To
me she turned a very hard bit of her shell. No matter. I think she is
the sort of woman to succeed. You have not seen her since--since her
visit to me?"

"No. I have not been to see her because--not because I was busy, but
idle and depressed. I will not be so any more. So many friends have been
true and helpful to me that I should be ashamed of feeling depressed. I
will endeavor to prove myself a first-rate secretary, and be a credit to
you, my dear good friend."

"That you will always be, I'm sure," returned Newton, warmly.

"Now you must run away, my dear young lady, for I have fifty things to
do. Your friend Miss Trant will tell you all that passed between us, and
what her plans are."

"I am going to pay her a visit this evening. I do not like to trouble
her either in the morning or afternoon, she is so busy. But I always
enjoy a talk with her. She is really very well informed, and rather
original."

"I believe she will turn out well. Good-by, my dear Miss Liddell. I
assure you, you are not more relieved by the result of the morning's
consultation than I am."

CHAPTER XXVIII.

KATHERINE IN OFFICE.

The beginning of a new life is rarely agreeable, and when the newness
consists of poverty in place of riches, of service instead of complete
freedom, occupations not particularly congenial instead of the exercise
of unfettered choice, in such matters--why, the contrast is rather
trying.

A fortnight after the interview just described, Katherine was thoroughly
settled with Mrs. Needham.

Although she justly considered herself most fortunate in finding a home
so easily, with so pleasant and kindly a patroness, she would have been
more or less than human had she not felt the change which had befallen
her. Mrs. Ormonde's conduct, too, had wounded her, more than it ought,
perhaps, for she always knew her sister-in-law to be shallow and
selfish, but not to the degree which she had lately betrayed.

Her constant prayer was that she should be spared the torture of having
to give up her dear boys to such a mother and such a step-father. She
thought she saw little, loving, delicate Charlie shrinking into himself,
and withering under the contemptuous indifference neglect of the
Castleford household; and Cis--bolder and stronger--hardening into
defiance or deceit under the same influence.

By the sort of agreement arrived at between Mr. Newton and Mrs. Ormonde,
it was decided that so long as Katherine provi