“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.