and there was a fresh, youthful
feeling in the air. The villa of which Angela was the happy mistress was
one of the few old places standing on the edge of the common at
Wimbledon, and boasting mossy green lawns, huge cedar trees, and
delightful shrubberies, paths leading through a well-disposed patch of
plantation, and a fine view from the windows of the deep red-brick
mansion, with its copings, window-heads, and pediments of white stone.

Katherine started with a brave determination to throw off dull care and
enjoy herself, if possible--why should she not? Life had many sides,
and, though the present was gloomy, there was no reason why its clouds
should not hide bright sunshine which lay awaiting the future. She had
manoeuvred that Mrs. Needham should join an elderly couple of their
acquaintance in an open carriage, and so avoided appearing in Lord de
Burgh's elegant equipage.

The grounds were already dotted with gaily dressed groups; for, although
there were no formally invited guests, Miss Bradley's Sundays were
largely attended by her extensive circle of acquaintance, and this first
Sabbath of really fine spring weather brought a larger number than
usual.

"I am glad you put on that pretty black and white dress," whispered Mrs.
Needham, as they alighted and went into the hall. "I see everyone is in
their best bibs and tuckers;--isn't it a lovely house! Ah! many a poor
author's brain has paid toll to provide all this."

"I suppose so."

"Miss Bradley is in the conservatory," said a polite butler, and into a
deliciously fragrant conservatory they were ushered.

"Very glad to see you, Miss Liddell," said Angela, kindly, when she had
greeted Mrs. Needham. "This is your first visit to the Court. Do you
know I wanted to ask you to come down to us for a few days; but, when I
looked for you at Mrs. Needham's the other night, you had vanished, and
since I have been so much taken up, as I will explain later, that I have
been quite unable to write. I hope you will manage to pay us a visit
next week; the air here is most reviving."

"You are too good, Miss Bradley," returned Katherine, touched by her
kind tone. "If Mrs. Needham can spare me, I shall of course be delighted
to come;" and she resolved mentally that she should _not_ be spared.

"Major Urquhart," continued Miss Bradley, turning to a very tall, thin,
soldierly-looking man, who might once have been fair, but was now burnt
to brickdust hue, with long tawny m