How easy it was to make arrangements in their altered circumstances! How magical are the effects of money! How quickly Katherine grew accustomed to the unwonted ease of her present lot! _If_--oh, if--she were ever found out, how should she bear it? How could she endure the pinch of poverty, added to the poison of shame? But the idea that all this wealth was really _hers_ gained on her, while her fears were lulled to sleep by a pleasant sense of comfort and security. Mrs. Frederic Liddell was a good deal disturbed on hearing that her mother-in-law was ordered abroad. "Pray what is to become of _me_?" was her first question when Katherine announced the doctor's verdict. They were sitting over the fire in the drawing-room, after the boys had said good-night. "Would you prefer staying in England?" asked Mrs. Liddell. "For some reasons I should, but you know I _must_ have something to live on." "I know that," returned Katherine. "As I cannot execute any any deed of gift for two years, I think I had better give you an allowance for yourself and the boys, and let you do as you like. I have talked with Mr. Newton about it." "Well, dear, I think it _would_ be the best plan," said Mrs. Frederic, amiably. "I have not the least scruple in taking the money, because you know it ought really to be ours." "Exactly," returned Katherine, with a slight smile, and she named so liberal a sum that even Mrs. Fred was satisfied. "Well, I am sure that is very nice, dear," she said; "and when you are of age will you settle it on my precious boys?" "I will," replied Katherine, deliberately; "and I hope always to see a great deal of them." "Of course you will, but you will not long be Katherine Liddell. When Mr. Wright comes, my boys will get leave to stay with their mother as much as they like." "I do not think I shall easily forget them, even if Mr. Wright appears," said Katherine, good-humoredly. "What a strange girl Katie is!" pursued her sister-in-law. "Was she never in love, Mrs. Liddell? Had she never any admirers?" "Not that I know of, Ada." "Oh! I have been in love many times!" cried Katherine, laughing. "Don't you remember, mother, the Russian prince I used to dance with at Madame du Lac's juvenile parties?--I made quite a romance about him; and that young Austrian--I forget his name--whom we met at Stuttgart, Baron Holdenberg's nephew; he was charming, to say nothing of Lohengrin and Tannhauser. I have quite a long list of loves, Ada. Oh, I _should_ like to dance again! To float round to the music of a delightful Austrian band would be charming." "My dear Katherine, that is all nonsense, as you will find out one day." Then, after some moments of evidently severe reflection, her brows knit, and her soft baby-like lips pressed together she said: "I think I should like to move nearer town, and get a nice nursery governess for Cis and Charlie, and--Don't you think it would be a good plan?"