she told you?" he interrupted himself to ask sternly.

"She never named his name to me," cried Katherine. "It is cruel to ask
her. And of what possible advantage would the knowledge be? Any inquiry,
any disturbance, would only punish her."

Liddell started up, and walked to and fro hastily. "That's true," he
exclaimed; "but I wish I had my hand on his throat."

"That is natural; but you must think of Rachel, she has suffered so
much."

"She has!" said George Liddell, throwing himself into his chair again.
"But you don't know the sort of pain and sweetness it is to talk of my
poor mother to her daughter! It makes a different and a better man of
me. Rachel is a strong woman," he added, after a moment's thought; "she
wishes our relationship to be kept secret. It is no credit to anyone,
she says, and might be injurious to little Marie; we can be friends, and
she need never want a few hundreds to help on her business. It seems
that to please his people her father, on returning to England, only used
his second name, which I never knew. It is a sorrowful tale for you to
listen to--you are white and trembling, my girl," he added, with sudden
familiarity,--"but I haven't done yet; you have laid me under
obligations I can never repay. I could not offer a woman like you money;
but I will pay you in kind. You have saved my dear sister, I will
provide for the nephews that are dear to you. I have already seen Newton
and my own solicitor, and laid my propositions before them. I don't
pretend to munificence for them, besides, I shall not forget either you
or them in my will, but they shall have means for a right good education
and a good start in life. Now I want you to forgive my brutality when we
first met, and, more, I want you to be my daughter's friend." He grasped
her hand.

Katherine's eyes had already brimmed over.

"Forgive you!" she repeated. "I am quite ready to forgive. I was vexed,
of course, that you should be unreasonably prejudiced against me; but I
am deeply grateful for your generosity to the boys. If you knew the joy,
the relief you have given me, it would, I am sure, gladden you. But let
us try to make Rachel happy too. I wish----"

"She is happiest in her own way. Work is the only cure for ills like
hers," interrupted Liddell. "Time will do wonders, and her wish to keep
our relationship secret is wise." There was a pause; then Liddell,
looking steadily at Katherine, exclaimed, "You are a real true,
good-he