“Why?”

Mrs. Presty favored Kitty with a hint relating to the management of inquisitive children which might prove useful to her in after-life.  “When you grow up to be a woman, my dear, beware of making the mistake that I have just committed.  Never be foolish enough to mention your reasons when a child asks, Why?”

“Was that how they treated you, grandmamma, when you were a child yourself?”

“Of course it was!”

“Why?”

They had reached the sitting-room door by this time.  Kitty opened it without ceremony and looked in.  The room was empty.

Having confided her granddaughter to the nursemaid’s care, Mrs. Presty knocked at Catherine’s bedroom door.  “May I come in?”

“Come in directly!  Where is Kitty?”

“Susan is putting her to bed.”

“Stop it!  Kitty mustn’t go to bed.  No questions.  I’ll explain myself when you come back.”  There was a wildness in her eyes, and a tone of stern command in her voice, which warned her mother to set dignity aside, and submit.

“I don’t ask what has happened,” Mrs. Presty resumed on her return.  “That letter, that fatal letter to the Captain, has justified my worst fears.  What in Heaven’s name are we to do now?”

“We are to leave this hotel,” was the instant reply.

“When?”

“To-night.”

“Catherine! do you know what time it is?”

“Time enough to catch the last train to London.  Don’t raise objections!  If I stay at this place, with associations in every part of it which remind me of that unhappy man, I shall go mad!  The shock I have suffered, the misery, the humiliation—­I tell you it’s more than I can bear.  Stay here by yourself if you like; I mean to go.”

She paced with frantic rapidity up and down the room.  Mrs. Presty took the only way by which it was possible to calm her.  “Compose yourself, Catherine, and all that you wish shall be done.  I’ll settle everything with the landlord, and give the maid her orders.  Sit down by the open window; let the wind blow over you.”

The railway service from Sydenham to London is a late service.  At a few minutes before midnight they were in time for the last train.  When they left the station, Catherine was calm enough to communicate her plans for the future.  The nearest hotel to the terminus would offer them accommodation for that night.  On the next day they could find some quiet place in the country—­no matter where, so long as they were not disturbed.  “Give me rest and peace, and my mind will be easier,” Catherine said.  “Let nobody know where to find me.”

These conditions were strictly observed—­with an exception in favor of Mr. Sarrazin.  While his client’s pecuniary affairs were still unsettled, the lawyer had his claim to be taken into her confidence.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *