tes? No; ten at least. Well, then, I should say you are a
remarkably plucky girl, though perhaps not impervious to panic. And, let
me see," fixing his keen, fierce eyes on hers, "gifted with no small
power of enjoyment. With a strong dash of the rebel in you, and--well, I
could tell you more, but I won't."

Katherine laughed good-humoredly.

"Have I hit it off?" he asked, after waiting for her to speak.

"I cannot tell. Do we ever know ourselves?"

"That's true; but few admit their ignorance. I begin to think that you
are dangerous, in addition to your other qualities, as you can refrain
from discussing yourself; that is a bait which draws out most women."

"And most men," added Katherine. "We haven't much to reproach each other
with on that score."

"No, I must admit that. Self is a fascinating topic."

"Some more tea?" asked Katherine, demurely.

"No, thank you. I am not absolutely insatiable. Tell me," he went on,
with a quaint familiarity which was not offensive, "how can a girl with
your nature--mind, I have not told half I guess--how can you stand your
life here--walking about with those brats, making tea while the others
are out amusing themselves, hammering away at the same round day after
day? You are made for different things."

"I should not care to live at Castleford all the days of my life," said
Katherine, a little surprised by his question, and feeling there was a
mistake somewhere; "but I do not intend to stay long."

"Oh, indeed! How do you get on with Mrs. Ormonde? She doesn't worry you
about the boys? She is a jolly, pretty little woman; but you are not
exactly the sort of young lady I should have fancied would be her
choice."

"Why not?" asked Katherine, beginning to see his mistake.

"Because"--began De Burgh, looking full at her, and then paused. "You
are too handsome by half!" were the words on his lips, but he did not
utter them; he substituted, "You don't seem quite the thing for Mrs.
Ormonde."

"She finds I suit her admirably," said Katherine, gravely.

"I don't quite understand"--De Burgh was beginning, when the door opened
to admit Mrs. Ormonde.

"Ah, Mr. De Burgh, I did not expect you so early; but I am glad
Katherine was here to give you your tea. It is not necessary to
introduce you. I was afraid you would have been caught in that shower,
Katie."

"We just escaped it. I hope Lady Alice has found shelter, or she will
renew her cold."

"You are Miss Liddell, then?" said