Katy thanked her, and Grace led her to a small chair directly under the mischievous-looking lady in the frame; and she felt a kind of satisfaction in being placed out of her sight. But it seemed, even then, as she cast a furtive glance upward, that those roguish eyes were trying to peer over the picture frame, and get a look at her. "Well, little girl, what do you wish with me?" said Mrs. Gordon, a benevolent looking lady, apparently of more than forty years of age, who now entered the room. The expression of her countenance was very pleasant, and though there were a few wrinkles on her brow and she wore a lace cap, Katy came to the conclusion that the portrait had been taken for her. She wondered if such a dignified lady could ever have been so roguish as the picture indicated. "Please, ma'am," stammered she, rising from her chair, "I come to see you about the house we live in." "What is your name, child?" "Katy Redburn, ma'am." "In what house do you live in?" "In one of yours in Colvin Court. Mother is a poor woman, and has been sick so much this summer that she can't pay the rent." "I am very sorry for you, my child, but I refer you to my agent, Dr. Flynch. I do not like to meddle with these things, as I have given him the whole care of my houses. You will find him a very good man, and one who will be willing to consider your case. He will extend to you all the lenity your case requires." "We have told Dr. Flynch all about it, ma'am and he says if the rent is not paid by one o'clock to-day, he shall turn us out of the house." "Indeed!" exclaimed Mrs. Gordon; and Grace actually jumped out of her chair with astonishment and indignation. "Yes, ma'am; that's just what he said," added Katy, satisfied with the impression she had produced. "Is your mother ill now?" asked Mrs. Gordon. "Yes ma'am; she has not been off her bed for twelve weeks." "What does Dr. Flynch say, my child?" "He says my mother deceived him; that she told him a falsehood; and that she had money, when she didn't have a cent." "It is too bad, mother!" exclaimed Grace. "Hush, Grace; probably Dr. Flynch knows best, for he certainly would not turn a poor sick woman out of doors because she did not pay the rent. There may be, as he says, some deception about it, which he can penetrate and we cannot." "There is no deception about it, ma'am," pleaded Katy, much disturbed by this sudden damper upon her hopes. "She has not got a single cent. She wouldn't tell a lie, and I wouldn't either."