it left behind? Nothing of good to any
human being; no blessing of loving-kindness, of help and sympathy, to
any suffering brother wayfarer on life's high-road; nothing but hard,
naked gold--gold which, from what she had heard, would go to one already
abundantly provided. Ah, she must not think of that gold so sorely
needed, or bad, unseemly ideas would master her!

But Mr. Newton was speaking. "It is fortunate I was here to be some stay
to you," he said; "the shock must be very great, and--" He interrupted
himself hastily to exclaim, "Here is the doctor! I shall go with him
into our poor friend's room; let me find you here when I come back."
Katherine bent her head, and remained in the same attitude, thinking,
thinking.

How long it was before the kind lawyer returned she did not know; but he
came and stood by her, the doctor behind him.

"It is as I supposed," said Newton, in a low tone. "Life is quite
extinct." Katherine rose and confronted them, looking very white.

"Yes," added the doctor; "death must have been instantaneous. Your uncle
was in a condition which made him liable to succumb under the slightest
shock. Can you give me paper and ink? I will write a certificate at
once. Then, Miss Liddell, I shall look to you."

Katherine placed the writing materials before him silently, and watched
him trace the lines; then he handed the paper to Mr. Newton, saying,
"You will see to what is necessary I presume," and rising he took
Katherine's hand and felt her pulse. "Very unsteady indeed; I would
recommend a glass of wine now, and at night a composing draught, which I
will send. If I can do nothing more I must go on my rounds. I shall be
at home again about six, should you require my services in any way."

He went out, followed by Mr. Newton, and they spoke together for a few
moments before the doctor entered his carriage and drove off.

"Now, my dear," said Mr. Newton, when he returned--the startling event
of the morning seemed to have taken off the sharp edge of his
precision--"what shall you do? I suppose you would like to go home. It
would be rather trying for you to stay here."

"To go home!" returned Katherine, slowly. "Yes, I should, oh, very much!
but I will not go. My uncle never was unkind to me, and I will stay in
his house until he is laid in his last resting place. Yet I do not like
to stay alone. May I have my mother with me?"

"Yes, by all means. I tell you what, I will drive over and break the