no Mr. Newton came. Mr. Liddell was unusually
wakeful and restless, and seemed on the watch himself, his last words
that night being, "I am sure Newton will be here in good time
to-morrow."

Instead, the morrow brought a dapper and extremely modern young man, the
head of the firm in right of succession, his late father having founded
the house of Stephens & Newton.

Mr. Liddell had just been made comfortable in his great invalid's chair
by the fire, having risen earlier than usual in expectation of Mr.
Newton's visit. When this gentleman presented himself, Katherine
observed that her uncle was in a state of tremulous impatience, and the
moment she saw the stranger she felt that some unlucky accident had
prevented Newton from obeying his client's behest.

"Who--what?" gasped Mr. Liddell, when a card was handed to him. "Read
it," to Katherine.

"Mr. Stephens, of Stephens & Newton, Red Lion Square," she returned.

"I will not see him, I do not want him," cried her uncle, angrily.
"Where is Newton? Go ask him?"

With an oppressive sense of embarrassment, Katherine went out into the
hall, and confronted a short, slight young man with exceedingly tight
trousers, a colored cambric tie, and a general air of being on the turf.
He held a white hat in one hand, and on the other, which was ungloved,
he wore a large seal ring. Katherine did not know how to say that her
uncle would not see him, but the stranger took the initiative.

"Aw--I have done myself the honor of coming in person to take Mr.
Liddell's instructions, as Mr. Newton was called out of town by very
particular business yesterday morning. I rather hoped he might return
last night, but a communication this morning informs us he will be
detained till this afternoon, not reaching town till 9.30 P.M. I am
prepared to execute any directions in my partner's stead."

He spoke with an air of condescension, as if he did Mr. Liddell a high
honor, and made a step forward. Katherine did not know what to say. It
was terrible to keep this consequential little man in the hall, and
there was literally nowhere else to take him.

"I am so sorry, but my uncle is very unwell and nervous. I do not think
he could see any one but Mr. Newton, who is an old friend, you know,"
she added, deprecatingly.

"I am his legal adviser too," returned the young man, with a slightly
offended air. "I am the senior partner and head of the house, and the
worse Mr. Liddell is, the greater the nec