She kept her sister-in-law quiet by a handsome present of money
wherewith to buy a fresh outfit for herself and her boys. Finally she
roused up sufficiently to persuade Mrs. Liddell to see an eminent
physician, for she did not seem to gather strength as rapidly as her
daughter expected.
The great man, after a careful examination, said there was nothing very
wrong; the nervous system seemed to be a good deal exhausted, and the
bronchial attack of the previous year had left the lungs delicate, but
that with care she might live to old age.
He directed, however, that Mrs. Liddell should go as soon as possible to
a southern climate. He recommended Cannes or San Remo--indeed it would
be advisable that several winters in future should be spent in a more
genial atmosphere than that of England.
This advice exactly suited the wishes both of Katherine and her mother.
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.
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