l for young gentlemen," which
was an additional attraction to Sandbourne, both children being
extremely ignorant even for their tender years; and Katherine was
greatly opposed to Colonel Ormonde's intention of sending Cecil away to
a boarding-school. She wished him to have some preliminary training
before he was plunged into the difficulties of a large boarding-school.
To Colonel Ormonde her will was law, and if only she could get the house
she wanted, all would go well.

Of course Katherine lost no time in visiting her _protegee_ Rachel. She
had written to her during her absence to let her feel that she was not
forgotten; and the replies were not only well written and expressed, but
showed a degree of intelligence above the average.

When Katherine entered the room where Rachel sat at work she was touched
and delighted at the sudden brightening of Rachel's sunken eyes, the
joyous flush that rose to her cheek.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, "I did not expect you so soon. How good of you to
come!" She placed a chair, and in reply to Katherine's friendly
question, "How have you been going on?" Rachel gave an encouraging
account of herself. Mrs. Needham had introduced her to two families,
both of whom wished her to work in the house, which, though infinitely
disagreeable to her, she did not like to refuse.

"Perhaps," she added, "the counter-irritation was good for me, for I
feel more braced up. And of all your many benefits, dear Miss Liddell,
nothing has done me so much good as the books you sent me, except the
sight of yourself. Do not think I am exaggerating, but I am a mere
machine, resigned to work because I must not die, save when I see you
and speak to you; then I feel I can live--that I have something to live
for, to show I am not unworthy of your trust in me. Perhaps time will
heal even such wounds as mine. Is it not terrible to try and live
without hope?"

"But you must hope, Rachel. You are not alone. I feel truly, deeply
interested in you; believe me, I will always be your friend. You are
looking better, but I want to see your eyes less hollow and your mouth
less sad. We are both young, and life has many lights and shades for us
both, so far as we can anticipate."

A long and confidential conversation ensued, in the course of which
Katherine quite forgot there was any difference of position between
herself and the humble dressmaker whom her bounty of purse and heart had
restored.

CHAPTER XVIII.

"MRS.