denying she is a plucky one," he returned, with a gruff
laugh. "I too deny that you should consider it a misfortune for the boys
to come under my care. I owe a duty to my own son, and am not going to
play the generous step-father to his hurt. If you can't come to
advantageous terms with this--this impostor, as I verily believe he is.
I'll send the boys to the Bluecoat School or some such institution. They
have turned out very good men before this."

"I am sure we could expect no more from Colonel Ormonde, and when you
think that I shall be entirely dependent on him for"--sob--"my very
gowns"--sob--"and--and little outings--and" a total break down.

"If I am penniless," said Katherine, controlling her inclination to
scream aloud with agony, "I must accept your offer--any offer that will
provide for my nephews. If not, I will devote myself and what I have to
them. I really wish you would go and see Mr. Newton; he will make you
understand matters better than I can; and as you have come in such a
spirit, I should be glad if you would leave me. I cannot look on you as
friends, considering how you have spoken."

"By George!" interrupted the Colonel, much astonished. "This is giving
us the turn-out."

"What ingratitude!" cried his wife, with pious indignation, as she rose
and tied on her veil.

Her further utterance was arrested, for the door was thrown open, and
Francois announced, "Mr. Errington."

A great stillness fell upon them as Errington walked in, cool,
collected, well dressed, as usual.

"Very glad to meet you here, Mrs. Ormonde," he said, when he had shaken
hands with Katherine. "Miss Liddell has need of all her friends at such
a crisis. How do, Colonel; you look the incarnation of healthy country
life."

"Ah--ah; I'm very well, thank you," somewhat confusedly. "Just been
trying to persuade Miss Liddell here to dispute this preposterous claim.
I don't believe this man is the real thing."

"I am afraid he is," gravely; "I know him, for John Liddell was a friend
of my father's in early life, and I feel satisfied this man is his son."

"You do. Well, I shall speak to my own lawyers and Newton about it: one
can't give up everything at the first demand to stand and deliver."

"No; neither is it wise to throw good money after bad. We were just
going to Mr. Newton's, so I'll say good-morning. Till to-morrow,
Katherine. I'll report what Newton says."

"Good-morning, Mr. Errington," said Mrs. Ormonde, pulling