“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.”