“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.