ellow."

"It is all too dreadful," said Mrs. Ormonde, in tearful tones. "To think
that you will allow yourself to be robbed, and permit the dear boys to
be reduced to beggary, for a mere crochet--it is too bad. I never will
believe this horrid man is the person he represents himself to be;
never."

"I wish you would go and speak to Mr. Newton. He would explain the folly
of resisting."

"And how do you know that he is not bribed?" returned Mrs. Ormonde, with
a little sob. "Every one knows what dreadful wretches lawyers are. And
though I dare say you meant well, Katherine, but having induced us to
believe you would provide for the boys, it is a little hard--indeed very
hard--on Colonel Ormonde to have them thrown back on his hands, and it
is really your duty to do something to relieve us."

"Back on my hands!" echoed the Colonel. "I'll not take them back. Why
should I? I have been completely swindled in the whole business. I am
the last man to support another fellow's brats. Why didn't that old
lawyer of yours ascertain whether your uncle's son was dead or alive
before he let you pounce upon the property and play Lady Bountiful with
what did not belong to you?" And Colonel Ormonde paced the room in a
fury, all chivalrous tradition melting away in the fierce heat of
disappointed greed.

"You have no right to find fault with me," cried Katherine, stung to
self-assertion. "I did well and generously by your children and
yourself, Ada (I must say so, as you seem to forget it). There is more
cause to sympathize with me in the reverse that has befallen me than to
throw the blame of what is inevitable on one who is a greater sufferer
than yourselves. Do you not know that the worst pang my bitterest
enemy--had I one--could inflict is to feel I must give up the boys?
Matters are still unsettled, but if my cousin can be induced to deal
mercifully with me, and not absorb my little all to liquidate what is
legally due to him, I will gladly keep Cis and Charlie, and give them
what I have, rather than throw them on Colonel Ormonde's charity. I am
deeply sorry for your disappointment, but I have done nothing to
irritate Colonel Ormonde into forgetting what is due to a lady and his
wife's benefactress." Katherine was thoroughly roused, and stood, head
erect, with glowing eyes, and soft red lips curling with disdain.

"I always said she was violent; didn't' I, Duke?" sobbed Mrs. Ormonde.
"Katherine, you do amaze me."

"There is no