adley. She is a fine creature in every sense of the
word. As friend, I am sure she would be loyal with a reasonable loyalty,
and I flatter myself she is a friend of mine."

"Another sister?" asked Katherine, forcing herself to smile playfully.

"Yes," returned Errington, slowly, looking down as he spoke; "a
different kind of sister."

Katherine felt her cheeks, her throat, her ears, glow, as she listened
to what she considered a distinct avowal of his engagement to the
accomplished Angela, but she only said, softly and steadily, "I hope she
will always be a dear and loyal sister to you."

There was a moment's silence. Then Errington said, abruptly, his eyes,
as she felt, on her face, "Have you seen De Burgh since his return?"

"No."

"No doubt you will. What a curious fellow he is! I wonder how he will
act, now that he has rank and fortune? He has some good points."

"Oh yes, many," cried Katherine, warmly, "I could not help liking him.
He is very true."

"And extremely reckless," put in Errington, coldly, as Katherine paused
to remember some other good point.

"Certainly not calculating," she returned.

"Probably his new responsibilities may steady him."

"They may. I almost wish I dare----"

"My dear Katherine, I have been looking everywhere for you. I want you
so much to play Mrs. Grandison's accompaniment. She is going to sing one
of your songs, and no one plays it as well as you do. So sorry to
interrupt your nice talk; but what can a wretched hostess do?"

"Oh, I am quite ready, Mrs. Needham," said Katherine; and she rose
obediently.

"Will you come, Mr. Errington?" asked the lady of the house.

"To hear Mrs. Grandison murder one of Miss Liddell's songs, which I dare
say I have heard at Castleford? No, thank you. I shall bid you
good-night. I am going on to Lady Barbara Bonsfield's, where I shall not
stay long."

"Horrid woman! she robbed me of Angela Bradley to-night!" exclaimed Mrs.
Needham.

With a quick "Good-night," Katherine went to fulfil her duties in the
drawing-room, and did not see Errington again for several days.

"I was vexed with you for not singing last night," said Mrs. Needham, as
she sat at luncheon with her young friend the next morning. "You may not
have a great voice, but you are much more thoroughly trained than half
the amateurs whose squallings and screechings are applauded to the
echo."

"I do not know why, but I really did not feel that I could sing, Mrs.
Needh