Day dawned bright and clear, and the little party met as usual at breakfast. Neither mother nor daughter had breathed a word of their hopes or fears to the pretty widow. Breakfast over, they all dispersed to their usual avocations. Katherine, downstairs, was consulting cook, and Mrs. Liddell was wearily sorting and tearing up papers, when the servant came into the study and said, "Please, 'm, there's a gentleman wanting you.' "Where have you put him?" asked Mrs. Liddell, glancing at the card presented to her, on which was printed, "Mr. C. B. Newton, 26 Manchester Buildings." "He is by the door, 'm." "Oh, show him into the dining-room. Where is Mrs. Frederic?" "Gone out, 'm." "I will come directly," and Mrs. Liddell hastily locked a drawer and put a weight on her papers; "Tell Miss Liddell to come to me," she said as she passed. A short, thick-set man of more than middle age, slightly bald, with an upturned nose, quiet, watchful eyes of no particular color, and small sandy mutton-chop whiskers, was standing near the window when she entered. He made a quick bow, and stepped nearer "Mrs. Liddell?" he asked. "Yes, I am Mrs. Liddell." "I have called on the part of my client, Mr. John Liddell, of Legrave Crescent, to make certain inquiries. This note, which I received from him yesterday afternoon, will explain the object of my visit." "Pray sit down, Mr. Newton"--taking a chair as she spoke, while she read the small, crabbed, tremulous characters written on the page presented to her. The note contained directions to call on Mrs. Liddell and ascertain if she really was the widow of his late brother; also what security she could offer for a small loan. Her color rose faintly as she read. "You must not regard the plainness of business phraseology," said the visitor, in dry, precise tones. "My client means no offence." "Nor do I mean to take any," she replied, handing him back the note. "Pray how am I to prove my own identity?" "It would not, I suppose, be very difficult; but, as it happens, _I_ can be your witness. I quite well remember seeing you with Mr. Liddell, your late husband, some sixteen or seventeen years ago." "Indeed! I am surprised that I do not recall you. I generally have a good memory, but--" "_I_ am not surprised. I was unhappily the bearer of an unpleasant message, which excited Mr. Liddell considerably, and your attention was absorbed by your efforts to calm him." "I remember," said Mrs. Liddell, coloring deeply. "It was a trying time." "We will consider this inquiry answered. As regards the loan"--the door opening to admit Katherine interrupted him; he rose and bowed formally when her mother named her; then he resumed his sentence--"as regards the loan, I must first know the amount it is proposed to borrow, in order to judge of the security offered." "I asked my uncle for thirty pounds, but I should be very glad if he would lend us forty."