Oh, they will settle down presently. Where shall we go--through
Garston? It's a fine place. Perhaps you have seen it?"

"I have not, and I should like to see it very much." She was delighted
with the suggestion. It would be a help to her, a consolation, to see so
visible a token of Errington's wealth.

"Curious fellow, Errington," resumed De Burgh. "I suppose he is about
the only man who isn't spoiled by the most unbroken prosperity. Still, a
fellow who never did anything wrong in his life is rather uninteresting;
don't you think so?"

"Has he never done anything wrong? That seems rather incredible."

"If he has, he has kept it deucedly close. But you are right; it is very
incredible."

They drove on for a while in silence. It was a delicious morning--a blue
sky flecked with fleecy white clouds, bright sunlight, birds singing,
hedges budding, all nature welcoming the first sweet intoxication of
renewed youth stirring in her veins. Katherine loved the spring-time,
and felt its influence profoundly, but it was the first spring in which
she had been alone; this time last year she--they--had been at
Bordighera. How heavenly fair it had been! But De Burgh was speaking:

"You did not hear, or rather heed, what I said, Miss Liddell; that's not
civil."

"Indeed it is not--forgive me. What did you say?"

"I suppose you like country life best, as you demolished Mrs. Ormonde's
scheme respecting a house in town so promptly?"

"I enjoy looking at the country, but I know nothing of country life. I
am not sure I should like it."

"What's your objection to drawing-rooms and balls--the season
generally?"

"I do not object; but is my deep mourning suited to these gayeties, Mr.
De Burgh?"

"Well, no. I beg your pardon. Mrs. Ormonde started it, you know. I fancy
it would take double-distilled mourning to keep her out of the swim."

"It is impossible for one nature to judge another which is totally
different, fairly."

"Very true and very prudent. I have not got to the bottom of your
character yet, but I am pursuing my studies," said De Burgh, with a grim
sort of smile. "You see they are settling down to their work now,"
pointing his whip to the ponies. "I'll give you the reins in a minute or
two."

"I think I ought to begin with something quieter," said Katherine,
looking at them uneasily.

De Burgh laughed. "There is a nice stretch of level road before
us--nothing to interfere with you. Change places with me, if you p