possible in her
own home. She liked having enough servants to do all the work, and
relieve both her and Willy. She liked to be able to drive out when she
wanted to, or to invite a few of her friends to dinner or to tea, and to
give them the very best the markets afforded of everything she thought
they might like; but she was not a satisfied woman.

It was true that Mr. Burke was doing all that he could with her money,
and doing it well, she had not the slightest doubt; but, after all, a
new dining-room was a matter of small importance. She had fears that
even after it was all finished and paid for she would find that her
income had gained upon her.

As often as once a day the argument came to her that it would be wise
for her to give away the bulk of her fortune in charity, and thus rid
herself of the necessity for this depressing struggle between her desire
to live as she wanted to live, and the obligations to herself under
which her fortune placed her; but she could not consent to thus part
with her great fortune. She would not turn her back upon her golden
opportunities. As soon as she had so determined her life that the
assertion of her riches would not interfere with her domestic and
social affairs, she would be charitable enough, she would do good works
upon a large scale; but she must first determine what she was to do for
herself, and so let her charities begin at home.

This undecided state of mind did not have a good effect upon her general
appearance, and it was frequently remarked that her health was not what
it used to be. Miss Nancy Shott thought there was nothing to wonder at
in this. Mrs. Cliff had never been accustomed to spend money, and it was
easy to see, from the things she had bought abroad and put into that
little house, that she had expended a good deal more than she could
afford, and no wonder she was troubled, and no wonder she was looking
thin and sick.

Other friends, however, did not entirely agree with Miss Shott. They
thought their old friend was entirely too sensible a woman to waste a
fortune, whether it had been large or small, which had come to her in so
wonderful a manner; and they believed she had money enough to live on
very comfortably. If this were not the case, she would never consent to
keep a carriage almost for Willy Croup's sole use.

They thought, perhaps, that the example and companionship of Mr. Burke
might have had an effect upon her. It was as likely as not that she