e heard or seen nothing of De Burgh lately?" exclaimed
Mrs. Ormonde, suddenly.

"No, not for a long time."

"He has been away--somewhere in Hungary, hunting or shooting--and then
he has been staying with old Lord de Burgh. They used hardly to speak,
and now he seems taken into favor. He is a curious sort of man, and he
can be _so_ insolent! How he will put his foot on people's necks when he
gets the old man's title and wealth!"

"If they let him," said Katherine, quietly.

"As he is in town, I thought he might have called on you. He was always
running down to that stupid place in the summer, so I----"

"Mr. De Burgh!" said a waiter, opening the door with a burst.

"Talk of an angel!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, rising to receive him with a
welcoming smile. "My sister was just saying it was a long time since she
had seen you."

Katherine felt annoyed at the thoughtless speech--if it _was_
thoughtless. However, she kept a composed air, though the varying color
which she never could regulate told De Burgh that she was not unmoved.

"And probably hoped it would be longer," he replied, as he shook hands
with Mrs. Ormonde, but only bowed to Miss Liddell.

"Don't answer him," cried the former; "such decided fishing does not
deserve success."

"I will not," said Katherine, with a kind smile. She was too thorough a
woman not to have a soft corner in her heart for the man who had
professed, with so convincing an air of sincerity, to love her with all
his heart.

It did not, however, seem to please or displease him, for he sat down
beside the tea-table with his usual unaffected ease, and addressed his
conversation to Mrs. Ormonde.

"Just heard from Carew that you were in town, and I have only escaped
from Pontygarvan, where I have been playing the dutiful kinsman to my
immortal relative. I don't know which is most to be avoided, his enmity
or his liking. He is an amusing old cynic at times, but a born despot.
He only let me away to prosecute a scheme that he has taken up, and
which I have gone pretty deeply into myself."

"Indeed!" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde, handing him some tea. "Have you turned
promoter, or--"

"Well, I am going to be my own promoter; time only will show how I'll
succeed. You must both give me your best wishes."

"I am sure I do," said Mrs. Ormonde.

De Burgh raised his eyes slowly to Katherine's. She had not spoken.
"Don't _you_ wish me success? No; I thought you didn't."

"I wish you all possible ha