"I am sure," she began, in a very high key, "if I had known what I was going to encounter, I should have stayed at home. There's no justice in this world for the widow and the fatherless." "I cannot believe that Mr. Newton could be rude or unkind!" exclaimed Katherine, much startled. "I do not say he was," returned Mrs. Fred, snappishly. "But either he is a stupid old idiot, or he has been telling me abominable stories. I don't--I can't believe them! Do you know he says he, they, all the old rogues together, believe that wretched miser had destroyed his will and died intestate, and that every penny will be yours; not a sou comes to the widow and children of the nephew. It is preposterous. It is the most monstrous injustice. If it is law, an act of Parliament ought to be passed to--to do away with it. Fancy your having everything, and me, my boys and myself, dependent on _you_!"--scornful emphasis on "you." "Is this possible?" exclaimed Katherine, dropping her duster in dismay. "I thought that the property would be divided between the boys and myself." "Why, that is only common-sense! If you _do_ get everything you will be well rewarded for your three months' penal servitude. You knew what you were about, though you _do_ despise rank and riches." "But, Ada, I suppose my uncle would have destroyed his will whether I had been there or not." "No. Mr. Newton's idea is that he intended to make a new will, probably leaving you a large sum, and so destroyed the old one. Mr. Newton thinks he grew to like you. Oh! you played your cards well! But it is too hard to think you cut out my dar-arling boys," she ended, with a sob. Katherine grew very white; this outburst of fury roused her conscience. She pulled herself together in an instant of quick thought, however. "This is folly. What I have done will benefit the boys more than myself," she reflected. "I do not wonder at your being vexed, Ada," she said, gently. "But fortunately one is not compelled to act according to law. If the whole of the fortune, whatever it may be, becomes mine, do you think I would keep it all to myself?" "I am sure I don't know" said Mrs. Frederic, who had now subsided into the sulks. "When people get hold of money they seldom like to part with it; and I know you do not like _me_?" "Why should you think so, Ada? We may not agree in our tastes, but that is no reason for dislike; and you know how glad I am to be of use to you, both for your own sake and poor Fred's." "Well, I would rather not be dependent on you or any one. But there! I do not believe what that stupid old man says--I do not believe such a horrible law exists. I shall write and consult Colonel Ormonde, and find out if I could not dispute the will--no, not the will--the property. I should not like to give up my rights." "Please, Ada, do not speak so loudly. My mother had just fallen asleep before you came in; and she had such a bad night!"