ill pull. They have steadied down wonderfully." The rest of
the drive was spent in careful instruction, and Katherine was surprised
to find how quickly the time had gone when they reached the house.

De Burgh interested her in spite of her dislike of the opinions and
sentiments he expressed. There was something picturesque about the man,
and she felt that he was attracted to her in a curious and almost
alarming manner. Yet she was conscious of an inclination to play with
fire. It was some time since she felt so light-hearted. The sight of
Errington's luxurious surroundings seemed to take something from the
load upon her conscience, and this sense of partial relief gave
brilliancy to her eyes, as the fresh balmy air gave her something of her
former rich coloring.

"By Jove!" cried Colonel Ormonde, as Katherine took her place at
luncheon, "your drive has agreed with you. I've never seen you look so
well. You must pursue the treatment. How did she get on, De Burgh?"

"Not so badly. But Miss Liddell is more timid than I expected. She'll
get accustomed to the look of the cattle in a little while. Courage is
largely made up of a habit. I'll take some of that cold lamb, Ormonde."
And De Burgh spoke no more till he had finished his luncheon.

"Do you know, Miss Liddell, that my father was an old friend of your
uncle's?" said Errington that evening, as he placed himself beside her
on a retired sofa, while Miss Brereton was executing some gymnastics on
the piano. "I have just been taking to Ormonde about him. I remember
having been sent to call upon him--long ago, when I was at college, I
think. He lived in some wild north-land; I remember it was a great way
off. Then my father went for a trip to Calcutta, and I fancy lost sight
of his old chum."

Katherine grew red and white as he spoke; she could only murmur, "Yes, I
was told they had been friends."

"Then you must accept me as a hereditary friend," said Errington,
kindly. "I shall tell my father that I have made your acquaintance,
though he does not take much interest in anything now, I am sorry to
say."

"I am sorry--" faltered Katherine.

"Both Lady Alice and I hope to have the pleasure of seeing you in town,"
continued Errington, having waited in vain for her to finish her
sentence. "I am going to see her safely in her aunt's charge to-morrow,
and shall not return, I fancy, till you have left."

"You are both very good. I shall be most happy to see you again,"
re