you will be robbed and
plundered to no end."

"I hope not. Here is tea, and Miss Payne. I will come and see you
to-morrow early, and bring some little presents for the boys."

CHAPTER XII.

"I WAS A STRANGER AND YE TOOK ME IN."

Mrs. Ormonde lingered as long as she could. Bond Street was paradise to
her, Regent Street an Elysian Field. While she staid she gave her
sister-in-law little peace, and until she had departed Katherine did not
attempt to go into business matters with Mr. Newton. She was half
amused, half disgusted, at Mrs. Ormonde's perpetual reminders, hints,
and innuendoes touching the settlement on her boys. Ada was the same as
ever, yet Katherine liked her for the sake of the memories she evoked
and shared.

It was quite a relief when she left town, and Katherine felt once more
her own mistress. Her heart yearned for her little nephews, but she felt
it was wiser to wait and see them at home rather than send for them at
present. She greatly feared that the new baby, the son of a living,
prosperous father, was pushing the sons of the first husband--who had
taken his unlucky self out of the world, where he had been anything but
a success--from their place in her affections.

Meantime she held frequent consultations with Mr. Newton, who was very
devoted to her service, and anxious to do his best for her. He
remonstrated earnestly with her on her over-generosity to her nephews.
"Provide for them if you will, my dear young lady, but believe me you
are by no means called upon to _divide_ your property with them. Do not
make them too independent of you; hold something in your hand. Besides,
you do not know what considerations may arise to make you regret too
great liberality."

"I have very little use for money now," said Katherine, sadly.

"You have always been remarkably moderate in your expenditure," returned
the lawyer, who had the entire management of her affairs. "But now you
will probably like to establish yourself in London, say, for
headquarters."

"Not for the present. I shall stay where I am until some plan of life
suggests itself."

"Perhaps you are right, and certainly you are a very prudent young
lady."

This conversation took place in Mr. Newton's office, and after some
further discussion Katherine was persuaded to settle a third instead of
the half of her property on her nephews, out of which a jointure was to
be paid to Mrs. Ormonde.

"I wish I could have the boys with me,