probably lay in the humble sufficiency
which was now hers. The interest she would take in the careers of Cis
and Charlie would renew her youth, and keep her in touch with active
life, while, as the impression of her various troubles wore away under
the swift-flowing stream of time, she would feel more and more the
restful excellence of peace. It was not a bad outlook, yet Katherine
felt sad as she contemplated it. Finding her self-commune less cheering
than she anticipated, she turned her steps homeward, and entered the
house through the window of the drawing-room which opened on a rustic
veranda. Coming from strong sunlight into comparative darkness, she took
off her hat, and pushed back her hair from her brow before she perceived
that a gentleman had risen from the chair where he sat reading.

"You see I have dared to take possession of the premises in your
absence," he said.

"Mr. Errington?" cried Katherine, her heart suddenly bounding, and then
beating so violently she could hardly speak. "How--where--did you come
from?"

"From London, to enjoy a brief breathing-space from pressure of
work--welcome as it generally is! I am sorry to find that your friend
Miss Payne is invalided, as she was not visible, I ventured to wait for
you."

"I am very glad to see you," returned Katherine, placing herself on the
sofa as far from the window as she could, for she felt herself changing
color in a provoking way.

"I saw Mrs. Needham yesterday, who gave me your address and sundry
messages, one to the effect that she hopes to pay you a visit next
Saturday; the rest I do not remember accurately, for she was much
excited and not very distinct."

"We shall be delighted to see her, she is so bright and sympathetic.
What was the immediate cause of her excitement?"

"The marriage of Miss Bradley in about a fortnight."

"Indeed!" cried Katherine, thinking this way of announcing it rather
odd, but never doubting it was his own marriage also. "Then accept my
warm congratulations; you have no well-wisher more sincere than myself."

Errington looked up surprised.

"Why do you congratulate me? I certainly was of some use in bringing it
about, but sooner or later they would certainly have married."

"They? who--whom is she going to marry?"

"My old friend Major Urquhart. It is a very old attachment, but Mr.
Bradley objected to his want of fortune; then, as Bradley's wealth
increased, Urquhart felt reluctant to come forward again