“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.”