Fancy, she has absolutely agreed to live
with this Miss Payne for a year before consulting us, or asking our
consent--or--or anything!"
"Is she not a minor?"
"She will be of age in a week or two, and it makes me quite nervous to
think that other influences may prevent her keeping her promise to my
boys. It is a mercy she did not marry some greedy foreigner while she
was under age. Fortunately, men never seemed to take a fancy to
Katherine."
"They will be pretty sure to take a fancy to her money."
"I think she lived so quietly people did not suspect her of having any.
She is awfully cut up about the death of her mother, and does not go
anywhere. I hope she will come down here next week. The only person I am
afraid of is a horrid stiff old lawyer who seems to be her right hand
man. He went over to Paris when Mrs. Liddell died, and did everything,
instead of sending for Colonel Ormonde! I felt quite hurt about it."
"Ha! a shrewd old lawyer is bad to beat," said De Burgh, looking at his
lively informant with half-closed eyes and an amused expression. "I
wouldn't be too sure of your sister if I were you. Under such guidance
the young lady may alter her generous intentions."
"Pray do not say such horrible things, Mr.
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