am. I do not often feel miserable and choky, but I did last night.
I am so anxious and uneasy about the boys and the school they are going
to, that I was afraid of making a fool of myself. When the change is
accomplished I shall be all right again, and not bore you with my
sentimentality."

"You don't do anything of the sort. You are a capital plucky girl. Now I
have nothing particular for you to do this afternoon, and I can't take
you with me; so just go out and call on Miss Bradley or Miss Payne to
divert your----"

"A gentleman for Miss Liddell;" said the parlor maid, placing a card
beside Katherine.

"Lord de Burgh!" she exclaimed, in great surprise.

"Lord who?" asked Mrs. Needham.

"Lord de Burgh; he is a relation of Colonel Ormonde; I used to meet him
at Castleford."

Mrs. Needham eyed her curiously. "Oh, very well, dear," she said, with
great cheerfulness. "Go and see him, and give him some tea; only it is
too early. I am sorry I cannot put in an appearance, but I have just a
hundred and one things to do before I go to Professor Maule's scientific
'afternoon' at four. Give me my bag and note-book. I must go straight
away to the 'Incubator Company's Office;' I promised them a notice in my
Salterton letter next week. There, go, child; I don't want you any
more."

"But I am in no hurry, Mrs. Needham. Lord de Burgh is no very particular
friend of mine."

"Well, well! That remains to be seen. Just smooth your hair, won't you?
It's all rough where you have leaned on your hand over your writing.
It's no matter? Well, it doesn't much. Do you think he has any votes for
the British Benevolent Institution for Aged Women? I do so want to get
my gardener's mother--There, go, go, dear! You had better not keep him
waiting." And Katherine was gently propelled out of the room.

In truth, she was rather reluctant to face De Burgh, although she felt
gratified and soothed by his taking the trouble to find her out.

Katherine found her visitor pacing up and down when she opened the
drawing-room door, feeling vexed with herself for her changing color and
the embarrassment she felt she displayed. De Burgh was looking taller
and squarer than ever, but his dark face brightened so visibly as his
eyes met Katherine's, that she felt a pang as she thought how unmoved
she was herself.

"I thought you had escaped from sight!" he exclaimed, holding her hand
for a moment longer than was absolutely necessary. "The first time I
wen