omen think it a paradise."

"I like London so well that I shall probably make it my headquarters."

"It's rather premature for you to make plans, isn't it?"

"Whether it is or not, I have arranged my future much to my own
satisfaction."

"The deuce you have! What, at nineteen?"

"Is that an attempt to find out my age?" asked Katherine, laughing.

"No! for I fancy I know it. How far is this place you are going to from
town, and how do you get to it?"

"The journey takes about three hours and a half, and you travel by the
Southwestern line."

"Well, I intend to have the pleasure of running down to see you
presently, if you will permit me."

"Oh, of course, we shall be very happy to see you."

"I hope so," said De Burgh, with a smile. "I don't think you are very
encouraging. If there are any decent roads about this place, shall we
resume the driving lessons?"

"Thank you"--evasively. "I think of buying a donkey and
chaise--certainly a pony for the boys."

De Burgh laughed. "I suppose there is some boating to be had there. I
shall certainly have a look at the place, even if I be not admitted to
the shrine." There was a pause, during which De Burgh seemed in profound
but not agreeable thought; then he suddenly exclaimed: "By-the-way, have
you heard the news? Old Errington died, rather sudden at last, some time
last night."

"Indeed!" cried Katherine, roused to immediate attention. "I am very
sorry to hear it. The marriage will then be put off. You know they were
going to have it nearly a month sooner than was at first intended,
because Mr. Errington feared the end was near. He was with his father, I
hope?"

"Yes, I believe he hardly left him for the last few days. Now the
wedding cannot take place for a considerable time."

"It will be a great disappointment," observed Katherine.

"To which of the happy pair?"

"To both, I suppose," she returned.

"Do you think they cared a rap about each other?"

"Yes, I do indeed. Every one has a different way of showing their
feelings, and Mr. Errington is _quite_ different from _you_."

"Different--and immensely superior, eh?"

"I did not say so, Mr. De Burgh."

"No, certainly you did not, and I have no right to guess at what you
think. You are right. I am very different from Errington; and _you_ are
very different from Lady Alice. I fancy, were you in her place, even the
irreproachable bridegroom-elect would find he had a little more of our
common humanity a