Part 27 (1/2)
”I have been more anxious than you knew,” returned Katherine, who felt strangely overcome, curiously terrified, at the near approach of success--the success she had ventured on so daring an act to secure. ”I greatly feared some other claimant--some other will, I mean--might be found.”
”Yes, I feared too. Yet there could be no claimant, apart from another will. Poor George, your uncle's only son, was killed, I remember. Take a little water, dear, and sit down. No, I did not fear another claimant when I thought, but I feared to hope too much.”
”I feel all right now, mother. Such a prospect does not kill. Suppose we say nothing to Ada--she will worry our lives out--not at least till we know our fate certainly?”
”Perhaps it will be better not.”
”And whatever I get we will share with the dear children, and give Ada some too. Oh, darling mother, think of our being alone together again, and tolerably at ease!”
It would be wearisome to the reader were the details of the interview with Mr. Newton minutely recorded.
He was evidently relieved and delighted to announce that all attempts to find the will had failed, and explained at some length to his very attentive listeners the steps to be taken and the particulars of the property bequeathed; how it devolved on Katherine to take out letters of administration; how at her age she had the power of choosing her own guardian for the two years which must elapse before she was of age; and finally that the large amount of which she had become mistress was so judiciously invested that he (Mr. Newton) could advise no change save the transference of stock to her name.
As it dawned upon Katherine that the sum she inherited amounted to something over eighty thousand pounds, she felt dizzy with surprise and fear. She had no idea she had been playing for such stakes. The sense of sudden responsibility pressed upon her; her hands trembled and her cheek paled.
”My dear young lady, you look as if you had met a loss instead of gaining a fortune,” said Mr. Newton, looking kindly at her. ”I have no doubt you will make a good use of your money, and I trust will enjoy many happy days.”
”But my nephews, my sister-in-law, do they get nothing?”
”Not a penny. Of course you can, when of age, settle some portion upon them.”
”I certainly will; but in the mean time--”
”In the mean time I will take care that you have a proper allowance.”
”Thank you, dear Mr. Newton. Do get me something big enough to make us all comfortable, and I can share with Ada--with Mrs. Frederic. I do so want to take my mother abroad, and I could not leave Ada and the boys unless they were well provided for.”
”Make your mind easy; the court will allow you a handsome income. So you must cheer up, in spite of the infliction of a large fortune,” added Mr.
Newton, with unwonted jocularity.
”Both Katherine and myself are warmly grateful for your kind sympathy,”
said Mrs. Liddell, softly. Then, after a short pause, she asked, ”Do you know what became of Mr. Liddell's unfortunate wife?”
”She died eleven or twelve years ago. The family of--of the man she lived with had the audacity to apply for money, on account of her funeral, I think, and so I came to know she was dead. It was a sad business. The poor woman had a wretched life, but I don't think she was in any want.”
”I only asked, because if she was in poverty--”
”Oh,” interrupted the lawyer, ”if she were alive, she would have her share of the estate, as her marriage was never dissolved.”
A short pause ensued, and then Newton asked if Miss Liddell would like some money, as he would be happy to draw a check for any sum she required. Then, indeed, Katherine felt that her days of difficulty were over.
Mrs. Liddell and her daughter were in no hurry to leave their humble home. In truth Katherine was more frightened than elated at the amount of property she had inherited, and would have felt a little less guilty had she only succeeded in obtaining a moderate competence.
A curious stunned feeling made her incapable of her usual activity for the first few days, and averse even to plan for the future.
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.