Conversation in this channel was easily maintained.  Madame Van Heemskirk knew the pedigree or the history of every tray or cup, and in reminiscence and story an hour passed away very pleasantly indeed.  Joanna did not linger to listen.  The visitor did not touch her liking or her interest; and besides, as every one knows, the work of a house must go on, no matter what guest opens the door.  But Katherine longed and watched and feared.  Surely her friend would not go away without some private token or message for her.  She turned sick at heart when she rose as if to depart.  But Mrs. Gordon proved herself equal to the emergency; for, after bidding madam an effusive good-by, she turned suddenly and said, “Pray allow your daughter to show me the many ornaments in your parlour.  The glimpse I had has made me very impatient to see them more particularly.”

The request was one entirely in sympathy with the mood and the previous conversation, and madam was pleased to gratify it; also pleased, that, having fully satisfied the claims of social life, she could with courtesy leave her visitor’s further entertainment with Katherine, and return to her regular domestic cares.  To her the visit had appeared to be one of such general interest, that she never suspected any motive beneath or beyond the friendliness it implied.  Yet the moment the parlour-door had been shut, Mrs. Gordon lifted Katharine’s face between her palms, and said,—­

“Faith, child, I am almost run off my head with all the fine things I have listened to for your sake.  Do you know who sent me here?”

“I think, madam, Captain Hyde.”

“Psha!  Why don’t you blush, and stammer, and lie about it?  ’I think, madam, Captain Hyde,’” mimicking Katherine’s slight Dutch accent. “’Tis to be seen, miss, that you understand a thing or two.  Now, Captain Hyde wishes to see you; when can you oblige him so much?”

“I know not.  To come to Madam Semple’s is forbidden me by my father.”

“It is on my account.  I protest your father is very uncivil.”

“Madam, no; but it is the officers; many come and go, and he thinks it is not good for me to meet them.”

“Oh, indeed, miss, it is very hard on Captain Hyde, who is more in love than is reasonable Has your father forbidden you to walk down your garden to the river-bank?”

“No, madam.”

“Then, if Captain Hyde pass about two o’clock, he might see you there?”

“At two I am busy with Joanna.”

“La, child!  At three then?”

“Three?”

The word was a question more than an assent; but Mrs. Gordon assumed the assent, and did not allow Katharine to contradict it.  “And I promised to bring him a token from you,—­he was exceedingly anxious about that matter; give me the ribbon from your hair.”

“Only last week Joanna bought it for me.  She would surely ask me, ’Where is your new ribbon?’”

“Tell her that you lost it.”