Newton thinks
he grew to like you. Oh! you played your cards well! But it is too hard
to think you cut out my dar-arling boys," she ended, with a sob.

Katherine grew very white; this outburst of fury roused her conscience.
She pulled herself together in an instant of quick thought, however.
"This is folly. What I have done will benefit the boys more than
myself," she reflected.

"I do not wonder at your being vexed, Ada," she said, gently. "But
fortunately one is not compelled to act according to law. If the whole
of the fortune, whatever it may be, becomes mine, do you think I would
keep it all to myself?"

"I am sure I don't know" said Mrs. Frederic, who had now subsided into
the sulks. "When people get hold of money they seldom like to part with
it; and I know you do not like _me_?"

"Why should you think so, Ada? We may not agree in our tastes, but that
is no reason for dislike; and you know how glad I am to be of use to
you, both for your own sake and poor Fred's."

"Well, I would rather not be dependent on you or any one. But there! I
do not believe what that stupid old man says--I do not believe such a
horrible law exists. I shall write and consult Colonel Ormonde, and find
out if I could not dispute the will--no, not the will--the property. I
should not like to give up my rights."

"Please, Ada, do not speak so loudly. My mother had just fallen asleep
before you came in; and she had such a bad night!"

"Loud? I am not talking loudly. You mean to insinuate I am in a
passion? I am nothing of the kind. I am perfectly cool, but
determined--determined to have justice, and my fair share of this man's
wealth!"

"It may not be wealth; it may be only competence, and it is not ours to
share yet."

"Not yours, you mean; that is what you _thought_, Katherine. And as to
wealth, I believe that cruel old miser was _enor_mously rich! Where are
the boys?"

"Out walking with Lottie. I am _so_ glad they were not in to hear all
this! Do not talk to them of being rich, dear Ada; it puts unhealthy
ideas into their minds, and--"

"Upon my word! I like to hear _you_, a mere girl, not quite nineteen
yet, advising me, a mother, a married woman, about my own children. You
need not presume on your expected riches. _I'll_ never play the part of
a poor relation, and submit to be lectured by _you_."

Her sister-in-law's stings and passing fits of ill-humor never irritated
Katherine unless they worried her mother, nor did this