"Run away to Miss North," said Katherine, and as Cecil left the room she
replied: "As Cecil is nine years old, Ada, and a very bright boy, I
think he may very well be let to take care of himself. The school is not
far, and he cannot learn independence too soon."

"Perhaps so. But of course you know better than I do. You were always
more learned, and all that; besides, you are not over anxious, as a
mother would be."

"Nor careless either," said Katherine thinking of the nights at
Castleford when she used to steal to the bedside, of little feverish,
restless Charlie, while his mother kept within the bounds of her own
luxurious chamber.

"No, no; certainly not," returned Mrs. Ormonde, remembering it was as
well not to offend so strong a person as she felt Katherine to be. "Only
Cecil is a tiresome, self-willed boy, and very likely to get into
mischief."

"If you wish it, Ada, I shall, of course, have him escorted to and fro
to school."

"Oh, just as you like. I suppose you know the place better than I do."

"Colonel Ormonde has never come down to see me," resumed Katherine,
after a pause. "You must tell him I am quite hurt."

"Well, dear, you must know that Duke is rather vexed with you."

"Vexed with me! Why?" asked Katherine, opening her eyes.

"You see, he thinks you ought to have come to us for a while; and then
De Burgh came back from this last time in such a bad temper that my
husband thought you were not behaving well to him--making a fool of him,
in short; inviting him down here to amuse yourself, and then refusing
him, if you _did_ refuse."

"No, I did not; for Mr. De Burgh never gave me an opportunity," cried
Katherine, indignantly. "Nor did I ever ask him here. I cannot prevent
his coming and lodging at the hotel. I am quite ready to talk to him,
because he amuses me, but I am not bound to marry every man who does.
Tell Colonel Ormonde so, with my compliments."

"I am sure _I_ don't want you to marry De Burgh! Indeed, I am surprised
at Duke; but you see, being chums and relations (and men stick together
so), that he only thinks of De Burgh, who, _entre nous_, has been
awfully fast. He _is_ amusing, and very _distingue_, but I am afraid he
only cares for your money, dear."

"Very likely," returned Katherine, with much composure.

"Then another reason why the Colonel does not care to come down is that
he has a great dislike to that Miss Payne. _She_ is really hostess here,
and it worries Duke to h