"Loud? I am not talking loudly. You mean to insinuate I am in a passion? I am nothing of the kind. I am perfectly cool, but determined--determined to have justice, and my fair share of this man's wealth!" "It may not be wealth; it may be only competence, and it is not ours to share yet." "Not yours, you mean; that is what you _thought_, Katherine. And as to wealth, I believe that cruel old miser was _enor_mously rich! Where are the boys?" "Out walking with Lottie. I am _so_ glad they were not in to hear all this! Do not talk to them of being rich, dear Ada; it puts unhealthy ideas into their minds, and--" "Upon my word! I like to hear _you_, a mere girl, not quite nineteen yet, advising me, a mother, a married woman, about my own children. You need not presume on your expected riches. _I'll_ never play the part of a poor relation, and submit to be lectured by _you_." Her sister-in-law's stings and passing fits of ill-humor never irritated Katherine unless they worried her mother, nor did this most unwonted outburst of irrepressible indignation, but it distressed her. "Come, Ada, don't be cross," she said. "It was perhaps want of tact in me to suggest anything, though my idea is right enough. It is quite natural that you should be awfully vexed. Perhaps Mr. Newton _is_ wrong; at all events, if the law is unjust, _I_ need not act unjustly, and believe me, I _will_ not." "I hope not," returned the young widow, a little mollified. "I always believe you haven't a bad heart, Katherine, though you have a disagreeble sullen temper. Now _I_ am too open; you see the worst of me at once; but I do not remember unkindness; and if you do what is right in this, I--I shall always speak of you as you deserve. Do get me something to eat; I am awfully hungry, and though I hate beer, I will take some; it is better than nothing. How _you_ go on on water I cannot imagine; it will ruin your digestion." So they went amicably enough into the dining-room together, one to be ministered to, the other to minister. Here the boys joined them; but for a wonder their mother was silent respecting her visit to the lawyer, and soon went away to write to Colonel Ormonde, on whom she had conferred, unasked, the office of prime counsellor and referee. This opened up a splendid field for letters full of flattering appeals to his wisdom and judgment, and touching little confessions of her own weakness, folly, and need for guidance. "DEAR MISS LIDDELL,--I should be glad if you could call on Tuesday next about one o'clock. I have various documents to show you, or I should not give you the trouble to come here. If Mrs. Liddell is disengaged and could come also it would be well. I am yours faithfully, A. NEWTON." Such was the letter which the first post brought to Katherine about six weeks after the death of John Liddell.