felt a temperate and condescending friendship for her?
How could he judge what amount of influence De Burgh's affection for
herself might give her?

"I ought to feel deeply grateful to you for overstepping the limits of
conventionality in order to give me what is, no doubt, sound advice."

"Do you mean that as a rebuke?" asked Errington, leaning a little
forward to look into her eyes. "Do you not think that a friendship,
founded as ours is on most exceptional and unconventional circumstances,
gives me a sort of right to speak of matters which may prove of the last
importance to you? You cannot realize how deeply interested I am in your
welfare, how ardently I desire your happiness."

The sincerity of his tone thrilled Katherine with pain and pleasure. It
was delightful to hear him speak thus, yet it would be better for her
never to hear his voice again.

"I daresay I am petulant," she said, looking down, "and you are
generally right; but don't you think in this case you are looking too
far ahead, and attributing motives to Lord de Burgh of which he may be
entirely innocent?"

"Of that you are the best judge," returned Errington, coldly; and
silence fell upon them--a silence which Katherine felt to be so awkward
that she rose, saying,

"I must find Mrs. Needham; she will wonder where I am;" and, Errington
making no objection, they strolled slowly towards the front of the
house, where most of the visitors were standing or sitting about.

There they soon discovered Mrs. Needham, in lively conversation with
Lord de Burgh, who was a good deal observed by those present as his name
and position were well known to almost all of Mrs. Needham's set. He
turned quickly to greet Katherine, and spoke not too cordially to
Errington, who after some talk with Mrs. Needham, quietly withdrew, and
kept rather closely to Angela's side.

The rest of the afternoon was spoiled for Katherine by a sense of
irritation with Lord de Burgh, who scarcely left her, thereby making her
so conspicuous that she could hardly refrain from telling him.

"What is the matter with you?" asked De Burgh, as they walked, together
behind Mrs. Needham to the gate where their carriage awaited them. "Do
you know you have hardly said a civil word to me--what have I done?"

"You are mistaken! I never meant to be uncivil, I am only tired, and I
have rather a headache."

"You often have headaches. Are you sure the ache is in your _head_?"

"No, I am not," s