“Yes, I feared too.  Yet there could be no claimant, apart from another will.  Poor George, your uncle’s only son, was killed, I remember.  Take a little water, dear, and sit down.  No, I did not fear another claimant when I thought, but I feared to hope too much.”

“I feel all right now, mother.  Such a prospect does not kill.  Suppose we say nothing to Ada—­she will worry our lives out—­not at least till we know our fate certainly?”

“Perhaps it will be better not.”

“And whatever I get we will share with the dear children, and give Ada some too.  Oh, darling mother, think of our being alone together again, and tolerably at ease!”

It would be wearisome to the reader were the details of the interview with Mr. Newton minutely recorded.

He was evidently relieved and delighted to announce that all attempts to find the will had failed, and explained at some length to his very attentive listeners the steps to be taken and the particulars of the property bequeathed; how it devolved on Katherine to take out letters of administration; how at her age she had the power of choosing her own guardian for the two years which must elapse before she was of age; and finally that the large amount of which she had become mistress was so judiciously invested that he (Mr. Newton) could advise no change save the transference of stock to her name.

As it dawned upon Katherine that the sum she inherited amounted to something over eighty thousand pounds, she felt dizzy with surprise and fear.  She had no idea she had been playing for such stakes.  The sense of sudden responsibility pressed upon her; her hands trembled and her cheek paled.

“My dear young lady, you look as if you had met a loss instead of gaining a fortune,” said Mr. Newton, looking kindly at her.  “I have no doubt you will make a good use of your money, and I trust will enjoy many happy days.”

“But my nephews, my sister-in-law, do they get nothing?”

“Not a penny.  Of course you can, when of age, settle some portion upon them.”

“I certainly will; but in the mean time—­”

“In the mean time I will take care that you have a proper allowance.”

“Thank you, dear Mr. Newton.  Do get me something big enough to make us all comfortable, and I can share with Ada—­with Mrs. Frederic.  I do so want to take my mother abroad, and I could not leave Ada and the boys unless they were well provided for.”

“Make your mind easy; the court will allow you a handsome income.  So you must cheer up, in spite of the infliction of a large fortune,” added Mr. Newton, with unwonted jocularity.

“Both Katherine and myself are warmly grateful for your kind sympathy,” said Mrs. Liddell, softly.  Then, after a short pause, she asked, “Do you know what became of Mr. Liddell’s unfortunate wife?”

“She died eleven or twelve years ago.  The family of—­of the man she lived with had the audacity to apply for money, on account of her funeral, I think, and so I came to know she was dead.  It was a sad business.  The poor woman had a wretched life, but I don’t think she was in any want.”