is a good child! I wish I could make it worth your while to stay;
but we don't know what silver lining is behind the dark clouds of the
present."

Katherine shook her head. Mrs. Needham's suggestion showed her that
peace and a relieved conscience was the highest degree of silvery
brightness she anticipated in the future. One thing alone could restore
to her the joyousness of her early days, and that was far away out of
her reach.

"Mr. Errington and Mr. Payne," said one of the smart servants, throwing
open the door.

"Ah, yes! Mr. Errington, _of_ course," exclaimed Mrs. Needham, under her
breath. "I might have expected him. And you too, Mr. Payne?" she added
aloud. "Very glad to see you both."

As soon as they had paid their respects to the hostess, Errington spoke
to Katherine, while Payne remained talking with Mrs. Needham.

"I am glad to see you looking better than when we last spoke together,"
said Errington, pausing beside Katherine's chair. "Have you had any
communication from Newton yet?"

"I have heard nothing from him, and feel very anxious to know George
Liddell's decision. I had a note from Mrs. Ormonde, written in a much
more friendly spirit than I had expected, but still in despair. She,
with the Colonel, had been to demand explanations from Mr. Newton, and
do not seem much cheered by the interview."

"No doubt the appearance of your cousin was a tremendous blow, but they
have no right to complain."

"However that may be, I will not quarrel with the boys' mother, in spite
of her unkindness. I fear so much to create any barrier between us."

"Those children are very dear to you," said Errington, looking down on
her with a soft expression and lingering glance.

"They are. I don't suppose you could understand how dear."

"Why? Do you think me incapable of human affection?" asked Errington,
smiling.

"No, certainly not; only I imagine justice is more natural to you than
love, though you can be generous, as I know."

Errington did not answer. He stood still, as if some new train of
thought had been suddenly suggested to him, and Katherine waited
serenely for his next words, when Miss Bradley, who had not interrupted
her conversation, or noticed the new-comers in any way, suddenly turned
her face toward them, and said, with something like command, "Mr.
Errington!"

Errington immediately obeyed. Katherine watched them speaking together
for some minutes with a curious sense of discomfort and diss