“She may do as she likes; she can do anything.  So long as she reads to me, and buys my food without wasting my money, I don’t want her company.  She seems to know something of the value of money, and I’ll keep her in pledge till you have paid me.  I’ll never let myself be cheated again, as I was by your worthless husband.”

“Let the dead rest,” said Mrs. Liddell, sadly.  “I have paid you what I could.”

“Ay, the principal—­the bare principal.  What is that?  Do men lend for the love of lending?” he returned, viciously.

“Pray do not vex yourself.  It is useless to look back—­annoying and useless,” said the lawyer, with decision.

“Useless indeed!  What more have you to say?”

“I should like to see the room my daughter is to occupy.  It is as well she should have the comforts necessary to health, for all our sakes. You will not find one who will serve you as Katherine can, even for a high price.  I think you feel this yourself,” said Mrs. Liddell, steadily.

“You may go where you like, but do not trouble me.  You can come and see your daughter, but I shall not want to see you; and she may go and see you of a Sunday, when there are no newspapers to be read; but, mark you I will not pay for carriages or horses or omnibuses; and mark also that I have made my will, and I’ll not alter it in any one’s favor.  Your daughter will have her food and lodging and my countenance and protection.”

“She has done without these for nineteen years,” said Mrs. Liddell, with a slight smile.  “But you have given me very opportune help, for which I am grateful; so I have accepted your terms.  Kate shall stay with you till I have paid you principal and interest, and then I warn you I shall reclaim my hostage.”

“She’ll be a good while with me,” he said, with a sneer.  “None of you—­you, your husband, or your son—­ever had thirty pounds to spare in your lives.”

“Time will show,” returned Mrs. Liddell, with admirable steadiness and temper.  “Now I will bid you good-day, and take advantage of your permission to look over your house.”

“Let me show you the way,” said Newton.  “I shall return to you presently, Mr. Liddell.”

The old man bent his head.  “See that the girl comes to-morrow,” he said, and leaned back wearily in his chair.

The friendly lawyer led the way upstairs, and showed Mrs. Liddell a large room, half bed, half sitting, with plenty of heavy old-fashioned furniture.  “This was, I think, the drawing-room,” said Mr. Newton; “and having extracted permission from my very peculiar client to have the house cleaned, so far as it could be done, which it sorely needed, the person I employed selected the best of the furniture for this room.  We propose to give the next room at the back to the servant.  You have, I believe, found one?”

“Yes, a respectable elderly woman, of whom I have had an excellent character.”