with the overpowering sense of shame. But withal, when I
+remember my disappointment, my utter inability to help my dear
+overtasked mother, round whom the net of difficulty, of debt, of
+fruitless work, was drawing closer and closer, I again feel the
+irresistible force of the temptation. You, who are wise and strong and
+just, might have resisted; but"--with a slight graceful gesture of
+humility--"you see what I am."
+
+"If you had stopped to think!" Errington was beginning with unusual
+severity, for he was irritated by the confusion in his own mind, which
+was so different from his ordinary unhesitating decision between right
+and wrong.
+
+"But when you love any one very much--so entirely that you know every
+change of the dear face, the meaning even of the drooping hand or the
+bend of the weary head; when you know that a true brave heart is
+breaking under a load of care--care for you, for your future, when it
+will no longer be near to watch over and uphold you--and that no thought
+or tenderness or personal exertion can lift that load, only the magic of
+gold, why, you would do almost anything to get it. Would you not if you
+loved like _this_?" concluded Katherine. She had spoken rapidly and with
+fire.
+
+"But I never have," returned Errington, startled.
+
+"Then," said she, with some deliberation, "wisdom for you is from one
+entrance quite shut out." She pressed her handkerchief to her eyes, and
+was very still during a pause, which Errington hesitated to break.
+
+"It is no doubt lost breath to excuse myself to a man of your character,
+only do believe I was not meanly greedy! Now I have told you everything,
+I readily resign into your hands what I ought never to have taken.
+And--and you will spare my nephews wherewithal to educate them? Do what
+I can, this is beyond my powers, but I trust to your generosity not to
+let them be a burden on Colonel Ormonde. I leave the will with you." She
+made a movement as if to put on her veil.
+
+"Listen to me, Miss Liddell," said Errington, speaking very earnestly
+and with an effort. "You are in a state of exaltation, of mental
+excitement. The consciousness of the terrible mistake into which you
+were tempted has thrown your judgment off its balance. I do not for an
+instant doubt the sincerity of your proposition, but a little reflection
+will show you I could not entertain it."
+
+"Why not? I am quite willing to bear the blame, the shame, I deserve,
+rather than see you parted from the woman who was so nearly your wife,
+who would no doubt suffer keenly, and who--"
+
+"Pray hear me," interrupted Errington. "To part with Lady Alice is a
+great aggravation of my present troubles; but considering the kind of
+life to which we were both accustomed, and which she had a right to
+expect, I am sincerely thankful she was preserved from sharing my lot.
+Alone I can battle with life; distracted by knowing I had dragged _her_
+down, I should be paralyzed. I shall always remember with grateful
+regard the lady who honored me by promising to be my wife, but I shall
+be glad to know that she is in a safe position under the care of a
+worthier man than myself. _That_ matter is at rest forever. Now as to
+using the information you have placed in my power, you ask what is
+impossible. First, it is evident that the late Mr. Liddell fully
+intended to alter his will in your favor. It would have been most unjust
+to have bestowed his fortune to me. I am extremely glad it is yours."
+
+"But," again interrupted Katherine, "why should you not share it at
+least? Why should you be penniless while I am rich with what is not
+mine?"
+
+"I shall not be absolutely penniless," said Errington, smiling gravely.
+"Even if I were," he continued, with unusual animation, "do you think me
+capable of rebuilding my fortune on your disgrace? or of inventing some
+elaborate lie to account for the possession of that unlucky will? No
+amount of riches could repay me for either. I dare say the temptation
+you describe was irresistible to a nature like yours, and I dare say too
+the punishment of your self-condemnation is bitter enough. Now you must
+reflect that your duty is to keep the secret to which you have bound
+yourself. If you raise the veil which must always hide the true facts of
+your succession, you would create great unhappiness and confusion in
+Colonel Ormonde's family, and injure the innocent woman whom he would
+never have married had he not been sure you would provide for the boys.
+It would so cruel to break up a home merely to indulge a morbid desire
+for atonement. No, Miss Liddell. Be guided by me; accept the life you
+have brought upon yourself. _I_, the only one who has a right to do it,
+willingly resign what ought to have been yours without your
+unfortunately illegal act. Your secret is perfectly safe with me. Time
+will heal the wounds you have inflicted on yourself and enable you to
+forget. Leave this ill-omened document with me; it is safer than in your
+hands. Indeed there is no use in keeping it."
+
+"But what--what will become of _you?_" she asked, with strange
+familiarity, the outcome of strong excitement which carried her over all
+conventional limits.
+
+"Oh, I have had some training in the world both of men and books, and I
+hope to be able to keep the wolf from the door."
+
+"Would you not accept part at least--a sum of money, you know, to begin
+something?" asked Katherine, her voice quivering, her nerves relaxing
+from their high tension, and feeling utterly beaten, her high resolves
+of sacrifice and renunciation tumbling about her, like a house of cards,
+at the touch of common-sense.
+
+"I do not think any arrangements of the kind practicable," returned
+Errington, with a kind smile. "I understand your eagerness to relieve
+your conscience by an act of restitution, but now you are exonerated. I
+ask nothing but that you should forgive yourself, and knit up the
+ravelled web of your life. The fortune ought to be yours--is
+yours--shall be yours."
+
+"Will you promise that if you ever want help--money help--you will ask
+me? I shall have more money every year, for I shall never spend my
+income."
+
+"I shall not want help," he returned, quietly. "But though it is not
+likely we shall meet again, believe me I shall always be glad to know
+you are well and happy. Let this painful conversation be the last we
+have on this subject. For my part, I grant you plenary absolution."
+
+"You are good and generous; you are wise too; your judgment constrains
+me. Yet I hope I shall _never_ see you again. It is too humiliating to
+meet your eyes." She spoke brokenly as she tied the white veil closely
+over her face.
+
+"Nevertheless we part friends," said Errington, and held out his hand.
+She put hers in it. He felt how it trembled, and held it an instant with
+a friendly pressure. Then he opened the door and followed her to the
+entrance, where he bowed low as she passed out.
+
+Errington returned at once to his writing-table and his calculations. He
+took up his pen, but he did not begin to write. He leaned back in his
+chair and fell into an interesting train of thought. What an
+extraordinary mad proceeding it was of that girl to conceal the will! It
+was strangely unprincipled. "How impossible it is to trust a person who
+acts from impulse! The difference between masculine and feminine
+character is immense. No man with a grain of honor in him would have
+done what she did; only some dastardly hound who could cheat at cards.
+And she--somehow she seems a pure good woman in spite of all. I suppose
+in a woman's sensitive and weaker nature good and evil are less
+distinct, more shaded into each other. After all, I think I would trust
+my life to the word of this daring law-breaker." And Errington recalled
+the expressive tones of her voice, surprised to feel again the strange
+thrill which shivered through him when she had looked straight into his
+eyes, her own aglow with momentary defiance, and said, "Had it to be
+done again, I'd do it!" He had never been brought face to face with real
+emotion before. He knew such a thing existed; that it led like most
+things to good and to evil; that it was exceedingly useful to poets, who
+often touched him, and to actors, who did not; but in real every-day
+life he had rarely, if ever, seen it. The people with whom he associated
+were rich, well born, well trained; a crumpled rose leaf here and there
+was the worst trouble in their easy, conventional, luxurious lives. Of
+course he had met men on the road to ruin who swore and drank and
+gambled and generally disgraced themselves. Such cases, however, did not
+affect him much; he only touched such characters with moral tongs. Now
+this delicate, refined girl had humbled herself before him. Her sweet
+varying tones, her moist glowing eyes, the indescribable tremulous
+earnestness which was the undertone of all she said, her determined
+efforts for self-command, made a deep impression on him. Was she right
+when she said that from him "wisdom by one entrance was quite shut out?"
+At all events he felt, though he did not consciously acknowledge it even
+to himself, that this impulsive, inexperienced girl, whom he strove to
+look down upon from the unsullied heights of his own integrity, had
+revealed to him something of life's inner core which had hitherto been
+hidden from his sight.
+
+But all this dreaming was unpardonable waste of time when so much
+serious work lay before him. So Errington resolutely turned from his
+unusual and disturbing reverie, dipped his pen in the ink, and began to
+write steadily.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+PLENARY ABSOLUTION.
+
+
+Katherine never could distinctly remember what she did after leaving
+Errington. She was humbled in the dust--crushed, dazed. She felt that
+every one must perceive the stamp of "felon" upon her.
+
+The passionate desire to restore his rightful possessions to Errington,
+to confess all, had carried her through the dreadful interview. She was
+infinitely grateful to him for the kind tact with which he concealed the
+profound contempt her confession must have evoked, but no doubt that
+sentiment was now in full possession of his mind. It showed in his
+unhesitating, even scornful, rejection of her offered restitution. She
+almost regretted having made the attempt, and yet she had a kind of
+miserable satisfaction in having told the truth, the whole truth, to
+Errington; anything was better than wearing false colors in his sight.
+
+It was this sense of deception that had embittered her intercourse with
+him at Castleford; otherwise she would have been gratified by his grave
+friendly preference.
+
+How calm, how unmoved, he seemed amid the wreck of his fortunes. Yes,
+his was true strength--the strength of self-mastery. How different, how
+far nobler than the vehemence of De Burgh's will, which was too strong
+for his guidance! But Lady Alice could never have loved
+Errington--never--or she would have loved on and waited for him till the
+time came when union might be possible. Had _she_ been in her place! But
+at the thought her heart throbbed wildly with the sudden perception that
+_she_ could have loved him well, with all her soul, and rested on him,
+confident in his superior wisdom and strength--a woman's ideal love. And
+before this man she had been obliged to lay down her self-respect, to
+confess she had cheated him basely, to resign his esteem for ever! It
+was a bitter punishment, but even had she been stainless and he a free
+man, she, Katherine, was not the sort of girl _he_ would like. She was
+too impulsive, too much at the mercy of her emotions, too quick in
+forming and expressing opinions. No; the feminine reserve and
+tranquility of Lady Alice were much more likely to attract his
+affections and call forth his respect. This was an additional ingredient
+of bitterness, and Katherine felt herself an outcast, undeserving of
+tenderness or esteem.
+
+The weather was oppressively warm and sunless. A dim instinctive
+recollection of her excuse for coming to town forced Katherine to visit
+some of the shops where she was in the habit of dealing, and then she
+sat for more than a weary hour in the Ladies' Room at Waterloo Station,
+affecting to read a newspaper which she did not see, waiting for the
+train that would take her home to the darkness and stillness in which
+friendly night would hide her for a while. The journey back was a
+continuation of the same tormenting dream-like semi-consciousness, and
+by the time she reached Cliff Cottage she felt physically ill.
+
+"It was dreadfully foolish to go up to town in this heat," said Miss
+Payne, severely, when she brought up some tea to Katherine's room, where
+she retreated on her arrival. "I dare say you could have written for
+what you wanted."
+
+"Not exactly"--with a faint smile.
+
+"I never saw you look so ill. You must take some sal volatile, and lie
+down. If there had been much sun, I should have said you had had a
+sunstroke. I hope, however, a good night's rest will set you up."
+
+"No doubt it will; so I will try and sleep now."
+
+"Quite right. I will leave you, and tell the boys you cannot see them
+till to-morrow." So Miss Payne, who had a grand power of minding her own
+affairs and abstaining from troublesome questions, softly closed the
+door behind her.
+
+
+It took some time to rally from the overwhelming humiliation of this
+crisis. Katherine came slowly back to herself, yet not quite herself.
+Miss Payne had been so much disturbed by her loss of appetite, of
+energy, of color, that she had insisted on consulting the local doctor,
+who pronounced her to be suffering from low fever and nervous
+depression. He prescribed tonics and warm sea-water baths, which advice
+Katherine meekly followed. Soon, to the pride of the Sandbourne
+AEsculapius, a young practitioner, she showed signs of improvement, and
+declared herself perfectly well.
+
+Perhaps the tonic which had assisted her to complete recovery was a
+letter which reached her about a week after the interview that had
+affected her so deeply. It was addressed in large, firm, clear writing,
+which was strange to her.
+
+
+
+"I venture to trouble you with a few words," (it ran) "because when last
+I saw you I was profoundly impressed by the suffering you could not
+hide. I cannot refrain from writing to entreat you will accept the
+position in which you are placed. Having done your best to rectify what
+is now irrevocable, be at peace with your conscience. I am the only
+individual entitled to complain or interfere with your succession, and I
+fully, freely make over to you any rights I possess. Had your uncle's
+fortune passed to me, it would have been an injustice for which I should
+have felt bound to atone: nor would you have refused my proposition to
+this effect. Consider this page of your life blotted out, casting it
+from your mind. Use and enjoy your future as a woman of your nature, so
+far as I understand it, can do. It will probably be long before I see
+you again--which I regret the less because it might pain you to meet me
+before time has blunted the keen edge of your self-reproach. Absent or
+present, however, I shall always be glad to know that you are well and
+happy.
+         "Will you let me have a line in reply?
+               "Yours faithfully,              MILES ERRINGTON."
+
+
+
+The perusal of this letter brought Katherine the infinite relief of
+tears. How good and generous he was! How heartily she admired him! How
+gladly she confessed her own inferiority to him! Forgiven by him, she
+could face life again with a sort of humble courage. But oh! it would
+be impossible to meet his eyes. No; years would not suffice to blunt the
+keen self-reproach which the thought of him must always call up--the
+shame, the pride, the dread, the tender gratitude. Long and passionately
+she wept before she could recover sufficiently to write him the reply he
+asked. Then it seemed to her that the bitterness and cruel remorse had
+been melted and washed away by these warm grateful tears. He forgave
+her, and she could endure the pressure of her shameful secret more
+easily in future. At last she took her pen, and feeling that the lines
+she was about to trace would be a final farewell, wrote:
+
+
+"My words must be few, for none I can find will express my sense of the
+service _yours_ have done me. I accept your gift. I will try and follow
+your advice. Shall the day ever come when you will honor me by accepting
+part of what is your own? Thank you for your kind suggestion not to meet
+me; it would be more than I could bear. Yours,   KATHERINE."
+
+
+Then with deepest regret she tore up his precious letter into tiny
+morsels, and striking a match, consumed them. It would not do to incur
+the possibility of such a letter being read by any third pair of eyes.
+Moreover, she was careful to post her reply herself. And so, as
+Errington said, that page of her story was blotted out, at least, from
+the exterior world, but to her own mind it would be ever present: round
+this crisis her deepest, most painful, ay, and sweetest memories would
+cling. It was past, however, and she must take up her life again.
+
+She felt something of the weakness, the softness, which convalescents
+experience when first they begin to go about after a long illness, the
+dreamy, quiet pleasure of coming back to life. The boys continued to be
+her deepest interest. So time went on, and no one seemed to perceive the
+subtle change which had sobered her spirit.
+
+The season was over, and Mrs. Ormonde descended on Cliff Cottage for a
+parting visit. She had only given notice of her approach by a telegram.
+
+"You know you are quite too obstinate, Katherine," she said, as the
+sisters-in-law sat together in the drawing-room, waiting for the cool of
+the evening before venturing out. "You never came to me all through the
+season except once, when you wanted to shop, and now you refuse to join
+us at Castleford in September, when we are to have really quite a nice
+party: Mr. De Burgh and Lord Riversdale and--oh! several really good
+men."
+
+"I dare say I do seem stupid to you, but then, you see, I know what I
+want. You are very good to wish for me. Next year I shall be very
+pleased to pay you a visit."
+
+"Then what in the world will you do in the winter?"
+
+"Remain where I am--I mean with Miss Payne--and look out for a house for
+myself."
+
+"But, my dear, you are much too young to live alone."
+
+"I am twenty-one now; I shall be twenty-two by the time I am settled in
+a house of my own. And, Ada, I am going to ask you a favor. Lend me your
+boys to complete my respectability."
+
+"What! for altogether? Why, Katherine, you will marry, and--"
+
+"Well, suppose I do, that need not prevent my having the comfort of my
+nephews' company until the fatal knot is tied."
+
+"Now, dear Katherine, _do_ tell me--_are_ you engaged to any one? Not a
+foreigner?--anything but a foreigner!"
+
+"At present," said Katherine, with some solemnity, "I am engaged to two
+young men."
+
+"My dear! You of all young girls! I am astonished. There is nothing so
+deep, after all, as a demure young woman. I suppose you are in a scrape,
+and want Colonel Ormonde to help you out of it?"
+
+"I think I can manage my own affairs."
+
+"Don't be too sure. A girl with money like you is just the subject for a
+breach-of-promise case. Do I know either of these men?"
+
+"Yes, both."
+
+"Who are they?" cried Mrs. Ormonde, with deepening interest.
+
+"Cis and Charlie," returned Katherine, laughing.
+
+"I really cannot see anything amusing in this sort of stupid
+mystification," cried Mrs. Ormonde, in a huff.
+
+"Pray forgive me; but your determination to marry me out of hand tempts
+me to such naughtiness. However, be forgiving, and lend me the boys till
+next spring. They might go to Castleford for Christmas."
+
+"Oh no," interrupted Mrs. Ormonde, hastily. "I forgot to mention that
+Ormonde has almost promised to spend next Christmas in Paris. It is such
+a nuisance to be in one's own place at Christmas; there is such work
+distributing blankets and coals and things. If one is away, a check to
+the rector settles everything. I assure you the life of a country
+gentleman is not all pleasure."
+
+"Then you will let me have the boys?"
+
+"Well, dear, if you really like it, I do not see, when you have such a
+fancy, why you should not be indulged."
+
+"Thank you. And I may choose a school for Cis?"
+
+"I am sure the neither Ormonde nor I would interfere; just now it is of
+no great importance. But--of course--that is--I should like some
+allowance for myself out of their money."
+
+"Of course you should have whatever you are in the habit of receiving."
+
+After this, Mrs. Ormonde was most cordial in her approbation of
+everything suggested by her sister-in-law. The friendly conversation was
+interrupted by the entrance of Cecil with his satchel over his shoulder.
+He went straight to his young aunt and hugged her.
+
+"Well, Cis, I see you don't care for mother now," exclaimed Mrs.
+Ormonde, easily moved to jealousy, as she always was.
+
+"Oh yes, I do! only you don't like me to jump on you, and auntie doesn't
+mind about her clothes." And he kissed her heartily.
+
+"Do you want to come back to Castleford?"
+
+"What, now? when the holidays begin next week?"--this with a rueful
+expression. "Why, we were to have a sailing boat, and old Norris the
+sailor and his boy are to come out every evening."
+
+"Then you don't want to come?"
+
+"Oh, mayn't we stay a little longer, mother? It _is_ so nice here!"
+
+"You may stay as long as your aunt cares to keep you, for all I care,"
+cried Mrs. Ormonde, somewhat spitefully.
+
+"Oh, thank you, mother dear--thank you!" throwing his arms round her
+neck. "I'll be such a good boy when I come back; but it _is_ nice here.
+Then you have baby, and he does not worry you as much as we do."
+Katherine thought this a very significant reply.
+
+"There! there!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, disengaging herself from the warm
+clinging arms. "Go and wash your hands; they are frightfully dirty."
+
+"It's clean dirt, mother. I stopped on the beach to help Tom Damer to
+build up a sand fort."
+
+"Why did Miss North let you?"
+
+"Oh, I was by myself! I don't want _any_ one to take care of me," said
+Cecil, proudly.
+
+"Good heavens! do you let the child walk about alone?" cried Mrs.
+Ormonde, with an air of surprise and indignation.
+
+"Run away to Miss North," said Katherine, and as Cecil left the room she
+replied: "As Cecil is nine years old, Ada, and a very bright boy, I
+think he may very well be let to take care of himself. The school is not
+far, and he cannot learn independence too soon."
+
+"Perhaps so. But of course you know better than I do. You were always
+more learned, and all that; besides, you are not over anxious, as a
+mother would be."
+
+"Nor careless either," said Katherine thinking of the nights at
+Castleford when she used to steal to the bedside, of little feverish,
+restless Charlie, while his mother kept within the bounds of her own
+luxurious chamber.
+
+"No, no; certainly not," returned Mrs. Ormonde, remembering it was as
+well not to offend so strong a person as she felt Katherine to be. "Only
+Cecil is a tiresome, self-willed boy, and very likely to get into
+mischief."
+
+"If you wish it, Ada, I shall, of course, have him escorted to and fro
+to school."
+
+"Oh, just as you like. I suppose you know the place better than I do."
+
+"Colonel Ormonde has never come down to see me," resumed Katherine,
+after a pause. "You must tell him I am quite hurt."
+
+"Well, dear, you must know that Duke is rather vexed with you."
+
+"Vexed with me! Why?" asked Katherine, opening her eyes.
+
+"You see, he thinks you ought to have come to us for a while; and then
+De Burgh came back from this last time in such a bad temper that my
+husband thought you were not behaving well to him--making a fool of him,
+in short; inviting him down here to amuse yourself, and then refusing
+him, if you _did_ refuse."
+
+"No, I did not; for Mr. De Burgh never gave me an opportunity," cried
+Katherine, indignantly. "Nor did I ever ask him here. I cannot prevent
+his coming and lodging at the hotel. I am quite ready to talk to him,
+because he amuses me, but I am not bound to marry every man who does.
+Tell Colonel Ormonde so, with my compliments."
+
+"I am sure _I_ don't want you to marry De Burgh! Indeed, I am surprised
+at Duke; but you see, being chums and relations (and men stick together
+so), that he only thinks of De Burgh, who, _entre nous_, has been
+awfully fast. He _is_ amusing, and very _distingue_, but I am afraid he
+only cares for your money, dear."
+
+"Very likely," returned Katherine, with much composure.
+
+"Then another reason why the Colonel does not care to come down is that
+he has a great dislike to that Miss Payne. _She_ is really hostess here,
+and it worries Duke to have to be civil to her."
+
+"Why?" asked Katherine. "I can imagine her being an object of perfect
+indifference; but dislike--no!"
+
+"Well, dear, men never like that sort of women;--people, you know, who
+eke out their living by--doing things, when they are plain and old.
+Handsome adventuresses are quite another affair--they are amusing and
+attractive."
+
+"How absurd and unreasonable!"
+
+"Yes, of course; they are all like that. Then he thinks Miss Payne has a
+bad and dangerous influence on you. He disapproves of your living on
+with her, for you don't take the position you ought, and--"
+
+Katherine laughed good-humoredly as Mrs. Ormonde paused, not knowing
+very well how to finish her speech. "Colonel Ormonde will hide the light
+of his countenance from me, then, I am afraid, for a long time; for I
+like Miss Payne, and I am going to stay with her for the period agreed
+upon; and I will _not_ marry Mr. De Burgh, nor will I let him ask me to
+do so, for there is a degree of honesty about him which I like. You may
+repeat all this to your husband, Ada, and add that but for a lucky
+chance his wife and myself would have been among the sort of women who
+eke out their living by doing things. I don't think I should be afraid
+of attempting self-support if all my money were swept away."
+
+"Don't talk of such a thing!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, turning pale. "Thank
+God what you have settled on the boys is safe!"
+
+Katherine's half-contemptuous good humor carried her serenely through
+this rather irritating visit, but the totally different train of thought
+which it evoked assisted her to recover her ordinary mental tone. It
+was, however, touched by a minor key of sadness, of humility (save when
+roused by any moving cause to indignation), which gave the charm of soft
+pensiveness to her manner.
+
+Mrs. Ormonde was rather in a hurry to go back to town, as she had
+important interviews impending with milliner and dressmaker prior to a
+visit to Lady Mary Vincent at Cowes, from which she expected the most
+brilliant results, for the little woman's social ambition grew with what
+it fed upon. Nor did the rational repose of Katherine's life suit her.
+Books, music, out-door existence, were a weariness, and in spite of her
+loudly declared affection for her sister-in-law she found a curious
+restraint in conversing with her.
+
+They parted, therefore, with many kind expressions and much
+satisfaction.
+
+"I will write you an account of all our doings at Cowes. I expect it
+will be very gay and pleasant there. How I wish you were to be of the
+party, instead of moping here!" said Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"Thank you. I should like it all, no doubt, but not just now. I will
+keep you informed of our small doings."
+
+So Mrs. Ormonde steamed on her way rejoicing, and Katherine re-entered a
+pretty low pony-carriage in which she drove a pair of quiet, well-broken
+ponies, selected for her by Bertie Payne, whose conversion had not
+obliterated his carnal knowledge of horseflesh. A small groom always
+accompanied her, for though improved by the practice of driving, she did
+not like to be alone with her steeds.
+
+She had nearly reached the chief street of Sandbourne, when a tall
+gentleman in yachting dress strolled slowly round the corner of a lane
+which led to the beach. He paused and raised his hat. She recognized De
+Burgh and drew up.
+
+"And so you are driving in capital style," was his greeting; "all by
+yourself, too. Will you give me a lift back?"
+
+"Certainly. Where have you come from?"
+
+"Melford's yacht. I escorted my revered relative, old De Burgh, down to
+Cowes. He has a little villa there. As he has grown quite civil of late,
+I think it right to encourage him. Melford was there, and invited me to
+take a short cruise. So I made him land me here just now. The yacht is
+still in the offing. Lady Alice was on board."
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed Katherine, with much interest. "How is she?"
+
+"So far as one can judge from the exterior, remarkably well, and exactly
+the same as ever. It is rather funny, but they had Renshaw on board too,
+the son of the big brewer who has bought, or is going to buy,
+Errington's house in Berkeley Square. I fancy it is not impossible he
+may come in for Errington's ex-_fiancee_ as well as his ex-residence."
+
+"It cannot be, surely!" cried Katherine, flushing with a curious
+feeling.
+
+"Why not? I don't say immediately. I have no doubt everything will be
+done decently and in order."
+
+"Well, it is incomprehensible."
+
+"Not to me. What can--(Make that little brute on the off side keep up to
+the collar. You want a few lessons from me still.) What can a girl like
+Lady Alice do? She is an earl's daughter. She cannot dig; to beg she is
+ashamed; she must therefore take to herself a husband from the mammon of
+unaristocratic money-grubbers."
+
+"I should like to meet her again--poor Lady Alice!" said Katherine, more
+to herself than to her companion.
+
+"I think you are wasting your commiseration," he returned. "She seems
+quite happy."
+
+"She may be successful in hiding her feelings."
+
+De Burgh laughed. "Tell me," he asked, "do you really think Errington is
+the sort of fellow women break their hearts about?"
+
+"I cannot tell. He seems to me very good and very nice."
+
+"That is a goody-goody description. Well done!"--as Katherine guided
+her ponies successfully through the gate of her abode and turned them
+round the gravel sweep. "I must say you have a pretty little nook here."
+
+"Had you arrived an hour sooner you would have seen Mrs. Ormonde. I have
+just seen her off by the 12.30 train. She has been paying us a farewell
+visit, and is gone to Lady Mary Vincent."
+
+"Indeed! She will have her cup of pleasure running over there; they live
+in a flutter of gayety all day long."
+
+Here De Burgh sprang to the ground and assisted Katherine to alight.
+
+"Will you lunch with us?" she asked, an additional tinge of color
+mounting to her cheek; for she knew De Burgh was no favorite of Miss
+Payne, who was no doubt rejoicing at the prospect of repose and
+deliverance from their late guest, who generally managed to rub her
+hostess the wrong way.
+
+"You are very kind. I shall be delighted."
+
+While Katherine went ostensibly to put aside her hat--really to warn
+Miss Payne--De Burgh strolled into the drawing-room. How cool and fresh
+and sweet with abundant flowers it was! An air of refined homeliness
+about it, the work and books and music on the open piano, spoke of
+well-occupied repose. Its simplicity was graceful, and indicated the
+presence of a cultured woman.
+
+De Burgh wandered to the window--a wide bay--and took from a table which
+stood in it a cabinet photograph of Katherine, taken about a year
+before. He was absorbed in contemplating it when she came in, and he
+made a step to meet her. "This is very good," he said. "Where was it
+taken?"
+
+"In Florence."
+
+"It is like"--looking intently at her, and then at the picture. "But you
+are changed in some indescribable way, changed since I saw you last,
+years ago--that is, a month--isn't it a month since you drove me from
+paradise?--but _you_ don't remember."
+
+"But, Mr. De Burgh, I did not drive you away. You got bored, and went
+away of your own free-will."
+
+"I shall not argue the point with you--not now; but tell me," with a
+very steady gaze into her eyes, "has anything happened since I left to
+waken up your soul? It was by no means asleep when I saw you last, but
+it has met with an eye-opener of some kind, I am convinced."
+
+"I should not have given you credit for so much imagination, Mr. De
+Burgh."
+
+Here Miss Payne made her appearance, and the boys followed. They were
+treated with unusual good-humor and _bonhomie_ by De Burgh, who actually
+took Charlie on his knee and asked him some questions about boating,
+which occupied them till lunch was announced.
+
+Miss Payne was too much accustomed to yield to circumstances not to
+accept De Burgh's attempts to be amiable and agreeable. He could be
+amusing when he chose; there was an odd abruptness, a candid avowal of
+his views and opinions, when he was in the mood, that attracted
+Katherine.
+
+"You _are_ a funny man!" said Cecil, after gazing at him in silence as
+he finished his repast. "I wish you would come out in the boat with us.
+Auntie said we might go."
+
+"Very well; ask her if I may come."
+
+"He may, mayn't he?"--chorus from both boys.
+
+"Yes, if you really care to come: but do not let the children tease
+you."
+
+"Do you give me credit for being ready to do what I don't like?"
+
+"I can't say I do."
+
+"When do you start on this expedition?"
+
+"About seven, which will interfere with your dinner, for Miss Payne and
+I have adopted primitive habits, and do not dine late; we indulge in
+high tea instead."
+
+"Nevertheless, I shall meet you at the jetty. Till then adieu."
+
+"May we come with you?" cried the boys together--"just as far as the
+hotel?"
+
+"No, dears; you must stay at home," said Katherine, decidedly.
+
+"Then do let him come and see how the puppy is. He has grown quite big."
+
+"Yes, I'll come round to the kennel if you'll show me the way," replied
+De Burgh, with a smiling glance at Katherine. "Till this evening, then,"
+he added, and bowing to Miss Payne, left the room, the boys capering
+beside him.
+
+"I should say that man has breakfasted on honey this morning," observed
+Miss Payne, with a sardonic smile. "Does he think that he has only to
+come, to see, and to conquer?"
+
+"He has been quite pleasant," said Katherine. "I wonder why he is not
+always nice? He used to be almost rude at Castleford sometimes." She
+paused, while Miss Payne rose from the table and began to lock away the
+wine. "I wonder what has become of Mr. Payne? He has not been here for a
+long time."
+
+"What made you think of him?" asked his sister, sharply.
+
+"I suppose the force of contrast reminded me of him. What a difference
+between Bertie and Mr. De Burgh!--your brother living only to help
+others, and utterly forgetful of self; he regardless of everything but
+the gratification of his own fancies--at least so far as we can see."
+
+"Yes; Mr. De Burgh can hardly be termed a true Christian. Still, Gilbert
+is rather too weak and credulous. I suspect he is very often taken in."
+
+"Is it not better he should be sometimes, dear Miss Payne, than that
+some poor deserving creature should perish for want of help?"
+
+"Well, I don't know. Self-preservation is the first law of nature, and
+if that law were more carefully obeyed, fewer would need help."
+
+"Life is an unsolvable problem," said Katherine, and the remark reminded
+her of her humble friend Rachel. She therefore sat down and wrote her a
+kind, sympathetic letter, feeling some compunction for having allowed so
+long an interval to elapse since her last.
+
+Her own troubles had occupied her too much. Now that time was beginning
+to accustom her to their weight, her deep interest in Rachel revived
+even with more than its original force. Katherine did not make intimates
+readily. Let there be ever so small a nook in the mind, ever so tiny an
+incident in the past, which must be hidden from all eyes, and there can
+be no free pass for outsiders, however dear or valued, to the sanctum of
+the heart, which must remain sealed, a whispering gallery for its own
+memories and aspirations. But Rachel Trant never dreamed of receiving
+confidence, nor, after once having strung herself up to tell her sad
+story, did she allude to her bitter past, save by an occasional word
+expressing her profound sense of the new life she owed to Katherine; nor
+did the latter, when talking with her face to face, ever realize that
+there was any social difference between them. Rachel's voice, manner,
+diction, and natural refinement were what might be expected from a
+gentlewoman, only that through all sounded a strain of harsh strength,
+the echo of that fierce despair from whose grip the tender consideration
+of her new friend had delivered her. The evening's sail was very
+tranquil and soothing. De Burgh was agreeable in the best way; that is,
+he was sympathetically silent, except when Katherine spoke to him. The
+boys and their governess sat together in the bow of the boat, where they
+talked merrily together, occasionally running aft to ask more profound
+questions of De Burgh and auntie. Fear of rheumatism and discomfort
+generally kept Miss Payne at home on these occasions.
+
+De Burgh walked with Miss Liddell to her own door, but wisely refused to
+enter. "No," he mused, as he proceeded to his hotel; "I have had enough
+of a _solitude a trois_. It's an uncomfortable, tantalizing thing, and
+though I have been positively angelic for the last seven or eight hours,
+I can't stand any more intercourse under Miss Payne's paralyzing optics.
+I wonder if any fellow can keep up a heavenly calm for more than
+twenty-four hours? Depends on the circulation of the blood. I wonder
+still more if it is possible that Katherine is more disposed to like me
+than she was? She is somehow different than when I was here last. So
+divinely soft and kind! I have known a score or two of fascinating
+women, and gone wild about a good many, but _this_ is different, why the
+deuce should she _not_ love me? Most of the others did. Why? God knows.
+I'll try my luck; she seems in a propitious mood."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXI.
+
+"NO."
+
+
+Next morning's post brought a letter from Bertie, which was a kind of
+complement to Katherine's reflections of the night before. After
+explaining that he had hitherto been unable to take a holiday from his
+various avocations, he promised to spend the following week with his
+sister and Miss Liddell. He then described the success of Mrs. Needham's
+bazar, and proceeded thus:
+
+"Meeting my old friend Mrs. Dodd a few days ago, I was sorry to find
+from her that your favorite, Rachel Trant, had been very unwell. She had
+had a great deal of work, thanks to your kind efforts on her behalf, and
+sat at it early and late; then she took cold. I went to see her, and
+found her in a state of extreme depression, like that from which you
+succeeded in rousing her. I think it would be well if she could have a
+little change. Are there any cheap, humble lodgings at Sandbourne, where
+she might pass a week or two? I shall pass this matter in your hands."
+
+"I am sure old Norris's wife would take her in. They have a nice
+cottage, almost on the beach, close to the point."
+
+"No doubt. Really that Rachel of yours is in great luck. I wonder how
+many poor girls in London are dying for a breath of sea-air?"
+
+"Ah, hundreds, I fear. But then, you see, they have not been brought
+under my notice, and Rachel has; so I will do the best I can for her. I
+am sure she is no common woman."
+
+"At all events she has no common luck."
+
+Katherine lost no time in visiting Mrs. Norris, and found that she was
+in the habit of letting a large, low, but comfortable room upstairs,
+where the bed was gorgeous with a patchwork quilt of many colors, and
+permitting her lodgers to dine in a small parlor, which was her own
+sitting-room.
+
+The old woman had not had any "chance" that season, as she termed it,
+and gladly agreed to take the young person recommended by her husband's
+liberal employer. So Katherine walked back to write both to Bertie and
+their _protegee_.
+
+During her absence De Burgh had called, but left no message. And
+Katherine felt a little sorry to have missed him, as she thought it
+probable he would go on to town that afternoon, and she wanted to hear
+some tidings of Errington, yet could hardly nerve herself to ask.
+
+The evening was gloriously fine, and as Miss Payne did not like boating,
+the pony-carriage was given up to her, the boys, and Miss North the
+governess, for a long drive to a farm-house where the boys enjoyed
+rambling about, and Miss Payne bought new-laid eggs.
+
+When they had set out, Katherine took a white woolen shawl over her
+arm--for even in July the breeze was sometimes chill at sundown--and
+strolled along the road, or rather cart track, which led between the
+cliffs and the sea to the boatman's cottage. She passed this, nodding
+pleasantly to the sturdy old man, who was busy in his cabbage garden,
+and pursued a path which led as far as a footing could be found, to
+where the sea washed against the point. It was a favorite spot with
+Katherine, who was tolerably sure of being undisturbed here. The view
+across the bay was tranquilly beautiful; the older part of Sandbourne
+only, with the pretty old inn, was visible from her rocky seat among the
+bowlders and debris which had fallen from above, while the old tower at
+the opposite point of the bay stood out black and solid against the
+flood of golden light behind it. She sat there very still, enjoying the
+air, the scene, the sweet salt breath of the sea, thinking intently of
+Rachel Trant's experience, of her fatal weakness, of the unpitying
+severity of that rule of law under which we social atoms are
+constrained to live; of the evident fact that were we but wise and good
+we might always be the beneficent arbiters of our own fate; that there
+are few pleasures which have not their price; and after all, though she,
+Katherine, had paid high for hers, it had not cost too much, considering
+she had been groping in the dimness of imperfect knowledge. Oh, hew she
+wished she had never attempted to act providence to her mother and
+herself, but trusted to Errington's sense of generosity and justice! Of
+course it would have been humiliating to beg from a stranger, yet before
+that stranger she had been compelled to lower herself to the dust, and--
+
+The unwonted sound of approaching feet startled her. She turned, to see
+De Burgh within speaking distance. "I am like Robinson Crusoe in my
+solitude here," she said, smiling. "I turn pale at the sound of an
+unexpected step, as he did at the print of Friday's foot."
+
+"And to continue the smile," he returned, leaning against a rock near
+her, "the footprint or step, as in Crusoe's case, only announces the
+advent of a devoted slave." He spoke lightly, and Katherine scarce
+noticed what seemed to her an idle compliment.
+
+"I fancied you had gone to town," she said.
+
+"No; I am not going to town; I don't know or care where I am going. Some
+kind friends might say I am on my way to the dogs."
+
+"I hope not," said Katherine, gravely. "I imagine, Mr. De Burgh, that if
+you had some object of ambition--"
+
+"I should become an Admirable Crichton? I don't think so. There are such
+dreary pauses in the current of all careers!"
+
+"Of course. You would not live in a tornado!"
+
+"I am not so sure"--laughing. "At all events I shall never be satisfied
+with still life like our friend Errington."
+
+"Do you know anything of him? Mrs. Ormonde never mentions his name."
+
+"Of course not; when a fellow can't keep pace with his peers, away with
+him, crucify him."
+
+"As long as a few special friends are true----"
+
+"If they are," interrupted De Burgh; and Katherine did not resume,
+hoping he would continue the theme, which he did, saying: "He has left
+his big house, gone into chambers somewhere, and has I believe, taken up
+literature, politics, and social subjects. So Lady Mary Vincent says. I
+fancy he is a clever fellow in a cast-iron style."
+
+"What a change for him!"
+
+"I believe there was something coming to him out of the wreck, and I
+think he is a sort of man who will float. I never liked him myself,
+chiefly, I fancy, because I know he doesn't like me. Indeed, I don't
+care for people in general." There was a pause, during which Katherine
+glanced at her companion, and was struck by his sombre expression, the
+stern compression of his lips.
+
+"Did you call at the cottage?" she asked.
+
+"No; you were out this morning, and I did not like to intrude again," he
+laughed. "Growing modest in my sere and yellow days, you see; so I
+thought I should perhaps find you here, as I saw your numerous party
+drive past the hotel."
+
+"I like this corner, and often come here. But, Mr. De Burgh, you look as
+if the times were out of joint."
+
+"So they are"--suddenly seating himself on a flat stone nearly at
+Katherine's feet, leaning his elbow on another, and resting his head on
+his hand, so as to look up easily in her face.
+
+"What gloomy dark eyes he has!" she thought.
+
+"I should like to tell you why," he went on.
+
+"Very well," returned Katherine, who felt a little uneasy.
+
+"I am pretty considerably in debt, to begin with. If I paid up I should
+have about three half-pence a year to live on. Besides my debts I have
+an unconscionably ancient relative whose title and a beggarly five
+thousand a year must come to me when he dies, if he ever dies. This
+venerable impediment has some hundred or more thousands which he can
+bequeath to whom he likes. Hitherto he has not considered me a credit to
+the family. Well, I went to him the other day, on his own invitation,
+and to my amazement he offered to pay my debts--on one condition."
+
+"I do hope he will," cried Katherine, as De Burgh paused. She was quite
+interested and relieved by the tone of his narrative.
+
+"Ay, but there's the rub. I can't fulfil the condition, I fear. It is
+that I should marry a woman rich enough to replace the money my debts
+will absorb; a particular woman who doesn't care for me, and whom,
+knowing the hideous tangle of motives that hangs round the central idea
+of winning her, I am almost ashamed to ask; but a woman that any man
+might court; a woman I have loved from the first moment my eyes met
+hers, who has haunted and distracted me ever since, and who is, I dare
+say, a great deal too good for me; but a creature I will strive to win,
+no matter what the cost of success. This girl or rather (for there is a
+richness and ripeness of nature about her which deserves the term) this
+fair, sweet woman--I need not name her to you." He stopped, and his
+passionate pleading eyes held hers. Katherine grew white, half with
+fear, half with sincere compassion. She tried to speak. At last the
+words came.
+
+"You make me terribly sad, Mr. De Burgh," she said, with trembling lips.
+"You make me _so_ sorry that I cannot marry you; but I cannot--indeed I
+cannot. Will Lord De Burgh not pay your debts if he knows you have done
+your best to persuade me to marry you?"
+
+De Burgh laughed a cynical laugh. "You are infinitely practical,
+Katherine. (I am going to call you Katherine for the next few minutes.
+Because I think of you as Katherine, I love to speak your name to
+yourself; it seems to bring me a little nearer to you.) Listen to me.
+Don't you think you could endure me as a husband? I am a better fellow
+than I seem, and mine is no foolish boy's fancy. I am a better man when
+I am near you. Then this old cousin of mine will leave me all he
+possesses if you are my wife, and the Baroness de Burgh, with money
+enough to keep her place among her peers, would have no mean position;
+nor is a husband passionately devoted to you unworthy of
+consideration."
+
+"It is not indeed. But, Mr. De Burgh, do you honestly think that
+devotion would last? These violent feelings often work their own
+destruction."
+
+"Ay: God knows they do, amazingly fast," he returned, with a sigh and a
+far-away look. "But what you say applies to all men. If you ever marry
+you must run the risk of inconstancy in the man you accept. I am at
+least old enough and experienced enough to value a good woman when I
+have found one, especially when she does not make her goodness a bore.
+And you--you have inspired me with something different from anything I
+have ever felt before. Yes, yes," he went on, angrily, as he noticed a
+slight smile on her lips. "I see you try to treat this as only the
+stereotype talk of a lover who wants your money more than yourself; but
+if you listen to the judgment of your own heart, it is true and honest
+enough to recognize truth in another, and it will tell you that,
+whatever my faults (and they are legion), sneaking and duplicity are not
+among them. It is quite true that when first I heard of you I thought
+your fortune would be just the thing to put me right, as I have no doubt
+my dear friend Mrs. Ormonde has impressed upon you, but from the moment
+I first spoke to you I felt, I knew, there was something about you
+different from other women. I also knew that in the effort to win the
+heiress I was heavily handicapped by the sudden strong passion for the
+woman which seized me."
+
+"That surely ought to have been a means of success?" said Katherine, a
+good deal interested in his account of himself.
+
+"No: it made me, for the first time in my life, hesitating,
+self-distrustful, and awfully disgusted at having to take your money
+into consideration. Had you been an ordinary woman, ready to exchange
+your fortune for the social position I could give my wife, and perhaps
+with a certain degree of liking for the kind of free-lance reputation I
+am told I possess, I should have carried my point, and presented the
+future Baroness de Burgh to my venerable kinsman months ago."
+
+"And suppose the unfortunate heiress had been a soft-hearted, simple
+girl?" said Katherine, with a slight faltering in her tones. "Suppose
+she were credulous, loving, attracted by you--you are probably
+attractive to some women--and married you believing in your
+disinterested affection?"
+
+De Burgh, who had risen from half-recumbent position, and stood leaning
+against a larger fragment of rock, paused before he replied: "I think
+that I am a gentleman enough not to be a brute, but I rather believe a
+woman of the type you describe would not have a blissful existence with
+me."
+
+"I am sure of it. You are quite capable of making the life of such a
+woman too dreadful to think of." She shuddered slightly.
+
+De Burgh looked curiously at her. "If you will have the goodness to
+undertake my punishment," he said, "by marrying me without love, and
+letting me prove how earnestly I could serve you and strive to win it,
+I'll strike the bargain this moment. I have been reckless and
+unfortunate. Now give me a chance; for I _do_ love you, Katherine. I'd
+love you if you were the humblest of undowered women."
+
+The tears stood in her eyes, for the passion and feeling in his voice
+struck home to her.
+
+"I believe it," she said, softly, "and I am almost sorry I cannot love
+you. But I do not, nor do I think I ever could. You will find others
+quite as likely to draw forth your affection as I am. But there are some
+natural barriers of disposition, and--oh, I cannot define what--which
+hold us apart. Yet I am interested in you, and would like to know you
+were happy. Yet, Mr. De Burgh, I must not sacrifice my life to you. If I
+did, the result might not be satisfactory even to yourself."
+
+"Sacrifice your life! What an unflattering expression!" cried De Burgh,
+with a hard laugh. "So there is no hope for me?"
+
+Katherine shook her head.
+
+"I felt there was but little when I began," he said, as if to himself.
+"Tell me, are you free? Has some more fortunate fellow than myself
+touched that impregnable heart of yours? I know I have no right to ask
+such a question."
+
+"You have not indeed, Mr. De Burgh. And if I could not with truth say
+'no,' I should be vexed with you for asking it. Weighted as I am with
+money enough to excite the greed of ordinary struggling men, I shall not
+be in a hurry to renounce my comfortable independence."
+
+De Burgh's eyes again held hers with a look of entreaty. "That
+independence will last just as long as your heart escapes the influence
+of the man whom you will love one day; for though love lies sleeping, it
+is in you, and will spring to life some time, all the stronger and more
+irresistible because his birth has not come early. _Then_ you will feel
+more for _me_ than you do now."
+
+"I do feel for you, Mr. De Burgh"--raising her moist eyes to his.
+
+"Thank you"--taking her hand and kissing it. "Will you, then be my
+friend, and promise not to banish me? I'll be sensible, and give you no
+trouble."
+
+"Oh yes, certainly," said Katherine, glad to be able to comfort him in
+any way; and she withdrew her hand.
+
+"I am not going to worry you with my presence now," he continued. "I
+shall say good-by for the present. I am going away north. I have entered
+a horse for a big steeple-chase at Barton Towers, and will ride him
+myself. If I win I can hold out awhile longer. You must wish me
+success."
+
+"I am sure I do, heartily. After this, _do_ give up racing."
+
+"Very well. But"--pressing her hand hard--"I'll tell you what I will
+_not_ give up, my hope of winning _you_, until you are married to some
+one else and out of my reach."
+
+He kissed her hand again, and then, without any further adieu, turned
+away, walking with long swift steps toward the town, not once looking
+back.
+
+"Thank God he is gone!" was Katherine's mental exclamation as the sound
+of his foot-fall died away. She was troubled by his intensity and
+determination, and touched by his unmistakable sincerity. "If I loved
+him I should not be afraid to marry him. I think he might possibly make
+a good husband to a woman he was really attached to; but I have not the
+least spark of affection for him, though there is something very
+distinguished in his figure and bearing; even his ruggedness is
+perfectly free from vulgarity. Yes, he is a sort of man who might
+fascinate some women; but he is terribly wrong-headed. If he keeps
+hoping on until I marry, he has a long spell of celibacy before him. I
+dare say he will be married himself before two years are over."
+
+She sat awhile longer thinking, her face growing softer and sadder. Then
+she rose, wrapped her shawl round her, and walked slowly back to the
+cottage, where she found the rest of the party just returned, joyous and
+hungry.
+
+
+Bertie came down late on the following Saturday, and brought a note from
+Rachel Trant to Katherine, accepting her offer of quarters at Sandbourne
+with grateful readiness. Katherine was always pleased with her letters;
+they expressed so much in a few words; a spirit of affectionate
+gratitude breathed through their quiet diction.
+
+Katherine was very glad to receive it, for Bertie's accounts of their
+_protegee_ made her uneasy. She had at first refused to move, saying it
+was really of no use spending money upon her, and seemed to be sinking
+back into the lethargic condition from which Katherine had woke her.
+
+Her kind protectress therefore set off early on Monday to tell Mrs.
+Norris she was coming, and to make her room look pretty and cheerful. By
+her orders the boatman's son was despatched to meet their expected
+tenant on her arrival. Miss Payne having arranged a picnic for that day,
+at which Katherine's company could not be dispensed with.
+
+When they returned it was already evening; still Katherine could not
+refrain from visiting her friend. "She will be so strange and lonely
+with people she has never seen before," she said to Bertie. "As soon as
+tea is over I shall go and see her."
+
+"It will be rather late, yet it will be a great kindness. I will go with
+you, and wait for you among the rocks on the beach."
+
+Miss Payne expressed her opinion that it was unwise to set beggars on
+horseback, but offered no further opposition.
+
+The sun had not quite sunk as Katherine and her companion walked
+leisurely by the road which skirted the beach toward the boatman's
+dwelling.
+
+"I wish we could find some occupation that could so fill Rachel Trant's
+mind as to prevent these dreadful fits of depression," began Katherine.
+
+"She had plenty of work, and seemed successful in her performance of
+it," he returned; "but it does not seem to have kept her from a
+recurrence of these morbid moods. Loneliness does not appear to suit
+her."
+
+"Sitting from morning till night, unremittingly at work, in silence,
+alone with memories which must be very sad, is not the best method of
+recovering cheerfulness, and unfortunately, Rachel is too much above her
+station to make many friends in it. She wants movement as well as work,"
+remarked Katherine.
+
+"As you consider her so good a dressmaker, it might be well to establish
+her on a larger scale, and give her some of the older girls from our
+Home as apprentices. Looking after and teaching them would amuse as well
+as occupy her."
+
+"It is an idea worth developing!" exclaimed Katherine; and they walked
+on a few paces in silence.
+
+"So De Burgh has been paying you a visit?" said Bertie at length.
+
+"He has been paying Sandbourne a visit. He did not stay with us."
+
+"It is wonderful that he could tame his energies even to stay here a few
+days."
+
+"He was here only two days the last time."
+
+"_You_ cannot have much in common with such a man."
+
+"Not much, certainly; still, he interests me. He has had such a narrow
+escape of being a _good_ man."
+
+"Narrow escape! I should say he never was in much danger of _that_
+destiny."
+
+"Perhaps if the door of every heart were opened to us we should see more
+good in all than we could expect." A few words more brought them to the
+boatman's house, where they parted.
+
+Miss Trant was at home, Mrs. Norris said. Katherine ascended the steep
+ladder-like stair, and having knocked at the door, entered the room.
+Rachel was seated in the window, which was wide open. Her elbows rested
+on a small table, and her chin on her clasped hands, while her large
+blue eyes looked steadily out over the bay, which slept blue and
+peaceful below; the lines of her slightly bent figure looked graceful
+and refined, but there was infinite sadness in her pose.
+
+"I am very glad to see you again," said Katherine. Rachel, who was too
+deep in thought to hear her enter, started up to clasp her offered hand.
+Her pale thin face was lit with pleasure, and her grave, almost stern
+eyes softened.
+
+"And so am I. You do not know _how_ glad. Do you know, I began to think
+I never should see you again," and she kissed the hand she held.
+
+"Do not!" said Katherine, bending forward to kiss her brow. "Were you so
+ill, then?"
+
+"Not physically ill, except for my cough; but for all that I felt dying,
+and really I often wonder why you try to keep me alive. I am a trouble
+to you, and I do very little good. Had I not been a coward I should have
+left the world, where I have no particular place, long ago."
+
+"Well, you see, I have a sort of superstition that life is a goodly gift
+which must not be cast aside for a whim; and why should you despair of
+finding peace? There is so much that is delightful in life!"
+
+"And so much that is tragic!"
+
+"Ah, yes! but if we only seek for the sorrowful we destroy our own
+lives, without helping any one. You must let the dead past bury its
+dead."
+
+"How if the dead past comes and crosses your path, and looks you in the
+face?"
+
+"What do you mean, Rachel?"
+
+"You will think me weak and contemptible, but I must confess to you the
+cause of my late prostration."
+
+"Yes, do; it may be a relief."
+
+"About a month ago," said Rachel, sitting down by the table opposite
+Katherine, and again resting her elbow on it, while she half hid her
+face by placing her open hand over her eyes, "I was walking to Mrs.
+Needham's with some work I had finished, when, turning into Lowndes
+Square, I came face to face with--him. It is true I had a thick veil on,
+and my large parcel must have partially disguised me, but he did not
+recognize me. He passed me with the most unconscious composure, and he
+was looking better, brighter, than I had ever seen him. The sight of him
+brought back all the torturing pangs of helpless sorrow for the
+sweetness, the intense happiness I can never know again; the stinging
+shame, the poison of crushed hopes, the profound contempt for myself,
+the sense of being of no value to any one on earth. I think if I could
+have spoken to _you_, I might have shaken off these fiends of thought;
+but I was alone, always alone: why should I live?"
+
+"Rachel, you _must_ put this cruel man out of your mind. He has been the
+destroyer of your life. Try and cast the idea of the past from you. Life
+is too abundant to be exhausted by one sorrow. You have years before you
+in which to build up a new existence and find consolation. I will not
+listen to another word about your former life; let us only look forward.
+I have a plan for you--at least Mr. Payne has suggested the idea--in
+which you can help us and others, and which will need all your time and
+energy. But I will not even talk of this business. We must try lighter
+and pleasanter topics. Not another word about by-gone days will I speak.
+You have started afresh under my auspices, and I mean you to float. Now
+that you are here, Rachel, you must read amusing books, and be out in
+the open air all day. You will be a new creature in a week. You must
+come and see my cottage and my nephews; they are dear little fellows.
+Are you fond of children?"
+
+"I don't think I am. I never had anything to do with them. But I would
+rather not go to your house, dear Miss Liddell. I feel as if I could not
+brave Miss Payne's eyes."
+
+"That is mere morbidness. There is no reason why you should fear any
+one. You must discount your future rights. A few years hence, when you
+are a new woman, you will, I am sure, look back with wonder and pity as
+if reading the memoir of another. I _know_ that spells of
+self-forgiveness come to us mercifully."
+
+"When I listen to you, and hear in the tones of your voice more even
+than in your words that you are my friend, that you really care for me,
+that it will be a real joy to you to see me rise above myself, I feel
+that I can live and strive and be something more than a galvanized
+corpse. You give me strength. I wonder if I shall ever be able to prove
+to you what you have done for me. Stand by me, and I _will_ try to put
+the past under my feet. I do not wish to presume on the great goodness
+you have shown me nor to forget the difference between us socially, but
+oh! let me believe you love me--even me--with the kindly affection that
+can forgive even while it blames."
+
+"Be assured of that, Rachel," cried Katherine, her eyes moist and
+beautiful with the divine light of kindness and sympathy, as she
+stretched out her hand to clasp Rachel's. "I have from the first been
+drawn to you strangely--it is something instinctive--and I have firm
+belief in your future, if you will but believe in yourself. You are a
+strong, brave woman, who can dare to look truth in the face. You will be
+useful and successful yet."
+
+Rachel held her hand tightly for a minute in silence; then she said, in
+a low but firm voice: "I will try to realize your belief. I should be
+too unworthy if I failed to do my very best. There! I have discarded the
+past; you shall hear of it no more."
+
+They were silent for a while; then a solemn old eight-day clock with a
+fine tone struck loudly and deliberatedly in the room below. Katherine,
+with a smile, counted each stroke. "Nine!" she exclaimed, when the last
+had sounded; "and though it is 9 P.M., let it be the first hour of your
+new life." She rose, and passing her arm over Rachel's shoulder, kissed
+her once more with sisterly warmth. "Mr. Payne is waiting for me, so I
+must leave you. I have sent you some books; I have but few here. One
+will amuse you, I am sure, though it is old enough--a translation of the
+_Memoirs of Madam d'Abrantes_. It is full of such quaint pictures of the
+great Napoleon's court, and does not display much dignity or nobility,
+yet it is an honest sort of book."
+
+"Thank you. I don't want novels now; they generally pain me. But my
+greatest solace is to forget myself in a book."
+
+Bertie Payne's visit was a very happy one. The boys adored him, and
+subjects of discussion and difference of opinion never failed between
+Katherine and himself. She consulted him as to what school would be best
+for Cecil, and he advised that he should be left as a boarder at the one
+which he now attended, and where he had made fair progress, when Miss
+Payne and Katherine returned to town.
+
+Bertie looked a new man when he bade them good-by, promising to come
+again soon.
+
+Beyond sending a newspaper which recorded his victory in the Barton
+Towers steeple-chase De Burgh made no sign, and life ran smoothly in its
+ordinary grooves at Sandbourne.
+
+Rachel Trant revived marvellously. The change of scene, the fresh
+salt-air, above all the society of Katherine, who frequently visited and
+walked with her, all combined to give her new life--even emboldening her
+to look at the future. Her manner, always grave and respectful, won
+reluctant approval from Miss Payne. And the boys were always pleased to
+run to the boatman's cottage with flowers or fruit, and talk to, or
+rather question, their new friend. Rachel seemed always glad to see
+them, though she evidently shrank from returning their visits. She was
+never quite herself, or off guard, except when alone with Katherine.
+Then she spoke out of her heart, and uttered thoughts and opinions which
+often surprised Katherine, and set her thinking more seriously than she
+had ever done before. Finally, hearing from her good old landlady that
+some of her customers had returned to town and were inquiring for her,
+Rachel said it was time her holiday came to an end.
+
+"I feel now that I can bear to live and try to be independent. Indeed
+my life is yours; you have given it back to me, and I will yet prove to
+you that I am not unworthy of your wonderful generosity," she said, the
+morning of the day she was to start for London, as she sat with
+Katherine among the rocks at the point. "The idea of an establishment
+such as Mr. Payne suggests is excellent. It ought to be your property,
+and good property--I need only be your steward--while it may be of great
+use to others."
+
+"I feel quite impatient to carry out the project, and we will set about
+it as soon as I return to town," returned Katherine.
+
+"Will you write to me sometimes?" asked Rachel, humbly. "I feel as if I
+dare not let you go: all of hope or promise that can come into my
+wrecked life centres in you. While you are my friend I can face the
+world."
+
+"Yes, Rachel, write to me as often as you like, and I will answer your
+letters. Trust me: I will always be your true friend."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXII.
+
+"WARP AND WOOF."
+
+
+When the rough weather of a stormy autumn obliged Katherine to keep
+in-doors she began to feel the monotony of existence by the sad sea
+waves, and to wish for the sociability of London. The end of October,
+then, saw Miss Payne and party re-established in Wilton Street, having
+left Cecil at school. With Charlie, Katherine could not part just yet.
+She intended to keep him till after Christmas, when he was to go to
+school with his brother.
+
+Though town was empty as regarded "society," there was plenty of life
+and movement in the streets, and Katherine, always thankful for
+occupation which drew her thoughts away from her profound regret for the
+barrier which existed between Errington and herself, was glad to be back
+in the great capital. She threw herself into the scheme of establishing
+Rachel Trant as a "court dressmaker" most heartily, and Bertie Payne
+spared time from his multifarious avocations to give important
+assistance. Rachel herself, too, proved to be a wise counsellor, her
+previous training having given her some experience in business.
+Katherine therefore found interesting employment in looking for a small
+house suited to the undertaking.
+
+Mr. Newton was writing busily in his private room one foggy afternoon
+when he was informed that Miss Liddell wished to speak to him.
+
+"Show her in at once," he said, cheerfully, as if pleased, and he rose
+to receive her. "Glad to see you, Miss Liddell, looking all the better
+for your sojourn by the sea-side. Why, it must be nearly six months
+since I saw you."
+
+"Yes, quite six months, Mr. Newton. I suppose you have been refreshing
+yourself too, after the fatigues of the season. You must try Sandbourne
+next year. It is a very nice little place."
+
+"Sandbourne? I don't think I know it. But now what do you want, my dear
+young lady? I don't suppose you come here merely for pleasure."
+
+"I assure you it always gives me great pleasure," said Katherine, with a
+sweet, sunny smile. "You have always been my very good friend."
+
+"Well, a sincere one, at all events," returned the dry old lawyer, whose
+aridity was not proof against the charm of his young client.
+
+"I must not waste your time," she resumed, drawing her chair a little
+nearer the table behind which he was ensconced. "I want to buy a house
+which I have seen, and I want you to attend to all details connected
+with it."
+
+"Oh--ah! Well, a good house would not be a bad investment; it would be
+very convenient to have a residence in London."
+
+"It is not for myself; it is a speculation."
+
+"A speculation? What put that into your head?"
+
+Whereupon Katherine told him her story.
+
+"I think it rather a mad undertaking," was Mr. Newton's verdict. "These
+projects seldom succeed. I don't care for clever interesting young women
+who have no one belonging to them and cannot corroborate their stories.
+How do you know she was not dismissed from Blackie & Co.'s for theft?"
+
+Katherine laughed. "I certainly do not know," she said, "but I _feel_ it
+is quite as impossible for her to steal as it is for myself."
+
+"Feel!--feel!" (impatiently). "Just so: impostors thrive on the good
+feelings of--of the simple."
+
+"You were going to say fools," said Katherine. "Don't let us waste time,
+my dear Mr. Newton," she went on, with good-humored decision. "We shall
+never agree on such a topic; and I am going to buy this house, or
+another of the same kind if this proves not to be desirable; and I
+should be very sorry to employ any one but you to arrange the purchase."
+
+"Oh, you know your own mind, and how to threaten--eh, Miss Liddell?" he
+returned, with a smile. "I must know more about the tenement before I
+can consent to act for you."
+
+"It is an ordinary three-storied house, with a couple of rooms built out
+at the back, in a small street where there are a few shops; but it is
+near Westbourne Terrace, and therefore in a region of good customers.
+The late owner has been succeeded by a son, who seems very anxious to
+get rid of it. The price asked is seven hundred and fifty pounds, and I
+believe the taxes are under ten pounds. Do, dear Mr. Newton, look into
+the matter, and get it settled as soon as possible, and on the best
+terms you can."
+
+"Hum! and the furniture? Do you undertake that too?"
+
+"Of course. Don't you see, I can do it all out of the money I have not
+been able to use. There is quite three thousand pounds on deposit in the
+bank. You know you wrote to me only a month ago about letting the money
+lie idle. I shall employ it now, for my _protegee_, Miss Trant, will be
+my only manager. I will pay her wages, and whatever profit after comes
+to me."
+
+"A very unknown quantity," said the lawyer, drily. "Still, the house
+can't run away, and I suppose will aways let for fifty or sixty pounds a
+year."
+
+"Fifty, I think."
+
+"Then I will look into the matter. Is it in habitable repair?"
+
+"It seems so. Do your best to have the purchase completed as soon as
+possible, dear Mr. Newton. I want to start my modiste in good time to
+catch the home-coming people."
+
+"Believe me, it is an unwise project," said Newton, thoughtfully.
+
+"I know you think so, and you are right to counsel me according to your
+conscience; but as I am quite determined, you must not let me go to a
+stranger for help."
+
+"Very well; give me the address."
+
+"Seven Malden Street, Paddington. Bell & Co., house agents, in Harrow
+Road, have it on their books."
+
+"Good! I'll get a surveyor to see to sanitary arrangements, etc. Now
+that, as usual, you have conquered again and again, tell me something of
+yourself. Are you tired of the little nephews yet?"
+
+"No, indeed. I have been happier with them than I dared hope to be when
+I was left alone nearly a year ago, yet"--Her voice faltered and her
+soft dark eyes filled.
+
+"Yes, yes," hastily, with a man's dread of tears; "you couldn't get over
+that all at once. But you know it is a very Quixotic business taking
+those boys; and Mrs. Ormonde is not the woman to relieve you should any
+difficulty arise."
+
+"But when boys are well provided for there never can be a difficulty.
+Ah, Mr. Newton, what a wonderful magician money is! What would become of
+me without it? It is almost worth risking anything to get it."
+
+"Or, apparently, to get rid of it," remarked Mr. Newton. "By-the-way,
+that was a tremendous smash of Errington's. Did you hear anything about
+him?"
+
+"Yes," rather faintly.
+
+"The reason I mention him is that, curiously enough, _he_ was the man
+your uncle left everything to in that will he very fortunately
+destroyed. Of course I should only mention it to you: though now all is
+passed and gone, it is of no importance. He has behaved very well. I am
+told he has turned to literature. It's a pity he did not follow his
+profession; but it would be rather late in the day for that. I think you
+must find these rooms rather stuffy and warm after the sea-breezes, for
+you are looking pale and fagged again."
+
+"I feel a headache coming on," said Katherine, pulling herself together.
+"I hope you will pay me a visit someday. I should like to show you my
+dear little Charlie. He has a great look of my mother, especially his
+eyes; they are _just_ like hers."
+
+"If you will allow me to come some Sunday----"
+
+"Certainly. You will sympathise with Miss Payne. She shares your
+deep-rooted distrust of your fellow-creatures. Yet even _she_ has some
+faint faith in Rachel Trant."
+
+"That is the best symptom about the affair I have yet heard of.
+By-the-bye, this Miss Payne has made you comfortable? she has been a
+successful experiment?"
+
+"Very successful indeed. I quite like her, and respect her; but I shall
+not stay longer than the time I agreed for. I want to make a home for
+the boys and myself."
+
+"What! Will Mrs. Ormonde give them up?"
+
+"Not avowedly, but they will ultimately glide into my hands."
+
+"I trust you will not regret the charge you are taking on yourself."
+
+"I do not fear failure. These children are a great source of pleasure to
+me."
+
+A few more words, a promise on Mr. Newton's part to hurry matters, and
+Katherine, bidding him adieu for the present, descended to the brougham
+which she usually hired for distant expeditions. Ordering the coachman
+to stop at Howell& James', Katherine leaned back and reflected on the
+interview with Mr. Newton. No doubt he thought he had given her a good
+deal of curious information. If he only knew what a living lie she was!
+Her duplicity met her at every turn, and cried shame upon her. However,
+she had the pardon and permission of him against whom she had chiefly
+offended; that counted for much. Still, it was too hard a punishment
+that the ghost of her transgression should thus cry out against her, and
+she had done her best to rectify it. She felt profoundly depressed. It
+was an effort to execute the commissions intrusted to her by Miss Payne.
+These performed, she was leaving the shop, when a gentleman who was
+passing rapidly almost ran against her. He paused and raised his hat as
+if to apologize. It was Errington.
+
+"Miss Liddell!" he exclaimed, a startled, pleased look animating his
+eyes. "I understood you were out of town. I hardly hoped to meet you
+again."
+
+Katherine flushed up, and then grew white. "I have been out of town ever
+since--" Since what?--that turning-point in her life when she confessed
+all to him?
+
+"And I have been _in_ town," rejoined Errington. "It is not nearly so
+bad as some people imagine. Where are you staying?"
+
+"Oh, I am always with Miss Payne, in Wilton Street."
+
+"I remember. But I am keeping you standing. May I come and see you?"
+
+"Oh no; I would rather not," cried Katherine, with an irresistible
+impulse which she regretted the next moment.
+
+"You are always frank," said Errington, with a kind smile, yet in a
+disappointed tone. "I will not intrude, then. How are your nephews, and
+Mrs. Ormonde? I seem to have lost sight of every one, for I have become
+a very busy man."
+
+"Yes, I know," she returned, her color going and coming, her heart
+beating so fast she could hardly speak. "I must seem so rude! But I have
+read some of your papers in _The Age_. It must, indeed, take time and
+study to produce such articles."
+
+"And patience on the part of a young lady to wade through them."
+
+"No; they always interest me, even when a little over my head. Though I
+do not want you to come and see me, I am always so glad to hear about
+you, to know you are well."
+
+"Then why avoid me?"
+
+"How can I help it?"--looking at him with dewy eyes and quivering lips.
+
+"Well, I must accept your decision. I wish--But I will not detain you."
+He opened the carriage door and handed her in.
+
+For an instant her eyes sought his with a wistful, deprecating look,
+then she said, "Tell him 'home,' please," and she drove off.
+
+The encounter unhinged her for the day. Why had he crossed her path, and
+why had she allowed herself to reject his friendly offer to come and see
+her? Yet it would have made her miserable to bear the quiet scrutiny of
+his eyes through a whole visit. He had evidently quite forgiven her, but
+that could not restore her self-respect or render her less keenly alive
+to the silent reproach of his presence. And yet it was pleasant to hear
+him speak, his voice was so clear, so well modulated, so intelligent.
+And how well he looked!--better and brighter than she had ever seen him.
+It was evident that he was not breaking his heart about Lady Alice. How
+could she have given him up?
+
+Though nothing was more natural or probable than that they should meet
+when both lived in the same town, huge as it is, it was an immense
+surprise to Katherine, who had somehow come to the conclusion that they
+were never to set eyes on each other again. This impression upset her.
+She was constantly on the outlook for Errington wherever she drove or
+walked, and the composure which she had been diligently, and with a sort
+of sad resignation to Errington's wishes, building up, was replaced by a
+feverish, restless anticipation of she knew not what.
+
+The result was increased eagerness to see the completion of her
+dressmaking scheme, and she made Mr. Newton's life a burden to him till
+all was accomplished.
+
+In this she found a shrewd assistant in Mrs. Needham, who took up the
+cause furiously, and drove hither and thither, exhorting, entreating,
+commanding, and really bringing in customers, somewhat to Katherine's
+surprise, as she did not expect much wool from so great a cry.
+
+Shortly before Christmas Miss Trant's establishment was in full working
+order, a couple of clever assistants had been engaged, and Rachel
+herself seemed to wake up to the full energy of her nature under the
+spur of responsibility.
+
+The affair was not brought to a conclusion, however, without a struggle
+on the part of Mr. Newton against Katherine's resolution not to appear
+in the matter. The house was bought in Rachel Trant's name, the sale was
+made to her, and Miss Liddell's name never appeared. Newton declared it
+to be sheer madness; even Bertie Payne considered it unwise; but
+Katherine was immovable.
+
+"I am Miss Trant's creditor," she said. "If successful, she will pay me:
+if not, why, she will give up the house to me. I have full faith in her,
+and I wish her to be perfectly unshackled in the undertaking. As the
+owner of a house she will more readily obtain any credit she may need."
+
+"Which means," said Mr. Newton, crossly, "that you will have to pay her
+debts if you ever intend to get possession of the house."
+
+"Well, I have made up my mind to the risk," returned Katherine, with
+smiling determination; "so we will say no more about it."
+
+
+The unexpected meeting with Errington haunted Katherine for many a day,
+and many a night was broken by unpleasant dreams. She was filled with
+regret for having so hastily refused his proffered visit. Yet had he
+come she would have been uneasy in his presence. She longed to see him
+again; she came home from driving or walking each day with aching eyes
+and dulled heart because she had been disappointed in encountering him.
+Yet she dreaded to meet him, and trembled at the idea of speaking to
+him. She was dismayed at the restless dissatisfaction of her own mind.
+Was she never to find peace? never to know real enjoyment in her
+ill-gotten fortune? Why was it that the image of this man was
+perpetually before her, the sound of his voice in her ears? Then the
+answer of her inner consciousness came to overwhelm her with shame and
+confusion: "Because you love him with all the strength and fervor of a
+heart that has never frittered away its force in senseless flirtations
+or passing fancies." This was the climax of misfortune. To know that the
+one of all others she most looked up to must, in spite of his kind
+forbearance, despise her as a cheat. Surely it was a sufficient
+punishment for a delicately proud woman to know that she had given her
+love unasked. All that remained for her was to hide her deep wounds,
+that by stifling the new and vivid feelings which troubled her they
+would die out, and so leave her in a state of monotonous repose. She
+would endeavor by all possible means to win forgetfulness.
+
+When Cis came back for the Christmas holidays, therefore, he found his
+auntie ready to go out with Charlie and himself to circus and pantomime,
+Polytechnic and wax-works, to his heart's content. It was not a brisk
+frosty Christmas, or she would no doubt have been with them on the ice,
+and the round of boyish dissipations called forth an oracular sentence
+from Miss Payne. "It's just as well those boys are going back to school,
+Katherine. You are more foolish about them than you used to be, and if
+they staid on you would completely ruin them."
+
+Just before the holidays were over, Mrs. Ormonde visited London, or
+rather paused in passing through from the distinguished Christmas
+gathering to which, to her pride and satisfaction, she had been invited
+at Lady Mary Vincent's. The little boys were indifferently glad to see
+her, and with the jealousy inherent in a disposition such as hers she
+was vexed at not being first with her own boys, yet delighted to hand
+over the care and trouble of them to any one who would undertake it.
+These mixed feelings ruffled the bright surface of her self-content,
+inflated as it was by her increasing social success.
+
+She chose to put up at a quiet hotel in Dover Street rather than accept
+Katherine's and Miss Payne's joint invitation to Wilton Street.
+
+"I know you will not mind, Katie dear," she said, as she sat at tea (to
+which refreshment she had invited her sister-in-law). "You see if it
+were your own house, quite your own, I should prefer staying with you to
+going anywhere else. As it is----"
+
+"You are quite right to please yourself," put in Katherine.
+
+"Yes, you are always kind and considerate. But, do you know, both
+Colonel Ormonde and I are very anxious you should establish yourself on
+a proper footing. Believe me, you do not take the social position you
+ought, living with an obscure old maid like Miss Payne"--this in a tone
+of strong common-sense. "The proper place for you is with us at
+Castleford in the autumn and winter, and a house in town with us in the
+spring. Then you and I might go abroad sometimes together, and leave
+Ormonde to his turnips and hunting. You would be sure to marry
+well--quite sure."
+
+"But I am going to settle myself in a house of my own this spring," said
+Katherine, smiling.
+
+Against this project Mrs. Ormonde exhausted herself in eloquent if
+contradictory argument: but finding she made no impression, suddenly
+changed the subject. "That is a very expensive school you have chosen
+for the boys, Katherine. 'Duke thinks it ridiculous. Sixty pounds a year
+for such a little fellow as Cis! and now Charlie will cost as much."
+
+"It is not cheap, certainly; but it is, I think, worth the money. Cecil
+has improved marvellously, and Sandbourne agrees so well with them
+both."
+
+"You will do as you think best, of course. We have the highest regard
+for your opinion. But you must remember that what with clothes and
+travelling and--oh, and doctors!--it all comes to more than three
+hundred a year, and at Castleford I could keep them for next to nothing,
+while the stingy trustees you have chosen only allow me four hundred and
+fifty."
+
+"So you have only about a hundred and fifty out of the total for your
+personal expenses, eh?" said Katherine, laughing. "Then you have a
+husband behind you."
+
+"Oh, I assure you that does not count for much. 'Duke doesn't care to
+spend money, and my having something of my own makes matters wonderfully
+smooth. I am sure you would not like to make any unhappiness between
+us."
+
+"No, certainly not. I think it quite right, as my brother's widow, you
+should have something for yourself as long as you live."
+
+"You really have a great sense of justice, Katherine, I must say! Living
+as you do, dear, you can form no idea what it costs to present an
+appearance when you are in a certain set."
+
+"I don't suppose I ever shall, though I like nice clothes too."
+
+"And look so well in them!" added Mrs. Ormonde, who was always ready,
+when she deemed it necessary, to burn the incense of flattery on her
+sister-in-law's shrine. "By-the-way, that is a very pretty, well-made
+costume you have on. I think you are slighter than you used to be."
+
+"The effect of a good fit. I wish you would employ my dressmaker. She is
+very moderate."
+
+"Is she?"
+
+A short discussion of prices followed, and Mrs. Ormonde declared she
+would call on Miss Trant that very afternoon and bespeak two dresses,
+for all she had were quite familiar to the eyes of her associates.
+
+"I suppose you have heard or seen nothing of De Burgh lately?" exclaimed
+Mrs. Ormonde, suddenly.
+
+"No, not for a long time."
+
+"He has been away--somewhere in Hungary, hunting or shooting--and then
+he has been staying with old Lord de Burgh. They used hardly to speak,
+and now he seems taken into favor. He is a curious sort of man, and he
+can be _so_ insolent! How he will put his foot on people's necks when he
+gets the old man's title and wealth!"
+
+"If they let him," said Katherine, quietly.
+
+"As he is in town, I thought he might have called on you. He was always
+running down to that stupid place in the summer, so I----"
+
+"Mr. De Burgh!" said a waiter, opening the door with a burst.
+
+"Talk of an angel!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, rising to receive him with a
+welcoming smile. "My sister was just saying it was a long time since she
+had seen you."
+
+Katherine felt annoyed at the thoughtless speech--if it _was_
+thoughtless. However, she kept a composed air, though the varying color
+which she never could regulate told De Burgh that she was not unmoved.
+
+"And probably hoped it would be longer," he replied, as he shook hands
+with Mrs. Ormonde, but only bowed to Miss Liddell.
+
+"Don't answer him," cried the former; "such decided fishing does not
+deserve success."
+
+"I will not," said Katherine, with a kind smile. She was too thorough a
+woman not to have a soft corner in her heart for the man who had
+professed, with so convincing an air of sincerity, to love her with all
+his heart.
+
+It did not, however, seem to please or displease him, for he sat down
+beside the tea-table with his usual unaffected ease, and addressed his
+conversation to Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"Just heard from Carew that you were in town, and I have only escaped
+from Pontygarvan, where I have been playing the dutiful kinsman to my
+immortal relative. I don't know which is most to be avoided, his enmity
+or his liking. He is an amusing old cynic at times, but a born despot.
+He only let me away to prosecute a scheme that he has taken up, and
+which I have gone pretty deeply into myself."
+
+"Indeed!" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde, handing him some tea. "Have you turned
+promoter, or--"
+
+"Well, I am going to be my own promoter; time only will show how I'll
+succeed. You must both give me your best wishes."
+
+"I am sure I do," said Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+De Burgh raised his eyes slowly to Katherine's. She had not spoken.
+"Don't _you_ wish me success? No; I thought you didn't."
+
+"I wish you all possible happiness," she said, in a low tone.
+
+"Have you quarrelled with Katherine, or offended her, that she is so
+implacable?" asked Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"Neither, I hope. Now what are you doing in the way of amusement? Have
+you seen a play since you came up? The pantomimes are still on at the
+big theatres. But I want you to come and see _Ours_ at the Prince of
+Wales on Thursday; it's very good in parts. Then if you'll sup with me
+after, at my rooms, I'll get Carew and Brereton and one or two others to
+meet you."
+
+"It would be very nice!" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"Thank you," returned Katherine. "I am, strange to say, going to a party
+on Thursday."
+
+"To a party! How extraordinary! Where, Katherine?"
+
+"To Lady Barrington's--a lady I knew in Florence, and who has invited me
+repeatedly."
+
+"I am sure I am very glad you are coming out of your shell at last.
+Where does this Lady Barrington live?"
+
+"In Lancaster Square, not far from my abode."
+
+"Well, let us say Friday for _Ours_," said De Burgh; "for I too am going
+to Lady Barrington's on Thursday."
+
+"Then why did you invite us for that evening?" cried Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"I could have gone afterwards. Lady Barrington's gatherings are always
+late."
+
+"You really know every one."
+
+"Oh, not every one, Mrs. Ormonde."
+
+"Then our 'play' is not to come off unless Katherine is to be of the
+party"--rather pettishly.
+
+"If you like I will take you on Thursday, and Miss Liddell (if she will
+allow me) on Friday."
+
+"What nonsense! We will all go together on Friday. Katie, do you think
+this friend of yours would invite me? I don't care to mope here when you
+are out enjoying yourself."
+
+"I am sure she would be very pleased to see you. I will write and ask
+her for an invitation as soon as I go home." Katherine rose as she
+spoke.
+
+"Do, like a good girl; and I will go and interview this dressmaker of
+yours. Till to-morrow, then."
+
+The little woman stood on tiptoe to kiss her tall sister-in-law, who
+left the room, followed by De Burgh.
+
+"Haven't I been a reasonable, well-behaved fellow not to have haunted or
+worried you all these months? Will you let me come and tell you how wise
+and staid and prudent I have become?" he said.
+
+He spoke half in jest, but there was a wonderfully appealing look in his
+eyes.
+
+"I am very glad to hear it, Mr. De Burgh. I hope you will go on and
+prosper."
+
+"And will you shut your doors against me if I call?"
+
+"No; why should I?"
+
+"Thanks! How heavenly it is to see you again! though you don't look
+quite as bright as you did at Sandbourne. Is this your carriage? I see
+you have not started a turn-out of your own yet."
+
+"And never shall, probably."
+
+"Not, at all events, till you have appointed your 'master of the horse.'
+Good-by till to-morrow night."
+
+He handed her carefully into the brougham, and stood looking after it as
+she drove away.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIII.
+
+A WANDERER RETURNS.
+
+
+It was quite an event in Katherine's quiet life to go to a party. She
+had never been at one in London, and anticipated it with interest. Both
+in Florence and Paris she had mixed in society and greatly enjoyed it.
+Now she felt a little curious as to the impression she might make and
+receive. Her nature was essentially vigorous and healthy, and threw off
+morbid feelings as certain chemicals repel others inimical to them. She
+would have enjoyed life intensely but for the perpetually recurring
+sense of irritation against herself for having forfeited her own
+self-respect by her hasty action. It would have been somewhat
+humiliating to have taken charity from the hands of Errington, but this
+was as nothing to the crushing abasement of knowing that she had cheated
+him. Still, no condition of mind is constant--except with
+monomaniacs--and Katherine was often carried away from herself and her
+troubles.
+
+She was glad, on the whole, that De Burgh was to be at Lady Barrington's
+reception.
+
+She was too genial, too responsive, not to find admiration very
+acceptable. Nor could she believe that a man like De Burgh, hard,
+daring, careless, could suffer much or long through his affections. It
+flattered her woman's vanity, too, that with her he dropped his cynical,
+mocking tone, and spoke with straightforward earnestness. He might have
+ended by interesting and flattering her till she loved him--for he had a
+certain amount of attraction--if her carefully resisted feeling for
+Errington had not created an antidote to the poison he might have
+introduced into her life.
+
+Altogether she dressed with something of anticipated pleasure, and was
+not displeased with the result of her toilette.
+
+Her dress was as deeply mourning as it was good taste to wear at an
+evening party. A few folds of gauzy white lisse softened the edge of her
+thick black silk corsage, a jet necklet and comb set off her snowy,
+velvety throat and bright golden brown hair.
+
+"I had no idea you would turn out so effectively!" exclaimed Mrs.
+Ormonde, examining her with a critical eye as they took off their wraps
+in the ladies' cloak-room. "Your dress might have been cut a little
+lower, dear; with a long throat like yours it is very easy to keep
+within the bounds of decency. I wonder you do not buy yourself some
+diamonds; they are so becoming."
+
+"I shall wait for some one to give them to me," returned Katherine,
+laughing.
+
+"Quite right"--very gravely--"only if I were you I should make haste and
+decide on the 'some one.'"
+
+"Mrs. Ormonde and Miss Liddell!" shouted the waiters from landing to
+door, and the next moment Lady Barrington, a large woman in black velvet
+and a fierce white cap in which glittered an aigret of diamonds, was
+welcoming them with much cordiality.
+
+"Very happy to see any friend of yours, my dear Miss Liddell! I think I
+had the pleasure of meeting you, Mrs. Ormonde, at Lord Trevallan's
+garden-party last June?"
+
+"Oh yes; were _you_ there?" with saucy surprise.
+
+"Algernon," continued Lady Barrington, motioning with her fan to a tall,
+thin youth. "My nephew, Mrs. Ormonde, Miss Liddell. I think Algernon had
+the pleasure of meeting you at Rome?" Katherine bowed and smiled. "Take
+Mrs. Ormonde and Miss Liddell in and find them seats near the piano.
+Signor Bandolini and Madam Montebello are good enough to give us some of
+their charming duets, and are just going to begin. I was afraid you
+might be late."
+
+So Mrs. Ormonde and Miss Liddell were ushered to places of honor, and
+the music began.
+
+"I don't see a soul I know," whispered Mrs. Ormonde, presently. "Yet the
+women are well dressed and look nice enough, but the men are decidedly
+caddish."
+
+"London is a large place, with room in it for all sorts and conditions
+of men. But we must not talk, Ada."
+
+Mrs. Ormonde was silent for a while; and then opening her fan to screen
+her irrepressible desire to communicate her observations, resumed:
+
+"I am sure I saw Captain Darrell in the doorway only for a minute, and
+he went away. I hope he will come and talk to us. You were gone when he
+came back from leave--to Monckton, I mean. He is rather amu--" A warning
+"hush-sh" interrupted her.
+
+"What rude, ill-bred people!" she muttered, under her breath. And soon
+the duet--a new one, expressly composed to show off the vocal gymnastics
+of the signore and madame--came to an end; there was a rustle of relief,
+and every one burst into talk.
+
+"How glad they are it is over!" said Mrs. Ormonde. "Look at that tall
+girl in pink. You see those sparkles in the roses on her corsage and in
+her hair; they are all diamonds. I know the white glitter. What airs she
+gives herself! I suppose she is an heiress, and, I dare say, not half as
+rich as you are."
+
+"Don't be too sure. I am no millionaire," began Katherine, when she was
+interrupted by a voice she knew, which said, "I had no idea it was to be
+such a ghastly concern as this!" and turning, she found De Burgh close
+behind her.
+
+"What offends you?" she asked, smiling.
+
+"All this trilling and shrieking. There's tea or something going on
+downstairs. You had better come away before they have a fresh burst;
+they are carrying up a big fiddle."
+
+"Tea!" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde. "Oh, do take me away to have some!"
+
+"Here, Darrell," said De Burgh, coolly, turning back to speak to some
+one who stood behind him. "Here's Mrs. Ormonde dying for deliverance and
+tea. Come, do your _devoir_."
+
+Darrell hastened forward, smiling, delighted. With a little pucker of
+the brow and lifting of the eyebrows Mrs. Ormonde accepted his arm.
+
+"Now, Miss Liddell," said De Burgh, offering his; and not sorry to
+escape from the heated, crowded room, Katherine took it and accompanied
+him downstairs.
+
+"I did not think you knew Lady Barrington," said Katherine, as he handed
+her an ice.
+
+"Know her? Never heard of her till you mentioned her name the day before
+yesterday."
+
+"How did she come to ask you to her house, then?"
+
+"Let me see. Oh, I went down to the club and asked if any one knew Lady
+Barrington, and who was going to her party. At last Darrell said he was
+a sort of relation, and that he would ask for a card. He did, and here I
+am."
+
+"But you said you were coming."
+
+"So I was. I made up my mind to come as soon as you said you were."
+
+"You are very audacious, Mr. De Burgh!" said Katherine, laughing in
+spite of her intention to be rather distant with him.
+
+"Do you think so? Then I have earned the character cheaply. Are they
+going to squall and fiddle all night? I thought it might turn into a
+dance."
+
+"I did not imagine you would condescend to dance."
+
+"Why? I used to like dancing, under certain conditions. Don't fancy I
+haven't an ear for music, Miss Liddell, because I said the performance
+upstairs was ghastly. I am very fond of music--real sweet music. I liked
+_your_ songs, and I should have liked a waltz with you--_im_mensely. You
+know I never met you in society before--" He stopped abruptly and looked
+at her from head to foot, with a comprehensive glance so full of the
+admiration he did not venture to speak that Katherine felt the color
+mount to her brow and even spread over her white throat, while an odd
+sense of uneasy distress fluttered her pulses. She only said,
+indifferently: "I might not prove a good partner. I have never danced
+much."
+
+"I might give you a lesson in that too, as well as in handling the
+ribbons. And for that there will be a grand opportunity next week. Lord
+De Burgh is coming up, and I shall have the run of his stables, which I
+will take good care shall be well filled. We'll have out a smart pair of
+cobs, and you shall take them round the Park every morning, till you are
+fit to give all the other women whips the go-by."
+
+"Do you seriously believe such a scheme possible?"
+
+"It shall be if you say yes. Do you know that you have brought me luck?
+You have, 'pon my soul! I am A-1 with old De Burgh, and I won a pot of
+money up in Yorkshire, paid a lot of debts, sold my horses. Now, don't
+you think you ought to be interested in your man Friday? You remember
+our last meeting at Sandbourne--hey? Don't you think I am going to
+succeed all along the line?"
+
+"It is impossible to say," returned Katherine. "You know there is a
+French proverb--" She stopped, not liking to repeat it as she suddenly
+remembered the application.
+
+"Yes, I do know the lying Gallic invention! _Heureux au jeu, malheureux
+en amour_. I don't believe it. If luck's with you, all goes well; but
+then Fortune is such a fickle jade!"
+
+"I trust you will always be fortunate, Mr. De Burgh," said Katherine,
+gently.
+
+"I like to hear you say so. Now I don't often let my tongue run on as it
+has, but if you'll be patient and friendly, I'll be as mild and
+inoffensive as a youngster fresh from school."
+
+"Very well," said Katherine, smiling and confused. Here she was
+interrupted by the sudden approach of Mrs. Needham, her dark eyes
+gleaming with pleased recognition, and her high color heightened by the
+heat of the rooms. She was gorgeous in red satin, black lace and
+diamonds. "My dear Miss Liddell! I have been looking for you everywhere!
+I want so much to speak to you about a project I have for starting a new
+weekly paper, to be called _The Woman's Weekly_. There is an empty sofa
+in that little room at the other side of the hall. Do come, and I will
+explain it all. It is likely to do a great deal of good, and to be a
+paying concern into the bargain. You will excuse me for running away
+with Miss Liddell"--to De Burgh--"but we have some matters to discuss.
+We shall meet you upstairs afterwards." She swept Katherine away, while
+De Burgh stood scowling. Who was this audacious pirate who had cut out
+his convoy from under the fire of his angry eyes?
+
+"You see, my dear," commenced Mrs. Needham, in a low voice and speaking
+rapidly, "there is an immense field to be cultivated in the humble
+strata of the better working-class, and the paper I wish to establish
+will be quite different from _The Queen_, more useful and less than
+half-price. No stuff about fashionable marriages in print that is enough
+to blind an eagle, but useful receipts and work patterns, domestic
+information, and a story--a story is a great point--a description of any
+great events, and fashion plates, etc." And she poured forth a torrent
+of what she was pleased to term "facts and figures" till Katherine felt
+fairly bewildered.
+
+"It seems a great undertaking," she replied, when she could get a word
+in. "I shall require a great deal of explanation before I can comprehend
+it. Will you not come and see me when we shall be alone, and we can
+discuss it quietly?"
+
+"Certainly, my dear Miss Liddell--to-morrow. No; to-morrow I have about
+seven or eight engagements between two and six-thirty. Let me see. I am
+terribly pressed just now; I will write and fix some morning if you will
+come and lunch with me. If you could see your way to taking a few shares
+it would be a great help. Money--money--money. Without the filthy lucre
+nothing can be begun or ended. Now tell me how you have been. I have
+been coming to see you for _months_, but never get a moment to myself;
+but I have heard of you from Mr. Payne. What a good fellow he is! How is
+Miss Payne?" Katherine replied, and Mrs. Needham rushed on: "Nice party,
+isn't it? There are several literary people here to-night. I did not
+know Lady Barrington went in for literary society, but one picks up a
+little of all sorts when you live abroad for a while. Here is a very
+interesting man. He is coming very much to the front as a political and
+philosophic writer. It is said he is to be the editor of _The Empire_,
+that new monthly which they say is to take the lead of all the
+magazines. I met him at Professor Kean's last week. I don't think he
+sees me--Good-evening! Don't think you remember me--Mrs. Needham. Had
+the pleasure of meeting you at Professor Kean's last Monday. Mr.
+Errington, Miss Liddell!"
+
+"I have already the pleasure of knowing Miss Liddell," he returned, with
+a grave smile and stately bow, as he took the hand Katherine
+hesitatingly held out.
+
+"Oh, indeed; I was not aware of it." Errington stood talking with Mrs.
+Needham, or, rather, answering her rapid questions respecting a variety
+of subjects, until she suddenly recognized some one to whom she was
+imperatively compelled to speak. With a hasty, "Will you be so good as
+to take Miss Liddell to her friends?" she darted away with surprising
+lightness and rapidity, considering her size and solidity.
+
+"Would you like to go upstairs?" asked Errington.
+
+"If you please." Katherine was quivering with pain and pleasure at
+finding herself thus virtually alone with the man whose image haunted
+her in spite of her constant determined efforts to banish it from her
+mind.
+
+On the first landing was a conservatory prettily lit and decorated, and
+larger than those ordinarily appended to London houses. "Suppose we rest
+here," said Errington. "From the quiet which reigns above, I think some
+one is reciting and that is not an exhilarating style of amusement."
+
+"I should think not. I have never heard any one attempt to recite in
+England."
+
+"May you long be preserved from the infliction! There are very few who
+can make recitation endurable."
+
+After some enquiries for Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde, and a few
+observations on the beautiful, abundant flowers, Errington said: "Won't
+you sit down? If it is not unpleasant to you, I should like to improve
+this occasion, as I rarely have an opportunity of seeing you."
+
+Katherine complied, and sat down on a settee which was behind a central
+group of tall feathery ferns. She was another creature from the bright
+and somewhat coquettish girl who was always ready to answer De Burgh or
+Colonel Ormonde with keen prompt wit. Silent, downcast, scarcely able to
+raise her eyes to Errington's, yet too fascinated to resist his wish to
+continue their interview.
+
+"I am very glad to meet you here," began Errington in his calm,
+melodious voice. "It is so much better for you to mix with your kind; it
+has a wholesome, humanizing influence, and may I venture to say that you
+are inclined to be morbid?"
+
+"Can you wonder?" said Katherine, soft and low.
+
+"Yes, I do. There is no reason why you should not be bright and happy,
+and enjoy the goods the gods--"
+
+"No," she interrupted, playing nervously with the flowers in her
+bouquet; "not given by the gods! Stolen from you!" She did not raise her
+eyes as she spoke.
+
+"I do beg you to put that incident out of your mind. We have arranged
+the question of succession, as only I had a right to do. No one else
+need know, and you will, I am sure, make a most excellent use of what is
+now really yours. Forget the past, and allow me to be your friend."
+
+"I am always thinking of you," she said, almost in a whisper. "Yet it is
+always a trial to meet you. I think I would rather not. Tell me," with a
+sudden impulse of tenderness and contrition, looking up to him with
+humid eyes, "are you well and happy? How have you borne the terrible
+change in your life?"
+
+"I am perfectly well and quite happy," returned Errington, with a slight
+smile. "The terrible change, as you term it, has affected me very
+little. I find real work most exhilarating, and slight success is sweet.
+Since I knew that the tangle of my poor father's affairs was
+satisfactorily unravelled, I have been at ease, comparatively. Life has
+many sides. I miss most my horses."
+
+"Ah, yes, you must miss them! Well, from what I hear, you seem to be
+making a place for yourself in literature. I am so glad!"
+
+"Thank you. And you, may I ask, what are your plans?"
+
+"If you are so good as to care, I am going to take a house and make a
+home for myself and my little nephews. Without any formal agreement,
+Mrs. Ormonde leaves them very much to me. They are a great interest to
+me. And as you are so kind in wishing me to be happy and not morbid, I
+will try to forget. I think I could be happier if you would promise me
+something."
+
+"What?"
+
+"If ever--" She hesitated; her voice trembled. "If you ever want
+anything," she hurried on, nervously, "anything, even to the half of my
+kingdom, you will deign to accept it from me?"
+
+"I will," said Errington, with a kind and, as Katherine imagined, a
+condescending smile.
+
+"He thinks me a weak, impulsive child, who must be forgiven because she
+is scarcely responsible," she said to herself.
+
+"And this preliminary settled, you will admit me to the honor of your
+acquaintance?"
+
+"Oh, Mr. Errington, do not think me ungrateful. But can you not
+understand that, good and generous as you are, your presence overwhelms
+me?"
+
+"Then I will not intrude upon you. Gently and very gravely I accept your
+decree."
+
+They were silent for a moment; then Katherine said, "I was sure you
+would understand me." As she spoke, De Burgh suddenly came round the
+group of ferns and stood before them with an air of displeased surprise.
+
+"Why, Miss Liddell! I thought that desperate filibuster in red satin
+had carried you off. I have sought you high and low. How d'ye do,
+Errington? Haven't seen you this age. Mrs. Ormonde wants to go home,
+Miss Liddell."
+
+"I suppose the recitation is over," said Errington, coolly. "I will take
+Miss Liddell to Mrs. Ormonde, whom I have not seen for some time."
+
+De Burgh, therefore, had nothing for it but to walk after the man whom
+he at once decided was a dangerous rival, as indeed he would have
+considered any one in the rank of a gentleman.
+
+Mrs. Ormonde was quite charmed to see Errington. She had put him rather
+out of her mind. It was a pleasant surprise to meet him once more in
+society, for she had a sort of dim idea his ruin was so complete that he
+must have sold his dress clothes to provide food, and could never,
+therefore, hold up his head in society again.
+
+"It is quite nice to see you once more!" she exclaimed, with a sweet
+smile, after they had exchanged greetings. "Colonel Ormonde will be
+delighted to hear of you. I wish you could come down for a few days'
+hunting. Do give me your address, and Duke will write to you."
+
+"There is my address," he said, taking out his card case and giving her
+a card; "but I fear there is little chance of my getting out of town
+till long after the hunting is over."
+
+"Oh, you must try. At all events, come and see me. I am at Thorne's
+Hotel, Dover Street, and almost always at home about five. But I leave
+town next week."
+
+Here the hostess sailed up, and touching Errington's arm, said "Sir
+Arthur Haynes, the great authority on international law, you know, wants
+to be introduced to you, Mr. Errington."
+
+Mrs. Ormonde took the opportunity of saying good-night, and Katherine
+took farewell of Errington with a bow.
+
+"Twenty-four, Sycamore Court Temple. What a come-down for him!" said
+Mrs. Ormonde, looking at the card she held, when they reached the
+cloak-room.
+
+"He seems cheerful enough," said Katherine, irritated at the tone in
+which the observation was made; "and I thought the Temple was rather a
+smart place to live in."
+
+"I am sure I don't know. Come, it must be late. What a stupid party! How
+cross De Burgh looks! I am sure he has a horrid temper."
+
+In the hall Captain Darrell and De Burgh awaited them. The latter was
+too angry to speak. He handed Katherine into the carriage, and uttering
+a brief good-night, stepped back to make way for Captain Darrell, who
+expressed his pleasure at having met Mrs. Ormonde, and begged to be
+allowed to call next day.
+
+
+On the whole, Katherine felt comforted by the assurance of Errington's
+friendly feeling toward her. How cruel it was to be obliged thus to
+reject his kindly advances! But it was wiser. If she met him often, what
+would become of her determination to steel her heart against the
+extraordinary feeling he had awakened? Besides, it could only be the
+wonderful patient benevolence of his nature which made him take any
+notice of her. In his own mind contempt could be the only feeling she
+awakened. No; the less she saw of him, the better for her.
+
+By the time De Burgh called to escort Katherine and Mrs. Ormonde (who
+had dined with her) to the theatre he had conquered the extreme, though
+unreasonable, annoyance which had seized him on finding Errington and
+Katherine in apparently confidential conversation. He exerted himself
+therefore to be an agreeable host with success.
+
+A play was the amusement of all others which delighted Katherine and
+drew her out of herself. De Burgh was diverted and Mrs. Ormonde half
+ashamed of the profound interest, the entire attention, with which she
+listened to the dialogue and awaited the _denouement_.
+
+"I should have thought you had seen too much good acting abroad to be so
+delighted with this," said Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"But this is excellent, and the style is so new I have to thank you, Mr.
+De Burgh, for a delightful evening."
+
+"The same to you," he returned. "Seeing you enjoy it so much woke me up
+to the merits of the thing."
+
+The supper was bright and lively. Three men besides himself, and a
+cousin, a pretty, chatty woman of the world, completed De Burgh's party.
+There was plenty of laughing and chaffing. Katherine felt seized by a
+feverish desire to shake off dull care, to forget the past, to be as
+other women were. There was no reason why she should not. So she laughed
+and talked with unusual animation, and treated her host with kindly
+courtesy, that set his deep eyes aglow with hope and pleasure.
+
+"It is a great advantage to be rich," said Mrs. Ormonde, reflectively,
+as she leaned comfortably in the corner of the carriage which conveyed
+her and her sister-in-law home. She was always a little nettled when she
+found how completely Katherine had effaced herself from De Burgh's
+fickle mind. She had been highly pleased with the idea of having her
+husband's distinguished relative for a virtuous and despairing adorer,
+and his desertion had mortified her considerably.
+
+"Yes, money is certainly a great help," returned Katherine, scarce
+heeding what she said.
+
+"It certainly has been to you, Katie. Don't think me disagreeable for
+suggesting it, but do you suppose De Burgh would show you all this
+devotion if you were to lose your money?"
+
+"Oh no! He could not afford it. He told me he must marry a rich woman."
+
+"Did he, really? It is just like him. What audacity! I wonder you ever
+spoke to him again. Then you _are_ going in for rank, Katherine?"
+
+"How can you tell? I don't know myself. Good-night. I shall tell you
+whenever I know my own mind."
+
+"She is as close as wax, with all her frankness," thought Mrs. Ormonde
+as she went up to her room, after taking an affectionate leave of her
+sister-in-law.
+
+The boys at school, Katherine found time hung somewhat heavily on her
+hands--a condition of things only too favorable to thought and visions
+of what "might have been." So, with the earnest hope of finding the
+exhilarations which might lead, through forgetfulness, to the happiness
+she so eagerly craved, Katherine accepted almost all the invitations
+which were soon showered upon her. At the houses of acquaintances she
+had made abroad she made numerous new ones, who were quite ready to
+_fete_, the handsome, sweet-voiced, pleasant-mannered heiress, who
+seemed to think so little about herself.
+
+"Just the creature to be imposed upon, my dear!" as each mother
+whispered to the one next her, thinking, of course, of the other's son.
+
+But her most satisfactory hours were those spent with Rachel, when they
+talked of the business, and often branched off to more abstract
+subjects. To the past they never alluded. Katherine was glad to see that
+the dead, hopeless expression of Rachel Trant's eyes had changed, yet
+not altogether for good. A certain degree of alertness had brightened
+them, but with it had come a hard, steady look, as though the spirit
+within had a special work to do, and was steeled and "straitened till it
+be accomplished."
+
+"You are quite a clever accountant, Rachel," said Katherine, one
+afternoon in early April, after they had gone through the books
+together. "You have been established nearly five months, and you have
+paid expenses and a trifle over."
+
+"It is not bad. Then, you see, the warehouses will give me credit for
+the next orders, three months' credit, and my orders are increasing. I
+am sure it is of great importance to have materials for customers to
+choose from. Ladies like to be saved the trouble of shopping, and I can
+give a dress at a more moderate rate, if I provide everything, than they
+can buy it piecemeal. I hope to double the business this season, and pay
+you a good percentage. Even on credit I can venture to order a fair
+supply of goods."
+
+"Don't try credit yet, Rachel," said Katherine, earnestly. "I can give
+you a check now, and after this you can stand alone."
+
+"Are you quite sure you can do this without inconvenience?" asked
+Rachel. "If you can, I will accept it. I begin to feel sure I shall be
+able to develop a good business and what will prove valuable property to
+you. It is an ambition that has quite filled my heart, and in devoting
+myself to it I have found the first relief from despair--a despair that
+possessed my soul whenever you were out of my sight. When I am not
+thinking of gowns and garnitures, I am adding up all the money you have
+sunk in this adventure, and planning how it may ultimately pay you six
+per cent. over and above expenses. It does not sound a very heroic style
+of gratitude, but it is practical, and I believe feasible."
+
+"You are intensely real," said Katherine, "and I believe you will be
+successful."
+
+After discussing a few more points connected with the undertaking they
+parted, and before Katherine dressed for dinner she wrote and despatched
+the promised check.
+
+De Burgh had throughout this period conducted himself with prudence and
+discretion. He often called about tea-time, and frequently managed to
+meet Katherine in the evening, but he carefully maintained a frank,
+friendly tone, even when expressing in his natural brusque way his
+admiration of herself or her dress. He talked pleasantly to Miss Payne,
+and subscribed to many of Bertie's charities. Katherine was getting
+quite used to him, though they disagreed and argued a good deal. She
+sometimes tried to persuade herself that De Burgh had given up his
+original pretentions and would be satisfied with platonics. But her
+inner consciousness rejected the theory. Still, De Burgh came to be
+recognized as a favored suitor by society, and the "mothers, the
+cousins, and the aunts" of eligible young men shook their heads over the
+mistake she was making.
+
+Now, after mature consideration, Katherine determined to make the will
+she had so long postponed, and bequeath all she possessed to Errington.
+It was rather a formidable undertaking to announce this intention to Mr.
+Newton, who would be sure to be surprised and interrogative, but she
+would do it. Having, therefore, made an appointment with him, she
+screwed up her courage and set out, accompanied by Miss Payne, who had
+been laid up with a cold, and was venturing out for the first time. She
+took advantage of Katherine's brougham to have a drive. The morning was
+very fine, and they started early, early enough to allow Miss Payne to
+leave the carriage and walk a little in the sun on "the Ladies' Mile."
+
+As they proceeded slowly along, a well-appointed phaeton and pair of
+fine steppers passed them. It was occupied by two gentlemen, one old,
+gray, bent, and closely wrapped up; the other vigorous, dark, erect,
+held the reins. He lifted his hat as he passed Katherine and her
+companion with a swift, pleased smile.
+
+"Who are those women?" asked the old gentleman, in a thick growl.
+
+"Miss Liddell and her companion."
+
+"By George! she looks like a gentlewoman. Turn, and let us pass them
+again."
+
+De Burgh obeyed, and slackened speed as he went by. At the sound of the
+horses' tramp Katherine turned her head and gave De Burgh a bright smile
+and gracious bow.
+
+"She is wonderfully good-looking for an heiress," remarked Lord de
+Burgh, who was, of course, the wrapped-up old gentleman. "I should say
+something for you if you could show such a woman with sixty or seventy
+thousand behind her as your wife. Why don't you go in and win? Don't let
+the grass grow under your feet."
+
+"It is easier said than done. Miss Liddell is not an ordinary sort of
+young lady; she is not to be hurried. But I do not despair, by any
+means, of winning her yet. If I press my suit too soon, I may lose my
+chance. Trust me, it won't be my fault if I fail."
+
+"I see you are in earnest," said the old man, "and I believe you'll
+win."
+
+De Burgh nodded, and whipped up his horses.
+
+"That must be the old lord," said Miss Payne, as the phaeton passed out
+of sight. "Mr. De Burgh seems in high favor. I cannot help liking him
+myself. There is no nonsense about him, and he is quite a gentleman in
+spite of his _brusquerie_."
+
+"Yes, I think he is," said Katherine, thoughtfully, and walked on a
+little while in silence. Then Miss Payne said she felt tired; so they
+got into the carriage again and drove to Mr. Newton's office. There
+Katherine alighted, and desired the driver to take Miss Payne home and
+return for herself.
+
+"And what is your business to-day?" asked Mr. Newton, when, after a
+cordial greeting, his fair client had taken a chair beside his knee-hole
+table.
+
+"A rather serious matter, I assure you. I want to make my will."
+
+"Very right, very right; it will not bring you any nearer your last hour
+and it ought to be done."
+
+The lawyer drew a sheet of paper to him, and prepared to "take
+instructions."
+
+"I should like to leave several small legacies," began Katherine, "and
+have put down the names of those I wish to remember, with the amounts
+each is to receive. If you read over this paper" (handing it to him) "we
+can discuss----"
+
+She was interrupted by a tap at the door which faced her, but was on
+Newton's left. A high screen protected the old lawyer from draughts, and
+prevented him from seeing who entered until the visitor stood before
+him.
+
+"Come in," said Newton, peevishly; and as a clerk presented himself,
+added, "What do you want?"
+
+"Beg pardon, sir. A gentleman downstairs wants to see you so very
+particularly that he insisted on my coming up."
+
+"Well, say I can't. I am particularly engaged. He must wait."
+
+While he spoke Katherine saw a man cross the threshold, a tall, gaunt
+man, slightly stooped. His clothes hung loosely on him, but they were
+new and good. His hair was iron gray, and thin on his craggy temples.
+Something about his watchful, stern eyes, his close-shut mouth, and
+strong, clean-shaven jaw seemed not unfamiliar to Katherine, and she was
+strangely struck and interested in his aspect. Mr. Newton's last words
+evidently reached his ear, for he answered, in deep, harsh tones, "No,
+Newton, I will _not_ wait!" and walked in, pausing exactly opposite the
+lawyer, who grew grayly pale, and starting from his seat, leaned both
+hands on the table, while he trembled visibly. "My God!" he exclaimed,
+hoarsely; "George Liddell!"
+
+"Ay, George Liddell! I thought you would know me."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIV.
+
+A TRAVELLER'S STORY.
+
+
+When these startling sentences penetrated to Katherine's comprehension
+she saw as with a flash their far-reaching consequences. Her uncle's
+will suppressed, his son and natural heir would take everything. And her
+dear boys--how would they fare?
+
+She sat with wide-dilated eyes, gazing at the hard, displeased face of
+this unwelcome intruder. There were a few moments of profound silence;
+the old lawyer's hands, which relaxed their grasp of his chair as he
+looked with startled amazement at his late client's son, visibly
+trembled.
+
+Liddell was the first to speak. "So you thought I was dead and out of
+the way," he said, with a sneer; "that nothing would happen to disturb
+the fortunate possessor of my father's money. I was dead and done for,
+and a good riddance."
+
+"But how--how is it that you are alive!" stammered Mr. Newton.
+
+"Oh, that I can easily account for." And he looked round for a chair.
+
+"Yes, pray sit down," said Mr. Newton, recovering himself.
+
+Here Katherine, with the unconscious tact of a sensitive woman, feeling
+how terrible it must be to find one's continued existence a source of
+regret to others, rose and held out her hand. "Let me, your kinswoman,"
+she said, "welcome you back to life and home. I hope there are many
+happy years before you."
+
+Liddell was greatly surprised. He mechanically took the hand offered to
+him, and looking earnestly into her face, exclaimed, "Who are you?"
+
+"Katherine Liddell, your uncle Frederic's daughter."
+
+He dropped--indeed, almost threw--her hand from him. "What!" he cried,
+"are _you_ the supplanter, who took all without an inquiry, without an
+effort to find out if I were dead or alive?"
+
+"Sit down--sit down--sit down," repeated Newton, still confused. "Let us
+talk over everything. As to trying to find you, we never dreamed of
+finding you, considering that twelve, fourteen years ago we had an
+account of your death from an eye-witness."
+
+"Cowardly liar! It was worth a Jew's ransom to see him turn white and
+drop into a chair when I confronted him the day before yesterday."
+
+"Why did you not communicate with me on hearing of your father's death?"
+
+"When do you think I heard of it? Do you fancy I sat down in the midst
+of my busy day to pore over the births, deaths, and marriages in a
+paper, like a gossiping woman? Kith and kin were dead to me long ago.
+What did I care for English papers? What had my life or the life of my
+poor mother been that I should give those I had left behind a thought?"
+He paused, and taking a chair, looked very straight at Katherine. "Now I
+shall tell you my story, once for all, to show you that there is no use
+in disputing my rights. You know"--addressing Newton--"how my life was
+made a burden to me, and that I ran away to sea, ready to throw myself
+into it rather than return to my miserable home. After several voyages I
+found myself at Sydney. A young fellow who had been my mate on the
+voyage out, an active, clever chap, proposed that we should start for
+the gold fields; so we started. It was a desperate long tramp, but we
+reached them at last. Life was hard and rough, and for a time we worked
+and worked, and got nothing. At last we found a pocket, just as we were
+going to give up, and having secured a fair lot of gold, we divided our
+gains and determined to leave the camp, which was not too safe for a
+successful digger, before the rest knew of our treasure-trove. We
+decided to trudge it to the nearest place where we could buy horses, and
+then to make our way to Sydney as fast as we could. Somehow it must have
+got out that we _had_ gold, for as the dusk of evening was closing round
+us on the second day of our march we were attacked by some men on
+horseback--bush-rangers, I suppose. We showed fight, and I was hit in
+the shoulder. At the same time I stumbled over a stump, and pitched on
+to my head, which stunned me. Just then, it seems, the sound of horses
+approaching frightened the scoundrels, and they made off. My mate, not
+knowing whether the new-comers were friends or foes, he says, got away
+as fast as he could. His story is that as soon as all was still he crept
+back, and finding me apparently quite dead, went on to report the
+catastrophe at the first road-side inn he came to. _I_ believe that,
+thinking me dead, he took all my gold, and said precious little about
+me."
+
+"His story to me," interrupted Mr. Newton, "was that he got assistance
+and buried your remains as decently as he could."
+
+"What induced him to apply to you at all?"
+
+"I do not know. I fancy it was to hand over a few small nuggets, which
+he said was your share of the findings, and which he took from your
+waistband before committing you to the grave. As he seemed frank and
+straightforward and quite poor, I confess I believed him, and even
+requested Mr. Liddell to give him some small present. He said he was
+going afloat again, and would sail in a few days. He had an old
+clasp-knife which I myself had given you, and with it a small
+pocket-book in which your name and my address were written in your own
+hand. These were tolerably convincing proofs that he at least knew you.
+Moreover, there seemed no need whatever that he should have made any
+attempt to communicate with your people. He might have held his tongue,
+and no question would have been raised respecting you."
+
+"You are right," returned Liddell, bitterly.
+
+"And how did you escape?" asked Katherine, with eager interest.
+
+"He--this Tom Dunford--_did_ go to the next inn and told of the attack;
+he even guided some men to the spot, and left _them_ to bury me, because
+he was obliged to hurry on to Sydney; but I believe he returned, before
+going to the inn, and robbed me. Anyhow I was not killed by the bullet,
+but stunned by the fall. Some of the fellows who came with Tom fancied I
+did not seem quite dead. Finally I recovered, and instead of digging for
+gold myself, got others to dig for me. I set up an inn and a store, with
+the help of an American whose daughter I married, and now I am rich
+enough to be a formidable foe. I have a little girl, and when my wife
+died I determined to realize everything, to come to England, and have
+the child brought up as an English lady. On the voyage home I fell in
+with a man--a fellow of the rolling-stone order--to whom I used to talk
+now and again. He turned out to be the brother of one of your clerks,
+and from him I heard that my father had died intestate, that my cousin
+had taken possession of everything, and that I was looked upon as dead.
+Did you never attempt to prove the truth of Tom Dunford's story?"
+
+"We did. I communicated with the police of Sydney, and they found that
+there had been a fight between bush-rangers and diggers returning from
+Woollamaroo at the time and place specified; moreover, that one of the
+diggers was killed, while the other escaped, but further nothing was
+known. The man who kept the inn mentioned by Dunford had made money and
+moved off, so the track was broken. Then all these years you made no
+sign. Did you not see the advertisements I put in an Australian paper?"
+
+"No; I was far away from any town, and rarely saw any but the American
+papers which came to my master. Well, here I am, determined to have
+every inch of my rights, let who will stand in my way; and
+_you_"--looking fiercely into Newton's eyes--"shall be my first
+witness."
+
+"I cannot deny that I recognize you," said Newton, reluctantly.
+
+Liddell laughed scornfully. "And you?" turning to Katherine.
+
+"I have no doubt you are my cousin George."
+
+"Right! As to that fellow Tom--he would never have hurt me, but I am
+sure he robbed me, especially if he thought I was dead. His game was to
+hold himself harmless whether I lived or died, only he ought not to have
+committed himself to seeing me buried. I found him out in Liverpool, and
+gave him a fright, for he really believed me dead. Now, cousin, I hope
+you understand that I mean to take every farthing of my father's
+fortune. He never did me much good in my life, nor my poor mother
+either, and I am determined to get all I can out of what he has left
+behind him. But I never dreamed he could pass away without taking care
+that nothing should come to me. It is strange that your mother and my
+uncle should make no fresh attempt to discover me."
+
+"We had looked upon you as dead for years, and my father had died before
+the news of your supposed murder reached us." Katherine could hardly
+steady her voice; she was burning to get away. "I beg you will not
+resent the fact of my most unconscious usurpation. I would not do
+anything unjust." She stopped, remembering what she _had_ done. Surely
+the punishment was coming quick upon her.
+
+"Ay," said George Liddell, looking sternly at her. "It is a bitter pill
+for a fine lady like you to swallow, to find a ragged outcast like me
+thrusting you from the place you have no right to; where my poor little
+wild untutored girl will take her stand in spite of you all."
+
+"From what I have heard, I do not think my father or mother ever treated
+you as an outcast," said Katherine, with quiet dignity; adding, as she
+rose to leave them, "You seem so irritated against me I will leave you
+with Mr. Newton, who will, I know, act as a true friend to both of us."
+
+Mr. Newton, with a grave and troubled face, hastened after to see her
+to her carriage. "This is an awful blow!" he said in a low voice.
+
+"It is, no doubt. Do you think, as he is already rich, that he might do
+something for the boys? Then I should not care."
+
+"The boys!"--impatiently. "You need not trouble about them when he has
+the power to _rob_ you even of the trifle you inherit from your father
+by demanding the arrears of income since your uncle's death, as he has
+the right to do. Why, he can beggar you!"
+
+"Indeed! He looks like a hard man; he is like his father."
+
+"Well, trust me, I will do my best for you."
+
+"I know you will," returned Katherine, pressing the old lawyer's hand as
+he leaned against the carriage door.
+
+"Good-by! God bless you!" he returned; and Katherine was carried away
+from him. Slowly and sadly the old man ascended to his office again to
+confront the angry claimant, who awaited him impatiently.
+
+Meantime Katherine was striving to think clearly, to rouse herself from
+the stunned, bewildered condition into which the appearance of George
+Liddell had thrown her, and which Mr. Newton's words increased. What was
+to become of Cis and Charlie if she were beggared? She could not face
+the prospect. There was still a way of escape left, a glimpse of which
+had been given to her as she listened to her cousin's vindictive
+utterances. If she could prevail on Errington to produce the will and
+assert his right, he would provide for those poor innocent boys, and
+never ask _her_ for any of the money she had spent. Maybe he would share
+with George himself. She must see Errington at once, and with the
+strictest secrecy. Her thoughts cleared as, bit by bit, her plan
+unfolded itself in her busy brain. Then she made up her mind. Touching
+the check-string, she desired the driver to stop at a small fancyware
+and stationer's shop near Miss Payne's house. Arrived there, she
+dismissed the carriage, saying she would walk home.
+
+"Give me paper and an envelope: I want to write a few lines," she said
+to the smiling shopwoman, who knew her to be one of their best
+customers.
+
+Having traced a few words entreating Errington to see her early next
+day--should he happen to be out or engaged--she hailed a hansome, and
+went as quickly as she could to his lodgings in the Temple.
+
+It was quite different, this second visit, from the first. He now knew
+all, and in spite of her fears and profound uneasiness she felt a thrill
+of pleasure at the idea of the necessity for taking counsel with him,
+the prospect of half an hour's undisturbed communication, of hearing his
+voice, and feeling his kind forgiving glance. Still it was an awful
+trial too--to tell him the upshot of her dishonesty, the confusion she
+had wrought by her deviation into a crooked path. She was trembling from
+head to foot by the time she reached Errington's abode.
+
+A severe-looking woman, a caretaker apparently, was on the stair as
+Katherine ascended, feeling dreadfully puzzled what to do, as she
+feared having to knock in vain and go away without leaving her note.
+
+"Can you tell me if Mr. Errington is at home?" she asked, timidly, quite
+frightened at the sound of her own voice in so strange a place.
+
+"I am sure I don't know, miss. I dare say he's gone out. He is up the
+next flight."
+
+"May I ask you to inquire if he is in? If not, would you be so kind as
+to leave this note?"
+
+The woman took it with a rather discontented suspicious air, but finding
+it was accompanied by a coin of the realm, went on her errand with great
+alacrity. Katherine followed slowly.
+
+"You're to walk up at once; he's in," said the emissary, meeting her at
+the top of the stair.
+
+At the door stood Errington, her note in his hand, and a serious, uneasy
+expression on his countenance. Katherine was very white; her eyes were
+dilated with a look of fear and distress.
+
+"Pray come in," said Errington; and he closed the door behind her. "I
+fear you are in some difficulty. You can speak without reserve; I am
+quite alone."
+
+Katherine was aware of passing through a small room with doors right and
+left, and possessing only a couple of chairs and a small table; through
+this Errington led her to his sitting-room, which was almost lined with
+books, and comfortably furnished. He placed a chair for her, and
+returned to his own seat by a table at which he had been writing.
+
+"The last time I came it was in the hope of assisting _you_ by my
+confession; now I have come to beg for your help--" She stopped
+abruptly. "My uncle's son George, who was believed to have been killed
+by bush-rangers in Australia more than fourteen years ago, has returned,
+alive and well."
+
+"But can he prove his identity?"
+
+"I was with Mr. Newton when he came into the office, and the moment Mr.
+Newton saw him he started up, exclaiming, 'George Liddell!' and I--I saw
+the likeness to his father."
+
+"Did Newton know him formerly?"
+
+"Yes; he seems to have been almost his only friend."
+
+"How was it he did not put in an appearance and assert his rights
+before?"
+
+"I will tell you all." And she went on to describe the interview which
+had just taken place, the curious vindictive spirit which her cousin
+displayed, his very recent knowledge of his father's death, and Mr.
+Newton's words of warning, "He has the power to rob you even of the
+trifle you inherit from your father, by demanding the arrears of income
+since your uncle's death; he can beggar you."
+
+"No doubt he can, but surely he will not!" exclaimed Errington.
+
+"It seems to me that if he can he will. To give him up that which is his
+is quite right, and will not cost me a pang; but to be penniless, to
+send back my poor dear little boys, to be considered and treated as
+burdens by their mother and Colonel Ormonde--oh, I cannot bear it! I
+know now Charlie would be crushed and Cecil would be hardened. It is
+for this I come to you for help. Mr. Errington, I implore you to produce
+the will which puts this cruelty out of George Liddell's power. Surely
+you might say that not liking to disinherit me, you suppressed it? This
+is true, you know."
+
+"The will!" exclaimed Errington, starting up and pacing the room in
+great agitation. "My God! I have destroyed it. Thinking it safer for you
+that it should be out of the way, I destroyed it, and by so doing I have
+given you, bound hand and foot, into the power of this man. Can you
+forgive me?--can you ever forgive me?" He took and wrung her hand,
+holding it for a moment, while he looked imploringly into her eyes.
+
+"Oh yes, I do heartily forgive you. You only did it to save me from any
+chance of discovery. If only George Liddell will be satisfied not to
+claim the money I have spent, I may still be able to keep the boys, for
+I have nearly a hundred and fifty pounds a year quite my own," cried
+Katherine, loosing her hand. "Do not distress yourself, Mr. Errington. I
+know Mr. Newton will do his best for me, and perhaps my cousin will not
+exact the arrears. He says he is rich, and if I give him no trouble----"
+she paused, for she could not command her voice, while the tears were
+already glittering in her eyes. Another word and they would have been
+rolling down her cheeks.
+
+"Don't cry, for God's sake!" said Errington, in a low tone, resuming his
+seat. "What can be done to soften this fellow? Ah! Miss Liddell, we are
+quits now. If you robbed me, I have ruined you."
+
+"From what different motives!" said Katherine, recovering her
+self-control. "_I_ am still the wrong-doer."
+
+How heavenly sweet it was to be consoled and sympathized with by him!
+But she dared not stay. It was terribly bold of her to have come to his
+rooms, only he would never misjudge her, and she was so little known she
+scarcely feared recognition by any one she might meet.
+
+"Could I assist Mr. Newton at all in dealing with this kinsman of
+yours?" resumed Errington, gazing at her with a troubled look.
+
+"I fear you could not. How are you to know anything of my troubles? No
+one dreams that you have any knowledge of my affairs; that you and you
+only are aware what an impostor I am."
+
+"You are expiating your offence bitterly. But when the story of this
+George Liddell comes out, why should I not, as the son of his father's
+old friend, make his acquaintance, and try to persuade him to forego his
+full rights?"
+
+"You might try," said Katherine, dejectedly. "Now I have trespassed long
+enough. I must go. I have to explain matters to Miss Payne, and I feel
+curiously dazed. Oh, if I can keep the boys!"
+
+"If any effort of mine can help you, it is my duty as well as my sincere
+pleasure to do all I can."
+
+"And if the will existed would you have acted on it?"
+
+"Most certainly--in your defence."
+
+"Ah!" cried Katherine, her eyes lighting up, her tremulous lips parting
+in a smile. "Then you would have had some of the money too."
+
+"Then you quite forgive me?" again rising, and coming over to stand
+beside her.
+
+"You must feel I do, Mr. Errington. Now I will say good-by. If you can
+help me with George, I shall be most grateful."
+
+"Promise that you will look on me as one of your most devoted friends.
+He took her hand again.
+
+"Can you indeed feel friendship for one you cannot respect?" she
+returned, in a low tone, with one of the quick, vivid blushes which
+usually rose to her cheek when she was much moved.
+
+"But I do respect you. Why should I not? A generous, impulsive woman
+like you cannot be judged by the cold maxims of exact justice; you must
+be tried by the higher rules of equity."
+
+"You comfort me," said Katherine, with indescribably sweet graceful
+humility. "I thank you heartily, and will say good-by."
+
+"I will come and see you into a cab," returned Errington, feeling
+himself anxious that no one should recognize her, and not knowing when
+their _tete-a-tete_ might be interrupted.
+
+They went out together, and walked a little way in silence. "You will
+let me come and see you, to hear--" began Errington, when Katherine
+interrupted him.
+
+"Not just now. I think we had better not seem to know anything of each
+other, or perhaps George Liddell may suspect you of being my friend."
+
+"I see. But at least you will keep me informed of how things go on.
+Remember how tormented I am with remorse for my hasty act."
+
+"You need not be. But I will write. There--there is a cab."
+
+Errington hailed it, handed her in carefully, and they said good-by with
+a sudden sense of intimacy which months of ordinary communication would
+not have produced.
+
+
+It was a very serious undertaking to break the intelligence to Miss
+Payne, and poor Katherine felt quite exhausted before her exclamations,
+questions, and wonderings were half over.
+
+On one or two points Miss Payne at once made up her mind, nor had she
+ever quite altered her opinion: This man representing himself as George
+Liddell was an impostor who had known the real "Simon Pure," and got
+himself up accordingly as soon as he heard that the late John Liddell
+had died intestate; that Mr. Newton was a weak-minded, credulous idiot
+to acknowledge this impostor at first sight, _if_ he were not a
+double-dealing traitor ready to play into the hands of the new claimant.
+He ought to have thrown the onus of proof on _him_, instead of
+acknowledging his identity by that childish exclamation. Don't tell
+_her_ that he was startled out of prudence and precaution. A spirit from
+above or below would not have thrown her (Miss Payne) off her guard
+where property was concerned, and what was the use of men's superior
+strength and courage if they could not hold their tongues in presence of
+an unexpected apparition?
+
+She was, however, profoundly disturbed, and sent at once for her
+brother.
+
+It was evening before he arrived in Wilton Street, having gone out
+before Miss Payne's note reached him. Like Errington, he was at first
+incredulous, and when he had gathered the facts of the case, absolutely
+overcome. In fact, he showed more emotion than Errington, yet it did not
+impress Katherine so much as Errington's deep, suppressed feeling.
+
+"But what are you to do?" he said, raising his head, which he had bowed
+on his hand in a kind of despair.
+
+"It is just the question I have been asking myself," said Katherine,
+quietly. "For even if dear old Mr. Newton succeeds in softening George
+Liddell, and he forgives me the outlay of what was certainly his money,
+the little that belongs to myself I shall want for my nephews."
+
+"And pray is their mother to contribute nothing toward the maintenance
+of her children?" asked Miss Payne, severely.
+
+"Poor Ada! she has nothing of her own; it will be desperately hard on
+her;" and Katherine sighed deeply. Her hearers little knew the remorse
+that afflicted her as she reflected on the false position into which she
+had drawn her sister-in-law. What a rage Colonel Ormonde would be in!
+How unwisely audacious it was in any mere mortal to play Providence for
+herself or her fellows! But Miss Payne was speaking:
+
+"I don't see the hardship; she has a husband behind her--a rich man
+too."
+
+"For herself it is all well enough, but it must be very hard to think
+that one's children are a burden on a reluctant husband; besides, the
+boys will feel it cruelly. Oh, if I can only keep them with me!"
+
+"I understand you," cried Bertie. "Would to God you could lay your
+burden at His feet who alone can help in time of need. If you could----"
+
+He was interrupted by Francois, who brought a letter just arrived by the
+last post.
+
+"It is from Mr. Newton," exclaimed Katherine, opening it eagerly. And
+having read it rapidly, she added, "You would like to hear what he says."
+
+
+"'MY DEAR MISS LIDDELL,--As I cannot see you early to-morrow I
+will send you a report. I had a long argument with your cousin after you
+left to-day, and although he is still in an unreasonable state of
+irritation against you and myself and every one, I do not despair of
+bringing him to a better and a juster frame of mind. For the present it
+would be as well you did not meet. I should advise your taking steps at
+once to remove your nephews from Sandbourne, and also, while you have
+money pay the quarter in advance, as you do not know how matters may
+turn. It was a most fortunate circumstance that the house occupied by
+Miss Trant was purchased in her name, as Mr. Liddell cannot touch that,
+and if she is at all the woman you suppose her to be, she will pay you
+interest for your money. If you could only persuade your cousin to let
+you see and make friends with this little daughter of his--_there_ lies
+the road to his heart.
+
+"'Meanwhile say as little as possible to any one about this sudden
+change in your fortunes. To Miss Payne you must, of course, explain
+matters; but she is a sensible, prudent woman.
+
+    "'With sincere sympathy, believe me yours most truly,
+                                                "'W. NEWTON.'"
+
+
+"There is a gleam of hope, then," exclaimed Bertie.
+
+"I don't know what you mean about hope. At best a drop from about two
+thousand a year to a hundred and fifty is not a subject for
+congratulation.--Well, Katherine, you are most welcome to stay here as
+my guest till you find something to do, for find something you must."
+
+"I knew you would be kind and true," said Katherine, her voice a little
+tremulous, "and believe me I will not sit with folded hands."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXV.
+
+"BREAD CAST ON THE WATERS."
+
+
+There were indeed long and heavy days for Katherine, few though they
+were, before Mr. Newton thought it well to communicate the intelligence
+to Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde. He wished to be able to extract some more
+favorable terms from Liddell, so that his favorite client might fulfil
+her ardent desire to keep her nephews still with her, and assist in
+their maintenance and education. This was, in the shrewd old lawyer's
+estimation, a most Quixotic project, but he saw it was the only idea
+which enabled her to bear the extreme distress caused by the prospect of
+returning the poor children on their mother's hands.
+
+A period of uncertainty is always trying, and the reflection that the
+present crisis was the result of her unfortunate infringement of the
+unalterable law of right and wrong overwhelmed her with a sense of
+guilt. Had she not meddled with the matter, no doubt such a man as
+Errington would, were the case properly represented to him, have given
+some portion of the wealth bequeathed him to the family of the testator.
+But how could she have foreseen? True; but she might have resisted the
+temptation to deviate from the straight path. "She might!" What an abyss
+of endless regret yawns at the sound of those words, used in the sense
+of too late!
+
+This was a hard worldly trouble over which she could not weep. Over and
+over again she told herself that nothing should part her from the boys,
+that she would devote her life to repair as far as possible the injury
+she had done them. And Ada, would she also suffer for her (Katherine's)
+sins? But while brooding constantly on these miserable thoughts she kept
+a brave front, quiet and steady, though Miss Payne saw that her
+composure hid a good deal of suffering.
+
+It was more, however, than Katherine's resolution could accomplish to
+keep a few evening engagements which she had made. "I should feel too
+great an impostor," she said. "How thankful I shall be when the murder
+is out and the nine days' wonder over! Have you any commissions, dear
+Miss Payne? I want an object to take me out, and I feel I must not mope
+in-doors."
+
+"No, I cannot say I have any shopping to do, and I am obliged to go into
+the City myself. Take a steady round of Kensington Gardens; it is quite
+mild and bright to-day. I shall not return till six, I am afraid."
+
+So Katherine went out alone immediately after luncheon, before the world
+and his wife had time to get abroad. She had made a circuit of the
+ornamental water, and was returning by the footpath near the sunk fence
+which separates the Gardens from the Park, when she recognized De Burgh
+coming toward her. He had been in her thoughts at the moment; for,
+feeling that it was quite likely he had been considered a suitor, she
+was anxious to give him an opportunity of making an honorable retreat
+before society found out that the sceptre of wealth had slipped from her
+hand.
+
+"Pray is this the way you cure a cold?" he asked, abruptly. "Last night
+Lady Mary Vincent informed me that you had staid at home to nurse a
+cold. This morning I call to enquire for the interesting invalid, and
+find she is out in the cool February air."
+
+"It is very mild, and it is at night the air is dangerous," returned
+Katherine, smiling.
+
+"Now I look at you, I don't think you look so blooming as usual. May I
+go back with you and pay my visit of condolence, in spite of having left
+my card?"
+
+"Yes," said Katherine, with sudden decision. "I want to speak to you."
+
+"Indeed!"--with a keen, eager look. "This is something new. May I ask--"
+
+"No; not until we are in Miss Payne's drawing-room."
+
+"You alarm me. Could it be possible that you, peerless as you are, have
+got into a scrape?"
+
+"Well, I think I can say I have," said Katherine, smiling.
+
+"Great heavens! this is delightful."
+
+"Let us talk of something else."
+
+"By all means. Will you hear some gossip? I don't often retail any, but
+I fancy you'll be amused and interested to know that Lady Alice Mordaunt
+is really going to marry that brewer fellow. You remember I told you
+what I thought was going on last autumn."
+
+"Is it possible?" cried Katherine. "Imagine her so soon forgetting Mr.
+Errington!"
+
+"And why should not that immaculate individual be exempt from the usual
+fate of man?"
+
+"I don't know--except that he is not an ordinary man."
+
+"No; certainly not. He is an extraordinary fellow; but I must say he has
+shown great staying power in his late difficulties. They tell me he has
+been revenging himself by writing awful problems, political and
+critical, which require a forty-horse intellectual power to understand."
+And De Burgh talked on, seeing that his companion was disinclined to
+speak until they reached Miss Payne's house.
+
+Katherine took off her hat and warm cloak with some deliberation,
+thinking how best to approach her subject. Pushing back her hair, which
+had become somewhat disordered from its own weight, she sat down on an
+ottoman, and raising her eyes to De Burgh, who stood on the hearth-rug,
+said, slowly, "I have a secret to tell you which you must keep for a few
+weeks."
+
+"For an eternity, if you will trust me," he returned, in low, earnest
+tones, his dark eyes fixed upon her, as if trying to read her heart.
+
+"Well, then, my uncle's son and heir, whom we believed to be dead, has
+suddenly reappeared, and of course takes the fortune I have been, let us
+_say_, enjoying."
+
+De Burgh did not reply at once; his eyes continued to search her face as
+if to discover some hidden meaning.
+
+"Do you mean me to take you seriously, Miss Liddell?"
+
+"Quite. Moreover, I fear my cousin means to demand the arrears of
+income--income which I have spent."
+
+"But the fellow must be an impostor. Your man of business, Newton, will
+never yield to his demands. He must prove his case."
+
+"I think he has proved it. Mr. Newton recognized him at the first
+glance; and he bears a strong resemblance to his father. I feel he is
+the man he asserts himself to be."
+
+"Do you intend to give up without a struggle? What account does this
+intruder give of himself?"
+
+Katherine gave him a brief sketch of the story, speaking with firmness
+and composure.
+
+"What an infernal shame!" cried De Burgh, when she ceased speaking. "I
+wish I had had a chance of sending a bullet through his head, and as
+sure as there is a devil down below I'd have verified the report of his
+death! Why, what is to be done?"
+
+"I still faintly hope Mr. Newton may persuade him to forego his first
+demand for the restoration of those moneys I have spent. If so, I am not
+quite penniless, and can hope to-- At all events, I thought it but right
+to give you early information, as--"
+
+"Why?" interrupted De Burgh (for she hesitated), throwing himself on the
+ottoman and leaning against the arm which divided the seats, till his
+long dark mustaches nearly touched the coils of her hair. "Why?" he
+repeated, as she did not answer immediately. "I know well enough. It is
+your loyalty that makes you wish to open a way of escape to the friend
+who is credited with seeking your fortune. I see it all."
+
+"You can assign any motive you like, Mr. De Burgh, but I thought--I
+wished--I believed it better to let you know; for I shall always
+consider you my friend, even if we do not meet," said Katherine, a good
+deal unhinged by the excitement and distress he displayed.
+
+"Meet? why, of course we shall meet! Do you think anything in heaven or
+earth would make me give up the attempt, hopeless as it may seem, to win
+you? I know you don't care a rap for me now, but I cannot, dare not
+despair. I've too much at stake. There is the awful sting of this
+misfortune. Even if you, by some blessed intervention of Providence,
+were ready to marry me, I don't see how I could drag you into such a sea
+of trouble. Besides, there's old De Burgh; he must be kept in
+good-humor. By Heaven! this miserable want of money is the most utter
+degradation--irresistible, enslaving. I feel like a beaten cur. I am
+tied hand and foot. Had I not been such a reckless idiot, why, your
+misfortunes might have been my best chance. I dare say that sounds
+shabby enough, but I like to let you see what I am, good and bad;
+besides, I am ready to do _anything_, right or wrong, to win you."
+
+"Ah, Mr. De Burgh, no crookedness ever succeeds. And then I do not
+deserve that you should think so much or care so much for me, for I do
+not wish to marry you or any one. My plan of life is framed on quite
+different lines. Do put me out of your mind, and think of your own
+fortunes. Do not vex Lord De Burgh; but oh! pray give up racing and
+gambling. You know I really do like you, not exactly in the way you
+wish, but it adds greatly to my troubles (for I am very sorry to lose my
+fortune, I assure you) to see you so--so disturbed."
+
+"If you look at me so kindly with those sweet wet eyes I shall lose my
+head," cried De Burgh, who was already beside himself, for the gulf
+which had suddenly yawned between him and the woman he coveted seemed to
+grow wider as he looked at it. "I am the most unlucky devil in
+existence, and I have brought _you_ ill luck. I should have kept away
+from you, for you are a hundred thousand times too good for me; but as I
+_have_ thrown myself headlong into the delicious pain of loving you,
+won't you give me a chance? Promise to wait for me: a week, a day, may
+see me wealthy, and I swear I will strive to be worthy too: why were
+those bush-rangers such infernally bad-shots?--and I can be no use to
+you whatever?"
+
+"But I have many kind friends, Mr. De Burgh. You must not distress
+yourself about me. I am not frightened, I assure you. Now I have told
+you everything, don't you think you would better go?" She rose as she
+spoke, and held out her hand.
+
+"Better for you, yes, but not for me. Look here, Katherine, don't banish
+me. I am obliged to go with old De Burgh to Paris. He is making for
+Cannes again, and asked me to come so far. Of course he has a chain
+round my neck. I must obey orders like his bond-slave, but when I come
+back--don't banish me. I swear I'll be an unobtrusive friend, and I may
+be of use. Don't send me quite away; in short, I won't take a dismissal.
+What is it you object to? What absurd stories have been told you to set
+you against me? Other women have liked me well enough."
+
+"I have no doubt you deserve to be loved, Mr. De Burgh, but there are
+feelings that, like the wind, blow where they list; we cannot tell
+whence they come or whither they go. I am sorry I do not love you,
+but--I am very tired. If you care to come and see me when you come back,
+come _if_ I have any place in which to receive you."
+
+"If I write, will you answer my letters?"
+
+"Oh no; don't write; I would rather you did not."
+
+"I am a brute to keep you when you look so white; I'll go. Good-by for
+the present--only for the present, you dear, sweet woman!" He kissed her
+hand twice and went quickly out of the room.
+
+Katherine heaved a sigh of relief. The degree of liking she had for De
+Burgh made her feel greatly distressed at having been obliged to give
+him pain. Yet she was not by any means disposed to trust him; his
+restless eagerness to gratify every whim and desire as it came to him,
+the kind of harshness which made him so indifferent to the feelings and
+opinions of those who opposed him--this was very repellent to
+Katherine's more considerate and sympathetic nature. Besides, and above
+all, De Burgh was not Errington; and it needs no more to explain why the
+former, who had no reason hitherto to complain of the coldness of women,
+found the only one he had ever loved with a high order of affection
+untouched by his wooing.
+
+
+The day after this interview Katherine, accompanied by Miss Payne, went
+down to Sandbourne to interview the principal of the boys' school, to
+explain the state of affairs, to give notice that she should be obliged
+to remove them, and to pay in advance for the time they were to remain.
+
+The visit was full of both pain and pleasure. The genuine delight of the
+children on seeing her unexpectedly, their joy at being permitted to go
+out to walk with her, their innocent talk, and the castles in the air
+which they erected in the firm conviction that they were to have horses
+and dogs, man-servants and maid-servants, all the days of their lives,
+touched her heart. The principal gave a good account of both. Cecil was,
+he said, erratic and excitable in no common degree, but though
+troublesome, he was truthful and straightforward, while Charlie promised
+to develop qualities of no common order. He entered with a very friendly
+spirit into the anxiety of the young aunt, whose motherly tenderness for
+her nephews touched him greatly. He gave her some valuable advice, and
+the address of two schools regulated to suit parents of small means, and
+which he could safely recommend. By his suggestion nothing was said for
+the present to Cis or Charlie regarding the impending change, lest they
+should be unsettled.
+
+"And shall we come to stay at Miss Payne's for the Easter holidays?"
+cried the boys in chorus, as Katherine took leave of them the next day.
+
+"I hope so, dears, but I am not sure."
+
+"Then will you come down to Sandbourne? That would be jolly."
+
+"I cannot promise, Cecil. We will see."
+
+"But, auntie, we'll not have to go to Castleford?"
+
+"Why? Would you not like to go?"
+
+"No. Would you, Charlie? I don't like being there nearly so much as at
+school. I don't like having dinner by ourselves, and yet I don't care to
+dine with Colonel Ormonde; he is always in a wax."
+
+"He does not mean to be cross," said Katherine, her heart sinking within
+her. Should she be obliged to hand over the poor little helpless fellows
+to the reluctant guardianship of their irritable step-father? This would
+indeed be a pang. Was it for this she had broken the law, and marred the
+harmony of her own moral nature?
+
+"Well, my own dear, I will do the best I can for you, you may be quite
+sure. Now you must let me go; I will come again as soon as I can." Cis
+kissed her heartily, and scampered away to take his place in the
+class-room, quite content with his school life. Charlie threw his arms
+around his auntie's neck, and clung to her lovingly. But he too was
+called away, and nothing remained for Katherine and her companion but to
+make their way to the station and return to town.
+
+This visit cost Katherine more than any other outcome of George
+Liddell's reappearance. Her quick imagination depicted what the boys'
+lives would be under the jurisdiction of their mother and her
+husband--the worries, the suppression, the sense of being always naughty
+and in the wrong, the different yet equally pernicious effect such
+treatment would have on the brothers.
+
+"This is the worst part of the business to you," said Miss Payne, when
+they had reached home and sat down to a late tea together. "You look
+like a ghost, or as if you had seen one. You will make yourself ill, and
+really there is no need to do anything of the kind. Those children have
+a mother who is very well off. I always thought it frightfully imprudent
+of you to take those boys even when you had plenty of money. Now, of
+course, when it is impossible for you to keep them, it is a bitter
+wrench to part, but--"
+
+"But I am not sure that we must part," interrupted Katherine, eagerly.
+"Should my cousin be induced to forego his claims upon me for the income
+I have expended, and I can find some means of maintaining myself, I
+could still provide for their school expenses and keep them with me."
+
+"Maintain yourself, my dear Katherine; it is easier said than done. You
+are quite infatuated about those nephews of yours, and I dare say they
+will give you small thanks."
+
+"I know it is not easy for an untrained woman like myself to find
+remunerative work, but I shall try. Here is a note from Mr. Newton
+asking me to call on him to-morrow. Let us hope he will have some good
+news, though I cannot help fearing he would have told me in this if he
+had."
+
+It was with a sickening sensation of uneasy hope shot with dark streaks
+of fear that Katherine started to keep her appointment with Mr. Newton.
+Eager to begin her economy at once, Katherine took an omnibus instead of
+indulging in a brougham or a cab. She could not help smiling at her own
+sense of helpless discomfort when a fat woman almost sat down upon her,
+and the conductor told her to look sharp when the vehicle stopped to let
+her alight; as she reflected that barely three years ago she considered
+an omnibus rather a luxury, and that it was a matter of careful
+calculation how many pennies might be saved by walking to certain points
+whence one could travel at a reduced fare. How easily are luxurious and
+self-indulgent habits formed! Well, she had done with them forever now;
+nor would anything seem a hardship were she but permitted to repair in
+some measure the evil she had wrought.
+
+She found Mr. Newton awaiting her with evident impatience. "Well, my
+dear Miss Liddell," he said, "I have been most anxious to see you,
+though I have not much that is cheering to communicate. I have had
+several interviews with your cousin, but he seems still unaccountably
+hard and vindictive. However, as I am, of course, _your_ adviser, he has
+been obliged to seek another solicitor, and I am happy to say he has
+fallen into good hands, and that by a sort of lucky chance."
+
+"How?" asked Katherine, who was looking pale and feeling in the depths.
+
+"Well, a few days ago a gentleman called here to ask me for the address
+of a former client of whom I have heard nothing for years. I think you
+know or have met this gentleman--Mr. Errington."
+
+"I do," cried Katherine, now all attention.
+
+"While we were speaking Mr. Liddell was announced. Errington looked at
+him hard, and then asked politely if he were the son of the late Mr.
+John Liddell, who had been a great friend of his (Errington's) father.
+Your cousin seemed to know the name, and, moreover, very pleased at
+being spoken to and remembered. Mr. Errington offered to call, and now I
+find he has recommended his own solicitors, Messrs. Compton & Barnes, to
+George Liddell. I had an interview with the head of the firm yesterday,
+and he has evidently advised that the strictly legal claims against you
+should not be pressed. I cannot help thinking that Mr. Errington has
+interested himself on your side."
+
+"Indeed!" cried Katherine, life and warmth coming back to her heart at
+his words.
+
+"Yes, I do. Compton appears to have the highest possible opinion of
+Errington as a man of integrity and intelligence. He, Compton says,
+believes that if Liddell could be persuaded such a line of conduct
+toward you would injure him socially, he would not seek to enforce his
+rights, for he is evidently anxious to make a position in the
+respectable world. As you make no opposition to his claims he ought to
+show you consideration. This accidental encounter between Errington and
+your cousin will, I am sure, prove a fortunate circumstance."
+
+In her own mind Katherine could not help doubting its accidental
+character. How infinitely good and forgiving Errington was! While she
+thought, Mr. Newton mused.
+
+"I suppose you have a tolerable balance at the bank?" he said, abruptly.
+
+"Yes. I have never spent a year's income in a year. Just lately, except
+for buying that house, I have spent very little."
+
+"That house! Oh--ah! I shall be curious to see how Miss Trant will
+behave. If she is true to her word; if she looks upon your loan to her
+as a loan--an investment on your side--you may gain an addition to your
+income through what was an act of pure benevolence. When you go home, my
+dear young lady, look at your bank-book, and let me know exactly how you
+stand. We might offer this cormorant of a cousin a portion of your
+savings to finish the business. Indeed I should advise you to draw a
+good large check at once so as to provide yourself with ready money."
+
+"Would it be quite--quite honest to do so?" asked Katherine, anxiously.
+
+"Pray do you impugn my integrity?"
+
+"No! But suppose George Liddell found I had drawn a large check--perhaps
+the very day before I propose through you to hand over what remains to
+me--he would think me a cheat?"
+
+"And pray why should he know anything about your bank-book? or what
+consideration do you owe him? He is behaving very harshly and badly to
+you. We will state what is in the bank after you have drawn your check,
+and offer him half--which is a great deal too much for him. Yet I should
+like him to be your friend, if possible. Could you get hold of that
+little girl of his? Affection for her seems to be the only human thing
+about him."
+
+"I think I should rather have nothing to do with him," murmured
+Katherine.
+
+"Well, well, we will see. Now, though we have not succeeded in coming to
+any settlement with Liddell, I believe we ought not to leave Mrs.
+Ormonde any longer in ignorance respecting the change which has taken
+place."
+
+"No, I am sure they ought to know. I have been troubling myself about
+both the Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde," said Katherine. "This is what I
+dread most." And she sighed.
+
+"I do not see why you need. I am sure you acted with noble liberality to
+Mrs. Ormonde and her boys when you thought you were the rightful owner
+of the property."
+
+"The rightful owner," repeated Katherine, with a thrill of pain. "It has
+been an unfortunate ownership to me."
+
+"It has--it has indeed, my dear young lady, but we must see how to help
+you at this juncture. If Miss Trant behaves as she ought, we must put a
+little more capital in that concern if it is as thriving as you believe.
+It may turn out very useful to you."
+
+"I have not seen her since my cousin came to life again, for I could not
+see her and keep back my strange story. May I tell her now?"
+
+"Certainly. It was from Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde I wished to keep back
+the disastrous news till some agreement should be come to."
+
+"You must not call my cousin's return to life and country disastrous,"
+said Katherine, smiling. "I am sure, if he will only give me the chance
+of keeping my boys with me, I am quite ready to welcome him to both. Now
+I shall leave you, for I want to send away my letter to Ada this
+evening, and it is a difficult letter to write."
+
+"I have no doubt you will state your case clearly and well," returned
+Mr. Newton, rising to shake hands with her. "Let me hear what Mrs.
+Ormonde says in reply; and see your protegee, Miss Trant. I am anxious
+to learn her views."
+
+"I am quite sure I know what they will be," said Katherine.
+
+"Don't be too sure. Human nature is a very crooked thing--more crooked
+than a true heart like yours can imagine," continued the old man,
+holding her hand kindly.
+
+"Ah, Mr. Newton," she cried, with an irresistible outburst of penitence,
+"you little know what crooked things I can imagine."
+
+"Can't I?" he said laughing at what he fancied was her little joke, and
+glad to see her bearing her troubles so lightly. "You'll come all right
+yet, my dear; you have the right spirit. Is your carriage waiting?"
+
+"Not here; but in Holborn I have several at my command," she returned.
+"Good-by; no, you must not come downstairs; it is damp and chilly."
+
+On reaching her home, the home she must so soon resign, Katherine sent a
+note to Rachel Trant asking if she had a spare hour that evening, as
+she, Katherine, had something to tell her, and preferred going to her
+house. Then she sat down to write a full and detailed account of what
+had taken place to her sister-in-law. It was dusk before she had
+finished and she herself felt considerably exhausted. Miss Payne had
+gone out to dine with one of her former girls, now the wife of a rackety
+horsy man, whose conduct made her often look back with a sigh of regret
+to the tranquil days passed under the guardianship of the prudent
+spinster; so having partaken of tea at their usual dinner-time she sat
+and mused awhile on the one subject from which she could derive
+comfort--Errington and his wonderful kindness to her. If he took the
+matter in hand she thought herself safe. Her confidence in him was
+unbounded. Ah! why had she placed such a gulf between them? How she had
+destroyed her own life! There was but one tie between her and the world,
+little Charlie and Cis, and perhaps she had been their greatest enemy.
+She almost wished she could love De Burgh. He was undoubtedly in
+earnest; he interested her; he--But no. Between her and any possible
+husband she had reared the insurmountable barrier of a secret not to be
+shared by any save one, from whom, somehow, instead of dividing her, had
+bound her indissolubly; at least she felt it to be so.
+
+It was near the hour she had fixed to call on Rachel, so she roused
+herself, and asking the amiable Francois to accompany her, started for
+Malden Street.
+
+Rachel Trant had made a back parlor, designated the "trying-on" room,
+bright and cosy, with a shaded lamp, a red fire, a couple of easy-chairs
+at either side of it, and a gay cloth over the small round table erst
+strewn with fashion books, measuring tapes, pins, patterns and
+pin-cushions.
+
+"How very good of you to come to me!" cried Miss Trant, hastening to
+divest her friend of bonnet and cloak. "I am very curious to hear the
+story you have to tell." Then, as Katherine sat down where the
+lamp-light fell upon her face, she added, "But you are not looking well,
+Miss Liddell; your eyes look heavy; your mouth is sad."
+
+"I am troubled, more than sad," said Katherine; "the why and wherefore I
+have come to tell you."
+
+"Yes; tell me everything." And Rachel took a low seat opposite her
+guest; her usually pale face was slightly flushed, her large blue eyes
+darkened with the pleasure of seeing the friend she loved so warmly and
+the interest with which she awaited her disclosure, and as Katherine
+looked at her she realized how pretty and attractive she must have been
+before the fresh grace of her girlhood had been withered by the cruel
+fires of passion and despair. "I am listening," said Rachel, gently, to
+recall her visitor, whose thoughts were evidently far away.
+
+"Yes; I had forgotten." And Katherine began her story.
+
+Rachel Trant listened with rapt, intense attention, nor did she
+interrupt the narrative by a single question.
+
+When Katherine ceased to speak she remained silent for a second or two
+longer: then she asked, "Are you convinced of the truth of this man's
+story?"
+
+"I am, for Mr. Newton does not seem to have a doubt. Oh! he is my uncle
+John's only son--only child, indeed--and he is like him. I always
+fancied from the little my uncle said about George that he was naturally
+kind and sympathetic, but he has had a hard life, and it has made him
+hard. The loss of his mother was a terrible misfortune."
+
+"Was he young when she died?"
+
+"He was about fourteen, I think; but he lost her by a worse misfortune
+than death. She was driven away by my uncle's severity and harshness;
+she left him for another."
+
+"What! left her son?"
+
+"Yes--it seems incredible--nor does my cousin resent her desertion. On
+the contrary, all the affection and softness in him appears to centre
+round his daughter and the memory of his mother."
+
+"Then," said Rachel, "if this man persists in demanding his rights, you
+will be beggared, and those dear boys must go back to their mother. They
+will not be too welcome."
+
+"Oh no! no! I feel that only too keenly."
+
+"But you will not be penniless nor homeless," cried Rachel. "He cannot
+touch this house. You made it over to me, and I will use it for you.
+There are two nice rooms I can arrange for you upstairs. I am doing
+well, and if I had but a little more capital, I should not fear; I
+should not doubt making a great success. My dear, dearest Miss Liddell,
+I may be of use to you, after all. Tell me, is this Mr. Newton truly
+interested in you--anxious to help you?"
+
+"I am sure he is; he is very unhappy about me."
+
+"Do you think he would let me call on him? I want to tell him the plans
+that are coming into my head. I can explain all the business part to
+him. If I can get through this year without debt, I am pretty sure of
+providing you with an income--an increasing income. This is a joy I
+never anticipated. And then you can keep your little nephews, and be a
+real mother to them. I don't want to trouble you with the business
+details of my plan; you would not understand them. But Mr. Newton will.
+Pray write a line asking him to see me, to name his own time. Stay; here
+are paper and pen and ink; ask him to write to me. He knows--he knows my
+story. At least--" She stopped, coloring crimson.
+
+"He knows all it is needful for me to tell," said Katherine, gravely.
+"Yes, Rachel, it is better to explain all to him. He is kind and wise,
+and I am strangely stupefied by this extraordinary overturn of my
+fortunes. I shall be glad of your help, but do not neglect your own
+future, dear Rachel."
+
+"I shall not: I shall make enough for us both. You have indeed given me
+something to live for."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVI.
+
+COLONEL AND MRS. ORMONDE.
+
+
+The moral effect of feeling in touch with some loyal, tender,
+sympathizing fellow-creature is immense. It gives faith in one's self--a
+belief in the possibilities for good hidden in the future; above all,
+relief from that most paralyzing of mental conditions, a sense of
+isolation.
+
+Katherine walked back alone in the dark. The sooner she accustomed
+herself to habits of independence the better; for the future she must
+learn to stand alone, to take care of herself, unassisted by maid or
+flunky. It made her a little nervous; for although in the old
+impecunious days she went on all necessary errands in the morning alone,
+she rarely left the house after sundown even with a companion. They were
+very monotonous days, those which seemed to have fled away so far into
+the soft misty gloom of the past. Yet how full of fragrance was their
+memory! The castle-building, the vague bright hopes, the joy of helping
+the dear mother, the utter absolute trust in her, the struggle with the
+necessities of life--all were more or less sweet; and now to what an end
+she had brought the simple drama of her youth! Had she resisted that
+strange prompting which kept her silent when Mr. Newton began to look
+for the will, how different everything might have been! Errington might
+be well off too, and she might never have seen him.
+
+With the thought of him came the sudden overpowering wish to hear his
+voice--clear, deliberate, convincing--which sometimes seized her in
+spite of every effort to banish it from her mind, and of which she was
+utterly, profoundly ashamed, the recurrence of which was infinitely
+painful. She must fill her heart with other thoughts, other objects.
+"Life is serious enough (the life which lies before me especially) to
+crowd out these follies. Why do I increase its gloom with imaginary
+troubles?"
+
+Miss Payne, returning from her dinner, found Katherine sitting up for
+her, apparently occupied with a book, and in the little confidential
+talk which ensued Katherine told her of Rachel Trant's intention of
+consulting Mr. Newton respecting her plans for increasing her business
+with a view to assisting her benefactress.
+
+Miss Payne received this communication in silence; but after a moment's
+thought observed, in a grave, approving tone; "You have not been
+deceived in her, then. I really believe Rachel Trant is a young woman of
+principle and integrity."
+
+"Yes, I have always thought so." Then, after a pause, she resumed: "I
+wonder what reply I shall have from Ada to-morrow--no, the day after
+to-morrow."
+
+"Do not worry yourself about it. She will make herself disagreeable, of
+course; but it is just a trouble to be got through with. Go to bed, my
+dear; try to sleep and to forget. You are looking fagged and worn."
+
+But Katherine could not help dwelling upon the picture her imagination
+presented of the morrow's breakfast-time at Castleford; of the dismay
+with which her letter would be read; of Ada's tears and Colonel
+Ormonde's rage; of the torrent of advice which would be poured upon her.
+Then what decision would Colonel Ormonde come to about the boys? He
+would banish them to some cheap out-of-the-way school. It was impossible
+to say what he would do.
+
+Naturally she did not sleep well or continuously, disturbed as she was
+by such thoughts--such uneasy anticipations--and her eyes showed the
+results of a bad night when she met Miss Payne in the morning.
+
+About eleven o'clock Katherine came quickly into Miss Payne's particular
+sitting-room, where she made up her accounts and studied her bank-book.
+
+"What is it?" asked that lady, looking up, and perceiving that Katherine
+was agitated.
+
+"A telegram from Ada. They will be here about five this afternoon."
+
+"Well, never mind. There is nothing in that to scare you."
+
+"I am not scared, but I wish that interview was over."
+
+"Yes; I shall be glad when it is; though I shall not obtrude on his
+Royal Highness. (I suppose he is coming as well as she.) I shall be in
+the house, so you can send for me if you want me."
+
+"Thank you, Miss Payne; you are very good to me. I feel that I ought not
+to stay here crowding up your house."
+
+"Nonsense! I am not in such a hurry to find a new inmate. I shall not
+like any one as well as you. I wish I could give up and live in a neat
+little cottage, but I cannot. Indeed, if you think I may, I should like
+to mention this deplorable change in your fortunes to Mrs. Needham. She
+knows every one, and can bring all sorts of people together if she
+likes."
+
+"By all means, Miss Payne. There is no reason why you should not."
+
+And after a little more conversation Katherine went back to her
+occupation of arranging her belongings and wardrobe, that when the
+moment of parting came she might be quite ready to go.
+
+To wait patiently for that which you know will be painful is torture of
+no mean order. It was somewhat curtailed for Katherine on that memorable
+day, for Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde arrived half an hour sooner than she
+expected.
+
+They had driven direct from the station to Wilton Street, and Katherine
+saw at a glance that both were greatly disturbed.
+
+"Katherine, what is the meaning of your dreadful letter?" cried Mrs.
+Ormonde, without any previous greeting, while the Colonel barked a gruff
+"How d'ye do?"
+
+"My letter, Ada, I am sorry to say, meant what it said," returned
+Katherine, sadly. "Do sit down, and let us discuss what is best to be
+done."
+
+"What can be done?" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde, bursting into tears.
+
+"For God's sake, don't let us have tears and nonsense," said Colonel
+Ormonde, roughly. "Tell me, Katherine, is it possible Newton means to
+give in to this impostor? Why does he not demand proper proof, and throw
+the whole business into chancery?"
+
+"I am sure Mr. Newton could not doubt George Liddell's story. He could
+not go back from his own involuntary recognition, nor could I pretend to
+doubt what I believe is true."
+
+"Pooh! that is high-flown bosh. You need not say what you do or do not
+believe. All you have to do is to throw the onus of proof on this
+fellow."
+
+"It is all too dreadful," said Mrs. Ormonde, in tearful tones. "To think
+that you will allow yourself to be robbed, and permit the dear boys to
+be reduced to beggary, for a mere crochet--it is too bad. I never will
+believe this horrid man is the person he represents himself to be;
+never."
+
+"I wish you would go and speak to Mr. Newton. He would explain the folly
+of resisting."
+
+"And how do you know that he is not bribed?" returned Mrs. Ormonde, with
+a little sob. "Every one knows what dreadful wretches lawyers are. And
+though I dare say you meant well, Katherine, but having induced us to
+believe you would provide for the boys, it is a little hard--indeed very
+hard--on Colonel Ormonde to have them thrown back on his hands, and it
+is really your duty to do something to relieve us."
+
+"Back on my hands!" echoed the Colonel. "I'll not take them back. Why
+should I? I have been completely swindled in the whole business. I am
+the last man to support another fellow's brats. Why didn't that old
+lawyer of yours ascertain whether your uncle's son was dead or alive
+before he let you pounce upon the property and play Lady Bountiful with
+what did not belong to you?" And Colonel Ormonde paced the room in a
+fury, all chivalrous tradition melting away in the fierce heat of
+disappointed greed.
+
+"You have no right to find fault with me," cried Katherine, stung to
+self-assertion. "I did well and generously by your children and
+yourself, Ada (I must say so, as you seem to forget it). There is more
+cause to sympathize with me in the reverse that has befallen me than to
+throw the blame of what is inevitable on one who is a greater sufferer
+than yourselves. Do you not know that the worst pang my bitterest
+enemy--had I one--could inflict is to feel I must give up the boys?
+Matters are still unsettled, but if my cousin can be induced to deal
+mercifully with me, and not absorb my little all to liquidate what is
+legally due to him, I will gladly keep Cis and Charlie, and give them
+what I have, rather than throw them on Colonel Ormonde's charity. I am
+deeply sorry for your disappointment, but I have done nothing to
+irritate Colonel Ormonde into forgetting what is due to a lady and his
+wife's benefactress." Katherine was thoroughly roused, and stood, head
+erect, with glowing eyes, and soft red lips curling with disdain.
+
+"I always said she was violent; didn't' I, Duke?" sobbed Mrs. Ormonde.
+"Katherine, you do amaze me."
+
+"There is no denying she is a plucky one," he returned, with a gruff
+laugh. "I too deny that you should consider it a misfortune for the boys
+to come under my care. I owe a duty to my own son, and am not going to
+play the generous step-father to his hurt. If you can't come to
+advantageous terms with this--this impostor, as I verily believe he is.
+I'll send the boys to the Bluecoat School or some such institution. They
+have turned out very good men before this."
+
+"I am sure we could expect no more from Colonel Ormonde, and when you
+think that I shall be entirely dependent on him for"--sob--"my very
+gowns"--sob--"and--and little outings--and" a total break down.
+
+"If I am penniless," said Katherine, controlling her inclination to
+scream aloud with agony, "I must accept your offer--any offer that will
+provide for my nephews. If not, I will devote myself and what I have to
+them. I really wish you would go and see Mr. Newton; he will make you
+understand matters better than I can; and as you have come in such a
+spirit, I should be glad if you would leave me. I cannot look on you as
+friends, considering how you have spoken."
+
+"By George!" interrupted the Colonel, much astonished. "This is giving
+us the turn-out."
+
+"What ingratitude!" cried his wife, with pious indignation, as she rose
+and tied on her veil.
+
+Her further utterance was arrested, for the door was thrown open, and
+Francois announced, "Mr. Errington."
+
+A great stillness fell upon them as Errington walked in, cool,
+collected, well dressed, as usual.
+
+"Very glad to meet you here, Mrs. Ormonde," he said, when he had shaken
+hands with Katherine. "Miss Liddell has need of all her friends at such
+a crisis. How do, Colonel; you look the incarnation of healthy country
+life."
+
+"Ah--ah; I'm very well, thank you," somewhat confusedly. "Just been
+trying to persuade Miss Liddell here to dispute this preposterous claim.
+I don't believe this man is the real thing."
+
+"I am afraid he is," gravely; "I know him, for John Liddell was a friend
+of my father's in early life, and I feel satisfied this man is his son."
+
+"You do. Well, I shall speak to my own lawyers and Newton about it: one
+can't give up everything at the first demand to stand and deliver."
+
+"No; neither is it wise to throw good money after bad. We were just
+going to Mr. Newton's, so I'll say good-morning. Till to-morrow,
+Katherine. I'll report what Newton says."
+
+"Good-morning, Mr. Errington," said Mrs. Ormonde, pulling herself
+together, and her veil down. "This is a terrible business! I feel it as
+acutely as if it were myself--I mean my own case. I am sure it is so
+good of you to come and see Katherine. I hope you will give us a few
+days at Castleford." So murmuring and with a painful smile, she hastened
+downstairs after her husband.
+
+Then Errington closed the door and returned to where Katherine stood,
+white and trembling, in the middle of the room. "I am afraid your
+kinsfolk have been but Job's comforters," he said, looking earnestly
+into her eyes, his own so grave and compassionate that her heart grew
+calmer under their gaze. "You are greatly disturbed."
+
+"They have been very cruel," she murmured. "Yet, not knowing all you do,
+they could not know how cruel. They are so angry because what I tried to
+do for the boys proved a failure. They little dream how guilty I feel
+for having created this confusion. If I am obliged to give up Cis and
+Charlie to--to Colonel Ormonde, their lot will be a miserable one!" She
+spoke brokenly, and her eyes brimmed over, the drops hanging on her long
+lashes.
+
+"Sit down, Miss Liddell. I am deeply grieved to see you so depressed. I
+have ventured to call because I have a pin's point of hope for you,
+which I trust will excuse me for presenting myself, as I know you would
+rather not see me."
+
+"To-day I am glad to see you. I should always be glad to see you
+but--but for my own conscience. Do not misunderstand me." With a sudden
+impulse she stretched out her fair soft hand to him. He took and held
+it, wondering to find that although so cold when first he touched it, it
+grew quickly warm in his grasp.
+
+"Thank you," he said, gently, and still held her hand; "you give me
+infinite pleasure. Now"--releasing her--"for my excuse. Among my poor
+father's papers were a few letters of very old date from John Liddell,
+in which was occasional mention of his boy. It struck me these might be
+a _modus operandi_, and enable me approach a difficult subject. I
+contrived to meet your cousin at Mr. Newton's, and he permitted me to
+call. I gave him the letters, and we became--not friends--but friendly
+at least." Here his face brightened. "We began to talk of you, and I saw
+that he was bitter and vindictive against you to an extraordinary
+degree. He grew communicative, and I was able to represent to him the
+cruelty and unreasonableness of his conduct. At last--only to-day--he
+suddenly exclaimed, 'How much of my money has that nice young lady made
+away with?' I could not, of course, give him any particulars, but having
+learned from himself that he had amassed a good deal of money himself,
+and that with the addition of _your_ fortune (I cannot help calling it
+yours) he would really be a man of wealth, I ventured to suggest that he
+should not demand the refunding of what you had used while in possession
+of the property, and showed him what a bad impression it would create in
+the minds of those among whom he evidently wishes to make a place for
+himself. He thought for a few moments, and then said he would consider
+the matter and consult his legal advisers before coming to a decision,
+adding that he did not understand how it was that they as well as myself
+were on your side. Then I left him, and I feel a strong impression that
+he will lay aside his worst intentions. I only trust he will spare
+whatever balance may stand to your credit with your banker."
+
+"You have indeed done me a great service," cried Katherine, "If George
+Liddell does as you suggest I shall not be afraid to face the future. I
+shall surely be able to find some employment myself; then I need not
+importune Colonel Ormonde for my nephews."
+
+"He will surely not leave them without means," cried Errington.
+
+"I am not sure. They have no legal claim upon him, and he is very angry
+with me for causing such confusion, though--"
+
+--"Though," interrupted Errington, "your only error was
+over-generosity."
+
+"My _only_ error, Mr. Errington!"--casting down her eyes and interlacing
+her fingers nervously. "If he only knew!"
+
+"But he does not; he never shall!" exclaimed Errington, with animation,
+drawing unconsciously nearer. "That is a secret between you and me. None
+shall ever know our secret. All I ask is that you will forgive me for my
+unfortunate precipitancy in destroying the means of saving you, which
+you had placed in my hands--that you will forgive me, and let me be your
+friend. It is so painful to see you shrink from me as you do."
+
+"Can you wonder, guilty as I feel myself to be? But if you so far
+overlook my evil deeds as to think me worth your friendship, I am glad
+and grateful to accept it. As to forgiveness, what have I to
+forgive?--your haste to save me from the possibility of discovery?"
+
+"Then," said Errington, who had gazed for a moment in silence on his
+companion, whose face was slightly turned from him, every line of her
+pliant figure, from the graceful drooping head to the point of her shoe
+peeping from under her soft gray dress, expressed a sort of pathetic
+humility, "will you give me some idea of your plans, if you have any?"
+
+"They are very vague. I have a small income apart from my uncle's
+property. I earnestly hope it will be enough to educate the boys. Then I
+must try to find employment--something that will enable me to provide
+for myself. Miss Payne is already looking out for me. That is all I can
+think of."
+
+"It is a tremendous undertaking for a young girl like you," said
+Errington, looking down in deep thought. "But I think I understand that
+the cruelest trial of all would be to part with the boys. Still it is
+not wise to allow Mrs. Ormonde to thrust her sons on you, though I never
+can believe that Ormonde could act so dastardly a part as to refuse to
+do his part in maintaining them. There, again, the fear of what society
+would say will do more than a sense of justice or honor. I don't believe
+Ormonde will dare refuse to contribute his quota to the support of his
+wife's sons."
+
+"Perhaps not. I wish I could do without it. But though Ada was harsh and
+unreasonable to-day, I am sorry for her. It must be dreadful to be tied
+to a man who looks on you as a burden."
+
+"She will manage him. Their natures are admirably suited. Neither is too
+exalted. And Mrs. Ormonde has established herself very firmly as
+mistress of Castleford and the Colonel."
+
+"I hope so." There was a short silence. Then Errington said, in a low
+tone, looking kindly into her face, "I trust you do not feel too
+despondent as regards the future."
+
+"Far from it," returned Katherine, with a brief bright smile. "If only
+I can bring up my dear boys without too great privations, and fit them
+to work their way in life! From my short experience I should say that
+riches can buy little true happiness. Extreme poverty is terrible and
+degrading. Nor can money alone confer any true joys."
+
+"So I have found," said Errington, thoughtfully; "and I can see that to
+you too the finery and distractions which wealth gathers together are
+mere dust heaps."
+
+There was a pause, broken by the appearance of Miss Payne, who had only
+just discovered that Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde had left, and was not
+aware that Katherine had another visitor. After a little further and
+somewhat desultory conversation Errington took leave; nor was Katherine
+sorry, for the presence of Miss Payne seemed to have set them as far
+apart as ever, and how near they had drawn for a few moments!
+
+"So that is Mr. Errington!" said Miss Payne, when the door had closed
+upon him. "He has never been here before?" The tone was interrogative.
+
+"Mr. Errington has some acquaintance with George Liddell," returned
+Katherine, "and has very kindly done his best to dissuade him from
+claiming the money I have expended."
+
+"How very good of him! I am sure I trust he will succeed!" exclaimed
+Miss Payne. "Now tell me how did Colonel Ormonde and your sister-in-law
+behave?"
+
+Whereupon Katherine recounted all that had been said. Many and cynical
+were Miss Payne's remarks on the occasion, but Katherine scarcely heard
+her. That Errington should take so deep an interest in her, should
+persist in wishing to be her friend, was infinitely sweet and consoling.
+He was transparently true, and she did not doubt for a moment that he
+was sincere in all he said. Still she could not forget the sense of
+humiliation his presence always inflicted. It was always delightful to
+speak to him, and to hear him speak. What would she not give to be able
+to stand upright before him and dare to assert herself? How silent and
+dull and commonplace she must appear! not a bit natural or--She would
+think no more of him. Why was his face ever before her eyes? She would
+not be haunted in that way.
+
+Here Bertie Payne's entrance created a diversion, which was most
+welcome. He was looking white and ill, as though suffering from some
+mental strain, Katherine observed, and then remembered that he had been
+very silent and grave of late; but he replied cheerfully to her
+inquiries, and exerted himself to do the agreeable during dinner, for
+which he staid.
+
+
+Katherine almost hoped for a summons from Mr. Newton next day, also for
+some communication from Mrs. Ormonde, but none reached her. Still she
+possessed her soul in patience, fortified by the recollection of her
+interview with her new friend.
+
+It was wet, and Katherine did not venture out, having a slight cold. She
+tried to read, to write, to play, but she could not give her attention
+to anything. It was an anxious crisis of her fate, and the sense of her
+isolation pressed upon her more heavily than ever. She really had no
+family ties. Friends were kind, but she had no claim on them or they on
+her. Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde had ceased to exist for her. How would her
+future life be colored? From consecutive thought she passed to vague
+reverie, from which she was glad to be roused by the return of Miss
+Payne, who never staid in for any weather.
+
+"Where do you think I have been?" asked Miss Payne, untying her bonnet
+strings as she sat down.
+
+"How can I guess? Your wanderings are various."
+
+"I went to see Mrs. Needham, and I am very glad I did. I found her just
+bursting with curiosity. All sorts of reports have got about respecting
+your cousin and your loss of fortune, and she was enchanted to get the
+whole truth from me. Besides, she has just been applied to by the
+friends of a girl only sixteen to find a proper chaperon. She is full of
+enthusiasm about us both, and begged me, and you too, to dine with her
+the day after to-morrow to meet a Miss Bradley, the relative or friend
+of the sixteen-year-old. We are to look at each other, and are supposed
+to be in total ignorance of each other's identity. Mrs. Needham delights
+in small plots and transparent mysteries."
+
+"And why am I to go?" asked Katherine, carelessly.
+
+"To make a fourth, and talk to the hostess while I discourse with Miss
+Bradley."
+
+"Very well; I will come."
+
+"Any further news to-day?"
+
+"Not a word; not a line."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVII.
+
+A DINNER AT MRS. NEEDHAM'S.
+
+
+Mrs. Needham was a very important at personage in her own estimation,
+and very popular with a large circle of acquaintances. Most of them
+thought she was a widow, and only a few old friends were aware that away
+in a distant colony Needham masculine was hiding his diminished head
+from creditors of various kinds and penalties of many descriptions, not
+in penitence, but with as much of enjoyment as could be extracted from
+the simple materials of antipodean life. Having taken with him all the
+cash he could lay hands upon, his deserted wife was left to do battle
+alone on a small income which was her own, and fortunately secured to
+her on her marriage.
+
+She was much too energetic to sit still when she might work and earn
+money. The editor of a provincial paper, a friend of early days, gave
+her space in his columns for a weekly letter, and an introduction to a
+London _confrere_. On this slender foundation she built her humble
+fortunes. There were, in truth, few happier women in London. Brimful of
+interest in all the undertakings (and their name was legion) in which
+she was concerned, kind and unselfish, though quite free from sentiment,
+her life was full of movement and color. She had an enormous capacity
+for absorbing the marvellous, quite uninfluenced by the natural
+shrewdness with which she acted in all ordinary matters. In a bright
+surface way she was clever and full of ideas--ideas which others took up
+and fructified--from which Mrs. Needham herself derived no benefit
+beyond the pleasure of imparting them. She was constantly taken in by
+barefaced impostors, yet at times, and in an accidental way, hit on
+wonderfully accurate estimates of persons whom the general public
+credited with widely different qualities.
+
+She had a nice little old-fashioned house in Kensington, with a pretty
+garden, just large enough to allow of visitors being well wet in rainy
+weather between the garden gate and the hall door. This diminutive
+mansion was crammed with curios, specimens of china, of carved wood, of
+Japanese lacquer--these much rarer than at present. It was a pleasant
+abode withal; a kindly, generous, happy-go-lucky spirit pervaded it. Few
+coming to seek help there were sent empty away, and the owner's earnest
+consideration was ready for all who sought her advice. It was real joy
+to her to entertain her friends in an easy, unceremonious way, and her
+friends were equally pleased to accept her hospitality.
+
+On the present occasion Mrs. Needham was deeply interested in her
+expected guests. Katherine Liddell had pleased her from the first,
+practical and unsentimental as she was. She was disposed to weave a
+little romance round the bright sympathetic girl, who listened so
+graciously to her schemes and projects, whose brightness had under it a
+strain of tender sadness, which gave an indescribable subtle charm to
+her manner. Miss Payne she had known more or less for a considerable
+time, and regarded as a worthy, useful woman; while her third guest was
+the only child of the wealthy publisher George Bradley, the owner of
+that new and flourishing publication, _The Piccadilly Review_, wherein
+those brilliant articles on "Our Colonial System," "Modern European
+Politics," etc., supposed to be from the pen of Miles Errington,
+appeared.
+
+"A _partie carree_ of ladies does not seem to promise much," said Mrs.
+Needham, when she had greeted Miss Payne and "her young friend," into
+which position Katherine had sunk; "but unless I could have three or
+four men it is better to have none; besides we want to talk of business,
+and men under such circumstances always exclude us, so I don't see why
+we should admit them. Miss Bradley--Miss Payne, Miss Liddell, of whom
+you have heard me speak."
+
+Miss Bradley rose from the sofa, where she was half reclining beside a
+bright wood fire, a tall stately figure in a long pale blue plush dress,
+cut low in front, and tied loosely with a knot of blue satin ribbon,
+nestling among the rich yellow white lace which fell from the edge of
+the bodice. She was extremely fair, even colorless, with abundant but
+somewhat sandy hair. Her features were regular and marked, a well-shaped
+head was gracefully set on a firm white column-like throat, and her eyes
+were clear and cold when in repose, but darkened and lit up when
+speaking of whatever roused and interested her. Indeed, she looked
+strong and stern when silent.
+
+"I am very pleased to meet you," she said, in a full, pleasant voice.
+"I have often heard of you from Mrs. Needham, and I think you know a
+friend of mine--Mr. Errington."
+
+"Yes; I know him," returned Katherine, feeling her face aflame.
+
+"I have heard of you too," continued Miss Bradley, addressing Miss
+Payne, "from several mutual friends, though we have never happened to
+meet before. I think you had just left Rome with Miss Jennings when I
+arrived there some four years ago."
+
+"I had; and remember you were expected there."
+
+"Miss Jennings married a relation of mine, and I see her very often, at
+least often for London. She really looks younger, if possible, than
+formerly," etc., etc., and their talk flowed in the Jennings channel for
+a few minutes.
+
+Meantime Mrs. Needham, passing her arm through Katherine's, led her away
+to a very diminutive back room, draped and carpeted with Oriental
+stuffs, then beginning to be the fashion, and crammed with all
+imaginable ornaments and specimens, from bits of rare "Capo di monti" to
+funny sixpenny toys. "I have just found such a treasure," she exclaimed;
+"a real saucer of old Chelsea, and only a small bit out of this side.
+Isn't Angela Bradley handsome? She is a very remarkable girl, or perhaps
+I ought to say woman. She speaks four or five languages, and plays
+divinely; then she is a capital critic. It was she who advised her
+father to publish that very singular book, _The Gorgon's Head_; every
+publisher in London had refused it. He took it, and has cleared--oh, I'd
+be afraid to say how much money by it."
+
+"I hope the writer got a fair share," said Katherine, smiling.
+
+"Hum! ah, that's another matter; but I dare say Bradley will treat him
+quite as fairly as any one else. She will have a big fortune one of
+these days. Her father perfectly adores her."
+
+"I wish I could write," said Katherine, with a sigh. "It must be a
+charming way to earn money."
+
+"Why don't you try? You seem to me to have plenty of brains; and I
+suppose you will have to do something. I was so sorry--" Mrs. Needham
+was beginning, when dinner was announced, and her sympathetic utterances
+were cut short.
+
+The repast was admirable, erring perhaps on the side of plenteousness,
+and well served by two smart young women in black, with pink ribbons in
+their caps. Nor was there any lack of bright talk a good deal beyond the
+average. Miss Bradley was an admirable listener, and often by well-put
+questions or suggestions kept the ball rolling. Dinner was soon over,
+and coffee was served in the drawing-room.
+
+"Now, Miss Payne, I should like to consult with you," said Miss Bradley,
+putting her cup on the mantel-piece, and resuming her seat on the sofa,
+where she invited Miss Payne by a gesture to sit beside her, "about the
+daughter of an old friend of mine, who does not want her to join him in
+India, as she is rather delicate, and he cannot retire for a couple of
+years. It is time she left school, and the question is, where shall she
+go?"
+
+While Miss Bradley thus attacked the subject uppermost in her mind, Mrs.
+Needham settled herself in an arm-chair as far as she could from the
+speakers, and asked Katherine to sit down beside her.
+
+"Let them discuss their business without us," she said, "and I want to
+talk to you. Here, these are some rather interesting photographs. They
+are all actors or singers on this side; you'll observe the shape of the
+heads, the contour generally; these are politicians, and have quite a
+different aspect. Remarkable, isn't it? But I was just saying when we
+went down to dinner that I was awfully sorry to hear of all your
+troubles--of course we must not regret that the man is alive; though if
+he is a cross-grained creature, as he seems to be, life won't be much
+good to him--and I shall be greatly interested if you care to tell me
+what your plans are."
+
+"I really have none. There are several things I could do pretty well. I
+could teach music and languages, but it is so difficult to find pupils.
+Then I am still in great uncertainty as to what my cousin may do."
+
+"He is a greedy savage," said Mrs. Needham, emphatically; "but he will
+not dare to demand the arrears. He would raise a howl of execration by
+such conduct. Now, as you have nothing settled, and if Angela Bradley
+and Miss Payne make it up, you will have to leave where you are. Suppose
+you come to me?"
+
+"To you? My dear Mrs. Needham, it would be delightful."
+
+"Would it? It is not a very magnificent appointment, I assure you. You
+see, I have so much to do that I really _must_ have help. I had a girl
+for three or four months. I gave her twenty-five pounds a year, and
+thought she would be a great comfort, but she made a mess of my room and
+my papers, and could not write a decent letter; besides, she was
+discontented, so she left me, and I have been in a horrid muddle for the
+last fortnight. Now if you like to come to me, while you are looking out
+for something better, I am sure I shall be charmed, and will do all I
+can to push you. It's a miserable sort of engagement, but there it is;
+only I'll want you to come as soon as you can, for there are heaps to
+do."
+
+"Indeed I am delighted to be your help, or secretary, or whatever you
+choose to call me, and as for looking for something better, if I can
+only save enough to provide for the boys, I would rather work with you
+for twenty-five pounds a year than any one else for--"
+
+"For five hundred?" put in Mrs. Needham, with an indulgent smile, as she
+paused.
+
+"No, no. Five hundred a year is not to be lightly rejected," returned
+Katherine, laughing. "But as I greatly doubt that I could ever be worth
+five hundred a year to any one, I gladly accept twenty-five."
+
+"Remember, I do not expect you to stay an hour after you find something
+better. Now do me tell how matters stand with you."
+
+Katherine therefore unbosomed herself, and among other things told how
+well and faithfully Rachel Trant had behaved toward her, of the fatherly
+kindness shown her by her old lawyer, and wound up by declaring that the
+world could not be so bad a place as it is reckoned, seeing that in her
+reverse of fortune she had found so much consideration. "Of course," she
+concluded, "there are heaps of people who, once I drop from the ranks of
+those who can enjoy and spend, will forget my existence; but I have no
+right to expect more. They only want playfellows, not friends, and ask
+no more than they give."
+
+"Quite true, my young philosopher. Tell me, can you come on
+Saturday--come to stay?"
+
+"I fear not. Besides I have a superstition about entering on a new abode
+on Saturday. Don't laugh! But I will come to-morrow, if you like, and
+write and copy for you. I will come each day till Monday next, and so
+help you to clear up."
+
+"That is a good child! I wish I could make it worth your while to stay;
+but we don't know what silver lining is behind the dark clouds of the
+present."
+
+Katherine shook her head. Mrs. Needham's suggestion showed her that
+peace and a relieved conscience was the highest degree of silvery
+brightness she anticipated in the future. One thing alone could restore
+to her the joyousness of her early days, and that was far away out of
+her reach.
+
+"Mr. Errington and Mr. Payne," said one of the smart servants, throwing
+open the door.
+
+"Ah, yes! Mr. Errington, _of_ course," exclaimed Mrs. Needham, under her
+breath. "I might have expected him. And you too, Mr. Payne?" she added
+aloud. "Very glad to see you both."
+
+As soon as they had paid their respects to the hostess, Errington spoke
+to Katherine, while Payne remained talking with Mrs. Needham.
+
+"I am glad to see you looking better than when we last spoke together,"
+said Errington, pausing beside Katherine's chair. "Have you had any
+communication from Newton yet?"
+
+"I have heard nothing from him, and feel very anxious to know George
+Liddell's decision. I had a note from Mrs. Ormonde, written in a much
+more friendly spirit than I had expected, but still in despair. She,
+with the Colonel, had been to demand explanations from Mr. Newton, and
+do not seem much cheered by the interview."
+
+"No doubt the appearance of your cousin was a tremendous blow, but they
+have no right to complain."
+
+"However that may be, I will not quarrel with the boys' mother, in spite
+of her unkindness. I fear so much to create any barrier between us."
+
+"Those children are very dear to you," said Errington, looking down on
+her with a soft expression and lingering glance.
+
+"They are. I don't suppose you could understand how dear."
+
+"Why? Do you think me incapable of human affection?" asked Errington,
+smiling.
+
+"No, certainly not; only I imagine justice is more natural to you than
+love, though you can be generous, as I know."
+
+Errington did not answer. He stood still, as if some new train of
+thought had been suddenly suggested to him, and Katherine waited
+serenely for his next words, when Miss Bradley, who had not interrupted
+her conversation, or noticed the new-comers in any way, suddenly turned
+her face toward them, and said, with something like command, "Mr.
+Errington!"
+
+Errington immediately obeyed. Katherine watched them speaking together
+for some minutes with a curious sense of discomfort and dissatisfaction.
+Miss Bradley's face looked softer and brighter, and a sort of animation
+came into her gestures, slight and dignified though they were. They
+seemed to have much to say, and said it with a certain amount of
+well-bred familiarity. Yes, they were evidently friends; very naturally.
+How happy she was to be thus free from any painful consciousness in his
+presence! She was as stainless as himself, could look fearlessly in his
+eyes and assert herself, while she (Katherine) could only crouch in
+profoundest humility, and gratefully gather what crumbs of kindness and
+notice he let fall for her benefit. It was quite pitiable to be easily
+disturbed by such insignificant circumstances. How pitiably weak she
+was! So, with an effort, she turned her attention to Mrs. Needham and
+Bertie, who had slipped into an argument, as they often did, respecting
+the best and most effective method of dealing with the poor. In this
+Katherine joined with somewhat languid interest, quite aware that
+Errington and Miss Bradley grew more and more absorbed in their
+conversation, till Miss Payne, feeling herself _de trop_, left her place
+to speak with Mrs. Needham, while Katherine and Bertie gradually dropped
+into silence.
+
+"Miss Bradley's carriage," was soon announced, and she rose tall and
+stately, nearly as tall as Errington.
+
+"Will you excuse me for running away so soon, dear Mrs. Needham?" she
+said, "but I promised Mrs. Julian Starner to go to her musical party
+to-night. I am to play the opening piece of the second part, so I dare
+not stay longer. You are going?"--to Errington, who bowed assent. "Then
+I can give you a seat in my brougham," she continued, with calm, assured
+serenity.
+
+"Thank you," and Errington, turning to Katherine, said quickly: "Will
+you let me know when you hear from Newton? I am most anxious as regards
+Liddell's decision."
+
+"I will, certainly. Good-night." She put her hand into his, and felt in
+some occult manner comfort by the gentle pressure with which he held it
+for half a moment. Yes, beaten, defeated, punished as she was, he felt
+for her with a noble compassion. Ought not that to be enough?
+
+"Good-night, Miss Liddell. I hope you will come and see me. I am always
+at home on Tuesday afternoons; and Miss Payne, when I have seen the
+grandmother of the girl we have been speaking about, I will let you
+know, and you will kindly take into consideration the points I
+mentioned. Good-night." And she swept away, leaning on Errington's arm.
+
+"Now that we are by ourselves," said Mrs. Needham, comfortably, "I must
+tell you what I have been proposing to Miss Liddell. I should like you
+to know all about it," and she plunged into the subject. "I know it is
+but a poor offer," she concluded; "but for the present it is better than
+nothing, and she can be on the lookout for something else."
+
+Bertie wisely held his tongue. Katherine declared herself ready and
+willing to accept the offer, and Miss Payne, with resolute candor,
+declared that the remuneration was miserable, but that it was as well to
+be doing something while waiting for a better appointment.
+
+Poor Katherine was terribly distressed by this frankness, but Mrs.
+Needham was quite unmoved. She said she saw the force of what Miss
+Payne said, but there it was, and it remained with Miss Liddell to take
+or leave what she suggested.
+
+Then Miss Payne's prospects came under discussion, and the doubtful
+circumstances connected with Miss Bradley's proposition.
+
+"Now it is long past ten o'clock, and we must say good-night," remarked
+Miss Payne. "Really, Mrs. Needham, you are a wonderful woman! You have
+nearly 'placed' us both. How earnestly I hope there are better and
+brighter days before my young friend, whom I shall miss very much!"
+
+"That I am quite sure. Well, she can go and see you as often as you
+like. Now tell me, isn't Angela Bradley a splendid creature?"
+
+"She is indeed," murmured Katherine.
+
+"Well, there is a good deal of her," said Miss Payne, with a sniff.
+
+"Not too much for Mr. Errington, I think," exclaimed Mrs. Needham with a
+knowing smile. "I fancy that will be a match before the season is over.
+It will be a capital thing for Errington. Old Bradley is _im_-mensely
+rich, and I am sure Errington is far gone. Well, good-night, my dear
+Miss Payne. I am so glad to think I shall have Miss Liddell for a little
+while, at all events. You will come the day after to-morrow at ten,
+won't you, and help me to regulate some of my papers? Good-night, my
+dear, good-night."
+
+
+Mr. Newton came into his office the afternoon the day following Mrs.
+Needham's little dinner. His step was alert and his head erect, as
+though he was satisfied with himself and the world. A boy who sat in a
+box near the door, to make a note of the flies walking into the spider's
+parlor, darted out, saying, "Please sir, Miss Liddell is waiting for
+you."
+
+"Is she? Very well." And the old lawyer went quickly along the passage
+leading to the other rooms, and opening the door of his own, found
+Katherine sitting by the table, a newspaper, which had evidently dropped
+from her hand, lying by her on the carpet. She started up to meet her
+good friend, who was struck by her pallor and the sad look in her eyes.
+
+"Well, this is lucky!" exclaimed Newton, shaking hands with her
+cordially. "I was going to write to you, as I wanted to see you, and
+here you are."
+
+"I was just beginning to fear I might be troublesome, but I have been so
+anxious."
+
+"Of course you have. And you have been very patient, on the whole.
+Well"--laying aside his hat, and rubbing his hands as he sat down--"I
+have just come from consulting with Messrs. Compton, and I am very happy
+to tell you it is agreed that George Liddell shall withdraw his claim to
+the arrears of income, but not to the savings you have effected since
+your succession to the property, also the balance standing to your name
+at your banker's is not to be interfered with; so I think things are
+arranging themselves more favorably, on the whole, than I could have
+hoped."
+
+"They are, indeed," cried Katherine, clasping her hands together in
+thankfulness. "What an immense relief! I have more than three hundred
+pounds in the bank, and I have found employment for the present at
+least, so I can use my little income for the boys. How can I thank you,
+dear Mr. Newton, for all the trouble you have taken for me?" And she
+took his hard, wrinkled hand, pressing it between both hers, and looking
+with sweet loving eyes into his.
+
+"I am sure I was quite ready to take any trouble for you, my dear young
+lady; but in this matter Mr. Errington has done most of the work. He has
+gained a surprising degree of influence over your cousin, who is a very
+curious customer; but for him (Mr. Errington, I mean), I fear he would
+have insisted on his full rights, which would have been a bad business.
+However, that is over now. Nor will Mr. Liddell fare badly. Your savings
+have added close on three thousand pounds to the property which falls to
+him. I am surprised that he did not try at once to make friends with
+you, for his little girl's sake. I hear he is in treaty for a grand
+mansion in one of the new streets they are building over at South
+Kensington. He is tremendously fond of this little girl of his. It seems
+Liddell was awfully cut up at the death of his wife, about a year and a
+half ago. He fancies that if he had known of his father's death and his
+own succession he would have come home, and the voyage would have saved
+her life. This, I rather think, was at the root of his rancor against
+you."
+
+"How unjust! how unreasonable!" cried Katherine. "Now tell me of your
+interview with Mrs. Ormonde and her husband."
+
+"Well--ah--it was not a very agreeable half-hour. I have seldom seen so
+barefaced an exhibition of selfishness. However, I think I brought them
+to their senses, certainly Mrs. Ormonde, and I am determined to make
+that fellow Ormonde pay something toward the education of his wife's
+sons."
+
+"I would rather not have it," said Katherine.
+
+"Nonsense," cried the lawyer, sharply. "You or they are entitled to it,
+and you shall have it. Mrs. Ormonde evidently does not want to quarrel
+with you, nor is it well for the boys' sake to be at loggerheads with
+their mother."
+
+"No, certainly not; but, Mr. Newton, I can never be the same to her
+again. I never can forgive her or her husband's ingratitude and want of
+feeling."
+
+"Of course not, and they know you will not; still, an open split is to
+be avoided. Now, tell me, what is the employment you mentioned?"
+
+Katherine told him, and a long confidential conversation ensued, wherein
+she explained her views and intentions, and listened to her old friend's
+good advice. Certain communication to Mrs. Ormonde were decided on, as
+Katherine agreed with Mr. Newton that she should have no further
+personal intercourse concerning business matters with her sister-in-law.
+
+"By-the-way," said Newton, "one of the events of the last few days was a
+visit from your protegee, Miss Trant. I was a good deal struck with her.
+She is a pretty, delicate-looking girl, yet she's as hard as nails, and
+a first-rate woman of business. She seems determined to make your
+fortune, for that is just the human touch about her that interested me.
+She doesn't talk about it, but her profound gratitude to you is
+evidently her ruling motive. I am so persuaded that she will develop a
+good business, and that you will ultimately get a high percentage for
+the money you have advanced--or, as you thought, almost given--that I am
+going to trust her with a little of mine, just to keep the concern free
+of debt till it is safely floated."
+
+"How very good of you!" cried Katherine. "And what a proof of your faith
+in my friend! How can you call her hard? To me she is most sympathetic."
+
+"Ay, to you. Then you see she seems to have devoted herself to you. To
+me she turned a very hard bit of her shell. No matter. I think she is
+the sort of woman to succeed. You have not seen her since--since her
+visit to me?"
+
+"No. I have not been to see her because--not because I was busy, but
+idle and depressed. I will not be so any more. So many friends have been
+true and helpful to me that I should be ashamed of feeling depressed. I
+will endeavor to prove myself a first-rate secretary, and be a credit to
+you, my dear good friend."
+
+"That you will always be, I'm sure," returned Newton, warmly.
+
+"Now you must run away, my dear young lady, for I have fifty things to
+do. Your friend Miss Trant will tell you all that passed between us, and
+what her plans are."
+
+"I am going to pay her a visit this evening. I do not like to trouble
+her either in the morning or afternoon, she is so busy. But I always
+enjoy a talk with her. She is really very well informed, and rather
+original."
+
+"I believe she will turn out well. Good-by, my dear Miss Liddell. I
+assure you, you are not more relieved by the result of the morning's
+consultation than I am."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXVIII.
+
+KATHERINE IN OFFICE.
+
+
+The beginning of a new life is rarely agreeable, and when the newness
+consists of poverty in place of riches, of service instead of complete
+freedom, occupations not particularly congenial instead of the exercise
+of unfettered choice, in such matters--why, the contrast is rather
+trying.
+
+A fortnight after the interview just described, Katherine was thoroughly
+settled with Mrs. Needham.
+
+Although she justly considered herself most fortunate in finding a home
+so easily, with so pleasant and kindly a patroness, she would have been
+more or less than human had she not felt the change which had befallen
+her. Mrs. Ormonde's conduct, too, had wounded her, more than it ought,
+perhaps, for she always knew her sister-in-law to be shallow and
+selfish, but not to the degree which she had lately betrayed.
+
+Her constant prayer was that she should be spared the torture of having
+to give up her dear boys to such a mother and such a step-father. She
+thought she saw little, loving, delicate Charlie shrinking into himself,
+and withering under the contemptuous indifference neglect of the
+Castleford household; and Cis--bolder and stronger--hardening into
+defiance or deceit under the same influence.
+
+By the sort of agreement arrived at between Mr. Newton and Mrs. Ormonde,
+it was decided that so long as Katherine provided for the maintenance of
+her nephews, their mother was only entitled to have them with her during
+the Christmas holidays; and Colonel Ormonde was with some difficulty
+persuaded to allow the munificent sum of thirty pounds a year toward the
+education of his step-sons.
+
+This definite settlement was a great relief to Katherine's heart. How
+earnestly she resolved to keep herself on her infinitesimal stipend, and
+save every other penny for her boys! Of the trouble before her, in
+removing them from Sandbourne to some inferior, because cheaper, school,
+she would not think. Sufficient to the day was the evil thereof.
+
+She therefore applied herself diligently to her duties. These were
+varied, though somewhat mechanical.
+
+Mrs. Needham's particular den was a very comfortable, well-furnished
+room at the back of the house, crowded with books and newspapers, and
+prospectuses, magazines, and all possible impedimenta of journalism, on
+the outer edge of which women were beginning with faltering footsteps
+tentatively to tread. Mrs. Needham not only wrote "provincial letters"
+(with a difference!), but contributed social and statistical papers to
+several of the leading periodicals; and one of Katherine's duties was to
+write out her rough notes, and make extracts from the books, Blue and
+others, the reports and papers which Mrs. Needham had marked. Then there
+were lots of letters to be answered and MSS. to be corrected.
+
+Besides these, Mrs. Needham asked Katherine as a favor to help her in
+her house-keeping, as it was a thing she hated; "and whatever you do,"
+was her concluding instructions, "do not see too much of cook's doings.
+She is a clever woman, and after all that can be said about the feast of
+reason, the success of my little dinners depends on _her_. I don't think
+she takes things, but she is a little reckless, and I never could keep
+accounts."
+
+Katherine therefore found her time fully filled. This, however, kept her
+from thinking too much, and her kind chief was pleased with all she did.
+Her mind was tolerable at rest about the boys, her friends stuck
+gallantly to her through the shipwreck of her fortune, and yet her heart
+was heavy. She could not look forward with hope, or back without pain.
+She dared not even let herself think freely, for she well knew the cause
+of her depression, and had vowed to herself to master it, to hide it
+away, and never allow her mental vision to dwell upon it. Work, and
+interest--enforced, almost feverish interest--in outside matters, were
+the only weapons with which she could fight the gnawing, aching pain of
+ceaseless regret that wore her heart. How insignificant is the loss of
+fortune, and all that fortune brings, compared to the opening of an
+impassable gulf between one's self and what has grown dearer than self,
+by that magic, inexplicable force of attraction which can rarely be
+resisted or explained!
+
+Life with Mrs. Needham was very active, and although Katherine was
+necessarily left a good deal at home, she saw quite enough of society
+in the evening to satisfy her. The all-accomplished Angela Bradley
+showed a decided inclination to fraternize with Mrs. Needham's
+attractive secretary, but for some occult reason Katherine did not
+respond. She fancied that Miss Bradley was disposed to look down with
+too palpably condescending indulgence from the heights of her own calm
+perfections on those storms in a teacup amid which Mrs. Needham
+agitated, with such sincere belief in her own powers to raise or to
+allay them. Yet Miss Bradley was a really high-minded woman, only a
+little too well aware of her own superiority. She was always a favored
+guest at the "Shrubberies," as Mrs. Needham's house was called, and of
+course an attraction to Errington, who was also a frequent visitor. The
+evenings, when some of the _habitues_ dropped in on their way to
+parties, or returning from the theatre (Mrs. Needham never wanted to go
+to bed!), were bright and amusing. Moreover, Katherine had complete
+liberty of movement. If Mrs. Needham were going out without her
+secretary, Katherine was quite free to spend the time with Miss Payne,
+or with Rachel Trant, whom she found more interesting. At the house of
+the former she generally found Bertie ready to escort her home, always
+kindly and deeply concerned about her, but more than ever determined to
+convert her from her uncertain faith and worldly tendencies, to
+Evangelicalism and contempt for the joys of this life.
+
+Already the days of her heirship seemed to have been wafted away far
+back, and the routine of the present was becoming familiar. There was
+nothing oppressive in it. Yet she could not look forward. Hope had long
+been a stranger to her. Never, since her mother's death, since she had
+fully realized the bearings of her own reprehensible act, had she known
+the joy of a light heart. Some such ideas were flitting through her mind
+as she was diligently copying Mrs. Needham's lucubrations one afternoon,
+when the parlor maid opened the door and said, as she handed her a card,
+"The lady is in the drawing-room, ma'am."
+
+The lady was Mrs. Ormonde.
+
+"Is Mrs. Needham at home?"
+
+"No, ma'am."
+
+It was rather a trial, this, meeting with Ada, but Katherine could not
+shirk it. She did not want to have any quarrel with the boys' mother, so
+she ascended to the drawing-room.
+
+There stood the pretty, smartly dressed little woman, all airy elegance,
+but the usually smiling lips were compressed, and the smooth white brow
+was wrinkled with a frown. She was examining a book of photographs--most
+of them signed by the donors.
+
+"Oh, Katherine! how do you do?" she said, sharply, and not in the least
+abashed by any memory of their last meeting. "I am up in town for a few
+days, and I couldn't leave without seeing you. You see I have too much
+feeling to turn _my_ back on an old friend, however injured I may be by
+circumstances over which you had no control. You are not looking well,
+Katie; you are so white, and your eyes don't seem to be half open."
+
+"I am quite well, I assure you," said Katherine, composedly, and
+avoiding a half-offered kiss by drawing a chair forward for her
+visitor.
+
+"I wish I could say as much," returned Mrs. Ormonde, with a deep sigh,
+throwing herself into it. "I am perfectly wretched; Ormonde is quite
+intolerable at times since everything has collapsed. I am sure I often
+wish you had never done anything for the boys or me, and then we should
+never have fancied ourselves rich. Of course I don't blame you; you
+meant well, but it is all very unfortunate."
+
+"It is indeed; but is it possible that Colonel Ormonde is so unmanly as
+to--"
+
+"Unmanly?" interrupted his wife. "Manly, you mean. Of course he revenges
+himself on me. Not always. He is all right sometimes; but if anything
+goes wrong, then I suffer. Fortunately I was prudent, and made little
+savings, with which I am--but"--interrupting herself--"that is not worth
+speaking about."
+
+"I am sorry you are unhappy, Ada," said Katherine, with her ready
+sympathy.
+
+"Oh, don't think I allow myself to be trodden on," cried Mrs. Ormonde,
+her eyes suddenly lighting up. "It was a hard fight at first, but I saw
+it was a struggle for life; and when we knew the worst, and Ormonde
+raved and roared, I said I should leave him and take baby (I could, you
+know, till he was seven years old), and that the servants would swear I
+was in fear of my life; and I should have done it, and carried my case,
+too! I'm not sure it would not have been better for me. But he gave in,
+and asked me to stay. I felt pretty safe then. Now, when he is
+disagreeable, I burst into tears at dinner, and upset my glass of claret
+on the table-cloth, and totter out of the room weak and tremulous. I can
+see the butler and James ready to tear him to pieces. When he is
+good-humored, so am I; and when he tries to bully, why, what with
+trembling so much that I break something he likes, and fits of
+hysterics, and being awfully frightened before strangers, and making
+things go wrong when he wishes to create a great effect on some one, I
+think he begins to see it is better not to quarrel with me. Still, it is
+awfully miserable, compared with what it used to be when I really
+thought he loved me. How pleasant we all were together at Castleford
+before this horrid man turned up! Why didn't that awkward bush-ranger
+take better aim?"
+
+"I dare say George Liddell is not quite of your opinion," said
+Katherine, smiling at her sister-in-law's candor.
+
+"He was quite rich before," continued Mrs. Ormonde, querulously. "Why
+couldn't he be satisfied to stay out there and spend his own money? I
+hate selfishness and greed!"
+
+"They _are_ odious in every one," said Katherine, gravely.
+
+"Now that I feel satisfied you are well and happy," resumed Mrs.
+Ormonde, who had never put a single question respecting herself to
+Katherine, "there are one or two things I wanted to ask you. Where are
+the boys?"
+
+"They are still at Sandbourne; but they leave, I am sorry to say, at
+Easter."
+
+"Oh, they do! It is an awfully expensive school. Are you quite sure,
+Katherine, they will not send in the bill to me?"
+
+"Quite sure, Ada, for I have paid in advance."
+
+"That was really very thoughtful, dear. Then--excuse my asking; I would
+not interfere with you for the world--but what _are_ you going to do
+with them in the Easter holidays? I _dare_ not have them at Castleford.
+I should lose all the ground I have gained if such a thing was even
+hinted to the Colonel."
+
+"Why apologize for inquiring about your own children? Do not be alarmed,
+they shall _not_ go. I am just now arranging for them to go to a school
+at Wandsworth, and for the Easter holidays Miss Payne has most kindly
+invited them."
+
+"Really! How very nice! I will send her a hamper from Castleford. I can
+manage that much. This is rather a nice little place," continued Mrs.
+Ormonde, evidently much relieved and looking round. "What lots of pretty
+things! Is Mrs. Needham nice? She seemed rather a flashy woman. You must
+feel it an awful change from being an heiress, and so much made of, to
+being a sort of upper servant! Do you dine with Mrs. Needham?"
+
+"Yes, I really do, and go out to evening parties with her."
+
+"No, really?"
+
+"It is a fact. She is a kind, delightful woman to live with. I am most
+fortunate."
+
+"Fortunate? You cannot say that, Katie! You are the most unfortunate
+girl in the world. You know how penniless women are looked upon in
+society. _I_ remember when Ormonde thought himself such a weak idiot for
+being attracted to me, all because I had no money. It makes such a
+difference! Why, there is Lord De Burgh; I met him yesterday, and asked
+him to have a cup of tea with me, and he never once mentioned your
+name."
+
+"Why should he? I never knew Lord De Burgh," said Katherine.
+
+"Yes, you did, dear! Why, you cannot know what is going on if you have
+not heard that old De Burgh died nearly a fortnight ago in Paris, and
+our friend has come in for _every_thing. He had just returned from the
+funeral, so he said, and is looking darker and glummer than ever. Well,
+you know how he used to run after you. I assure you he never made a
+single inquiry about you. Heartless, wasn't it? I said something about
+that horrid man coming back, and--would you believe it?--he laughed in
+that odious, cynical way he has, and called me a little tigress. The
+only sympathetic word he spoke was to call it an infernal business. He
+doesn't care what he says, you know. Then he asked if Ormonde was
+tearing his hair about it. What a pity you did not encourage him, Katie,
+and marry him! Once you were his wife he could not have thrown you off.
+Now I don't suppose you'll ever see _him_ again. I rather think Mrs.
+Needham does not know many of _his_ set."
+
+"She knows an extraordinary number of people--all sorts and conditions
+of men; Mr. Errington often dines here."
+
+"Does he? But then he is a sort of literary hack now. Just think what a
+change both for you and him!"
+
+"It is very extraordinary; but he keeps his position better than I do."
+
+"Of course. Men are always better off. Now, dear, I must go. I am quite
+glad to have seen you, and sorry to think that my husband is absurdly
+prejudiced against you from the way you spoke to him last time. It was
+by no means prudent."
+
+"Well, Ada, should Colonel Ormonde so far overcome his objection to me
+as to seek me again, I think it very likely I may say more imprudent
+things than I did last time. Pray, what do I owe him that I should
+measure my words?"
+
+"Really, Katherine, when you hold your head up in that way I feel half
+afraid of you. There is no use trying to hold your own with the world
+when your pocket is empty. You see nobody troubles about you now,
+whereas--"
+
+"Miss Bradley!" announced the servant; and Angela entered, in an
+exquisite walking dress of dark blue velvet; bonnet and feathers,
+gloves, parasol, all to match. Mrs. Ormonde gazed in delighted
+admiration at this splendid apparition.
+
+"My dear Miss Liddell!" she exclaimed, shaking hands cordially. "I have
+rushed over to tell you that we have secured a box for Patti's benefit
+on Thursday, and I want you to join us. I know Mrs. Needham has a stall,
+but she will sup with us after. Mr. Errington and one or two musical
+critics are coming to dine with me at half past six, and we can go
+together."
+
+"You are very good," said Katherine, coloring. She did not particularly
+care to go with Miss Bradley, and she was amused at Mrs. Ormonde's
+expression of astonishment. "Of course I shall be most happy."
+
+"Now I must not stay; I have heaps to do. Will you be so kind as to give
+me the address of the modiste you mentioned the other day who made that
+pretty gray dress of yours? Madame Maradan is so full she cannot do a
+couple of morning dresses for me, so I want to try your woman."
+
+"I shall be so glad if you will," cried Katherine. "I will bring you one
+of her cards. Let me introduce my sister-in-law to you. Mrs. Ormonde,
+Miss Bradley." She left the room, and Miss Bradley drew a chair beside
+her. "I think I had the pleasure of seeing you at Lady Carton's garden
+party last July?" she said, courteously.
+
+"Oh, dear me, yes! I thought I knew your face. Lady Carton introduced
+you to me. Lady Carton is a cousin of Colonel Ormonde's."
+
+"Oh, indeed! Miss Liddell was not there?"
+
+"No; she chose to bury herself by the sea-side for the whole season."
+
+Here Katherine returned with the card.
+
+"I am so glad you are going to give my friend Rachel Trant a trial. I am
+sure you will like her. She has excellent taste."
+
+"Now I must not wait any longer. So good-by. Shall you be at Madame
+Caravicelli's this evening?"
+
+"I am not sure. I don't feel much disposed to go."
+
+"Good-by for the present, then. Good-morning," to Mrs. Ormonde, and Miss
+Bradley swept out of the room.
+
+"Well, Katherine!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, when her sister-in-law returned,
+"you seem to have fallen on your feet here. Pray who is that fine,
+elegant girl who seems so fond of you?"
+
+"She is the daughter of a wealthy publisher, and has been very kind to
+me."
+
+"Ah, yes! I remember now, Lady Carton said she would have a large
+fortune; and so she is your intimate friend?"
+
+"Well, a very kind friend."
+
+"Now I must bid you good-by. I am sure I am very glad you are so
+comfortable. I am going back to Castleford to-morrow, or I should call
+again. You are going to be Lucky Katherine, after all; I am sure you
+are;" and with many sweet words she disappeared.
+
+"Lucky," repeated Katherine, as she returned to her task, "mine has been
+strange luck."
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+Despite Mrs. Ormonde's assurances that De Burgh had quite forgotten her,
+the news that he was once more in town disturbed Katherine. Unless some
+new fancy had driven her out of his head, she felt sure that his first
+step in the new and independent existence on which he had entered would
+be to seek her out and renew the offer he had twice made before. Money
+or no money, position, circumstances, all were but a feather-weight
+compared to the imperative necessity of having his own way.
+
+It would be very painful to be obliged to refuse him again, for, in
+spite of her grave disapprobation of him in many ways, she liked him,
+and had a certain degree of confidence in him. There were the
+possibilities of a good character even in his faults, and it grieved her
+to be obliged to pain him.
+
+"After all, I may be troubling myself about a vain image; it is more
+than a month since I saw him. He is now a wealthy peer, and it is
+impossible to say how circumstances may have changed him."
+
+When Mrs. Needham had dressed for the dinner which was to precede Madam
+Caravicelli's reception, Katherine put on her bonnet and cloak and set
+off to spend a couple of hours with Rachel Trant, not only to avoid a
+lonely evening, but to change the current of her thoughts--loneliness
+and thought being her greatest enemies at present.
+
+She had grown quite accustomed to make her way by omnibus, and as the
+days grew longer and the weather finer, she hoped to be able to walk
+across Campden Hill, not only shortening the distance but saving the
+fare. A visit to Rachel amused Katherine and drew her out of herself
+more than anything; the details of the business and management of
+property which she felt was her own had a large amount of
+interest--real, living interest. The state of the books, the increase of
+custom, the addition to the small capital which Rachel was gradually
+accumulating--all these were subjects not easily exhausted. Both
+partners agreed that their great object, now that the undertaking was
+beginning to maintain itself, was to lay by all they could, for of
+course bad debts and bad times would come.
+
+"It is a great satisfaction to think that though people may do without
+books or pictures or music, they must wear clothes; and if you fit well,
+and are punctual, you are certain to have customers. Of course if you
+give credit you must charge high; people are beginning to see that now.
+You cannot get ready money in the dressmaking trade except for those
+costumes you give for a certain fixed price; but I stand out for
+quarterly accounts."
+
+"And do you find no difficulty in getting them paid?"
+
+"Not much; you see, I deduct five per cent. for punctual payment. Every
+one tries to save that five per cent. But talking of these things has
+put a curious incident out of my head, which I was longing to tell you.
+You remember among my first customers were Mrs. Fairchild and her
+daughters. They keep a very high class ladies' school in Inverness
+Terrace, and have been excellent customers. Yesterday Miss Fairchild
+called and said that she wanted an entire outfit for a little girl of
+ten or eleven, who was to be with them. They did not wish for anything
+fine or showy; at the same time, cost was no object. I was to furnish
+everything, to save time. This morning they brought the child to be
+fitted; she is very tall and thin, but lithe and supple, with dark hair,
+and large, bright, dark-brown eyes. She will be very handsome. I could
+not quite make her out; she is not an ordinary gentlewoman, nor is she
+the very least vulgar or common. She gives me more the idea of a wild
+thing not quite tamed. When all was settled I was told to address the
+account to Mr. George Liddell, Grosvenor Hotel."
+
+"Why, it must be my cousin George!" cried Katherine. "How strange that
+in this huge town they should fix on you amongst the thousands of
+dressmakers! You must make my little cousin look very smart, Rachel."
+
+"She is not little. She is wonderfully mature for ten years old,
+something like a panther."
+
+"I should like to see her. I believe she is a great idol with her
+father. I wish," added Katherine, after a pause, "he were not so
+unreasonably prejudiced against me. You may think me weak, Rachel, but I
+have a sort of yearning for family ties."
+
+"Why should I think you weak? It is a natural and I suppose a healthy
+feeling. _I_ don't understand it myself because I never had any.
+Isolation is my second nature. The only human being that ever treated me
+with tenderness and loyal friendship is yourself, and what you have been
+to me, what I feel toward you, none can know, for I can never tell."
+
+"Dear Rachel! How glad I am to have been of use to you! And you amply
+repay me, you are looking so much better. Tell me, are you not feeling
+content and happy?"
+
+Rachel smiled, a smile somewhat grim in spite of the soft lips it
+parted. "I am resigned, and I have found an object to live for, and you
+know what an improvement that is compared to the condition you found me
+in. But I don't think I am really any more in love with life now than I
+was then. However, I am more mistress of myself." She paused, and her
+face grew very grave as she leaned back in her chair, her arm and small
+hand, closely shut, resting on the table beside her.
+
+"All the minute details, the thought and anxiety, my business, or rather
+our business, requires an enormous help--it is such a boon to be too
+weary at night-time to think! But _no_ amount of work, of care, can
+quite shut out the light of other days. It is no doubt wrong, immoral,
+unworthy of a reformed outcast, but _if_ my real heart's desire could
+be fulfilled, I would live over again those few months of exquisite
+happiness, and die before waking to the terrible reality of my
+insignificance in the sight of him who was more than life to me--die
+while I was still something to be missed, to be regretted. He would have
+tired of me had I been his wife, and that would have been as terrible as
+my present lot--even more, for I must have seen his weariness day by
+day, and no amount of social esteem would have consoled me. As it is, my
+real self seems to have died, and this creature"--striking her
+breast--"was a cunningly contrived machine, that can work, and
+understand, but, save for one friend, cannot feel. I do not even look
+back to _him_ with any regretful tenderness. I do not love him--that is
+dead. I do not hate him--I have no right. He did not deceive me; I
+voluntarily overstepped the line which separates the reputable and
+disreputable; as long as I was loved and cherished I never felt as if I
+had done wrong. I never felt humiliation when I was with him. When he
+grew tired of me he could not help it; he never did try to resist any
+whim or passion. But better, stronger men cannot hold the wavering
+will-o'-the-wisp they call 'love'; and once it flickers out, it cannot
+be relighted. No, I have no one to blame; I can only resign myself to
+the bitterest, cruelest fate that can befall a woman--to be loved and
+eagerly sought, won, and adored for a brief hour, then thrown carelessly
+aside--a mere plaything, unworthy of serious thought. Ah, I have
+forgotten my resolution not to talk of myself to you. It is a weakness;
+but your kind eyes melt my heart. Now I will close it up--I will think
+only of the task I have set myself, to make a little fortune for you, a
+reputation for my own establishment--not a very grand ambition, but it
+does to keep the machine going; and I am growing stronger every day,
+with a strange force that surprises myself. I fear nothing and no one. I
+think my affection for you, dear, is the only thing which keeps me
+human. Now tell me, are you still comfortable with Mrs. Needham?"
+
+The tears stood in Katherine's eyes as she listened to this stern wail
+of a bruised spirit, but with instinctive wisdom she refrained from
+uttering fruitless expressions of sympathy. She would not encourage
+Rachel to dwell on the hateful subject; she only replied by pressing her
+friend's hand in silence, and she began to speak of Mrs. Ormonde's
+visit, and succeeded in making Rachel laugh at the little woman's
+description of the means she adopted of reducing Colonel Ormonde to
+reason.
+
+"Real generosity and unselfishness is very rare," said Rachel. "The
+meanness and narrowness of men are amazing--and of women too; but
+somehow one expects more from the strength of a man."
+
+"When men are good they are very good," said Kate, reflectively. "But
+the only two I have seen much of are not pleasant specimens--my uncle,
+John Liddell, and Colonel Ormonde. Then against them I must balance
+Bertie Payne, who is good enough for two."
+
+"He is indeed! I owe him a debt I can never repay, for he brought you to
+me. I wish you could reward him as he would wish."
+
+"I am not sure that he has any wishes on the subject," said Katherine,
+her color rising. "He thinks I am too ungodly to be eligible for the
+helpmeet of a true believer. Ah, indeed I am not half good enough for
+such a man!"
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXIX.
+
+DE BURGH AGAIN.
+
+
+That Rachel Trant should have drifted into communication George Liddell
+seemed a most whimsical turn of the wheel of fortune to Katherine, and
+she thought much of it.
+
+Would it lead to any reconciliation between herself and her strange,
+unreasonable, half-savage kinsman? She fancied she could interest
+herself in his daughter, and towards himself she felt no enmity; rather
+a mild description of curiosity. Why should they not be on friendly
+terms?
+
+But this and other subjects of thought were swallowed up in the
+anticipated pain of removing her nephews from their school at
+Sandbourne, where they had been so happy and done so well. Miss Payne's
+friendly offer to take them in for a week or two had relieved Katherine
+of a difficulty; and Mrs. Needham was most considerate in promising to
+give her ample time to prepare them for their new school.
+
+What a difference, poor Katherine thought, between the present and the
+past! quite as great as between the price of Sandbourne and Wandsworth.
+There was a certain rough and ready tone about the latter establishment
+which distressed her; yet the school-master's wife seemed a kindly,
+motherly woman, and the urchins she saw running about the playground
+looked ruddy and happy enough. It was the best of the cheaper schools
+she had seen, and to Dr. Paynter's care she resolved to commit them. As
+Wandsworth was within an easy distance, she could often go to see them.
+
+Another matter kept her somewhat on the _qui vive_. In spite of Mrs.
+Ormonde's assurance that De Burgh had forgotten her, Katherine had a
+strong idea that she had not seen the last of him.
+
+Though Mrs. Needham's wide circle of acquaintances included many men and
+women of rank, she knew nothing of the set to which De Burgh belonged.
+Those of his class, admitted within the hospitable gate of the
+Shrubberies, were usually persons of literary, artistic, or dramatic
+leanings and connections, of which he was quite innocent.
+
+It was a day or two after Katherine's last interview with Rachel Trant,
+and Mrs. Needham was "at home" in a more formal way than usual.
+Katherine was assisting her chief in receiving, when, in the tea-room,
+she was accosted by Errington. "Have you had tea yourself?" he asked,
+with his grave, sweet smile.
+
+"Oh yes! long ago."
+
+"Then, Miss Liddell, indulge me in a little talk. It is so long since I
+have had a word with you! It seems that since we agreed to be fast
+friends, founding our friendship on the injuries we have done each
+other, that we have drifted apart more than ever. Pray do not turn away
+with that distressed look. I am so unfortunate in being always
+associated with painful ideas in your mind."
+
+"Indeed you are not. All the good of my present life I owe to you," and
+she raised her soft brown eyes, full of tender gratitude, to his. It was
+a glance that might have warmed any man's heart, and Errington's answer
+was:
+
+"Come, then, and let us exchange confidences," the crowd round the door
+at that moment obliging him, as it seemed to her, to hold her arm very
+close to his side.
+
+At the end of the hall, which was little more than a passage, was a door
+sheltered by a large porch. The door had been removed, and the porch
+turned into a charming nook, with draperies, plants, colored lamps, and
+comfortable seats. Here Errington and Katherine established themselves.
+
+"First," he began, "tell me, how do you fare at Mrs. Needham's hands? I
+am glad to see that you seem quite at home; and if I may be allowed to
+say it, you bear up bravely under the buffets of unkindly fortune."
+
+"I have no right to complain," returned Katherine. "As to Mrs. Needham,
+were I her younger sister she could not be kinder. I think the great
+advantage of the semi-Bohemian set to which she belongs, is that among
+them there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither bond nor free, for all are
+one in our common human nature. Were I to go down into the kitchen and
+cook the dinner, it would not put me at any disadvantage with my good
+friend. I should have only to wash my hands and don my best frock, and
+in the drawing-room I should be as much the daughter of the house as
+ever."
+
+Errington laughed. There was a happy sound in his laugh. "You describe
+our kind hostess well. Such women are the salt of the social earth. And
+your 'dear boys.' How and where are they?"
+
+"Ah! that is a trial. I go down to Sandbourne the day after to-morrow,
+to take them from that delightful school, and place them in a far
+different establishment."
+
+"Ha! Does Mrs. Ormonde go with you?"
+
+"Mrs. Ormonde? Oh no. You know--" she hesitated. "Well, you see, Colonel
+Ormonde is exceedingly indignant with me because I have lost my fortune,
+and I fancy he does not approve of Ada's having anything to do with me.
+Besides--" She paused, not liking to betray too much of the family
+politics. "They have agreed to give the boys over to me."
+
+"I know. I paid Mr. Newton a long visit the other day, and he told
+me--perhaps more than you would like."
+
+"I do not mind how much you know," said Katherine, sadly. "I am glad you
+care enough to inquire."
+
+"I want you to understand that I care very, very much," replied
+Errington, in a low, earnest tone. "You and I have crossed each other's
+paths in an extraordinary manner, and if you will allow me, I should
+like to act a brother's part to you if--" He broke off abruptly, and
+Katherine, looking up to him with a bright smile, exclaimed, "I shall be
+delighted to have such a brother, and will not give you more trouble
+than I can help."
+
+"Thank you." He seemed to hesitate a moment, and then, with a change of
+tone, observed: "You and Miss Bradley seem to have become intimate. You
+must find her an agreeable companion. I think she might be a useful
+friend."
+
+"She is extremely kind. I cannot say how much obliged to her I am; but,"
+continued Katherine, impelled by an unaccountable antagonism, "do you
+know, I cannot understand why she likes me. There is no real sympathy
+between us. She is so wise and learned. She never would do wrong things
+from a sudden irresistible impulse, and then devour her heart with, not
+repentance, exactly, but remorse which cannot be appeased."
+
+"Probably not. She is rather a remarkable woman. Strong, yet not hard. I
+fancy we are the arbiters of our own fate."
+
+"Oh no! no!" cried Katherine, with emotion. "Just think of the snares
+and pitfalls which beset us, and how hard it is to keep the narrow road
+when a heart-beat too much, a sudden rush of sorrow or of joy, and our
+balance is lost: even steady footsteps slide from the right way. Believe
+me, some never have a fair chance."
+
+Errington made a slight movement nearer to her, and after a brief pause
+said, "I should like to hear you argue this with Angela Bradley."
+
+It sounded strange and unpleasant to hear him say "Angela."
+
+"I never argue with her," said Katherine. "Mine are but old-fashioned
+weapons, while hers are of the latest fashion and precision. Moreover,
+we stand on different levels, I am sorry to say. I wonder she troubles
+herself about me. Is it pure benevolence? or"--with a quick glance into
+his eyes, which were unusually animated--"did you ask her of her
+clemency to throw me some crumbs of comfort? If so, she has obeyed you
+gracefully and well."
+
+"Unreason has a potent advocate in you, Miss Liddell," said Errington;
+smiling a softer smile than usual. "But I want you to understand and
+appreciate Miss Bradley. She is a fine creature in every sense of the
+word. As friend, I am sure she would be loyal with a reasonable loyalty,
+and I flatter myself she is a friend of mine."
+
+"Another sister?" asked Katherine, forcing herself to smile playfully.
+
+"Yes," returned Errington, slowly, looking down as he spoke; "a
+different kind of sister."
+
+Katherine felt her cheeks, her throat, her ears, glow, as she listened
+to what she considered a distinct avowal of his engagement to the
+accomplished Angela, but she only said, softly and steadily, "I hope she
+will always be a dear and loyal sister to you."
+
+There was a moment's silence. Then Errington said, abruptly, his eyes,
+as she felt, on her face, "Have you seen De Burgh since his return?"
+
+"No."
+
+"No doubt you will. What a curious fellow he is! I wonder how he will
+act, now that he has rank and fortune? He has some good points."
+
+"Oh yes, many," cried Katherine, warmly, "I could not help liking him.
+He is very true."
+
+"And extremely reckless," put in Errington, coldly, as Katherine paused
+to remember some other good point.
+
+"Certainly not calculating," she returned.
+
+"Probably his new responsibilities may steady him."
+
+"They may. I almost wish I dare----"
+
+"My dear Katherine, I have been looking everywhere for you. I want you
+so much to play Mrs. Grandison's accompaniment. She is going to sing one
+of your songs, and no one plays it as well as you do. So sorry to
+interrupt your nice talk; but what can a wretched hostess do?"
+
+"Oh, I am quite ready, Mrs. Needham," said Katherine; and she rose
+obediently.
+
+"Will you come, Mr. Errington?" asked the lady of the house.
+
+"To hear Mrs. Grandison murder one of Miss Liddell's songs, which I dare
+say I have heard at Castleford? No, thank you. I shall bid you
+good-night. I am going on to Lady Barbara Bonsfield's, where I shall not
+stay long."
+
+"Horrid woman! she robbed me of Angela Bradley to-night!" exclaimed Mrs.
+Needham.
+
+With a quick "Good-night," Katherine went to fulfil her duties in the
+drawing-room, and did not see Errington again for several days.
+
+
+"I was vexed with you for not singing last night," said Mrs. Needham, as
+she sat at luncheon with her young friend the next morning. "You may not
+have a great voice, but you are much more thoroughly trained than half
+the amateurs whose squallings and screechings are applauded to the
+echo."
+
+"I do not know why, but I really did not feel that I could sing, Mrs.
+Needham. I do not often feel miserable and choky, but I did last night.
+I am so anxious and uneasy about the boys and the school they are going
+to, that I was afraid of making a fool of myself. When the change is
+accomplished I shall be all right again, and not bore you with my
+sentimentality."
+
+"You don't do anything of the sort. You are a capital plucky girl. Now I
+have nothing particular for you to do this afternoon, and I can't take
+you with me; so just go out and call on Miss Bradley or Miss Payne to
+divert your----"
+
+"A gentleman for Miss Liddell;" said the parlor maid, placing a card
+beside Katherine.
+
+"Lord de Burgh!" she exclaimed, in great surprise.
+
+"Lord who?" asked Mrs. Needham.
+
+"Lord de Burgh; he is a relation of Colonel Ormonde; I used to meet him
+at Castleford."
+
+Mrs. Needham eyed her curiously. "Oh, very well, dear," she said, with
+great cheerfulness. "Go and see him, and give him some tea; only it is
+too early. I am sorry I cannot put in an appearance, but I have just a
+hundred and one things to do before I go to Professor Maule's scientific
+'afternoon' at four. Give me my bag and note-book. I must go straight
+away to the 'Incubator Company's Office;' I promised them a notice in my
+Salterton letter next week. There, go, child; I don't want you any
+more."
+
+"But I am in no hurry, Mrs. Needham. Lord de Burgh is no very particular
+friend of mine."
+
+"Well, well! That remains to be seen. Just smooth your hair, won't you?
+It's all rough where you have leaned on your hand over your writing.
+It's no matter? Well, it doesn't much. Do you think he has any votes for
+the British Benevolent Institution for Aged Women? I do so want to get
+my gardener's mother--There, go, go, dear! You had better not keep him
+waiting." And Katherine was gently propelled out of the room.
+
+In truth, she was rather reluctant to face De Burgh, although she felt
+gratified and soothed by his taking the trouble to find her out.
+
+Katherine found her visitor pacing up and down when she opened the
+drawing-room door, feeling vexed with herself for her changing color and
+the embarrassment she felt she displayed. De Burgh was looking taller
+and squarer than ever, but his dark face brightened so visibly as his
+eyes met Katherine's, that she felt a pang as she thought how unmoved
+she was herself.
+
+"I thought you had escaped from sight!" he exclaimed, holding her hand
+for a moment longer than was absolutely necessary. "The first time I
+went to look for you in the old place, I was simply told you had left,
+by a stupid old woman who knew nothing. Then I called again and asked
+for Miss--you know whom I mean; she is rather a brick, and told me all
+about you. In the mean time I met Mrs. Ormonde. I was determined not to
+ask _her_ anything--she is such a selfish little devil. Now here I am
+face to face with you at last." And he drew a chair opposite her, and
+was silent for a minute, gazing with a wistful look in her face.
+
+"You have not a very high opinion of my sister-in-law," said Katherine,
+beginning as far away from themselves as she could.
+
+"She is an average woman," he said, shortly. "But tell me, what is the
+matter with you? I did not think you were the sort of girl to break your
+heart over the loss of a fortune."
+
+"But I have not broken my heart!" she exclaimed, somewhat startled by
+his positive tone.
+
+"There's a look of pain in your eyes, a despondency in your very figure;
+don't you think I know every turn of you? Well, I won't say more if it
+annoys you. We have changed places, Katherine--I mean Miss Liddell.
+Fortune has given me a turn at last, and I have been tremendously busy.
+I had no idea how troublesome it is to be rich. There are compensations,
+however. This doesn't seem a bad sort of place"--looking round at the
+crowd of china and bric-a-brac ornaments and the comfortable chairs.
+"How did you come here, and what has been settled? Don't think me
+impertinent or intrusive; you know you agreed we should be friends, and
+you must not send me adrift!"
+
+"Thank you, Lord de Burgh. I am sure you could be a very loyal friend.
+My story is very short." And she gave him a brief sketch of how her
+affairs had been arranged.
+
+"By George! Ormonde is a mean sneak. To think of his leaving those boys
+on your hands! and he has plenty of money. I happen to know that his
+wife has been dabbling in the stocks, and turned some money too. Now
+where did she get the cash to do it with but from him? So I suppose you
+intend to starve yourself in order to educate the poor little chaps?"
+
+"Oh no. On the contrary, I am living on the fat of the land, with the
+kindest mistress in the world."
+
+"Mistress! Great heavens! Why _will_ you persist in such a life?"
+
+"My dear Lord de Burgh, don't you know that it is not always easy to
+judge or to act for another?
+
+"Which means I am to mind my own business?"
+
+"You have a very unvarnished style of stating facts."
+
+"I know I have." A short pause, and he began again. "Where are those
+boys now?
+
+"At Sandbourne. But, alas! I am going to take them away to-morrow. They
+are going to a school at Wandsworth."
+
+"Going down to Sandbourne to-morrow? Is Miss Payne going with you?"
+
+"Oh no; I don't need any one."
+
+"Nonsense! you can't go about alone. I'll meet you at the station and
+escort you there."
+
+Katherine laughed. "I am afraid that would never do. You have increased
+in importance and I have diminished, till the distance between our
+respective stations has widened far too much to permit of familiar
+intercourse, or--"
+
+"I never thought I should hear _you_ talking such rubbish. What
+difference can there be between us, except that you are a good woman and
+I am _not_ a good man? I don't think it's quite fair that on our first
+meeting after ages--at least quite two months of separation--you should
+talk in this satirical way."
+
+"I speak the words of truth and soberness, Lord de Burgh."
+
+"Perhaps. I can't quite make you out. I am certain you have been in
+worse trouble than even want of money. I wish you'd confide in me.
+That's the right word, isn't it? Do you know, I can be very true to my
+friends, and silent as the grave. I could tell _you_ everything."
+
+"Thank you. I am sure you could be a faithful friend."
+
+"Do you ever see Errington?" asked De Burgh, changing the subject
+abruptly.
+
+"Oh yes. He often comes here."
+
+"Indeed? To see you, or Mrs.--what's her name?"
+
+"To see Mrs. Needham," returned Katherine, smiling.
+
+"Hum! I suppose he has a taste for mature beauty?"
+
+"I do not know. At all events Mrs. Needham knows charming girls--enough
+to suit all tastes, and Mr. Errington--"
+
+"Is too superior a fellow to be influenced by such attractions, eh?" put
+in De Burgh.
+
+"I am not so sure;" and she laughed merrily. "I think there is one fair
+lady for whom he is inclined to forego his philosophic tranquility."
+
+"Ha! I thought so. Yourself?"
+
+"_Me_! No, indeed! A young lady of high attainments and a large fortune."
+
+"Indeed? I am glad of it. He must be awfully hard up, poor devil!"
+
+"Mr. Errington can never be poor," cried Katherine, offended by the
+disparaging epithet. "He carries his fortune in his brain."
+
+"Well, I am exceedingly thankful I carry mine in my pocket," returned De
+Burgh, laughing. "Evidently Errington can do no wrong in your eyes. Let
+us wish him success in his wooing. So I am not to be your escort to
+Sandbourne? You ought to let me be your courier, I have knocked about so
+much. I thought I'd take to the road in the modern sense, when I came to
+my last sou, if the poor old lord had not died. Now I am going to be a
+pattern man as landlord, peer, and sportsman. Can't give up that, you
+know."
+
+"I do not see why you should."
+
+"I see you are looking at the clock; that means I am staying too long.
+You don't know how delightful it is to sit here talking to you, without
+any third person to bore us."
+
+"I don't mean to be rude, Lord de Burgh, but you see I have letters to
+write for my chief."
+
+"The deuce you have! It is too awful to see you in slavery."
+
+"Very pleasant, easy slavery."
+
+"So this chief of yours gives parties, receptions, at homes. Why doesn't
+she ask me?"
+
+"I am sure she would if she knew of your existence."
+
+"Do you mean to say you have never mentioned me to her, nor enlarged
+upon my many delightful and noble qualities?"
+
+"I am ashamed to say I have not."
+
+Lord de Burgh rose slowly and reluctantly. "Are you going to bring the
+boys here?"
+
+"No; Miss Payne has most kindly invited them to stay with her. As yet
+she has not found any one to replace me. Poor little souls, I shall be
+glad when their holidays are over, for I fear they are not the same joy
+to Miss Payne as they are to me."
+
+"Ah! believe me, you want some help in bringing up a couple of boys.
+Just fancy what Cis will be six or seven years hence. Why, he'll play
+the devil if he hasn't a strong hand over him."
+
+"I don't believe it!" cried Katherine, smiling. "Why should he be worse
+than other boys?"
+
+"Why should he be better?"
+
+"Well, I can but do my best for them," said Katherine with a sigh.
+
+"I am a brute to prophesy evil, when you have enough to contend with
+already," cried De Burgh, taking her hand, and looking into her eyes
+with an expression she could not misunderstand.
+
+"You must not exaggerate my troubles," returned Katherine, with a sweet
+bright smile on her lips and in her eyes that thanked him for his
+sympathy, even while she gently withdrew her hand.
+
+"I wish you would let me help you," said De Burgh; and as her lips
+parted to reply, he went on, hastily: "No, no; don't answer--not yet, at
+least. You will only say something disagreeable, in spite of your
+charming lips. Now I'll not intrude on you any longer. I suppose there
+is no objection to my calling on the young gentlemen at Miss Payne's,
+and taking them to a circus, or Madame Tussaud's, or any other
+dissipation suited to their tender years?"
+
+"My dear Lord de Burgh, what an infliction for you! and how very good
+of you to think of them! Pray do not trouble about them."
+
+"I understand," said De Burgh. "I'll leave my card for your chief below;
+and be sure you don't forget me when you are sending out cards.
+By-the-way, I have a pressing invitation to Castleford. When I write to
+refuse I'll say I have seen you, and that I am going to take charge of
+the boys during the holidays."
+
+"No, no; pray do not, Lord de Burgh," cried Katherine, eagerly. "You
+know Ada, and--"
+
+"Are you ashamed to have me as a coadjutor?" interrupted De Burgh,
+laughing. "Trust me; I will be prudent. Good-by for the present."
+
+Katherine stood in silent thought for a few moments after he had gone.
+She fully understood the meaning of his visit; though there had been
+little or nothing of the lover in his tone. He had come as soon as
+possible to place himself and all he had at her disposal. He was
+perfectly sincere in his desire to win her for his wife, and she almost
+regretted she could not return his affection: it might be true
+affection--something beyond and above the dominant whim of an imperious
+nature. And what a solution to all her difficulties! But it was
+impossible she could overcome the repulsion which the idea of marriage
+with any man she did not love inspired. There was to her but one in the
+world to whom she could hold allegiance, and _he_ was forbidden by all
+sense of self-respect and modesty. How was it that, strive as she might
+to fill her mind to his exclusion, the moment she was off guard the
+image of Errington rose up clear and fresh, pervading heart and
+imagination, and dwarfing every other object?
+
+"How miserably, contemptibly weak I am, and have always been! Why did I
+not stifle this wretched, overpowering attraction in the beginning?" Ay!
+but when did it begin?
+
+This is a sort of question no heart can answer. Who can foresee that the
+tiny spring, forcing its way up among the stones and heather of a lonely
+hill-side, will grow into the broad river, which may carry peace and
+prosperity on its rolling tide to the lands below, or overwhelm them
+with destructive floods, according to the forces which feed it and the
+barriers which hedge it in?
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXX.
+
+"CIS AND CHARLIE."
+
+
+Again the spring sunshine was lending perennial youth even to London's
+dingy streets, and making the very best winter garments look dim and
+shabby. Hunting was over, and Colonel Ormonde found himself by the will
+of his wife, once more established in London lodgings--of a dingier and
+obscurer order than those in which they had enjoyed last season.
+
+Mrs. Ormonde was neither intellectually nor morally strong, but she had
+one reflex ingredient in her nature, which was to her both a shield and
+spear. She knew what she wanted, and was perfectly unscrupulous as to
+the means of getting it. A woman who is pleasantly indifferent to the
+wants and wishes of her associates, if they happen to clash with her
+own, is tolerably sure to have her own way on the whole. Now and then,
+to be sure, she comes to grief; but in her general success these
+failures can be afforded.
+
+When first the tidings of George Liddell's return and his assertion of
+his rights reached her, she was terrified and undone by Colonel
+Ormonde's fury against Katherine, herself, her boys, every one. In
+short, that gallant officer thought he had done a generous and manly
+thing, when he married the piquant little widow who had attracted him,
+although she could only meet her personal expenses and those of her two
+sons, without contributing to the general house-keeping. This sense of
+his own magnanimity, backed by the consciousness that it did not cost
+him too dear, had kept Colonel Ormonde in the happiest of moods for the
+first years of his married life. Terrible was the awakening from the
+dream of his own good luck and general "fine-fellowism"; and heavily
+would the punishment have fallen on his wife had she been a sensitive or
+high-minded woman. Being, however, admirably suited to the partner of
+her life, she looked round, as soon as the first burst of despair was
+over, to see how she could make the best of her position.
+
+She was really vexed and irritated to find how little tenderness or
+regard her husband felt for her, for she had always believed that he was
+greatly devoted to her. To both of them the outside world was all in
+all, and on this Mrs. Ormonde counted largely. Colonel Ormonde could not
+put her away or lock her up because the provision made by Katherine for
+the boys failed her, so while she was mistress of Castleford she must
+have dresses and carriages and consideration. Knowing herself secure on
+these points, she fearlessly adopted the system of counter-irritation
+she described to Katherine; and to do her justice, her consciousness
+that the boys were safe under the care of their aunt, who would be sure
+to treat them well and kindly, made her the more ready to brave the
+dangers of her husband's wrath.
+
+"He must behave well before people, or men will say he is a 'cad' to
+visit his disappointment on his poor little simple-hearted wife," she
+thought. "He knows that. Then it is an enormous relief that Katherine
+still clings to the boys, poor dears! She really is a trump; so I have
+only myself to think of; and Duke shall find that his shabbiness and
+ill-temper do him no good. It's like drawing his teeth to get my
+quarter's allowance, beggarly as it is, from him."
+
+Colonel Ormonde's reflections, as he composed a letter to his steward,
+were by no means soothing. Though it was all but impossible for him to
+hold his tongue respecting his disappointment, whenever a shade of
+difference occurred between him and his wife, he was uncomfortably
+conscious that he often acted like a brute toward the mother of his boy,
+of whom he was so proud; he was not therefore the more disposed to rule
+his hasty, inconsiderate temper. The fact that Mrs. Ormonde had her own
+methods of paying him back disposed him to respect her, and it could not
+be doubted that in time the friction of their natures would rub off the
+angles of each, and they would settle down into tolerable harmony,
+whereas a proud, true-hearted woman in her place would have been utterly
+crushed and never forgiven.
+
+Ormonde, then, was meditating on his undeserved misfortunes, when the
+door was somewhat suddenly and vehemently pushed open, and Mrs. Ormonde
+came in, her eyes sparkling, and evidently in some excitement.
+
+"What's the matter?" asked her husband, not too amiably. "Has that
+rascally, intruding fellow Liddell kicked the bucket?"
+
+"No; but whom do you think I saw as I was leaving Mrs. Bennett's in Hyde
+Park Square, you know?"
+
+"How can I tell? The policeman perhaps."
+
+"Nonsense, Duke! I had just come down the steps, and was turn turning
+toward Paddington, for, as it was early, I thought I would take the
+omnibus to Oxford Circus (see how careful I am!), when I saw a beautiful
+dark brougham, drawn by splendid black horse--the coachman, the whole
+turn-out, quite first rate--come at a dashing pace towards me. I
+recognized Lord de Burgh inside, and who do you think was sitting beside
+him?"
+
+"God knows! The Saratoffski perhaps."
+
+"Really, Ormonde, I am astonished at your mentioning that dreadful woman
+to me.
+
+"Oh! are you? Well, _who_ was De Burgh's companion?"
+
+"Charlie! my Charlie! and Cis was on the front seat. Cis saw me, for he
+clapped his hands and pointed as they flew past. What do you think of
+that?"
+
+"By George!" he exclaimed, in capital letters. "I believe he is still
+after Katherine. If so, she'll have the devil's own luck."
+
+"Now listen to me. As Wilton Street was quite near, I went on there to
+gather what I could from Miss Payne. She was at home, and a little less
+sour and silent then usual. She was sorry, she said, the boys were out.
+They have been with her for a week, and Lord de Burgh had been most
+kind. He had taken them to the Zoological Gardens and Madame Tussaud's,
+and just now had called for them to go to the circus. Isn't it
+wonderful? Do try and picture De Burgh at Madame Tussaud's."
+
+"There is only one way of accounting for such strange conduct," returned
+the Colonel, thoughtfully. "He means to marry your sister. This would
+change the face of affairs considerably."
+
+"Yes; it would be delightful."
+
+"I'm not so sure of that," returned Ormonde, seriously. "Now that he is
+in love--and you know he is all fire and tow--he makes a fuss about the
+boys; but wait till he is married, and he will try to shift them back on
+you. Why should he put up with his wife's nephews any more than I do
+with _my_ wife's sons?"
+
+"Because he is more in love, and a good deal richer," returned Mrs.
+Ormonde.
+
+"More in love! Bosh! In the middle of the fever, you mean. Of course
+that will pass over."
+
+"Really men are great brutes," observed Mrs. Ormonde, philosophically.
+
+"And women awful fools," added her husband.
+
+"Well, perhaps so," she returned, with a slight smile and a sharp
+glance.
+
+"Seriously, though," resumed Colonel Ormonde, "it's all very well for
+Katherine to make a good match, and if De Burgh is fool enough to be in
+earnest, it will be a splendid match for her; but things may be made
+rather rough for me. That fellow De Burgh has the queerest crotchets,
+and doesn't hesitate to air them. He'd think nothing of slapping my
+shoulder in the club before a dozen members, and asking me if I meant to
+leave my wife's brats on his hands."
+
+"Do you really think so? Oh, Katherine would never let him. She dearly
+loves the boys."
+
+"Wait till she has a son of her own."
+
+"Even so. She has her faults, I know. Her temper is rather violent, her
+ideas are too high-flown and nonsensical, and she won't take advice, but
+she never would injure _me_, I am sure of that."
+
+An inarticulate grunt from Colonel Ormonde, as he fixed his double glass
+on his nose and took up his pen again.
+
+"Duke," resumed Mrs. Ormonde, after a pause, "don't you think I had
+better go and see Katherine? You know we never had any quarrel, and that
+Mrs. Needham she lives with gives very nice parties."
+
+"Parties! By Jove! you'd go to old Nick for a party. What good will it
+do you to meet a pack of beggarly scribblers?"
+
+"They may not have money, Duke, but they have _manners_, and something
+to say for themselves," she retorted. "Never mind about the parties.
+Don't you think I would better call on Katherine?"
+
+"Do as you like but consider that she has behaved very badly--with
+extreme insolence; but I don't want to influence you." This in a tone of
+magnanimity, as he began to write with an air of profound attention.
+
+Mrs. Ormonde made a swift contemptuous grimace at his back, and said, in
+mellifluous tones: "Very well, dear. I may as well go at once, and
+perhaps she will come with me to that dressmaking ally of hers, Miss
+Trant. I hear she is raising her prices, but she will not do so to me if
+I am with her original patroness."
+
+"Oh, do as you like; only don't send me in a long milliner's bill."
+
+"I am sure, Duke, my clothes never cost you much."
+
+"Not so far, but the future looks rather blue."
+
+To this she made no reply. Leaving the room noiselessly, she retired to
+give a touch of kohl to her eyes, a dust of pearl powder to her cheeks,
+and then started on her mission of inquiry and reconciliation.
+
+
+It is not to be denied that Katherine was greatly touched by De Burgh's
+thoughtful kindness to her boys. She had been a good deal troubled about
+their holidays, for she did not like to take full advantage of Mrs.
+Needham's kind permission to absent herself as much as she liked in
+order to be with them, and she well knew that in Miss Payne's very
+orderly establishment the two restless, active little fellows would be
+a most discordant ingredient. Above all, she wanted them to have a very
+happy holiday, as she feared their cloudless sunny days were numbered.
+
+The second morning, therefore, after she had deposited them in Wilton
+Street, when she went to inquire for them, and found that Lord de Burgh
+had called and carried them off to have luncheon with him first, and to
+spend the afternoon at the Zoological Gardens after, she could hardly
+credit her ears.
+
+"I must say," observed Miss Payne, "that I am agreeably surprised. I had
+no idea Lord de Burgh was so straightforward and well-disposed a man. A
+little abrupt, and would not stand any nonsense, I fancy, but a sterling
+character. He has tact too. He always spoke of the boys as his cousin
+Colonel Ormonde's step-sons. He might be a good friend to them,
+Katherine."
+
+"No doubt," she replied, thoughtfully.
+
+"He will send his butler or house-steward to take them to Kew Gardens
+to-morrow; but I dare say he will call and tell you himself."
+
+"He is wonderfully good," said Katherine, feeling puzzled and oppressed.
+"I will go back, then, as fast as I can, and get my work done by six
+o'clock; then I may spend the evening here with you and the boys."
+
+"Pray do, if you can manage it."
+
+Lord de Burgh's remarkable conduct troubled Katherine a good deal. How
+ought she to act? Certainly he would not put himself out of the way for
+Cis and Charlie, had he not wished to please her, or really interested
+himself in them for her sake. Ought she to encourage him by accepting
+these very useful and kindly attentions? How could she reject them
+without saying as plainly by action as in words, "I know you are
+pressing your suit upon me, and I will not have it," which, after all,
+might be a mistake; besides, she would thus deprive her nephews of much
+pleasure. She could not come to a conclusion; she must let herself
+drift. But the question tormented her, and it was with an effort she
+banished it, and applied herself to her task of arranging her chief's
+notes.
+
+Mrs. Needham was exceedingly busy that afternoon, and did not go out, as
+she had some provincial and colonial letters to finish, and had a couple
+of engagements in the evening. She and her secretary therefore wrote
+diligently till about half-past five, when Ford, the smart parlor-maid,
+announced that "the gentleman" and two little boys were in the
+drawing-room.
+
+"Good gracious!" cried Mrs. Needham, slipping off her glasses. "This is
+growing interesting. I shall go and speak to Lord de Burgh myself.
+Besides, I want to see your boys, my dear. How funny it sounds!"
+
+"Do, Mrs. Needham. I will come."
+
+Lord de Burgh was glaring absently out of the window, and the boys were
+eagerly examining the diverse and sundry objects thickly scattered
+around. They had wonderfully dirty hands and faces, their jackets were
+splashed as if with some foaming beverage, the knees of their
+knickerbockers were grubby with gravel and grass, and they had generally
+the aspect of having done wildly what they listed for some hours.
+
+"Lord de Burgh, I suppose?" said Mrs. Needham, in loud and cheerful
+accents. "I am very pleased to see you" (De Burgh bowed); "and you, my
+dears--I am very glad to see you too, especially if you will be so good
+as not to touch my china!"
+
+"We haven't broken anything!" cried Cecil, coming up to her and giving
+her a dingy little paw, while he stared in her face. "Where is auntie?"
+
+"She'll be here directly. This is Charlie: what a sweet little fellow!
+Why, your eyes are like your aunt's."
+
+"Do you think so?" said De Burgh, drawing near. "They are lighter--a
+good deal lighter."
+
+"Perhaps so. The shape and expression are like, though. And so you have
+been to see the lions and tigers?"
+
+"And the bears," put in Charlie.
+
+"Isn't Lord de Burgh kind to take you--"
+
+"He _is!_ he's a jolly chap!" cried Cecil, warmly. "I shouldn't mind
+living with him."
+
+"Nor I either," added Charlie.
+
+Here Katherine made her appearance, a conscious look in her eyes, a
+flitting blush on her cheek. The boys immediately flew to hug and kiss
+her, barely allowing her to shake hands with De Burgh. Then, when she
+sat down on the sofa, Charlie established himself on her knee and Cecil
+knelt on the sofa, the better to put his arms round her neck.
+
+"What dreadfully dirty little boys! What have you been doing to
+yourselves?"
+
+"Oh, we have been on the elephant and the camel, and in the ostrich
+cart. Then Charlie tumbled down in the monkey-house. Oh, how funny the
+monkeys are! and he" (pointing to Lord de Burgh) "took us to dinner.
+Such a beautiful dinner in a lovely room! He says he will take us to the
+circus."
+
+"I'll ask him to take you too, auntie!" cried Charlie.
+
+"Oh yes!" echoed Cecil. "You'll take her, Lord de Burgh, won't you? I
+don't think auntie ever saw a circus."
+
+"If you promise to be _very_ good, and that your aunt too will be quiet
+and well-behaved, I may be induced to let her come," returned De Burgh,
+his deep-set eyes glittering with fun and anticipated pleasure.
+
+"Thank you," said Katherine, laughing, as soon as her delighted nephew
+ceased kissing her.
+
+"And you'll come?--the day after to-morrow? I will call for the boys,
+bring them round here."
+
+"If I have nothing special--" she began.
+
+"Certainly not; I will take care of that," cried Mrs. Needham, "It is
+such a great thing to get a little amusement for the poor little
+fellows, and so very kind of Lord de Burgh to take so much trouble."
+
+"It is indeed. I really don't know how to thank you enough," said
+Katherine. "Mrs. Needham, I must really take them to wash their hands;
+they are so terribly dirty!"
+
+"No; ring the bell; Ford will manage them nicely, and bring them back in
+a few minutes." Mrs. Needham rang energetically as she spoke, and the
+young gentlemen were speedily marched off.
+
+"I am afraid I am not a wise child's guide," said De Burgh, laughing;
+"but they ran and tumbled about till they got into an awful pickle. They
+are really capital little fellows, and most amusing. When do they go
+back to school?"
+
+"In about ten days--on the 25th. I assure you I quite dread their going
+to this Wandsworth place. They have been asking, entreating me to let
+them go back to Sandbourne, but I think Cis at last grasps the idea that
+it is a question of money."
+
+"It's an early initiation for him," observed De Burgh, as if to himself.
+Then, eagerly: "You'll be sure to come with us on Friday, Miss Liddell?
+The boys will enjoy the performance ever so much more if you are with
+them."
+
+Katherine looked for half a second at Mrs. Needham, who nodded and
+frowned in a very energetic and affirmative way. "I shall be very glad
+to enjoy it with them," she said, hesitatingly, "if Mrs. Needham can
+spare me."
+
+"Of course I can,"--briskly. "Lord de Burgh, if you care for music--not
+severe classical music, you know--ballads, recitatives, and that sort of
+thing--Hyacinth O'Hara, the new tenor, and Mr. Merrydew, that wonderful
+mimic and singer, are coming to me next Tuesday; I shall be delighted to
+see you."
+
+"Not so delighted, I am sure, as I shall be to come," returned De Burgh,
+with unusual suavity.
+
+"Very well--half past nine. Don't be late, and don't forget."
+
+"No danger of forgetting, I assure you."
+
+"By-the-bye," resumed Mrs. Needham, as if seized with a happy thought,
+"Angela Bradley receives on Sunday afternoons at their delightful villa
+at Wimbledon all through the season. Her first 'at home' will be the
+Sunday after next. I am sure she will be delighted to see any friend of
+Miss Liddell's."
+
+"If Miss Liddell will be so good as to answer for me, I shall be most
+happy to present myself. To make sure of being properly backed up,
+suppose I call here for Miss Liddell and yourself, and and drive you
+down?
+
+"Is it not rather far off to make arrangements?" asked Katherine,
+growing somewhat uneasy at thus drifting into a succession of of
+engagements with the man she half liked, half dreaded.
+
+"Far off!" echoed Mrs. Needham. "You don't call ten days far off? But I
+must run away and finish my letter. A journalist is the slave of her
+pen. Good morning, Lord de Burgh. I'll send the boys to you, Katherine."
+
+"That is an admirable and meritorious woman," and De Burgh, drawing a
+chair beside the sofa where Katherine sat. "Why are you so savagely
+opposed to anything like friendly intercourse with me--so reluctant to
+let me do anything for you? Do you think I am such a cad as to think
+that _anything_ I could do would entitle me to consider you under an
+obligation?"
+
+"No, indeed, Lord de Burgh! I believe you to be too true a gentleman
+for--"
+
+"For what? I see you are afraid of giving me what is called, in the
+slang of the matrimonial market, encouragement. Just put all that out of
+your mind, Let me have a little enjoyment, however things may end, and,
+believe me, I'll never blame you. I am not going to trouble you with my
+hopes and wishes, not at least for some time; and then, whatever the
+upshot, on my head be it."
+
+"But I cannot bear to give you pain."
+
+"Then don't--"
+
+"Auntie, we are quite clean. Won't you come back to tea at Miss Payne's?
+Do make her come, Lord de Burgh."
+
+"Ah, it is beyond my powers to make her do anything."
+
+"I cannot come now, my darlings; but I will be with you about half past
+six, and we'll have a game before you go to bed."
+
+"Come along, boys; we have intruded on your aunt long enough. Don't
+forget the circus on Friday, Miss Liddell."
+
+Another hug from Cis and Charlie, a slight hand pressure from their
+newly found playfellow, and Katherine was left to her own reflections.
+
+
+The expedition to the circus was most successful. It was on his way from
+Wilton Street to call for Katherine, on this occasion, that De Burgh
+encountered Mrs. Ormonde. Need we say that she lost no time in making
+the proposed call on her sister-in-law; unfortunately Katherine was out;
+so Mrs. Ormonde was reduced to writing a requisition for an interview
+with her boys and their aunt.
+
+This was accordingly planned at Miss Payne's house, and Mrs. Ormonde was
+quite charming, playful, affectionate, tearful, repentant, apologetic
+for "Ormonde," and deeply moved at parting from her boys, who where
+somewhat awed by this display of feeling. Still she did not succeed in
+breaking the "cold chain of silence" which Katherine persisted in
+"hanging" over the events of the past week.
+
+"So De Burgh took the boys about everywhere?" said Mrs. Ormonde, as
+Katherine went downstairs with her when she was leaving, and they were
+alone together. "It is something new for him to play the part of
+children's maid; and, do you know, he only left cards on us, and never
+asked to come in."
+
+"He was always good-natured," returned Katherine, with some
+embarrassment; "and, you remember, he used to notice Cis and Charlie at
+Castleford a good deal."
+
+"Yes; after _you_ came," significantly. "Never mind, Katie dear, I am
+not going to worry you with troublesome questions; but I am sure no one
+in the world would be more delighted than myself _did_ you make a
+brilliant match."
+
+"Believe me, there will never be anything brilliant about me, Ada."
+
+"Well, we'll see. When do you take the boys to school?
+
+"On Wednesday; should you like to come and see the place?"
+
+"I should like it of all things, but I mustn't, dear."
+
+"I do hope the school may prove all I expect; but the change will be bad
+for Charlie. He had lost nearly all his nervousness; strange teachers
+and a new system may bring it back."
+
+"Oh, I hope not. Does he still stop short and speechless, and then laugh
+as if it were a good joke, when he is puzzled or frightened?"
+
+"Very rarely, I believe. I will write to you the day after I leave the
+boys at Wandsworth. They don't like going at all, poor dears.'
+
+"Well, we shall not be much longer in town, I am sorry to say, and I
+want a few things from Miss Trant before I go. I suppose she will not
+raise her prices to me?"
+
+"Oh no, I am sure she will not."
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXI.
+
+"MISS BRADLEY AT HOME."
+
+
+It was a bleak, blowy day when Katherine took the boys to school, and on
+returning she went straight to Miss Payne, who had promised to have tea
+ready for her.
+
+Somewhat to her regret, she found only Bertie Payne, who explained that
+his sister had been called away about some business connected with a
+lady with whom she was trying to come to terms respecting her house,
+which she had now decided on letting.
+
+"And how did you part with the boys?" he asked when he had given her a
+cup of tea and brought her the most comfortable chair.
+
+"It was very hard to leave them," returned Katherine, whose eyes looked
+suspiciously like recently shed tears. "The place did not look half so
+nice to-day as I thought it was. Everything is rough and ready. The
+second master, too, is a harsh, severe-looking man. Of course he has not
+much authority; still, had I seen him, I do not think I should have
+agreed to send Cis and Charlie there; but now I am committed to a
+quarter. I cannot afford to indulge whims, and, at all events, they are
+within an easy distance. Charlie looked so white, and clung to me as if
+he would never let me go! How hard life is!"
+
+"This portion of it is, and wisely so. We must set our affections on
+things above. I have been learning this lesson of late as I never
+thought I should have to learn it."
+
+"_You_?--you who are so good, so unworldly? Oh, Mr. Payne, what do you
+mean? You are looking ill and worn."
+
+"I have been fighting a battle of late," he returned, with his sweet,
+patient smile, "and I have conquered. The right road has been shown to
+me, the right way, and I am determined to walk in it."
+
+"What are you going to do?" asked Katherine, with a feeling of alarm.
+
+"I am going to take orders, and join the missionary ranks, either in
+India or China. Work in England was growing too easy--too heavenly
+sweet--to be any longer saving to my own soul."
+
+"But Mr. Payne, don't you see that your own poor country people have the
+first claim upon you--that you are leaving a work for which you are so
+wonderfully well suited, in which you are so successful? Oh, do think!
+Here you leave people of your own race, whose wants, whose characters
+you can understand, to run away to creatures of another climate--a
+different stock--whose natures, in my opinion, unfit them for a faith
+such as ours, and who never, never will accept our religion!"
+
+"Hush!" cried Payne, in an excited tone. "Do not torture me by showing
+the appalling gulf which separates us. Strange that a heart so tender as
+yours to all mere human miseries should yet be adamant against the
+Saviour's loving touch. This has been my cruel cross, and my only safety
+lies in flight, wretched man that I am!"
+
+"I am dreadfully distressed about you, Mr. Payne. Does your sister know?
+It is really unkind to her."
+
+"That must not weigh with me. Even if the right hand offends you, 'cut
+it off,' is the command."
+
+"At all events, you must study, or go though some preparation, before
+you are ordained, and perhaps in that interval you may change your
+views. I do hope you will. I should be indeed sorry to lose sight of a
+true friend like yourself."
+
+"A friend!" he returned, his brow contracting as if with pain. "You do
+not know the depths of my selfishness----"
+
+The entrance of Miss Payne interrupted the conversation, and Bertie
+immediately changing the subject, Katherine understood that he did not
+as yet intend to speak to his sister of his new plans.
+
+To Miss Payne, Katherine had again to describe her parting with her
+nephews, and she, in her turn, talked comfortably of her affairs. She
+thought of going abroad for a short time should she let her house, as
+nothing very eligible offered in the shape of a young lady to chaperon.
+Indeed she was somewhat tired of that sort of life, etc., etc. At length
+Katherine bade them adieu, and returned to her present abode with a very
+sad heart.
+
+The parting with her nephews had been a sore trial. The idea of Bertie,
+her kind friend, whose sympathetic companionship had helped her so much
+to overcome the poignancy of her first grief for her dear mother, going
+away to banishment, and perhaps death, at the hands of those whose souls
+he went to save, caused her the keenest pain; and for nearly a fortnight
+she had not seen Errington! She could not bring herself to ask where he
+was, and no one had happened to mention him. This was really better. His
+absence should be a help to forgetfulness; but somehow it was not. He
+was so vividly before her eyes; his voice sounded so perpetually in her
+heart.
+
+Why could she not think thus of De Burgh, whose devotion to her was
+evident, and whom, in spite of herself as it seemed, she was, to a
+certain degree, encouraging?
+
+She felt unutterably helpless and oppressed. Moreover, she was
+distressed by the consciousness that the small reserve fund which she
+had with difficulty preserved, could barely meet unexpected demands such
+as removing the boys from school, if necessary, an attack of illness, a
+dozen contingencies, any or all of which were possible, if not imminent.
+
+Such a mood made her feel peculiarly unfit to shine at Mrs. Needham's
+reception. Still it was better to be obliged to talk and to think about
+others than to brood perpetually on her own troubles. So she arrayed
+herself in one of the pretty soft grey demi-toilette dresses which
+remained among her well-stocked wardrobe, and prepared to assist her
+chief in receiving her guests, who soon flocked in so rapidly as to make
+separate receptions impossible. Miss Bradley came early, arrayed in
+white silk and lace with diamond stars in her coronet of thickly-plaited
+red hair. She was looking radiantly well--so well and unusually animated
+that her aspect struck sudden terror into Katherine's heart; something
+had gladdened her heart to give that expression of joyous softness to
+her eyes. But it was weak and contemptible to let this sudden fear
+overmaster her, so she strove to be amused and interested in the
+conversation of those she knew, and her acquaintance had increased
+enormously since she came to reside with Mrs. Needham.
+
+Presently Katherine caught sight of a stately head above the general
+level of the crowd, and a pair of grave eyes evidently seeking
+something. Who was Errington looking for? Miss Bradley, of course! As
+she arrived at this conclusion, De Burgh appeared at the head of the
+stairs, looking, as he always did, extremely distinguished--his dark
+strong face showing in remarkable contrast to the simpering young
+minstrels, pale young poets, and long-haired professors who formed the
+larger half of the male guests.
+
+"Well, Miss Liddell, are you quite well and flourishing? Why, it is
+quite three days since I saw you," he asked, and his eyes dwelt on her
+with a look of utter restful satisfaction--a look that disturbed her.
+
+"Is it, indeed? They seem all rolled into a single disagreeable one to
+me."
+
+"Tell me all about it," said De Burgh, in a low confidential tone. "Must
+you stand here in the gangway? it's awfully hot and crowded."
+
+Before she could reply, Errington forced his way through the crowd, and
+addressed her.
+
+"I began to fear I should not find you, Miss Liddell," he said, with a
+pleasant smile. "I have been away for some time--though perhaps you were
+not aware of it."
+
+"I was aware we did not see you as frequently as usual. Where have you
+been?"
+
+"On a secret and delicate mission which taxed all my diplomatic skill,
+for I had to deal with an extremely crotchetty Scotchman."
+
+"You make me feel desperately curious," said Katherine, languidly.
+
+"How do you do, Errington?" put in De Burgh. "I heard of you in
+Edinburgh last week;" and they exchanged a few words. Then, to
+Katherine's annoyance, De Burgh said, with an air of proprietorship, "I
+am going to take Miss Liddell out of this mob, to have tea and air, if
+we can get any. I have to hear news, too," he added, significantly.
+
+Errington grew very grave, and drew back immediately with a slight bow,
+as if he accepted a dismissal.
+
+There was no help for it, so Katherine took De Burgh's offered arm and
+went downstairs.
+
+"I wonder what the secret mission could have been?" said Katherine, when
+they found themselves in the tea-room.
+
+"God knows! I wonder Errington did not go in for diplomacy when he
+smashed up. He is just the man for protocols, and solemn mysteries, and
+all that."
+
+"Men cannot jump into diplomatic appointments, can they?"
+
+"No, I suppose not. I hear some of Errington's political articles have
+attracted Lord G----'s notice; they say he'll be in Parliament one of
+these days. Well, he deserves to win, if that sort of thing be worth
+winning."
+
+"Of course it is. Have you no ambition, Lord de Burgh? Were I a man, I
+should be very ambitious."
+
+"I have no doubt you would; and if you had a husband you'd drive him up
+the ladder at the bayonet's point."
+
+"Poor man! I pity him beforehand."
+
+"I don't," returned De Burgh, shortly. "Do you know, I have just been
+dining with Ormonde and his wife, not as their guest, but at Lady Mary
+Vincent's. Tell me, hasn't he behaved rather badly to you? I want to
+know, because I don't want to cut him without reason."
+
+"Pray do not cut him on my account, Lord de Burgh. Colonel Ormonde has
+very naturally, for a man of his calibre, felt disgusted at my inability
+to carry out my original arrangements respecting my nephews, and he
+showed his displeasure, after his kind, with remarkable frankness; but I
+am not the least angry, and I beg you will make no difference for my
+sake."
+
+"If you really wish it--" he paused, and then went on--"Mrs. Ormonde
+whined a good deal to me in a corner about her affection for you, her
+hard fate, Ormonde's brutality, etc., etc.; she is a _rusee_ little
+devil."
+
+"Poor Ada! I fancy she has not had a pleasant time of it. Had she been a
+woman of feeling, it would have been too dreadful...."
+
+"Well, you make your mind easy on that score. Now, what about the boys?"
+
+Katherine was vexed to find how impossible it was to talk of them with
+composure; she was unhinged in some unaccountable way, and Lord de
+Burgh's ill-repressed tenderness made her feel nervous. At length she
+asked him to come upstairs and look for Mrs. Needham, as her head ached,
+and she thought she would like to retire if she could be spared.
+
+"Yes, you had better--you don't seem up to much," he returned, pressing
+her hand slightly against his side. "I can't bear to see you look
+worried and ill. That's not a civil speech, I suppose; but, ill or well,
+you _know_ your face is always the sweetest to me, and I am always dying
+to know what you are thinking of. There, I will not worry you now; but
+shall you be 'fit' for this function on Sunday?"
+
+"Oh, yes, quite."
+
+"I am obliged to run down to Wales--some matters there want the master's
+eye, they tell me--but I shall return Friday or Saturday. By the way, I
+wish you would introduce me to this wonderful Angela of Mrs. Needham's."
+
+"Certainly."
+
+On entering the drawing-room, the first forms that met their eyes were
+Errington and Miss Bradley; she was sitting in a large crimson velvet
+chair, against the back of which Errington was leaning. Angela was
+looking up at him with a peculiarly happy, absorbed expression, while
+his head was bent towards her.
+
+"She is deucedly handsome," said De Burgh, critically, "and much too
+pleasantly engaged to be interrupted. I can wait."
+
+"Yes, I think it would be unkind to break in on such a conversation. Oh,
+here is Mrs. Needham! Do you want me very much, Mrs. Needham? because,
+if not, I should like to go to bed. I have a tiresome headache."
+
+"Go by all means, my dear; you are looking like a ghost; they are all
+talking and amusing each other now, and don't want you or me." "Good
+night, then," said Katherine, giving her hand to De Burgh, and she
+glided away.
+
+"What a lot she takes out of herself!" said De Burgh, looking after her.
+
+"She does indeed," cried Mrs. Needham; "she is so unselfish. I hate to
+see her worried. I wonder if he has proposed?" she thought.
+
+"I think he is pretty far gone. Now pray don't run away just now;
+Merrydew is going to give one of his musical sketches, and then I want
+to introduce you to Professor Gypsum. He thinks there ought to be a rich
+coal seam on your South Wales property; he is a most intelligent,
+accomplished man."
+
+"Very well--with pleasure," said De Burgh, complacently.
+
+
+It was rather a relief to be quite sure that De Burgh was safe out of
+the way for a few days. His presence always disturbed her with a mixed
+sense of pain and self-reproach. He gave her no opening to warn him off,
+yet she felt that he lost no opportunity of pushing his mines up to the
+defences; and she liked him--liked him sincerely--always believing there
+was much undeveloped goodness under his rough exterior.
+
+Sunday came quickly, for the intervening days had been very fully
+occupied, and thus Katherine had been saved from too much thought of the
+boys and their possible trials.
+
+It was a soft, lovely spring day. The lilacs and laburnums had put on
+their ball-dresses for the season, and there was a fresh, youthful
+feeling in the air. The villa of which Angela was the happy mistress was
+one of the few old places standing on the edge of the common at
+Wimbledon, and boasting mossy green lawns, huge cedar trees, and
+delightful shrubberies, paths leading through a well-disposed patch of
+plantation, and a fine view from the windows of the deep red-brick
+mansion, with its copings, window-heads, and pediments of white stone.
+
+Katherine started with a brave determination to throw off dull care and
+enjoy herself, if possible--why should she not? Life had many sides,
+and, though the present was gloomy, there was no reason why its clouds
+should not hide bright sunshine which lay awaiting the future. She had
+manoeuvred that Mrs. Needham should join an elderly couple of their
+acquaintance in an open carriage, and so avoided appearing in Lord de
+Burgh's elegant equipage.
+
+The grounds were already dotted with gaily dressed groups; for, although
+there were no formally invited guests, Miss Bradley's Sundays were
+largely attended by her extensive circle of acquaintance, and this first
+Sabbath of really fine spring weather brought a larger number than
+usual.
+
+"I am glad you put on that pretty black and white dress," whispered Mrs.
+Needham, as they alighted and went into the hall. "I see everyone is in
+their best bibs and tuckers;--isn't it a lovely house! Ah! many a poor
+author's brain has paid toll to provide all this."
+
+"I suppose so."
+
+"Miss Bradley is in the conservatory," said a polite butler, and into a
+deliciously fragrant conservatory they were ushered.
+
+"Very glad to see you, Miss Liddell," said Angela, kindly, when she had
+greeted Mrs. Needham. "This is your first visit to the Court. Do you
+know I wanted to ask you to come down to us for a few days; but, when I
+looked for you at Mrs. Needham's the other night, you had vanished, and
+since I have been so much taken up, as I will explain later, that I have
+been quite unable to write. I hope you will manage to pay us a visit
+next week; the air here is most reviving."
+
+"You are too good, Miss Bradley," returned Katherine, touched by her
+kind tone. "If Mrs. Needham can spare me, I shall of course be delighted
+to come;" and she resolved mentally that she should _not_ be spared.
+
+"Major Urquhart," continued Miss Bradley, turning to a very tall, thin,
+soldierly-looking man, who might once have been fair, but was now burnt
+to brickdust hue, with long tawny moustache and thick overhanging
+eyebrows of the same color, "pray take Miss Liddell round the grounds,
+and show her my favorite fernery."
+
+Major Urquhart bowed low and presented his arm.
+
+"I see," continued Angela, "that Mrs. Needham is already absorbed by a
+dozen dear friends."
+
+"You have not been here before," said Major Urquhart, in a deep hollow
+voice.
+
+"Never."
+
+"Charming place! immensely improved since I went to India five years
+ago."
+
+"Miss Bradley has great taste," remarked Katherine.
+
+"Wonderful--astonishing; she has made all this fernery since I was here
+last."
+
+Then there was a long pause, and a few more sentences expressive of
+admiration were exchanged, and somehow Katherine began to feel that her
+companion was rather bored and preoccupied, so she turned her steps
+towards the house, intending to release him.
+
+At the further side of the fernery, in a pretty path between green
+banks, they suddenly met Errington face to face.
+
+"Miss Bradley wants you, Urquhart," he said, as soon as they had
+exchanged salutations. "You may leave Miss Liddell in my charge, if she
+will permit." Major Urquhart bowed himself off, and Errington continued,
+"You would not suspect that was a very distinguished officer."
+
+"I don't know; he seems very silent and inanimate."
+
+"Well, I assure you he is a very fine fellow, and did great deeds in
+the Mutiny. But come, the lawn is looking quite picturesque in the
+sunshine, with the groups of people scattered about. It would be perfect
+were it sleeping in the tranquil silence of a restful Sabbath day."
+
+"Are you not something of a hermit in your tastes?" asked Katherine,
+looking up at him with one of her sunny smiles.
+
+"By no means. I like the society of my fellow-men, but I like a spell of
+solitude every now and then, as a rest and refreshment on the dusty road
+of life."
+
+"I begin to think peace the greatest boon heaven can bestow."
+
+"Yes, after the late vicissitudes, it must seem to you the greatest
+good. Let us sit down under this cedar; there is a pretty peep across
+the common to the blue distance. We might be a hundred miles from
+London, everything is so calm."
+
+They sat silent for a few moments, a sense of peace and safety stealing
+over Katherine's heart.
+
+Suddenly Errington turned to her, and said,
+
+"Our friend De Burgh can scarcely know himself in his new condition."
+
+"He seems remarkably at home, however. I hope he will distinguish
+himself as an enlightened and benevolent legislator."
+
+"He must be a good deal changed if he does. You have seen a great deal
+of him, I believe, since he returned to London?"
+
+"I have seen him several times. He seems to get on with Mrs. Needham."
+
+"With Mrs. Needham?" repeated Errington, in a slightly mocking tone, and
+elevating his eyebrows in a way that made Katherine blush for her
+uncandid remark.
+
+"Well, Mrs. Needham seems to have taken immensely to him."
+
+"I can understand that. De Burgh has wherewithal now to recommend him to
+most party-giving dowagers."
+
+"That speech is not like you, Mr. Errington; you know my dear good chief
+is utterly uninfluenced by worldly considerations. Lord de Burgh has
+been very good and helpful to me with the boys, I assure you," said
+Katherine, feeling that she changed color under Errington's watchful
+eyes.
+
+"Yes, I have no doubt he could be boundlessly kind where he wishes to
+please--more, I think he _is_ a generous fellow; but--I am going to be
+ill-natured," he said, with a slight change of tone, "and, as you have
+allowed me the privilege of a friend, I must beg you to reflect that De
+Burgh is a man of imperious temper, given to somewhat reckless seeking
+of what he desires, and not too steady in his attachments. Though in
+every sense a man of honor, and by no means without heart, yet I fear as
+a companion he would be disturbing, if not----"
+
+"Why do you warn me?" cried Katherine, growing somewhat pale. "And what
+has poor Lord de Burgh done to earn your disapprobation?"
+
+"I know I am somewhat Quixotic and unguarded in speaking thus to you;
+but it would be affectation to say I did not perceive De Burgh's very
+natural motive. There is much about him that is attractive to women,
+apart from his exceptional fortune and position; but I doubt if he
+could make a woman like you happy. If the ease and luxury he could
+bestow ever prove tempting, I do not think that anything except sincere
+affection would enable you to surmount the difficulty of dealing with a
+character like his."
+
+While Errington spoke with quiet but impressive earnestness, a perverse
+spirit entered into Katherine Liddell. Here was this man, sailing
+triumphantly on the crest of good fortune, about to ally himself to a
+woman, good, certainly, and suited to him, but also rich enough to set
+him above all care and money troubles, urging counsels of perfection on
+_her_. Why was she to be advised to reject a man who certainly loved her
+by one who only felt a temperate and condescending friendship for her?
+How could he judge what amount of influence De Burgh's affection for
+herself might give her?
+
+"I ought to feel deeply grateful to you for overstepping the limits of
+conventionality in order to give me what is, no doubt, sound advice."
+
+"Do you mean that as a rebuke?" asked Errington, leaning a little
+forward to look into her eyes. "Do you not think that a friendship,
+founded as ours is on most exceptional and unconventional circumstances,
+gives me a sort of right to speak of matters which may prove of the last
+importance to you? You cannot realize how deeply interested I am in your
+welfare, how ardently I desire your happiness."
+
+The sincerity of his tone thrilled Katherine with pain and pleasure. It
+was delightful to hear him speak thus, yet it would be better for her
+never to hear his voice again.
+
+"I daresay I am petulant," she said, looking down, "and you are
+generally right; but don't you think in this case you are looking too
+far ahead, and attributing motives to Lord de Burgh of which he may be
+entirely innocent?"
+
+"Of that you are the best judge," returned Errington, coldly; and
+silence fell upon them--a silence which Katherine felt to be so awkward
+that she rose, saying,
+
+"I must find Mrs. Needham; she will wonder where I am;" and, Errington
+making no objection, they strolled slowly towards the front of the
+house, where most of the visitors were standing or sitting about.
+
+There they soon discovered Mrs. Needham, in lively conversation with
+Lord de Burgh, who was a good deal observed by those present as his name
+and position were well known to almost all of Mrs. Needham's set. He
+turned quickly to greet Katherine, and spoke not too cordially to
+Errington, who after some talk with Mrs. Needham, quietly withdrew, and
+kept rather closely to Angela's side.
+
+The rest of the afternoon was spoiled for Katherine by a sense of
+irritation with Lord de Burgh, who scarcely left her, thereby making her
+so conspicuous that she could hardly refrain from telling him.
+
+"What is the matter with you?" asked De Burgh, as they walked, together
+behind Mrs. Needham to the gate where their carriage awaited them. "Do
+you know you have hardly said a civil word to me--what have I done?"
+
+"You are mistaken! I never meant to be uncivil, I am only tired, and I
+have rather a headache."
+
+"You often have headaches. Are you sure the ache is in your _head_?"
+
+"No, I am not," said Katherine, frankly. "Don't you know what it is to
+be out of sorts?"
+
+"Don't I, though? If that's what ails you I can understand you well
+enough. I wish you would let me prescribe for you: a nice long wandering
+through Switzerland, over some old passes into Italy (they are more
+delicious than ever, now that they are deserted), and then a winter in
+Rome."
+
+"Thank you," returned Katherine, laughing. "Perhaps you might also
+recommend horse exercise on an Arab steed."
+
+"Yes, I should. You would look stunning in a habit."
+
+"Dreams, idle dreams, Lord de Burgh. I shall be all right to-morrow."
+
+"I intend to come and see you if you are," he returned, significantly.
+
+"To-morrow I shall be out all the afternoon," said Katherine, quickly.
+
+"Some other day then," he replied, with resolution.
+
+"Good-morning, Lord de Burgh, or rather good evening, for it is seven
+o'clock," said Mrs. Needham. "Charming place, isn't it?"
+
+"Very nice, indeed. I suppose I have the freedom of the house now,
+through your favor."
+
+"Certainly; good-bye, come and see us soon."
+
+"May I?" he whispered, as he handed Katherine into the carriage.
+
+She smiled and shook her head, looking so sweet and arch that De Burgh
+could not help pressing her hand hard as he muttered something of which
+she could only catch the word "mischief."
+
+"Well," said Mrs. Needham, when they had left the villa behind, and she
+had succeeded in wrapping a woollen scarf closely round her throat, for
+the evening had grown chill, "I knew I was right all along, and now old
+Bradley himself has as good as told me that Angela is engaged to
+Errington."
+
+"Indeed!" said the lady, who shared their conveyance. "What did he say?"
+
+"He was sitting with me on the lawn, and Miss Bradley went past between
+Errington and that tall military-looking man, who did not seem to know
+anyone; so I just remarked what a distinguished sort of person Mr.
+Errington was, and Bradley, looking after him in an exulting sort of
+way, said, "Distinguished! I believe you. That man, ma-am," (you know
+his style) "will be in the front rank before long. I recognized his
+power from the first, and, what's more, so did Angela. I am going to
+give a proof of my confidence in him that will astonish everyone; you'll
+hear of it in a week or two." Now what can that mean but that he is
+going to trust his daughter to him? You see, Errington is like a son of
+the house. I am heartily glad, for I have reason to know that he has
+been greatly attached to her a considerable time, and they are admirably
+suited."
+
+"Well! he is a very lucky fellow; independent of all the money Bradley
+has made, this new magazine of his is a splendid property."
+
+And Katherine, listening in silence, told herself that one chapter of
+her life was closed for ever.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXII.
+
+ILL MET.
+
+
+A note from Mrs. Ormonde next morning informed Katherine that she had
+returned to Castleford, and recorded her deep regret that she could not
+call before leaving town, but that time was too short, although they had
+delayed their departure for a couple of days.
+
+
+"We met Lord de Burgh at Lady Mary Vincent's; you can't think what a
+fuss she made about him. I remember when she would not let him inside
+her doors. He is older and more abrupt than ever. He told me he was
+going to meet you at Mrs. Needham's, and said hers was the only house in
+London worth going to. I suspect there is great fortune in store for
+you, Katie, and no friend will rejoice at it more warmly than I shall.
+Do write and tell me all about everything; it is frightfully dull down
+here.
+                       "Your ever attached sister,
+                                              "ADA."
+
+Beyond a passing sensation of annoyance that De Burgh should make a
+display of his acquaintance with Mrs. Needham and herself, this epistle
+made no impression on Katherine, who was glad to have an unusual amount
+of work for Mrs. Needham, who had started--or rather promised her
+assistance in starting--a new scheme for extracting wax candle out of
+peat. Respecting this she was immensely sanguine, for the first time in
+her life she was to be properly remunerated for her trouble, and in a
+year or two would make her fortune.
+
+The day flew past with welcome rapidity, and in the evening Katherine
+was swept off to a "first-night representation," which, though by no
+means first-rate, helped to draw Katherine out of herself, and helped
+her to vanquish vain regrets.
+
+"You'll make a dozen copies of those notes please, dear," said Mrs.
+Needham, as she stood dressed to go out after an early luncheon the
+following day, "and I'll sign them when I come in; then there is the
+notice of the play for my Dullertoova letter, and be sure you send those
+extracts from the _Weekly Review_ to Angela Bradley. You know all the
+rest; if I am not home by seven don't wait dinner for me."
+
+Katherine had scarcely settled to her task, when the servant entered to
+say that Lord De Burgh would be glad to speak to her, as he had a
+message from Mrs. Needham.
+
+"How strange!" murmured Katherine, adding aloud, "Then show him in."
+
+"I have just met Mrs. Needham, and she told me to give you this," said
+De Burgh, handing a card to Katherine as soon as she had shaken hands
+with him. It was one of her own cards, and on the back was scribbled,
+
+"Don't mind the notes."
+
+"How extraordinary!" cried Katherine. "I thought they were of the last
+importance. What did she say to you? you must have met her directly she
+went out!"
+
+"I think I did. I was coming through the narrow part of Kensington, and
+was stopped by a block; just caught sight of your chief, and jumped out
+of my cab to have a word with her. She told me I should find you, and
+gave me that." De Burgh went on: "So this is the tremendous laboratory
+where Mrs. Needham forges her thunderbolts," looking round with some
+curiosity.
+
+"And where _I_ forge _my_ thunderbolts, said Katherine, laughing.
+
+"Thunderbolts!" echoed De Burgh, looking keenly at her. "No! where you
+launch the lightning that either withers or kindles life-giving flames."
+
+"Really, Lord De Burgh, you are positively poetical! I never dreamed of
+your developing this faculty when you tried to teach me how to drive at
+Castleford."
+
+"No! it did not exist then--now I want to tell you of the cause of its
+growth, you have silenced me often enough. To-day I will speak,
+Katherine."
+
+"If you please, 'm--there's twopence to pay," said the demure Ford,
+advancing with a letter.
+
+Half amused and partly relieved by the interruption, Katherine sought
+for and produced the requisite coin, and then took the letter with a
+look of some anxiety.
+
+"It is my own writing," she said, "it is one of the envelopes I left
+with Cis." Opening it and glancing at the contents her color rose, and
+her bosom heaved. "Oh! do look at this," she cried.
+
+De Burgh rose and read over her shoulder.
+
+
+  "DEAR AUNTIE,
+
+"I hope you are quite well. We have had a dreadful row! Charlie could
+not say his lesson, so Mr. Sells roared at him like a bull. Charlie got
+into one of his fits, you know, and then he burst out laughing. Mr.
+Sells went into such a rage; he laid hold of him and whipped him all
+over, and I ran to break the cane. I hit his nose with my head so hard
+that the blood came. I was glad to see the blood; then they locked us
+both up. I have no stamp. Do come and take us away, do do do!
+
+                          "Your loving,
+                                   "CIS."
+
+"P.S.--If you don't come we'll run away to the gipsies on the common."
+
+
+"The scoundrel! I'll go and thrash him within an inch of his life!"
+cried De Burgh, when they had finished this epistle.
+
+"I should like to do it myself," said Katherine in a low fierce tone,
+starting up and crushing the letter in an angry grip.
+
+"By Jove! I wish you could, I fancy you'd punish him pretty severely,"
+returned De Burgh admiringly.
+
+"I must go--go at once," continued Katherine, her lips trembling, her
+lustrous eyes filling. "Think of the tender, fragile, sweet boy--who is
+an angel in nature--beaten by a _dog_ like that! Lord de Burgh, I must
+leave you, I must go at once."
+
+"Yes, of course," said De Burgh, standing between her and the door; "but
+not alone. May I come with you?"
+
+Katherine paused, and put her hand to her head.
+
+"No, I think you had better not."
+
+"I will do whatever you like. Take Miss Payne with you--she is a shrewd
+woman--and consult with her what you had better do. Shall you remove the
+boys?"
+
+She paused again before replying, looking rapidly, despairingly round.
+These changes had cost her a good deal, and she had not much to go on
+with unless she broke into the deposit which she hoped to preserve
+intact for a long time to come.
+
+"I do not know where to put them," she said, and there was a sound of
+tears in her voice.
+
+"You can do whatever you choose," said De Burgh, emphatically, "only,
+while you are driving down to this confounded place, make up your mind
+what to do. I wish you would feel yourself free to do anything or pay
+anything. While you are dressing, I will go round to Miss Payne and
+bring her back with me; then you must take my carriage, it will save
+time; and don't exaggerate the effects of this whipping, a few impatient
+cuts with a cane over his jacket would not hurt him much."
+
+"Hurt him, no; crush and terrify him, yes. It will be months before he
+can forget it; and I told the head master of Charlie's peculiarly
+nervous temperament--this man seems to be an assistant. I will take your
+advice, Lord de Burgh, and make some plan with Miss Payne. I hope she
+will be able to come."
+
+"She must--she shall," cried De Burgh, impetuously, and he hastily left
+the room.
+
+By the time Katherine had put on her out-door dress, and written an
+explanatory line to Mrs. Needham, De Burgh returned with Miss Payne.
+
+"You must tell me all about it as we go along," said that lady, as
+Katherine took her place beside her, "and you must do nothing rash."
+
+"Oh no, if I can only prevent a recurrence of such a scene. I am most
+grateful to you for your kind help, Lord de Burgh. I will let you know
+how things are settled."
+
+"Thank you. I shall be glad of a line; but I shall call to-morrow to
+hear a full and true account. Now, what's the name of the place?"
+
+"Birch Grove, Wandsworth Common."
+
+De Burgh gave the necessary directions, and the big black horse tossed
+up his head, and dashed off at swift trot. Deep was the discussion which
+ensued, and which ended in deciding that they would be guided by
+circumstances.
+
+The arrival of Miss Liddell was evidently most unexpected. She and her
+companion were shown into the guest-parlor, where, after a while, Mr.
+Lockwood, the principal, made his appearance.
+
+"This is an unexpected pleasure, Miss Liddell. May I ask the reason of
+your visit?"
+
+Whereupon Katherine spoke more temperately than Miss Payne expected,
+describing Cecil's letter, and reminding him that she had fully
+explained Charlie's nervous weakness, and stating that, if she could not
+be assured such treatment should not occur again, she must remove the
+boy.
+
+The 'dominie,' apparently touched by her tone, answered with equal
+frankness. He had been called away by unavoidable business at the
+beginning of the term, and had forgotten to warn his assistant
+respecting Liddell minor. He regretted the incident; indeed, he had
+intended to inform Miss Liddell of the unfortunate occurrence, but
+extreme occupation must plead his excuse. Miss Liddell might be sure
+that it should never happen again; indeed, her nephews were very
+promising boys--the youngest a little young for his school, but it was
+all the better for him to be accustomed to a higher standard. He hoped,
+now that this unpleasantness was over, all would go on well.
+
+"I hope so, Mr. Lockwood," returned Katherine; "but should my nephew be
+again punished for what he cannot help, I shall immediately remove him
+and his brother."
+
+"So I understand, madam," said the schoolmaster, who was visibly much
+annoyed by the whole affair. "I presume you would like to see the boys?"
+
+"Yes, certainly. Will you be so good as to grant them a half-holiday?"
+
+This was agreed to, and in a few minutes Cis and Charlie were hanging
+round their aunt.
+
+"Oh, auntie dear, have you come to take us away?"
+
+"No, dears, but I have talked to Mr. Lockwood;" and she explained the
+fact that Mr. Sells did not know that Charlie's laughter was
+involuntary.
+
+The poor little fellow did not complain of his aunt's decision; he just
+laid his head on her shoulders and cried silently. This was worse than
+any other line of conduct. Cis declared his intention of running away
+forthwith; however, when matters were laid before him and the joys of a
+half-holiday set forth, he consented to try 'old Sells' a little longer,
+and then Katherine took them back to Wilton Street, where they spent a
+quiet happy afternoon with their aunt, to whom they poured out their
+hearts, and were finally taken back by the polite Francois.
+
+"You are the kindest of much enduring employers," said Katherine,
+gratefully, when she joined Mrs. Needham at dinner. "I earnestly hope my
+sudden desertion has not inconvenienced you. Now I am ready to work far
+into the night to make up for lost time."
+
+"Oh, you need not do that; I changed my plans after I met Lord de Burgh,
+and came home to write here. Now tell me all about those poor dears and
+that brute of a master."
+
+
+The excitement of this expedition over, Katherine felt rather depressed
+and nervous the next morning. She dreaded Lord de Burgh's visit, yet did
+not absolutely wish to avoid it. It was due to him that the sort of
+probation which he had voluntarily instituted should come to an end.
+She could not allow herself to be made conspicuous by the constant
+attentions of a man who was known to be about the best match in London,
+yet she was genuinely sorry to lose him--as a friend he had been so kind
+and thoughtful about the boys too! Well, she would be frank and
+sympathetic, and soften her refusal as much as possible. How she wished
+it were over, she found writing an impossible task, and Mrs. Needham,
+noticing her restlessness, observed, with a grave smile,
+
+"I expect you will have some very good news for me this afternoon! I am
+going out to luncheon."
+
+"No, dear Mrs. Needham, I do not think I shall," returned Katherine. "I
+fear----"
+
+"Lord de Burgh is in the drawing room," said the parlor-maid.
+
+"Go, Katherine," cried Mrs. Needham; "and don't tell me there is any
+doubt about your having good news! You deserve bread and water for the
+rest of your natural life if you don't take the goods the gods provide."
+
+Katherine hesitated, smiled miserably, and left the room.
+
+"Well, and how did you find the poor little chap?" were De Burgh's first
+words. "There's nothing wrong, I hope?--you look as white as a ghost,
+and your hand is quite cold;" placing his left on it, as it lay in his
+grasp. "The boys are well?"
+
+"Yes, quite well, and reconciled with some difficulty to remain where
+they are," she returned, disengaging herself and sinking rather than
+sitting down into a corner of a sofa nearest her.
+
+"Then what has upset you? I suppose," softening his voice, "the whole
+thing was too much for you."
+
+"I daresay I excited myself more than I need have done, but I think my
+little Charlie is safe for the future."
+
+"Do you know that it makes me half mad to see that look of distress in
+your eyes, to see the color fading out of your cheeks! Katherine, I
+can't hold my tongue any longer. I thought I was far gone when I used to
+count the days between my visits to Sandbourne; I am a good deal worse
+now that you have let me be a sort of chum! Life without you is
+something I don't care to face, I don't indeed! Why don't you make up
+your mind to take me for better for worse? I'll try to be all better;
+just think how happy we might be! Those boys should have the best
+training money or care could get; and, Katherine, I'm not a bad fellow!
+Now you know me better, you must feel that I should never be a bad
+fellow to _you_."
+
+"You are a very good fellow, Lord de Burgh, that I quite believe; but
+(it pains me so much to say it) I really do not love you as I ought,
+and, unless I do love I dare not marry."
+
+"Why not?--that is, if you don't love some other fellow. Will you tell
+me if any man stands in my way?"
+
+"No, indeed, Lord de Burgh; who could I love?"
+
+"That is impossible to say; however, your word is enough. If your heart
+is free, why not let me try to win it? and the opportunities afforded by
+matrimony are endless; you are the sort of woman who would be faithful
+to whatever you undertook, and when you saw me day by day living for
+you, and you only, you'd grow to love me! Just think of the boys running
+wild at Pont-y garvan in the holidays, and----By heaven, my head reels
+with such a dream of happiness."
+
+"I am a wretch, I know," said Katherine, the tears in her eyes, her
+voice breaking; "but I know myself. I am a very lawless individual,
+and--you had better not urge me."
+
+"What is your objection to me? I haven't been a saint, but I have never
+done anything I am ashamed of. Why do you shrink from life with me?
+Come, cast your doubts to the winds, and give me your sweet self. There
+is no one to love you as I do, and I swear your life shall be a summer
+holiday."
+
+His words struck her with sudden conviction. It was true there was no
+one to love her as he did, and what a tower of refuge he would be to the
+boys! Why should she not think of him? He had been very true to her. Why
+should she not drive out the haunting image of the man who did not love
+her by the living presence of the man who did? But, if she accepted him,
+she must confess her crime; she could not keep such an act hidden from
+the man who was ready to give his life to her. How awful this would be!
+And he might reject her; then her fate would be decided for her. Lord de
+Burgh saw that she hesitated, and pressed her eagerly for a decision.
+
+"You deserve so much gratitude for your kindness, your faithfulness,
+that--ah! do let me think," covering up her face with her hands. "It is
+such a tremendous matter to decide."
+
+"Yes, of course, you shall think as much as ever you like," cried De
+Burgh, rapturously, telling himself "that she who deliberates is lost."
+"Take your own time, only don't say _no_," ferociously. "Reflect on the
+immense happiness you can bestow, the good you can do. Why do you
+shiver, my darling? If you wish it, I'll go now this moment, and I'll
+not show my face till--till the day after to-morrow, if you like."
+
+"The day after to-morrow? that is but a short space to decide so
+momentous a question."
+
+"If you can't make up your mind in twenty-four hours, neither can you in
+two hundred and forty. I don't want to hurry you, but you must have some
+consideration for me; imagine my state of mind. Why, I'll be on the rack
+till we meet again. I fancy a conscientious woman is about the cruellest
+creature that walks! However, I'll stick to my promise: I will not
+intrude on you till the day after to-morrow. Then I will come at eleven
+o'clock for your answer; and, Katherine, my love, my life, it must be
+'yes.'"
+
+He took and kissed her hand more than once, then he went swiftly away.
+
+The hours which succeeded were painfully agitated. Katherine felt that
+De Burgh had every right to consider himself virtually accepted. She
+liked him--yes, certainly she liked him, and might have loved him, but
+for her irresistible, unreasonable, unmaidenly attachment to Errington.
+If she made up her mind to marry him, that would fill her heart and
+relieve it from the dull aching which had strained it so long; once a
+wife, she would never give a thought save to her own husband, but,
+before she reached the profound and death-like peace of such a position,
+she must tell her story to De Burgh--and how would he take it? With all
+his ruggedness, he had a keen and delicate sense of honor; still she
+felt his passion for her would overcome all obstacles for the time, but
+how would it be afterwards, when they had settled down to the routine of
+every-day life? It would be a tremendous experiment, but she could not
+let him enter on that close union in ignorance of the blot on her
+scutcheon, and then the door would be closed on the earlier half of her
+life, which had been so bitter-sweet. How little peace she had known
+since her mother's death! how heavenly sweet her life had been when she
+knew no deeper care than to shield that dear mother from anxiety and
+trouble! and now there was no one belonging to her on whose wisdom and
+strength she had a right to rely. Perhaps, after all, it might be better
+to accept De Burgh, and end her uncertainties. Though by no means given
+to weeping, Katherine could not recover composure until after the relief
+of a copious flood of tears.
+
+"Well, dear!" cried Mrs. Needham, when they were left together after
+dinner, "I am just bursting with curiosity. What news have you for me?
+and what have you been doing with yourself? You look ghastly, and I
+positively believe you have been crying. What have you done? I can't
+believe that you have refused Lord de Burgh--you couldn't be such a
+madwoman! Why you might lead----"
+
+"How do you know he gave me an opportunity?" interrupted Katherine, with
+a faint smile.
+
+"Don't talk like that, dear!" said Mrs. Needham, severely. "What would
+bring Lord de Burgh here day after day but trying to win you? I have
+been waiting for what I knew was inevitable; now, Katherine, tell me,
+have you rejected him?"
+
+"No, Mrs. Needham, I have asked him for time to reflect."
+
+"Oh, that is all right," in a tone of satisfaction, "and only means a
+turn of the rack while you can handle the screws; of course you'll
+accept him when he comes again. After all, though there are plenty of
+unhappy marriages, there is no joy so delightful as reciprocal
+affection. I am sure I never saw a creature so glorified by love as
+Angela Bradley; she told me at Mrs. Cochrane's she had a wonderful piece
+of news for me, and, when I said perhaps I knew it, she beamed all over
+and squeezed my hand as she whispered, "Perhaps you do!" I saw her
+driving Errington in her pony-carriage afterwards, and meeting old
+Captain Everard just then, he nodded after them and said, 'That's an
+excellent arrangement; the wedding, I hear, is fixed for the
+twenty-ninth of next month.' Now, I don't quite believe _that_; Angela
+would certainly have told me, but I am sure it will come off soon. I am
+glad for both their sakes."
+
+"I am sure they will make a very happy couple, and I really believe I
+shall follow their example."
+
+"Quite right! The double event will make a sensation, my dear child: to
+see _you_ happily and splendidly settled will be the greatest joy I have
+known for years, and what will Colonel Ormonde say?"
+
+"I neither know nor care; and, Mrs. Needham, if you don't mind, I will
+go to bed. I have _such_ a headache."
+
+The fateful morning found Katherine resolved and composed.
+
+She would tell De Burgh everything, and, if her revelation did not
+frighten him away, she would try to make him happy and to be happy
+herself. It would be painful to tell him, but oh! nothing compared with
+the agony of humiliation it cost her to prostrate herself morally before
+Errington. Still she would be glad when the confession was over;
+afterwards, feeling her destiny decided, she would be calmer and more
+resigned. Resigned? what a term to apply to her acceptance of an honest
+man's hearty affection; for, whatever De Burgh's life may have been, he
+had said he had done nothing he was ashamed of. By some unconscious
+impulse she dressed herself in black, and went down to the drawing-room
+with her knitting, that she might be ready to receive the man who, an
+hour later, might be her affianced husband.
+
+On the stairs she met Ford, who informed her that Miss Trant was waiting
+for her. Katherine felt glad of any interruption to her thoughts,
+especially as she knew that the arrival of a visitor would be the signal
+for Rachel's departure.
+
+"I am so glad to see you," exclaimed Katherine, "but how is it you have
+escaped so early?"
+
+"I have been to the City to buy goods, and came round here to have a
+peep at you, for Miss Payne told me yesterday of your trouble about the
+boys."
+
+"How early you are! why, it is scarcely eleven. Yes, (sit down for a
+moment,) yes, I was dreadfully angry and upset;" and Katherine proceeded
+to describe Cecil's letter, and her visit to the school.
+
+"I wish you could take them away," said Rachel, thoughtfully.
+
+"Perhaps, later on, I may be able, but I do not think there is any
+chance that poor Charlie will be punished again. He is never really
+naughty, but he has had a great shock."
+
+"So have you, I imagine, to judge from your looks."
+
+"Do I look shocked? And how have you been? It is so long since I was
+able to go and see you."
+
+"I have been, and am very well--very busy, and really succeeding. I have
+opened a banking account, and feel very proud of my cheque-book. Do you
+know that Mr. Newton has advanced me two hundred pounds? Just now it is
+worth a thousand, it lifts me over the waiting time. I have sent in my
+quarter's accounts, and in a month the payments will begin to come in.
+I'll make a good business yet."
+
+"I believe you will."
+
+"What a pretty room!" said Rachel, looking round. "How nice it is to
+know you are comfortable; by the time you are tired of your
+secretaryship, I hope to have a nice little sum laid by for you."
+
+"What a wonderful woman of business you are, Rachel," said Katherine,
+admiringly.
+
+"I ought to be! It is the only thing left to me, and I am thankful to
+say I get more and more---" she stopped, for the door opened and Lord de
+Burgh was announced.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIII.
+
+REPULSION.
+
+
+Rachel started from her seat and stood facing the door. Her cheek
+flushed crimson, then grew deadly white, her lips parted as if she
+breathed with difficulty.
+
+De Burgh, the moment his eyes fell on her, stopped as if suddenly
+arrested by an invisible hand; his eyes expressed horror and surprise,
+his dark face grew darker. Rachel quickly recovered. "I will call
+again," she murmured, and passing him swiftly, noiselessly, left the
+room, closing the door behind her.
+
+Like a flash of lightning, the meaning of this scene darted through
+Katherine's brain. Clasping her hands with interlaced fingers, she
+pressed them against her breast.
+
+"Ah!" she exclaimed (there was infinite pain in that "ah!") "then _you_
+are the man?"
+
+"What do you mean?" asked De Burgh, in a sullen tone, his thick brows
+almost meeting in a frown.
+
+"The man she loved and lived with," returned Katherine, the words were
+low and clear.
+
+"I am!" he replied, defiantly. Then a dreadful silence fell upon them.
+
+Katherine dropped into a chair, and, resting her elbows on the table,
+covered her face with her hands.
+
+"My God!" exclaimed De Burgh, advancing a step nearer. "How does she
+come here?"
+
+Katherine could not speak for a moment; at last, and still covering her
+eyes and with a low quick utterance as if overwhelmed, she said,
+
+"I have known her for some time. I found her dying of despair! I was
+able to befriend her, to win her back to life, to something like hope.
+She told me everything, except the name. We have ceased to speak of the
+past! I little knew, I could not have dreamed--I never suspected;" her
+voice broke, and she burst into tears, irresistible tears which she
+struggled vainly to repress.
+
+"Why should you _not_ suspect me!" exclaimed De Burgh, harshly. "Did you
+suppose me above or below other men?"
+
+"Ah! poor Rachel! what a flood of unspeakable bitterness must have
+overwhelmed her, to find _you_ here!"
+
+De Burgh paced to and fro, bewildered, furious, not knowing how to
+defend himself or what to say.
+
+"I am the most unfortunate devil that ever breathed!" he exclaimed at
+last, pausing beside the table and resting one hand on it. "Look here,
+Katherine, how can a girl like you--for, in spite of your mature airs,
+you are a mere girl--how can you judge the--the temptations and ways of
+a world of which you know nothing?"
+
+"Temptations!" she murmured; "did Rachel ask _you_ to take her to live
+with you?"
+
+"No, of course not," angrily, "she is rather a superior creature, I
+admit; but I deny that I ever deceived or deserted her! She was
+perfectly aware I never Intended to marry her, and I was awfully put out
+when she disappeared. I did my best to find her. But the fact is, when
+she did _not_ reappear, I not unnaturally supposed she had gone off with
+some other man."
+
+Katherine looked upon him suddenly with such tragic, horrified eyes that
+De Burgh was startled; then she slightly raised her hands with an
+expressive gesture, again covering her face.
+
+"Yes, yes," De Burgh went on, impatiently, "I see you think me a brute
+for suspecting her capable of such a thing, but how was I to know she
+was different from others? It is too infernally provoking that such an
+affair should came to your notice! You are quite unable to judge
+fairly;" and he resumed his agitated walk. "I swear I am no worse than
+my neighbors. Ask any woman of the world, ask Mrs. Needham--they will
+tell you I am not an unpardonable sinner! I will do anything on earth
+for Rachel that you think right. Just remember her position and mine, it
+was not as if--It is impossible to explain to you, but there was no
+reason, had she been a little sensible, why such an episode should have
+spoiled her life! Lots of women--" he stopped, and with a muttered curse
+paused opposite her.
+
+"And _could_ you have been her companion so long, without perceiving the
+strength and pride and tenderness of the woman who gave up all hoping to
+keep the love you no doubt ardently expressed? Ah! if you could have
+seen her as she was when I found her!"
+
+"How was I to know she was staking her gold against my counters?"
+returned De Burgh, obstinately, though a dark flush passed over his face
+at Katherine's words.
+
+"Lord de Burgh! I did not think you could be so cruel," cried Katherine,
+rising. "I will not speak to you any longer."
+
+"Cruel!" he exclaimed, placing himself between her and the door. "How
+can I be just or generous, when this most unfortunate encounter has put
+me in such a hopeless position? Katherine, will you let this miserable
+mistake of the past rob me of my best hopes, my most ardently cherished
+desires----"
+
+"It is but two or three years since you spoke in the same tone, possibly
+the same words, to Rachel! At least, knowing her as I do, I feel sure
+she would have yielded to no common amount of persuasion. She was mad,
+weak to a degree to listen to you; but she was alone, and love is so
+sweet."
+
+"It is," cried De Burgh, passionately. "Why will you turn from love as
+true, as intense as ever was offered to woman, merely because I let
+myself fall into an error but too common--"
+
+"Is it not a mere accident of our respective positions that you happen
+to seek me as your _wife_?" said Katherine, a slight curl on her lip;
+"and how can I feel sure that in time you will not weary of me as you
+did of her?"
+
+"The cases are utterly unlike. So long as the world lasts, men and women
+too will act as Rachel Trant and I did; Nature is too strong for social
+laws and religious maxims."
+
+"And you said you had never done anything to be ashamed of?" she
+exclaimed, bitterly.
+
+"Nor have I!" said De Burgh, stoutly, "if I were tried by the standard
+of our world. How can you know--how can you judge?"
+
+"I do not judge, I have no right to judge," said Katherine, brokenly. "I
+only know that, when I saw your eyes meet Rachel's I felt a great gulf
+had suddenly opened between us, a gulf that cannot be bridged. I do not
+understand and cannot judge, as you say, and I am sorry for you too; but
+if life is to be this miserable shuffling of chances, this jumble of
+injustice, I would rather die than live. No, Lord de Burgh, I _will_
+go."
+
+"Good Heavens! Katherine, you are trembling; you can hardly stand. I am
+a brute to keep you; but I cannot help clutching my only chance of
+happiness. You are an angel! Dispose of me as you will; but in mercy
+give me some hope. I'll wait; I'll do anything."
+
+"Oh, no, no. It is impossible. I am so fond of _her_; and you will find
+many to whom your past will be nothing; for me it is irrevocable. The
+world seems intolerable; let me go;" and she burst into such bitter sobs
+that her whole frame shook.
+
+"I must not keep you now; but I shall _not_ give you up. I will write.
+Oh, Katherine, you would not destroy me!" He seized and passionately
+kissed her hand, which she tore from him, and fled from the room.
+
+
+When Rachel Trant escaped from the presence of her dearest friend and
+her ex-lover, she could scarcely see or stand. Thankful not to meet
+anyone, she hastily left the house, and, somewhat revived by the air,
+she made her way to a secluded part of the Kensington Gardens. Here she
+found a seat, and, still palpitating with the shock she had sustained,
+strove to reduce the chaotic whirl of her thoughts to something like
+order.
+
+She divined by instinct why De Burgh was at Mrs. Needham's. She knew,
+how she could not tell, that he was seeking Katherine as eagerly as he
+had sought herself; but with what a different object! The sight of De
+Burgh was as the thrust of a poisoned dagger through the delicate veins
+and articulations of her moral system. To see the dark face and sombre
+eyes she had loved so passionately--had!--still loved!--was almost
+physical agony. It was as if some beloved form had been brought back
+from another world, but animated by a spirit that knew her not, regarded
+her not at all. Oh, the bitterness of such an estrangement, of this
+expulsion from the paradise of warmth and tenderness where she had been
+cherished for a while--a heavenly place which should know her no more.
+
+"I brought it all upon myself," was the sentence of her strong stern
+sense. "Losing self-respect, what hold can any woman have upon a
+lover?--yet how many men are faithful even to death without the legal
+tie! I do not love him now, but how fondly, how intensely I loved the
+man I thought he was! Oh, fool, fool, fool, to believe that I could ever
+tighten my hold upon a man who had gained all he wished unconditionally!
+I have deserved all--all."
+
+Yet she had no hatred against the real De Burgh, neither had she any
+angelic desire to forgive him, or to do him good or convert him; what he
+was now, he would ever be. He might even make a fairly good husband. The
+episode of his connection with herself would in no way interfere with
+_his_ moral harmony. But he was not worthy of Katherine; no unbreakable
+tie would make him more constant; and, though his faithlessness could
+not touch her social position, he might crush her heart all the same.
+Rachel was far too human, too passionate, not to shrink with unutterable
+pain from the idea of this man's entrancing love being lavished on
+another, yet her true, devoted affection for her benefactress remained
+untouched. Katherine stood before everything. Rachel did not wish to
+injure De Burgh--her heart had simply grown strong, and she would not
+hesitate for a moment to save Katherine from trouble at any cost to him.
+
+What then should she do?--continue to withhold the name of the man of
+whom she had so often spoken, or let Katherine know the whole truth and
+judge for herself? If she decided on the latter, it would break up her
+friendship with Katherine, and De Burgh would attribute her action to
+revenge. Should that deter her? No; so long as she was sure of herself,
+what were opinions to her? The one thing in life to which she clung now
+was Katherine's affection and esteem; for her she would sacrifice much,
+but she would not flatter her into a fool's paradise of trust and wedded
+love with De Burgh by concealing anything, neither would she counsel her
+against the desperate experiment, should she be inclined to risk it. He
+might be a very different man to a wife.
+
+A certain amount of composure came to her with decision, though a second
+death seemed to have laid its icy hand upon her heart; she rose and made
+her way towards her own abode, determining to await a visit or some
+communication from Katherine before she touched the poisoned tract which
+lay between them.
+
+Rachel had scarcely reached the Broad Walk when she was accosted by a
+little girl, who ran towards her, calling loudly,
+
+"Miss Trant, Miss Trant, don't you know me?"
+
+She was a slight, willowy creature with black eyes, profuse dark hair,
+and sallow complexion. Her dress was costly, though simple, and she was
+followed at a more sober pace by a lady-like but foreign-looking girl,
+apparently her governess.
+
+"Well, Miss Liddell, are you taking a morning walk?" asked Rachel, as
+the child took her hand.
+
+"I am going to see papa. I am to have dinner with him. He has a bad
+cold, and he sent for me."
+
+"Then you must cheer him up, and tell him what you have been learning."
+
+"I haven't learnt much yet; it is so tiresome."
+
+"Come, Mademoiselle Marie, you must not tease Miss Trant," said the
+foreign-looking lady, whom Rachel recognized as one of the governesses
+who sometimes escorted George Liddell's daughter "to be tried on."
+
+"She does not tease me," returned Rachel, who had rather taken a fancy
+to the child.
+
+"Won't you come and see papa with me?" continued the little heiress. "I
+wish you would, and he will tell you to make me another pretty frock--I
+love pretty frocks."
+
+"Not to-day; I must go home and make frocks for other people."
+
+"Then I will bring him to see you--I will, I will; he does whatever I
+like. Good-bye," springing up to kiss her. "I may come and see you
+soon?"
+
+"Whenever you like, my dear," said Rachel, feeling strangely comforted
+by the child's warm kisses; and they parted, going in different
+directions, to meet again soon.
+
+Mrs. Needham had been sorely tried on that fatal day when De Burgh had
+suddenly departed, after a comparatively short interval, and Katherine
+had disappeared into the depths of her own room.
+
+She had anticipated entertaining the bridegroom-elect at luncheon, and
+had ordered lobster-cream and an _epigramme d'agneau a la Russe_ as
+suitable delicacies; she expected confidential consultation and
+delightful plans; she had even speculated on so managing that the double
+event:--Angela Bradley's marriage with Errington and Katherine's with
+Lord de Burgh,--might come off on the same day, even in the same church:
+that would be a culmination of excitement! Now some mysterious blight
+had fallen on all her schemes. What had happened? What could they have
+quarrelled about? Then when Katherine emerged from her refuge she was
+hopelessly mysterious; there was no penetrating the reserve in which she
+wrapped herself.
+
+"There is no one in whom I should more readily confide than in you, dear
+Mrs. Needham, but a serious difference _has arisen_ between Lord de
+Burgh and myself, respecting which I cannot speak to _anyone_. I regret
+being obliged to keep it to myself, but I must."
+
+"My dear, if you adopt that tone I have nothing more to say, but it is
+horribly provoking and disappointing. I am quite sure people began to
+expect it--that you would marry Lord de Burgh, I mean, and what a
+position you have thrown away. You can't expect a man like him to be a
+saint. There is no use trying men by our standard; in short, it's not
+much matter what standard we have, we must always come down a step or
+two if we mean to make both ends meet; but you see, when a man has money
+and right principles, he can atone for a lot."
+
+Katherine gazed at her astonished. How was it that she had found the
+scent which led so near the real track?
+
+"No money," she said, gravely, "could in any way affect the matters in
+dispute between Lord de Burgh and myself, so I will not speak any more
+on the subject. It has all been very painful, and the worst part is that
+I cannot tell you."
+
+"Well, it must be bad," observed Mrs. Needham, in a complaining tone,
+"but I suppose I must just hold my tongue."
+
+So Katherine was left in comparative peace. But it was a hard passage to
+her; she could not shake off the sickening sense of wrong and sorrow,
+the painful consciousness of being humiliated which the revelation
+inflicted on her, the feeling that she was, in some inexplicable way,
+touched by the evil-doing of those who were so near her.
+
+A slight cold, caught she knew not how, aggravated the fever induced by
+distress of mind, and next day Mrs. Needham thought her so unwell that
+she insisted on sending for the doctor, who condemned Katherine to her
+bed, a composing draught, and solitude.
+
+The doctor, however, could not forbid letters, and Katherine's seclusion
+was much disturbed by a long, rambling, impassioned epistle from De
+Burgh, in which, though he promised not to intrude upon her at present,
+he refused to give up all hope, as he could not believe that she would
+always maintain her present exaggerated and unreasonable frame of
+mind--a letter that did him no good in Katherine's estimation. Then she
+tried to resume her work. But Mrs. Needham, returning from one of her
+"rapid acts" of inspection and negotiation in and out divers and sundry
+warehouses, dismissed her peremptorily to lie down on the sofa in the
+drawing-room, in reality to get her out of the way, as she was expecting
+a visit from Miss Payne, with whom she wanted a little private
+conversation.
+
+"Can you throw any light on this mysterious quarrel between Katherine
+and Lord de Burgh?" she asked, abruptly, as soon as Miss Payne was
+seated in the study.
+
+"Quarrel? have they quarrelled? I know nothing about it. When did they
+quarrel?"
+
+"About three days ago. He came here to propose for her, I know he did,
+they were talking together for--oh!--barely a quarter-of-an-hour in the
+drawing-room, when I heard her fly up stairs, and he rushed away,
+slamming the door as if he would take the front of the house out.
+Katherine has never been herself since. It is my firm belief she is
+strongly attached to him,--what do you think?"
+
+"I don't know what to think; they were very good friends, but I do not
+think Katherine was in love with him. She is a curious girl. I often am
+tempted to fancy she has something on her mind."
+
+"Nonsense, my dear Miss Payne. I never met a finer, truer nature than
+Katherine Liddell's," cried Mrs. Needham, an affectionate smile lighting
+up her handsome, kindly face. "The worst of it is, I do not know whom to
+blame, and Katherine has put me on honor not to ask her."
+
+"I cannot help you," said Miss Payne; and she fell into a thoughtful
+silence, while Mrs. Needham watched her eagerly.
+
+"I am going away for a few weeks," resumed Miss Payne. "I have let my
+house, and I shall go to Sandbourne; the weather seems settled, and it
+will be pleasant there. If you can spare her, I will ask Katherine to
+come with me, she liked the place, and perhaps in the intimacy of
+every-day life she may tell me what happened; but, remember, _I'll_ not
+tell you unless she gives me leave."
+
+"No, no, of course not; but I am sure she would trust _me_ as soon as
+anyone.'
+
+"Very likely. It will just depend upon who is near her when she is in a
+confidential mood."
+
+"Perhaps. I am sure it would do her good; and Sandbourne is not far. If
+De Burgh wants to make it up, he can easily run down there."
+
+"Yes, he knows his way. I am not sure that he is the right man, though,"
+said Miss Payne, reflectively; "he is too ready to ride rough-shod over
+everyone and everything."
+
+"Do you think so? I must say I thought him a delightful person, so
+natural and good-natured."
+
+"Well, let me go and see Katherine. I am anxious to take her away with
+me."
+
+Katherine was most willing to accept Miss Payne's proposition. She was
+soothed and gratified by the thoughtful kindness shown her by both her
+friends, and anxious to refresh her mind and recruit her strength before
+taking up her life again.
+
+"You are so good to think of taking me with you," she cried, when Miss
+Payne ceased speaking. "I should like greatly to go, if Mrs. Needham can
+spare me."
+
+"Of course I can. You will come back a better secretary than ever,"
+exclaimed that lady, cheerfully. "I will try to run down and see you
+some Saturday. It is rather a new place, this Sandbourne, isn't it?"
+
+"Yes; it is not crowded yet."
+
+"When do you go down there?"
+
+"On Saturday afternoon," returned Miss Payne. "I have taken rooms at
+Marine Cottage; you know, it is at the end of the parade, near an old
+house."
+
+"Yes, quite well; it is a nice little place."
+
+"I will write to secure another bedroom; and let us meet at the station
+on Saturday. I go by the 2.50 train." A few more preliminaries and the
+affair was settled.
+
+Previous to leaving town, however, Katherine felt she must see Rachel
+Trant, though she half dreaded meeting her. It must have been an awful
+blow to meet De Burgh as she did. Would she divine what brought him
+there? Katherine felt she had been cold and remiss in having kept
+silence towards her friend so long, and, when Miss Payne left, she
+walked with her across the park to Rachel's abode, in spite of Mrs.
+Needham's assurances that it would be too much for her, and retard the
+recovery of her nervous forces, etc., etc.
+
+Katherine was not kept long waiting in the neat little back parlor,
+which was Miss Trant's private room. Rachel came to her looking very
+white, while she breathed quickly. She paused just within the door, in a
+hesitating, uncertain way, which seemed to Katherine very pathetic.
+
+"Oh! Rachel," she cried, her soft brown eyes suffused with tears as she
+tenderly kissed her brow, "I know everything, and--I will never see him
+again."
+
+"He is not all bad," said Rachel, in a low tone, as she clasped
+Katherine's hand in both her own.
+
+"No, I am sure he is not; but he has passed out of our lives; let us
+speak of him no more."
+
+"I should be glad not to do so; but he has written me a letter I should
+like you to see. He seems grieved for the past and makes munificent
+offers."
+
+"I should rather not see it, Rachel. I want to forget. Did you reply?"
+
+"I did, very gravely, very shortly. I told him I wanted nothing, that
+the best friend I ever had had put me in the way perhaps to make my
+fortune, and--and, dearest Miss Liddell, if you care for----"
+
+"But I do not, I did not," interrupted Katherine. "Oh! thank God I do
+not. How could I have borne what has come to my knowledge if I did? Now,
+let the past bury its dead."
+
+"Is it not amazing that we should be so strangely linked together?"
+murmured Rachel.
+
+Katherine made no reply. After a short silence, as if they stood by a
+still open grave, Katherine began to speak of her intended visit to Miss
+Payne, and before they parted, though both were hushed and grave, they
+had glided into their usual confidential, affectionate tone. Business,
+however, was not mentioned.
+
+"I wish you could see your cousin's little daughter," said Rachel,
+rather abruptly, as Katherine rose to bid her good-bye. "She's an
+interesting, naughty little creature, small of her age, but in some ways
+precocious. I am fond of her, partly, I suppose, because she likes me.
+There is something familiar to me in her face, yet I cannot say that she
+actually resembles anyone."
+
+"I should like to see her," returned Katherine; and soon after she left
+her friend, relieved and calmed by the feeling that the explanation was
+over.
+
+"Well, my dear," cried Mrs. Needham, when they met at dinner. "I have a
+great piece of news for you: Mr. Errington is to be the new editor of
+_The Cycle_. A capital thing for him! and that accounts for the
+announcement of the marriage being held back, just to let people get
+accustomed to the first start. It shows what Bradley thinks of him. It
+is really a grand triumph to get such an appointment after so short an
+apprenticeship."
+
+"I am glad of it, very glad," returned Katherine, thoughtfully. "I
+suppose he is considered very clever."
+
+"A first-rate man, quite first-rate, for all serious tough subjects. I
+think, dear, if I could run down on Saturday week till Monday it would
+be an immense refreshment;" and Mrs. Needham wandered off into the
+discussion of a variety of schemes.
+
+On the Saturday following, Katherine and her faithful chaperon set out
+for their holiday with mutual satisfaction and a hope that they left
+their troubles behind them.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXIV.
+
+RECONCILIATION.
+
+
+The change to Sandbourne did Katherine good; she grew calmer, more
+resigned, though still profoundly sad. The sense of having been brought
+in touch with one of the most cruel problems of society affected her
+deeply, and the contrast between the present and past of a year ago,
+when she had the boys with her, forced her to review her mental
+conditions since the great change in her fortunes wrought by her own
+act.
+
+She had ample time for thought. Miss Payne was suffering from touches of
+rheumatism, which made long walks impossible; so Katherine wandered
+about alone.
+
+The weather was bright, but, although it was the beginning of May, not
+warm enough to sit amongst the rocks at the point. Katherine, however,
+often walked to and fro recalling De Burgh's looks and tones the day he
+had opened his heart to her there. He was not a bad fellow--no, far from
+it; indeed, she knew that, if her heart had not been filled with
+Errington, she could have loved De Burgh. How was it that a man of
+feeling, of so-called honor, with a certain degree of discrimination
+between right and wrong, could have broken the moral law and been so
+callous as he had shown himself?
+
+There was no use in thinking about it; it was beyond her comprehension.
+All she hoped was that time might efface the cruel lines which sorrow
+and remorse had cut deep into Rachel's heart.
+
+With Miss Payne, Katherine was cheerful and companionable. They spoke
+much of Bertie. His decision to take orders would have given his sister
+unqualified satisfaction had he also sought preferment in England.
+
+"A clergyman's position is excellent," she said, confidentially, as they
+sat together in the drawing-room window one blustery afternoon, when
+Katherine was not tempted to go out. "Bertie is just the stuff to make a
+popular preacher of, and so long as he is properly ordained I don't care
+how he preaches, but I don't like him to be classed with ranting,
+roaring vagabonds! Then, you see, there are no men who have such
+opportunities as clergymen of picking up well-dowered wives. I believe
+women are ready to propose themselves rather than not catch what some of
+them are pleased to term "a priest." It's a weakness I never could
+understand. What induces him to run off among the heathen?--can't he
+find heathen enough at home? If he gets into these outlandish places, I
+shall never see him again, and, between you and me, he is the only
+creature I care for. He thinks he is inspired by the love of God, but I
+know he is driven by the love of _you_."
+
+"Of me, Miss Payne?" exclaimed Katherine, startled and greatly pained.
+
+"Yes, you; and I wish you could see your way to marry him. It would be
+no great match for either of you, but he would be another and a happier
+man; and, as for you, your rejection of Lord de Burgh (I suppose you
+_did_ refuse him) shows you do not care for riches."
+
+"But, Miss Payne, I have no right to think your brother ever wished to
+marry me."
+
+"Then you must be very dull. I wonder he has not written before. Oh,
+here is the postman!"
+
+Katherine stepped through the window and took the letters from him.
+
+"Only one for you and two for me," she said, returning. "One, I see, is
+from Ada." Opening it, she read as follows:
+
+
+"DEAREST KATHERINE,
+
+"I write in great anxiety and surprise, as I see among the fashionable
+intelligence of the _Morning Post_ that Lord de Burgh is on the point of
+leaving England for a tour in the Ural Mountains (of all places!) and
+will probably be absent for several months. Can this be true? and, if
+so, what is the reason of it? Is it possible that you have been so
+cruel, so insane, so wicked as to fly in the face of providence and
+refuse him? You should remember your own poverty-stricken existence,
+and think of the boys. Marriage with a man of De Burgh's rank and
+fortune would be the making of them. I have hidden away the paper, for,
+if the colonel saw it, it would drive him frantic. Do write and let me
+mediate between you and De Burgh, if you are so mad as to have
+quarrelled with him. I am feeling quite ill with all this excitement and
+worry. I don't think many women have been so sorely tried as myself.
+Ever yours,
+                                     "ADA ORMONDE."
+
+
+Having glanced through this composition, she handed it with a smile to
+Miss Payne, and opened the other letter, which was from Rachel. This was
+very short and very mysterious.
+
+
+"I have been introduced to your relative, Mr. George Liddell," she
+wrote, "by his daughter. We have had a conversation respecting you and
+other matters. I cannot go into this now--I only write to say that Mr.
+Liddell is going down to see you to-morrow or next day, and I earnestly
+trust you may be reconciled. I am always your devoted RACHEL."
+
+
+"This is very extraordinary," cried Katherine, when she had read it
+aloud. "What can she mean by sending him down here! I rather dread
+seeing him."
+
+"Nonsense," returned Miss Payne, sternly. "If that dressmaking friend of
+yours brings about a reconciliation between you and your very
+wrong-headed cousin, she will do a good deed. I anticipate some
+important results from this interview--you must see Mr. Liddell alone."
+
+"I suppose so. I am sure I hope he will not snap my head off."
+
+"You are not the sort of girl to allow people to snap your head off. But
+I am immensely puzzled to imagine what Miss Trant can have said or done
+to send this bush-ranger down here. How did Mr. Liddell come to know
+her?"
+
+"I can only suppose that his little girl, to whom I believe he is
+devoted, brought him to Rachel's to get a dress tried on or to choose
+one."
+
+"It is very odd," observed Miss Payne, thoughtfully. "My letter," she
+went on, after a moment's pause, "is from my new tenant; he wants some
+additional furniture, which is just nonsense. He has as much as is good
+for him; I'll write and say I shall be in town on Monday, and call at
+Wilton Street to discuss matters."
+
+"_Are_ you going to town on Monday?"
+
+"Yes, I made up my mind when I read this," tapping the letter.
+
+"I suppose you don't object to be left alone? And there is the chance of
+Mrs. Needham coming down; probably she will stay over Monday."
+
+"I fear that is not very likely."
+
+No more was said on the subject then, but Katherine could not get her
+mind free from the idea of George Liddell's anticipated visit. She was
+quite willing to make friends with him, though his ungenerous and
+unreasonable conduct towards herself had impressed her most
+unfavorably.
+
+The day passed over, however, without any visitor, nor was it until the
+following afternoon that Katherine was startled, in spite of her
+preparation, by the announcement that a gentleman wished to see Miss
+Liddell.
+
+"I'll go," exclaimed Miss Payne, gathering up her knitting and a book,
+and she vanished swiftly in spite of rheumatic difficulties.
+
+In another moment George Liddell stood before his dispossessed
+kinswoman, a tall, gaunt figure with grizzled hair and sunken eyes. He
+took the hand she offered in silence, and then exclaimed, abruptly,
+
+"You knew I was coming?"
+
+"Yes, Rachel Trant told me. Will you not sit down?"
+
+He drew a chair beside her work-table, and looking at her for a minute
+exclaimed, in harsh tones which yet showed emotion,
+
+"You are a good woman!"
+
+"How have you found that out?" asked Katherine, smiling.
+
+"I will answer by a long, cruel story!" he returned with a sigh; "a
+story I would tell to none but you." Again he paused, looking down as if
+collecting his thoughts, while the brown, bony, sinewy hand he laid on
+the table was tightly clenched. "You knew my father," he began, suddenly
+raising his dark suspicious eyes to her, "and therefore can understand
+what an exacting tyrant he could be to those who were in his power. As a
+mere child I feared him and shrank from him; my earliest recollection
+was of my mother's care in keeping me from him. He was not violent to
+her--I don't suppose he ever struck her, but he treated her with cold
+contempt, why, I never understood, except that she cost him money, and
+brought him none. I won't unman myself by describing what her life was,
+or how passionately I loved her; we clung to each other as desolate,
+persecuted creatures only do! He grudged us the food we ate, the
+clothes--rather the rags--we wore. One day playing in Regent's Park I
+fell into the canal, and was nearly drowned. A gentleman went in after
+me and saved me. He took me home, he gave me to my mother, he often met
+us after. He gave me treats and money,--I can't dwell on this time. He
+won my mother's love, chiefly through me. He was going away to the new
+world. He persuaded her to leave her wretched home, to take me,--we
+escaped. I shall never forget the joy of those few days! Then my father
+(as we might have known he would) put out his torturing hand and seized
+_me_. My mother had hoped that his miserly nature would have disposed
+him to let me go, if he could thereby escape the cost of my maintenance.
+But revenge was too sweet to be foregone. I was dragged away. He did not
+want _her_ back. He hoped her lover would desert her after awhile, and
+so accomplish her punishment; but he was true! No, I can never forget my
+mother's agony when I was torn from her!" he rose and walked to the
+window, and returned. "The hideous picture had grown faint," he said,
+"but as I speak it grows clear and black! You can imagine my life after
+this! It was well calculated to turn a moody, passionate boy into a
+devil! I was nearly eleven when I lost my mother, and I never heard of
+her or from her after; yet I never doubted that she loved me and tried
+to communicate with me, but my father's infernal spite kept us apart. At
+sixteen I ran away. Your father was friendly to me and tried to
+persuade me against what he called rashness; but I always fancied he
+might have helped my mother, backed her up more, and I did not heed him.
+I went through a rough training, as you may suppose, and never saw my
+father's face again."
+
+"I can imagine that he could be terrible," murmured Katherine. "I was
+dreadfully afraid of him, but I did not know he had been so cruel."
+
+George Liddell did not seem to hear her, he was lost in thought.
+
+"You wonder, I daresay, why I tell you this long story," he resumed;
+"you will see what it leads up to presently."
+
+"I am greatly interested," returned Katherine.
+
+"You will be more so! From what I told Newton, you know enough of my
+career in Australia, but you do _not_ know that I married a sweet,
+delicate woman, who, after the birth of our little Marie, fell into bad
+health. If I could have taken her away for a long voyage, it might have
+saved her, but I was in full swing making my pile, and could not tear
+myself away; that must have been about the time my father died. Had I
+known I was his heir, I should have sent my wife home. But fool that I
+was! I was too wrapped up making money (for the tide had just turned,
+and I was floating to fortune) to see that she was slipping from me. I
+never dreamed my father would die intestate. I always thought he would
+take care of his precious gold. It was well for me he destroyed his
+will."
+
+Katherine felt her cheeks glow; but she did not speak.
+
+"Well, I felt furious to think you had been enjoying my money when I did
+not even know that my father was dead; but I have changed."
+
+"Why?" asked Katherine, who could not imagine what was his motive for
+telling her his history.
+
+"You shall hear. You know I placed my little Marie at school. The
+school-mistress employed a dressmaker to whom the child took a fancy;
+she insisted on taking me to see her, and to choose some fal-lals." He
+stopped again, his mouth twitched, his fingers played with his
+watch-chain. "When the young woman came into the room," he resumed, "I
+thought I should have dropped. She was the living image of my poor
+mother, only younger. I could not speak for a minute. At last, when the
+child had kissed her and chatted a bit, I managed to ask if I might come
+back and speak to her alone, as she was so like a lady I once knew, that
+I wanted to put a few questions to her. She seemed a little disturbed;
+but told me I might come in the evening. I went. I asked her about her
+parentage; she knew very little, save that she had been born in South
+America. She offered, however, to show me her mother's picture, and,
+when she brought it, I not only saw it was _my_ mother's likeness, but a
+picture I knew well. Her initials were on the case, R. L. Then I told
+her everything. I proved to her that I was her half-brother. How
+bitterly she cried when I described a little brooch with my hair in it,
+which Rachel still keeps. She has seen our mother kiss it and weep over
+it. My heart went out to her; she is second now only to my child. Then,
+Katherine, she told me her own sad story, and the part you played in it.
+How you saved her, and gave her hope and strength. Give me your hand!
+I'll never forget this service. It binds me more, a hundredfold more,
+than if you had done it for myself. But neither entreaties nor
+reproaches could induce her to tell me the name of the villain who--has
+she told you?" he interrupted himself to ask sternly.
+
+"She never named his name to me," cried Katherine. "It is cruel to ask
+her. And of what possible advantage would the knowledge be? Any inquiry,
+any disturbance, would only punish her."
+
+Liddell started up, and walked to and fro hastily. "That's true," he
+exclaimed; "but I wish I had my hand on his throat."
+
+"That is natural; but you must think of Rachel, she has suffered so
+much."
+
+"She has!" said George Liddell, throwing himself into his chair again.
+"But you don't know the sort of pain and sweetness it is to talk of my
+poor mother to her daughter! It makes a different and a better man of
+me. Rachel is a strong woman," he added, after a moment's thought; "she
+wishes our relationship to be kept secret. It is no credit to anyone,
+she says, and might be injurious to little Marie; we can be friends, and
+she need never want a few hundreds to help on her business. It seems
+that to please his people her father, on returning to England, only used
+his second name, which I never knew. It is a sorrowful tale for you to
+listen to--you are white and trembling, my girl," he added, with sudden
+familiarity,--"but I haven't done yet; you have laid me under
+obligations I can never repay. I could not offer a woman like you money;
+but I will pay you in kind. You have saved my dear sister, I will
+provide for the nephews that are dear to you. I have already seen Newton
+and my own solicitor, and laid my propositions before them. I don't
+pretend to munificence for them, besides, I shall not forget either you
+or them in my will, but they shall have means for a right good education
+and a good start in life. Now I want you to forgive my brutality when we
+first met, and, more, I want you to be my daughter's friend." He grasped
+her hand.
+
+Katherine's eyes had already brimmed over.
+
+"Forgive you!" she repeated. "I am quite ready to forgive. I was vexed,
+of course, that you should be unreasonably prejudiced against me; but I
+am deeply grateful for your generosity to the boys. If you knew the joy,
+the relief you have given me, it would, I am sure, gladden you. But let
+us try to make Rachel happy too. I wish----"
+
+"She is happiest in her own way. Work is the only cure for ills like
+hers," interrupted Liddell. "Time will do wonders, and her wish to keep
+our relationship secret is wise." There was a pause; then Liddell,
+looking steadily at Katherine, exclaimed, "You are a real true,
+good-hearted woman; the world would be a better place if there were a
+few more like you in it." He then passed on to his plans for the future;
+his projects for his daughter's education, opening his mind with a
+degree of confidence which amazed Katherine, considering that two days
+before he was an enemy.
+
+Presently he ceased to speak, and, after a moment's thought, stood up.
+
+"Now I have said my say, and I must go," he exclaimed. "I only came to
+explain myself to you, for the less of such a story committed to paper
+the better. I am due in town to-morrow morning; write to Rachel, and
+come and see her as soon as you can. I wish," he added, with a searching
+glance, "that I had a woman like you to regulate matters and take care
+of my little Marie; then I could keep her with me."
+
+"She is far better at school," returned Katherine, a little startled by
+this suggestive speech. "But will you not have some luncheon before you
+go?"
+
+"No, thank you. I had some before coming on here. I need very little
+food, and scarcely anything gives me pleasure; but I like you, my
+cousin, and I want your friendship for the child."
+
+"She shall have it, I promise."
+
+After a few more words, George Liddell bid her good-bye. She stood a few
+minutes in deep thought before going to tell her good news to Miss
+Payne, reflecting that she must not betray the real motive of his change
+towards herself; the less she said the better. While she thought, Miss
+Payne came in looking unusually eager.
+
+"Wouldn't he stay and have a bit to eat?" she exclaimed. "I saw him
+going out of the gate from my room."
+
+"No, he is in a hurry to get back to town. Ah! my dear Miss Payne, he
+came down to make his peace with me, and he is going to provide for the
+boys."
+
+"Why, what has happened to him? I can hardly believe my ears."
+
+"I am sure I could hardly believe mine. I suppose as he grew accustomed
+to feel that everything was in his hands, and that I had given him no
+trouble, he saw that he had been unnecessarily severe. Then his little
+girl took him to Rachel Trant's, and they evidently spoke of me;
+probably she gave a highly colored description of my goodness, and,
+being an impulsive man, he said he would come and see me, whereupon she
+wrote to warn me."
+
+"That's all possible; but somehow I feel there is more in it than I
+quite understand."
+
+"I am sure I do not care to understand the wherefore, if only my cousin
+carries out his good intentions as regards Cis and Charlie."
+
+"Just so; that is the main point. If he does, what a burden will be
+lifted off your shoulders!"
+
+"And what a change in the boys' fortunes!" returned Katherine; adding,
+after a short pause, "I think I will go to town with you on Monday and
+pay them a visit, while you arrange your affairs with your tenant. Mrs.
+Needham will put me up for a night or two."
+
+In truth, Katherine longed to see and talk with Rachel, to discuss the
+curious turn in her changeful fortunes, and build up pleasant palaces in
+the airy realms of the future.
+
+The following day brought her a letter from De Burgh. It was dated from
+Paris, and told her of his intention to be absent from England for some
+time; he pleaded earnestly for pardon with a certain rough eloquence,
+and repeated the arguments he had previously urged, evidently thinking
+that his punishment was greatly disproportionate to his offence.
+
+Katherine was much moved by this epistle; she could not help being sorry
+for him, though she hoped not to meet him again. The association of
+ideas was too painful; she was ashamed too to remember how near she had
+come to marrying him, in a sort of despair of the future. She answered
+this letter at once, frankly and kindly, setting forth the unalterable
+nature of her decision, and begging him not to put her to unnecessary
+pain by trying to renew their acquaintance at any future time.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XXXVI.
+
+THE END.
+
+
+The project of going to town, however, was not carried out. Miss Payne
+caught a severe cold, owing to the unusual circumstance of having
+forgotten her umbrella, and, in consequence, getting wet through by a
+sudden heavy shower.
+
+Instead, therefore, of speeding London-wards on Monday, Miss Payne spent
+the weary hours in bed with a racking headache and Katherine in close
+attendance.
+
+Next day, however, she was considerably better, and even talked of
+coming downstairs in the evening when the house was shut up. She
+insisted on sending her kind nurse out for air and exercise, as she was
+looking pallid and heavy-eyed; nor was Katherine reluctant to go, for
+she enjoyed being alone to meditate on the curious interweaving of
+fate's warp and woof which had made Rachel the means of reconciliation
+between George Liddell and herself. She ought now to take up her life
+again with courage and energy. The boys provided for, she had nothing to
+fear, while, if the future held out no brilliant prospect of personal
+happiness, much quiet content probably lay in the humble sufficiency
+which was now hers. The interest she would take in the careers of Cis
+and Charlie would renew her youth, and keep her in touch with active
+life, while, as the impression of her various troubles wore away under
+the swift-flowing stream of time, she would feel more and more the
+restful excellence of peace. It was not a bad outlook, yet Katherine
+felt sad as she contemplated it. Finding her self-commune less cheering
+than she anticipated, she turned her steps homeward, and entered the
+house through the window of the drawing-room which opened on a rustic
+veranda. Coming from strong sunlight into comparative darkness, she took
+off her hat, and pushed back her hair from her brow before she perceived
+that a gentleman had risen from the chair where he sat reading.
+
+"You see I have dared to take possession of the premises in your
+absence," he said.
+
+"Mr. Errington?" cried Katherine, her heart suddenly bounding, and then
+beating so violently she could hardly speak. "How--where--did you come
+from?"
+
+"From London, to enjoy a brief breathing-space from pressure of
+work--welcome as it generally is! I am sorry to find that your friend
+Miss Payne is invalided, as she was not visible, I ventured to wait for
+you."
+
+"I am very glad to see you," returned Katherine, placing herself on the
+sofa as far from the window as she could, for she felt herself changing
+color in a provoking way.
+
+"I saw Mrs. Needham yesterday, who gave me your address and sundry
+messages, one to the effect that she hopes to pay you a visit next
+Saturday; the rest I do not remember accurately, for she was much
+excited and not very distinct."
+
+"We shall be delighted to see her, she is so bright and sympathetic.
+What was the immediate cause of her excitement?"
+
+"The marriage of Miss Bradley in about a fortnight."
+
+"Indeed!" cried Katherine, thinking this way of announcing it rather
+odd, but never doubting it was his own marriage also. "Then accept my
+warm congratulations; you have no well-wisher more sincere than myself."
+
+Errington looked up surprised.
+
+"Why do you congratulate me? I certainly was of some use in bringing it
+about, but sooner or later they would certainly have married."
+
+"They? who--whom is she going to marry?"
+
+"My old friend Major Urquhart. It is a very old attachment, but Mr.
+Bradley objected to his want of fortune; then, as Bradley's wealth
+increased, Urquhart felt reluctant to come forward again. Accident
+revealed the state of the case to me. I went to see Urquhart, who had
+just returned from India, and was in Edinburgh. I persuaded him to
+return with me, and once the lovers met, matters swiftly arranged
+themselves. Finally, Bradley gave his consent. Now the air is resonant
+with the coming chime of wedding bells."
+
+"I am greatly surprised," said Katherine, and it was some minutes before
+she could speak again. Her horizon seemed suddenly suffused with light;
+she felt dizzy with a strange delightful glow, and confused with a sense
+of shame at her own unreasoning, irrational joy. What difference could
+Errington's marriage or no marriage make to her?
+
+"I suppose," resumed Errington, after looking earnestly at her speaking
+face, "that the intimacy which arose between Mr. Bradley and myself in
+consequence of my connection with _The Cycle_ suggested the rumor of my
+engagement with his daughter; but no such idea ever entered my head or
+Angela's. You know, I suppose, I am now _de facto_ editor of _The
+Cycle_. It is a good appointment, and enables me to hope for
+possibilities, though I dare not say probabilities."
+
+"I am sure you will be an admirable editor," said Katherine, pulling
+herself together, and trying to speak lightly.
+
+"Why?" asked Errington, smiling.
+
+"You are just, and--and careful, and must be a good judge of the
+subjects such a periodical treats of."
+
+"Thank you." He paused; then, looking down, he continued, "Mrs. Needham
+tells me you have been troubled about your nephews."
+
+"Yes, I was very much troubled, but I think they are safe and well now;
+later I should put them to a better school, as I now hope to do." She
+stopped to think how she should best explain George Liddell's unexpected
+generosity, and Errington exclaimed.
+
+"These boys are a heavy charge to you! yet I suppose you could not bring
+yourself to give them up?"
+
+"How could I? their mother can really do nothing for them, and it would
+be cruel to hand them over to Colonel Ormonde's charity."
+
+"It would! you are right," said Errington, hastily. "Poor little
+fellows! to lose you would be too terrible a trial for them."
+
+Katherine raised her eyes to his; they were moist with gratitude for his
+sympathy, and seemed to draw him magnetically to her. He changed his
+place to the sofa; leaning one arm on the back, he rested his head on
+his hand, and looked gravely down upon her.
+
+"Will you forgive me if I ask an intrusive question? You know we agreed
+to be friends, yet our friendship does not seem to thrive, it is dying
+of starvation because we so rarely meet; still, for the sake of our
+shadowy friendship, answer me: may I put the natural construction on De
+Burgh's sudden departure from England?"
+
+Katherine hesitated; she did not like to say in so many words that she
+had refused him, a curious, half-remorseful feeling made her especially
+considerate towards him.
+
+"I do not like to speak of Lord de Burgh," she said at length.
+
+"When does he return?
+
+"I do not know. I know nothing of his plans."
+
+"Then you sent him empty away?" said Errington, smiling.
+
+"I very nearly married him!" she exclaimed, frankly. "He was kind and
+generous, and would have been good to the boys; but at last I could not.
+Oh! I could _not_!"
+
+"I am sorry for De Burgh," said Errington, thoughtfully, "but you were
+right; your wisdom is more of the heart than the head. Do you remember
+that day (how vividly I remember it!) when you came to me and told me
+your strange story? It was the turning-point of my life. When I
+confessed I knew nothing of the deep, warm, tender affection that
+actuated _you_, you said that for me wisdom was from one entrance quite
+shut out."
+
+"I can remember nothing clearly of that dreadful day, only that you were
+very forgiving and good," returned Katherine, pressing her hands
+together to still their trembling.
+
+"Well, from the moment you spoke those words, the light of the wisdom
+you meant dawned upon me, and grew stronger and brighter, till my whole
+being was flooded with the love you inspired. You opened a new world to
+me; your voice was always in my ears, your eyes looking into mine." He
+spoke in a low, earnest, but composed tone, as if he had made up his
+mind to the fullest utterance. Katherine covered her face with her hands
+with the unconscious instinct to hide the emotion she felt it would
+express. "Many things kept me silent. Fear that the sight of me was
+painful to you; the dread of seeming to seek your fortune; my own
+uncertain position. Then, when all was taken from you, and I was by my
+own act deprived of the power to help you, you were so brave and patient
+that profound esteem mingled with the strange, sweet, wild fire you had
+kindled! Am I so painfully associated in your mind that you cannot give
+me something of the wealth of love stored in your heart? You have
+taught me what love is, will you not reward so apt a pupil?"
+
+"Mr. Errington," said Katherine, letting him take her cold trembling
+hand, "is it possible you can love and trust a woman who has acted a lie
+for years as I have?"
+
+"I cannot help both loving and trusting you, utterly," he returned,
+holding her hand tenderly in both his own. "I believe in your truth as I
+believe in the reality of the sun's light, and if you can love me I
+believe I can make you happy. I have but a humble lot to offer you, yet
+I think it is--it will be a tranquil and secure one. I can help you in
+bringing up those boys, I will never quarrel with you for clinging to
+them, and will do the best I can for them! You know _I_ have a
+creditor's claim; Roman law gave the debtor over into the hands of the
+creditor," continued Errington, growing bolder as he felt how her hand
+trembled in his grasp; "you must pay me by the surrender of yourself, by
+accepting a life for a life. Katherine----"
+
+"Ah! how can I answer you? If indeed you can trust and respect me, I can
+and will love you well," she exclaimed, with the sweet frankness which
+always enchanted him.
+
+"Will you love me with the whole unstinted love of your rich nature? I
+cannot spare a grain," said Errington, jealously.
+
+"But I do love you," murmured Katherine; "I am almost frightened at
+loving you so much."
+
+Could it be cold, composed, immovable Errington who strained her so
+closely to his heart, whose lips clung so passionately to hers?
+
+"I have a great deal to tell you," began Katherine, when she had
+extricated herself and recovered some composure. "But I must go and see
+poor Miss Payne; she will wonder what has become of me."
+
+"Tell her you are obliged to talk to me of business, and come back soon.
+I have much to consult you about, and I can only remain till to-morrow
+evening--do not stay away."
+
+And Katherine returned very soon.
+
+"Miss Payne is dreadfully puzzled," she said, smiling and blushing,
+quivering in every vein with the strange, almost awful happiness which
+overwhelmed her.
+
+"Now, what have you to tell me?" asked Errington, and she gave him a
+full description of George Liddell's visit and proposal to provide for
+Cis and Charlie.
+
+Errington was too happy to heed the details much, he only remarked that
+he was glad Liddell had come to his right mind.
+
+"I want you to tell Miss Payne as soon as possible our new plans; she is
+coming downstairs this evening, you say? Let me break the news to her. I
+think she will give us her blessing; and, Katherine, my sweet Katherine,
+there is no reason to delay our marriage. You have no fixed home; the
+sooner you make one for yourself and me the better. The idea is
+intoxicating. Our poverty sets us free from the trammels of
+conventionality; we have nothing to wait for."
+
+
+So they were married.
+
+Here ought to come "Finis!" yet real life had only begun for them. Were
+they happy? Yes. For under the wild sweetness of warmest passionate
+love lay the lasting rock of comprehension and genial companionship.
+Fuller knowledge brought deeper esteem, and the only secret Katherine
+ever kept from her husband was the true history of Rachel Trant.
+
+A severe attack of fever, brought on by overstudy, immediately after
+Katherine's marriage, prevented Bertie Payne from carrying out his
+missionary scheme. He was reluctantly obliged to put up with the
+East-End heathen, "who," as Miss Payne observed, "were bad enough to
+satisfy the largest appetite for sinners."
+
+There his faithful sister established herself to make a home for him,
+renouncing her comfortable West-End abode, and finding ample interest in
+the pursuits she affected to treat as fads.
+
+"Altogether everything has turned out in the most extraordinary and
+unexpected manner," as Mrs. Ormonde observed to Mrs. Needham, whom she
+encountered at one of Lady Mary Vincent's receptions. "Katherine seems
+quite proud to settle down in a suburban villa away in St. John's Wood
+as Mrs. Errington, while she might have made a figure at court as Lady
+de Burgh. By the way, I see your friend, Mrs. Urquhart, was presented at
+the last drawing-room."
+
+"Yes, and was one of the handsomest women there.--But I don't suppose
+Mrs. Errington ever gives a thought to drawing-room or Buckingham Palace
+balls.--You see she is in a way always at court, for her king is always
+beside her," returned Mrs. Needham, with a becoming smile. "Good-night,
+Mrs. Ormonde."
+
+
+THE END
+
+
+
+
+
+End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of A Crooked Path, by Mrs. Alexander
+
+*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK A CROOKED PATH ***
+
+***** This file should be named 18418.txt or 18418.zip *****
+This and all associated files of various formats will be found in:
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