he next orders, three months' credit, and my orders are increasing. I
am sure it is of great importance to have materials for customers to
choose from. Ladies like to be saved the trouble of shopping, and I can
give a dress at a more moderate rate, if I provide everything, than they
can buy it piecemeal. I hope to double the business this season, and pay
you a good percentage. Even on credit I can venture to order a fair
supply of goods."

"Don't try credit yet, Rachel," said Katherine, earnestly. "I can give
you a check now, and after this you can stand alone."

"Are you quite sure you can do this without inconvenience?" asked
Rachel. "If you can, I will accept it. I begin to feel sure I shall be
able to develop a good business and what will prove valuable property to
you. It is an ambition that has quite filled my heart, and in devoting
myself to it I have found the first relief from despair--a despair that
possessed my soul whenever you were out of my sight. When I am not
thinking of gowns and garnitures, I am adding up all the money you have
sunk in this adventure, and planning how it may ultimately pay you six
per cent. over and above expenses. It does not sound a very heroic style
of gratitude, but it is practical, and I believe feasible."

"You are intensely real," said Katherine, "and I believe you will be
successful."

After discussing a few more points connected with the undertaking they
parted, and before Katherine dressed for dinner she wrote and despatched
the promised check.

De Burgh had throughout this period conducted himself with prudence and
discretion. He often called about tea-time, and frequently managed to
meet Katherine in the evening, but he carefully maintained a frank,
friendly tone, even when expressing in his natural brusque way his
admiration of herself or her dress. He talked pleasantly to Miss Payne,
and subscribed to many of Bertie's charities. Katherine was getting
quite used to him, though they disagreed and argued a good deal. She
sometimes tried to persuade herself that De Burgh had given up his
original pretentions and would be satisfied with platonics. But her
inner consciousness rejected the theory. Still, De Burgh came to be
recognized as a favored suitor by society, and the "mothers, the
cousins, and the aunts" of eligible young men shook their heads over the
mistake she was making.

Now, after mature consideration, Katherine determined to make the will
she had so long po