s gave an immense sense of rest and harmony to the whole
establishment. No one knew particularly why they felt peaceful and
satisfied, but this was the true cause.

After dinner, Mrs. Bertram saw Catherine by herself. She called her into
the big drawing-room; and while Loftus and Mabel accurately measured out
a new tennis-court, asked her daughter many and various questions.

"She has really gone away, mother," said Catherine in conclusion. "I
went to the lodge early this morning, and Tester told me that she got up
early, and took a bit of bread in her pocket; but she would not even
wait for a cup of tea. Tester said she was out of the house by six
o'clock. She washed herself well first, though, and Mrs. Tester said
that she came out of her bath as fair as a lily, and her hair shining
like red gold. I thought last night, mother," concluded Catherine, "that
Josephine must be a pretty girl. I should like to have seen her this
morning when her hair shone and her face was like a lily."

"You are full of curiosity about this girl, are you not, Catherine?"
asked her mother.

"It is true, mother. I conjecture much about her."

"I can never gratify your curiosity, nor set your conjectures right."

"You know about her then, mother?"

"Yes, I know about her."

"Is Josephine an impostor?"

Mrs. Bertram paused.

"She is an impostor," she said then, in a slow, emphatic voice.

"Mother," said her daughter, suddenly. "You look very ill."

"I have gone through a bad time, Kate. I have been worried. My dear
child, be thankful you are not a middle-aged woman with many cares."

"The thing I should be most thankful for at this moment, mother, would
be to share in all your worries."

"God forbid, child. Heaven forbid that such a lot should be yours. Now,
my dear, we will keep our secret. It is only yours and mine. And--come
here--kiss me--you have acted well, my darling."

The rare caress, the unwonted word of love, went straight to Catherine
Bertram's deep heart. She put her firm young arm round her mother's
neck, and something like a vow and a prayer went up to God from her
fervent soul.

"Come out," said Mrs. Bertram. "The others will wonder what we are
doing. Look as usual, Kitty, and fear nothing. I have been in peril, but
for the present it is over."

When Mrs. Bertram appeared Loftus went up to her at once. She took his
arm, and they paced slowly under the trees. If Mrs. Bertram loved her
daughters, and there is