thee, Kate, for thy sweet modesty!” He thought if the modish beauties in yonder rooms could boast of such perfect charm, ’twould not be hid by a fall of lace and a shoulder knot of violets.  And he pressed the nosegay to his heart and left them there, folded within her father’s letter.  A calmness settled upon him, such as had not come to him heretofore, and trembling with happiness he led Katherine forth in the brantle; she feeling quite like an heroine for being able to hold her secret from this passionate man.

For all the convent had environed Mistress Pen wick with sacred influences, and she had absorbed its most potent authority, religion, yet even that was not efficacious to the annihilating that ’twas born within; and one can but excuse the caprice and wantonness of a coquette, when ’tis an inheritance.  She adhered pertinaciously to the requirements of a lady of title, and loved opulence and luxury and admiration.  She foresaw—­young as she was and reared as she had been with all simpleness—­an opportunity, being a noblewoman and the ward of a wealthy titled gentleman, to become a favourite at Court.  This idea, however, was not altogether original; for Lady Constance had given her a graphic description of her presentation, and the requirements due to all ladies of note.  And while Katherine fully intended to carry out her father’s wishes for an early and noble marriage; yet she felt there was no haste; she was sure it would be his desire for her to enjoy one of those seasons at Court she had heard so much converse of.  ’Tis not much wonder, having been so short a time in the great world and having won the hearts of two noblemen, she should wish for fresh fields to conquer.  But now was not the time for a trip to London, for spring was upon them and there was much to look after in Crandlemar.  His Lordship had sadly neglected his duties in keeping up the village and looking after the poor.  The church must be built up.  It had not occurred to her that there were other religions beside the Catholic; and when Lord Cedric’s chaplain made known to her the difficulties of arranging Catholic orders in a Protestant Church, she could not understand.  Janet explained to her what she would be compelled to surmount to bring her religion to be the accepted one in Crandlemar.  Again her mind was turned to Count Adrian, and she thought ’twould be well to wed with one of her own faith, and he was as warm a Catholic as herself.  Cedric was a Protestant and a very poor one, indeed it seemed he had no religion.  And yet he had told her that he petitioned not to God for aught; but ’twas his diurnal duty to thank Him for His benevolence and chastening; ever deeming chastisement the surety of his alien thought or action, and he speedily mended his ways or made an effort to; but what great sin he had committed that her love should not be given him was more than he could tell, and he should keep on trying to find out what his faults were, that he might receive that he wished for