Mrs.Woodward was sitting in the drawing-room; Linda and Katie were with her, the latter lying in state on her sofa as invalid young ladies should do; Captain Cuttwater was at Hampton Court, and Norman was on the water; when a fly from the railway made its way up to the door of the Cottage.
'Mrs.Richards, ma'am,' said the demure parlour-maid, ushering in the lodging-house keeper, who in her church-going best made a very decent appearance.
'Oh, Mrs.Richards, how are you ?' said Mrs.Woodward, who knew the woman very well--'pray sit down--are there any news from London ?' 'Oh, ma'am, such news--such bad news--Mister Charley--.' Up jumped Katie from her sofa and stood erect upon the floor.

She stood there, with her mouth slightly open, with her eyes intently fixed on Mrs.Richards, with her little hands each firmly clenched, drawing her breath with hard, short, palpitating efforts.

There she stood, but said nothing.
'Oh, Mrs.Richards--what is it ?' said Mrs.Woodward; 'for Heaven's sake what is the matter ?' 'Oh, ma'am; he's been took,' said Mrs.Richards.
'Took!' repeated Mrs.Woodward.

'Katie, dear Katie--sit down, my child--sit down.' 'Oh, mamma! oh, mamma!' said she, apparently unable to move, and certainly all but unable to stand.
'Tell us, Mrs.Richards, what is it--what has happened to Mr.
Tudor ?' and as she spoke Mrs.Woodward got up and passed her arm around her younger daughter's waist--Linda also got up and joined the group.
'Why, ma'am,' said Mrs.Richards, 'he's been took by the bailiffs, and now he's in prison.' Katie did not faint.

She never had fainted, and probably did not know the way; but she clenched her hands still tighter, breathed harder than before, and repeated her appeal to her mother in a voice of agony.