dently much relieved and looking round. "What lots of pretty
things! Is Mrs. Needham nice? She seemed rather a flashy woman. You must
feel it an awful change from being an heiress, and so much made of, to
being a sort of upper servant! Do you dine with Mrs. Needham?"

"Yes, I really do, and go out to evening parties with her."

"No, really?"

"It is a fact. She is a kind, delightful woman to live with. I am most
fortunate."

"Fortunate? You cannot say that, Katie! You are the most unfortunate
girl in the world. You know how penniless women are looked upon in
society. _I_ remember when Ormonde thought himself such a weak idiot for
being attracted to me, all because I had no money. It makes such a
difference! Why, there is Lord De Burgh; I met him yesterday, and asked
him to have a cup of tea with me, and he never once mentioned your
name."

"Why should he? I never knew Lord De Burgh," said Katherine.

"Yes, you did, dear! Why, you cannot know what is going on if you have
not heard that old De Burgh died nearly a fortnight ago in Paris, and
our friend has come in for _every_thing. He had just returned from the
funeral, so he said, and is looking darker and glummer than ever. Well,
you know how he used to run after you. I assure you he never made a
single inquiry about you. Heartless, wasn't it? I said something about
that horrid man coming back, and--would you believe it?--he laughed in
that odious, cynical way he has, and called me a little tigress. The
only sympathetic word he spoke was to call it an infernal business. He
doesn't care what he says, you know. Then he asked if Ormonde was
tearing his hair about it. What a pity you did not encourage him, Katie,
and marry him! Once you were his wife he could not have thrown you off.
Now I don't suppose you'll ever see _him_ again. I rather think Mrs.
Needham does not know many of _his_ set."

"She knows an extraordinary number of people--all sorts and conditions
of men; Mr. Errington often dines here."

"Does he? But then he is a sort of literary hack now. Just think what a
change both for you and him!"

"It is very extraordinary; but he keeps his position better than I do."

"Of course. Men are always better off. Now, dear, I must go. I am quite
glad to have seen you, and sorry to think that my husband is absurdly
prejudiced against you from the way you spoke to him last time. It was
by no means prudent."

"Well, Ada, should Colonel Ormonde so far overcome his