d Katherine, letting him take her cold trembling
hand, "is it possible you can love and trust a woman who has acted a lie
for years as I have?"

"I cannot help both loving and trusting you, utterly," he returned,
holding her hand tenderly in both his own. "I believe in your truth as I
believe in the reality of the sun's light, and if you can love me I
believe I can make you happy. I have but a humble lot to offer you, yet
I think it is--it will be a tranquil and secure one. I can help you in
bringing up those boys, I will never quarrel with you for clinging to
them, and will do the best I can for them! You know _I_ have a
creditor's claim; Roman law gave the debtor over into the hands of the
creditor," continued Errington, growing bolder as he felt how her hand
trembled in his grasp; "you must pay me by the surrender of yourself, by
accepting a life for a life. Katherine----"

"Ah! how can I answer you? If indeed you can trust and respect me, I can
and will love you well," she exclaimed, with the sweet frankness which
always enchanted him.

"Will you love me with the whole unstinted love of your rich nature? I
cannot spare a grain," said Errington, jealously.

"But I do love you," murmured Katherine; "I am almost frightened at
loving you so much."

Could it be cold, composed, immovable Errington who strained her so
closely to his heart, whose lips clung so passionately to hers?

"I have a great deal to tell you," began Katherine, when she had
extricated herself and recovered some composure. "But I must go and see
poor Miss Payne; she will wonder what has become of me."

"Tell her you are obliged to talk to me of business, and come back soon.
I have much to consult you about, and I can only remain till to-morrow
evening--do not stay away."

And Katherine returned very soon.

"Miss Payne is dreadfully puzzled," she said, smiling and blushing,
quivering in every vein with the strange, almost awful happiness which
overwhelmed her.

"Now, what have you to tell me?" asked Errington, and she gave him a
full description of George Liddell's visit and proposal to provide for
Cis and Charlie.

Errington was too happy to heed the details much, he only remarked that
he was glad Liddell had come to his right mind.

"I want you to tell Miss Payne as soon as possible our new plans; she is
coming downstairs this evening, you say? Let me break the news to her. I
think she will give us her blessing; and, Katherine, my sweet