's death and his
own succession he would have come home, and the voyage would have saved
her life. This, I rather think, was at the root of his rancor against
you."

"How unjust! how unreasonable!" cried Katherine. "Now tell me of your
interview with Mrs. Ormonde and her husband."

"Well--ah--it was not a very agreeable half-hour. I have seldom seen so
barefaced an exhibition of selfishness. However, I think I brought them
to their senses, certainly Mrs. Ormonde, and I am determined to make
that fellow Ormonde pay something toward the education of his wife's
sons."

"I would rather not have it," said Katherine.

"Nonsense," cried the lawyer, sharply. "You or they are entitled to it,
and you shall have it. Mrs. Ormonde evidently does not want to quarrel
with you, nor is it well for the boys' sake to be at loggerheads with
their mother."

"No, certainly not; but, Mr. Newton, I can never be the same to her
again. I never can forgive her or her husband's ingratitude and want of
feeling."

"Of course not, and they know you will not; still, an open split is to
be avoided. Now, tell me, what is the employment you mentioned?"

Katherine told him, and a long confidential conversation ensued, wherein
she explained her views and intentions, and listened to her old friend's
good advice. Certain communication to Mrs. Ormonde were decided on, as
Katherine agreed with Mr. Newton that she should have no further
personal intercourse concerning business matters with her sister-in-law.

"By-the-way," said Newton, "one of the events of the last few days was a
visit from your protegee, Miss Trant. I was a good deal struck with her.
She is a pretty, delicate-looking girl, yet she's as hard as nails, and
a first-rate woman of business. She seems determined to make your
fortune, for that is just the human touch about her that interested me.
She doesn't talk about it, but her profound gratitude to you is
evidently her ruling motive. I am so persuaded that she will develop a
good business, and that you will ultimately get a high percentage for
the money you have advanced--or, as you thought, almost given--that I am
going to trust her with a little of mine, just to keep the concern free
of debt till it is safely floated."

"How very good of you!" cried Katherine. "And what a proof of your faith
in my friend! How can you call her hard? To me she is most sympathetic."

"Ay, to you. Then you see she seems to have devoted herself to you.