“Perhaps it would be more seemly,” said the lawyer; “but it is almost necessary to know who is the heir and who is the executor.  Besides, it is quite possible that since he signed the will I drew up for him in ’59, and to which I was executor, he may have made another, of which I know nothing, and I may have to communicate with some other executor.  I will therefore begin the search at once.  Would you and your daughter like to be present?”

“Thank you, no,” returned Mrs. Liddell.

“I would rather not,” said Katherine.

Mr. Newton proceeded on his search alone, while Mrs. Liddell and her daughter went to the latter’s room, anxious to keep from meddling with what did not concern them.

Scarcely had the former settled herself to write a letter to an old friend in Florence with whom she kept up a steady though not a frequent correspondence, when she was interrupted by a tap at the door.  Before she could say “Come in,” it was opened to admit Mrs. Frederic Liddell, who came in briskly.  She had taken out a black dress with crape on it, and retouched a mourning bonnet, so that she presented an appearance perfectly suited to the occasion.

“Oh dear!” she cried, “I have been in such a state ever since I had your note!  I thought I should never get away this morning.  The stupidity of those servants is beyond description.  Now do tell all about everything.”  She sat down suddenly, then jumped up, kissed her mother-in-law on the brow, and shook hands with Katherine.

“There is very little more to tell beyond what I said in my note,” returned Mrs. Liddell.  “The poor old man never spoke or showed any symptom of life after he fell.  Mr Newton, of course, will make all arrangements.  The funeral will be on Friday, and Katherine and I will remain here till it is over.”

“And the will?” whispered Mrs. Frederic, eagerly.  “Have you found out anything about that?”

Mrs. Liddell shook her head.  “I have not even asked, so sure am I that it will not affect us in any way.  Mr. Newton is now examining the bureau where my brother-in-law appears to have kept all his papers, hoping to find the will.”

“Is it not cruel to think of all this wealth passing away from us?” cried the little woman, in a tearful tone.

“I do not suppose that John Liddell was wealthy,” said Mrs. Liddell.  “He was very careful of what he had, but it does not follow that he had a great deal.”

“Oh, nonsense!  My dear Mrs. Liddell, you only say that to keep us quiet.  Misers always have heaps of money.  What do you say, Katherine?”

“That from all I saw I should say he was not rich.  He never mentioned large sums of money, or—­”

“I do not mind you,” interrupted the young widow.  “You always affect to despise money.”

“Indeed I do not, Ada.  I am only afraid of thinking too much of it.”  Katherine perceived that her mother had wisely abstained from telling the whole circumstances to this most impulsive young person.