ATHERINE,

"I write in great anxiety and surprise, as I see among the fashionable
intelligence of the _Morning Post_ that Lord de Burgh is on the point of
leaving England for a tour in the Ural Mountains (of all places!) and
will probably be absent for several months. Can this be true? and, if
so, what is the reason of it? Is it possible that you have been so
cruel, so insane, so wicked as to fly in the face of providence and
refuse him? You should remember your own poverty-stricken existence,
and think of the boys. Marriage with a man of De Burgh's rank and
fortune would be the making of them. I have hidden away the paper, for,
if the colonel saw it, it would drive him frantic. Do write and let me
mediate between you and De Burgh, if you are so mad as to have
quarrelled with him. I am feeling quite ill with all this excitement and
worry. I don't think many women have been so sorely tried as myself.
Ever yours,
"ADA ORMONDE."

Having glanced through this composition, she handed it with a smile to
Miss Payne, and opened the other letter, which was from Rachel. This was
very short and very mysterious.

"I have been introduced to your relative, Mr. George Liddell," she
wrote, "by his daughter. We have had a conversation respecting you and
other matters. I cannot go into this now--I only write to say that Mr.
Liddell is going down to see you to-morrow or next day, and I earnestly
trust you may be reconciled. I am always your devoted RACHEL."

"This is very extraordinary," cried Katherine, when she had read it
aloud. "What can she mean by sending him down here! I rather dread
seeing him."

"Nonsense," returned Miss Payne, sternly. "If that dressmaking friend of
yours brings about a reconciliation between you and your very
wrong-headed cousin, she will do a good deed. I anticipate some
important results from this interview--you must see Mr. Liddell alone."

"I suppose so. I am sure I hope he will not snap my head off."

"You are not the sort of girl to allow people to snap your head off. But
I am immensely puzzled to imagine what Miss Trant can have said or done
to send this bush-ranger down here. How did Mr. Liddell come to know
her?"

"I can only suppose that his little girl, to whom I believe he is
devoted, brought him to Rachel's to get a dress tried on or to choose
one."

"It is very odd," observed Miss Payne, thoughtfully. "My letter," she
went on, after a moment's