looking up, and perceiving that Katherine
was agitated.

"A telegram from Ada. They will be here about five this afternoon."

"Well, never mind. There is nothing in that to scare you."

"I am not scared, but I wish that interview was over."

"Yes; I shall be glad when it is; though I shall not obtrude on his
Royal Highness. (I suppose he is coming as well as she.) I shall be in
the house, so you can send for me if you want me."

"Thank you, Miss Payne; you are very good to me. I feel that I ought not
to stay here crowding up your house."

"Nonsense! I am not in such a hurry to find a new inmate. I shall not
like any one as well as you. I wish I could give up and live in a neat
little cottage, but I cannot. Indeed, if you think I may, I should like
to mention this deplorable change in your fortunes to Mrs. Needham. She
knows every one, and can bring all sorts of people together if she
likes."

"By all means, Miss Payne. There is no reason why you should not."

And after a little more conversation Katherine went back to her
occupation of arranging her belongings and wardrobe, that when the
moment of parting came she might be quite ready to go.

To wait patiently for that which you know will be painful is torture of
no mean order. It was somewhat curtailed for Katherine on that memorable
day, for Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde arrived half an hour sooner than she
expected.

They had driven direct from the station to Wilton Street, and Katherine
saw at a glance that both were greatly disturbed.

"Katherine, what is the meaning of your dreadful letter?" cried Mrs.
Ormonde, without any previous greeting, while the Colonel barked a gruff
"How d'ye do?"

"My letter, Ada, I am sorry to say, meant what it said," returned
Katherine, sadly. "Do sit down, and let us discuss what is best to be
done."

"What can be done?" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde, bursting into tears.

"For God's sake, don't let us have tears and nonsense," said Colonel
Ormonde, roughly. "Tell me, Katherine, is it possible Newton means to
give in to this impostor? Why does he not demand proper proof, and throw
the whole business into chancery?"

"I am sure Mr. Newton could not doubt George Liddell's story. He could
not go back from his own involuntary recognition, nor could I pretend to
doubt what I believe is true."

"Pooh! that is high-flown bosh. You need not say what you do or do not
believe. All you have to do is to throw the onus of proof on this
f