ce of George
Liddell had thrown her, and which Mr. Newton's words increased. What was
to become of Cis and Charlie if she were beggared? She could not face
the prospect. There was still a way of escape left, a glimpse of which
had been given to her as she listened to her cousin's vindictive
utterances. If she could prevail on Errington to produce the will and
assert his right, he would provide for those poor innocent boys, and
never ask _her_ for any of the money she had spent. Maybe he would share
with George himself. She must see Errington at once, and with the
strictest secrecy. Her thoughts cleared as, bit by bit, her plan
unfolded itself in her busy brain. Then she made up her mind. Touching
the check-string, she desired the driver to stop at a small fancyware
and stationer's shop near Miss Payne's house. Arrived there, she
dismissed the carriage, saying she would walk home.

"Give me paper and an envelope: I want to write a few lines," she said
to the smiling shopwoman, who knew her to be one of their best
customers.

Having traced a few words entreating Errington to see her early next
day--should he happen to be out or engaged--she hailed a hansome, and
went as quickly as she could to his lodgings in the Temple.

It was quite different, this second visit, from the first. He now knew
all, and in spite of her fears and profound uneasiness she felt a thrill
of pleasure at the idea of the necessity for taking counsel with him,
the prospect of half an hour's undisturbed communication, of hearing his
voice, and feeling his kind forgiving glance. Still it was an awful
trial too--to tell him the upshot of her dishonesty, the confusion she
had wrought by her deviation into a crooked path. She was trembling from
head to foot by the time she reached Errington's abode.

A severe-looking woman, a caretaker apparently, was on the stair as
Katherine ascended, feeling dreadfully puzzled what to do, as she
feared having to knock in vain and go away without leaving her note.

"Can you tell me if Mr. Errington is at home?" she asked, timidly, quite
frightened at the sound of her own voice in so strange a place.

"I am sure I don't know, miss. I dare say he's gone out. He is up the
next flight."

"May I ask you to inquire if he is in? If not, would you be so kind as
to leave this note?"

The woman took it with a rather discontented suspicious air, but finding
it was accompanied by a coin of the realm, went on her errand wit