To Katherine it was like fresh life to return to the natural cheerful routine of her daily cares and employments, to struggle good-humoredly with indifferent servants, to do battle with her little nephews over their lessons, to walk with them and tell them stories.  At times she almost forgot that the diligently sought will lay in its innocent-looking cover among her clothes, or that any results would flow from her daring and criminal act; then again the consciousness of having weighted her life with a secret she must never reveal would press painfully upon her, and make her greedy for the moment when Mr. Newton would relinquish the search, and she should reap the harvest she expected.

She never believed that her uncle was as rich as Ada supposed, but she did hope for a small fortune which might secure comfort and ease.

Mrs. Frederic Liddell was a real affliction during this period.  The idea of inheriting John Liddell’s supposed wealth was never absent from her thoughts, and seldom from her lips.  Even the boys were infected by her gorgeous anticipations.

“I shall have a pony like that, and a groom to ride beside me,” Cecil would cry when his attention was caught by any young equestrian.  “And I will give you a ride, auntie.  Shall you have a carriage too, or will you drive with mammy?”

“And I shall have a beautiful dog, like Mrs. Burnett’s, and a garden away in the country,” was Charlie’s scheme.  “You shall come and dig in it, auntie.”

“Do not think of such things, my dears,” was auntie’s usual reply.  “I am afraid we shall never be any richer than we are; so you must be diligent boys, and work hard to make fortunes for yourselves.”

“Where did Uncle Liddell keep all his money?” was one of Cecil’s questions in reply.  “Did he keep it in big bags downstairs?  He hadn’t a nice house; it was quite a nasty one.”

“Had he a big place in a cave, with trees that grow rubies and diamonds and beautiful things?” added Charlie.

“Why doesn’t mamma buy us some ponies now?” continued Cis; “we should be some time learning to ride.”

“I will not listen to you any more if you talk so foolishly.  Try and think of something else—­of the Christmas pantomime.  You know grannie says you shall go if you do your lessons well,” returned Katherine.

“It isn’t silly!” exclaimed Cecil.  “Mammy tells us we must take care of her when we are rich men, and that we shall be able to hold up our heads as high as any one. I can hold up my head now.”

Such conversations were of frequent occurrence, and kept Katherine in a state of mental irritation.

Toward the end of October Mrs. Burnett brought relief in the shape of an invitation to Mrs. Frederic.

The Burnett family were spending the “dark days before Christmas” at Brighton, and thither hied the lively young widow in great glee.  Things generally went smoother in her absence; the boys were more obedient, the meals more punctual.