“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.