Gravely and in silence Mr. Newton was conducted to the drawing-room, the
best bedroom, Mrs. Liddell's, and the children's rooms. The examination
was swiftly accomplished. Then the sedate lawyer returned to the
dining-room and began to put on his right-hand glove. "I presume," he
said--"it is a mere, formal question--I presume there is no claim or
lien upon your goods and chattels?"

"None whatever. I want a little temporary help until--" She paused.

"My mother has been successful in writing short stories. Channing &
Wyndham have a three-volume novel of hers now, and I am sure they will
take it; then she can pay Mr. Liddell easily."

The lawyer smiled a queer little withered, half-developed smile. "I
trust your anticipations may be verified," he said. "Now, my dear madam,
I need intrude on you no longer; I shall go on to see Mr. Liddell. But
though I shall certainly represent that he may safely make you this
small advance, it is possible he may refuse; and it is certain he will
ask high interest. However, I shall do my best."

"It will be a great accommodation if he consents. And if he is rich
surely he will not deal as hardly with his brother's widow as with a
stranger."

"Where money is concerned, Mr. Liddell recognizes neither friend nor
foe. He will wish some form of the nature of a bill of sale to be
signed."

"Whatever you both think right," said Mrs. Liddell.