oustache and thick overhanging
eyebrows of the same color, "pray take Miss Liddell round the grounds,
and show her my favorite fernery."

Major Urquhart bowed low and presented his arm.

"I see," continued Angela, "that Mrs. Needham is already absorbed by a
dozen dear friends."

"You have not been here before," said Major Urquhart, in a deep hollow
voice.

"Never."

"Charming place! immensely improved since I went to India five years
ago."

"Miss Bradley has great taste," remarked Katherine.

"Wonderful--astonishing; she has made all this fernery since I was here
last."

Then there was a long pause, and a few more sentences expressive of
admiration were exchanged, and somehow Katherine began to feel that her
companion was rather bored and preoccupied, so she turned her steps
towards the house, intending to release him.

At the further side of the fernery, in a pretty path between green
banks, they suddenly met Errington face to face.

"Miss Bradley wants you, Urquhart," he said, as soon as they had
exchanged salutations. "You may leave Miss Liddell in my charge, if she
will permit." Major Urquhart bowed himself off, and Errington continued,
"You would not suspect that was a very distinguished officer."

"I don't know; he seems very silent and inanimate."

"Well, I assure you he is a very fine fellow, and did great deeds in
the Mutiny. But come, the lawn is looking quite picturesque in the
sunshine, with the groups of people scattered about. It would be perfect
were it sleeping in the tranquil silence of a restful Sabbath day."

"Are you not something of a hermit in your tastes?" asked Katherine,
looking up at him with one of her sunny smiles.

"By no means. I like the society of my fellow-men, but I like a spell of
solitude every now and then, as a rest and refreshment on the dusty road
of life."

"I begin to think peace the greatest boon heaven can bestow."

"Yes, after the late vicissitudes, it must seem to you the greatest
good. Let us sit down under this cedar; there is a pretty peep across
the common to the blue distance. We might be a hundred miles from
London, everything is so calm."

They sat silent for a few moments, a sense of peace and safety stealing
over Katherine's heart.

Suddenly Errington turned to her, and said,

"Our friend De Burgh can scarcely know himself in his new condition."

"He seems remarkably at home, however. I hope he will distinguish
himself as an enlightened an