ill make if this is the case!
I can then cease, to mourn the failure of my poor powers, and let the
publishers go free. My love, I did not think anything could affect you
so much. You are white and trembling."

"I have been more anxious than you knew," returned Katherine, who felt
strangely overcome, curiously terrified, at the near approach of
success--the success she had ventured on so daring an act to secure. "I
greatly feared some other claimant--some other will, I mean--might be
found."

"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 ca