With this thought, she rose, and with burning cheeks said, “I will go home, madam.  Now I feel that I am doing wrong.  To write to Captain Hyde will be the best way.”

“Pray don’t be foolish, Katherine.  I am of a serious turn this morning, that is all.  How pretty you are! and how vastly becoming your gown!  But, indeed, I am going to ask you to change it.  Yesterday, at the ’King’s Arms,’ I said my sister would arrive this morning with me; and I bespoke a little cotillon in Dick’s rooms.  In that dress you will be too familiar, my dear.  See here, is not this the prettiest fashion?  It is lately come over.  So airy! so French! so all that!”

It was a light-blue gown and petticoat of rich satin, sprigged with silver, and a manteau of dark-blue velvet trimmed with bands of delicate fur.  The bonnet was not one which the present generation would call “lovely;” but, in its satin depths, Katharine’s fresh, sweet face looked like a rose.  She hardly knew herself when the toilet was completed; and, during its progress, Mrs. Gordon recovered all her animation and interest.

[Illustration:  In its satin depths]

Before they were ready, a coach was in waiting; and in a few minutes they stood together at Hyde’s door.  There was a sound of voices within; and, when they entered, Katherine saw, with a pang of disappointment, a fine, soldierly looking man in full uniform sitting by Richard’s side.  But Richard appeared to be in no way annoyed by his company.  He was looking much better, and wore a chamber gown of maroon satin, with deep laces showing at the wrists and bosom.  When Katherine entered, he was amazed and charmed with her appearance.  “Come near to me, my Katherine,” he said; and as Mrs. Gordon drew from her shoulders the mantle, and from her head the bonnet, and revealed more perfectly her beautiful person and dress, his love and admiration were beyond words.

With an air that plainly said, “This is the maiden for whom I fought and have suffered:  is she not worthy of my devotion?” he introduced her to his friend, Captain Earle.  But, even as they spoke, Earle joined Mrs. Gordon, at a call from her; and Katherine noticed that a door near which they stood was open, and that they went into the room to which it led, and that other voices then blended with theirs.  But these things were as nothing.  She was with her lover, alone for a moment with him; and Richard had never before seemed to her half so dear or half so fascinating.

“My Katharine,” he said, “I have one tormenting thought.  Night and day it consumes me like a fever.  I hear that Neil Semple is well.  Yesterday Captain Earle met him; he was walking with your father.  He will be visiting at your house very soon.  He will see you; he will speak to you.  You have such obliging manners, he may even clasp this hand, my hand.  Heavens!  I am but a man, and I find myself unable to endure the thought.”

“In my heart, Richard, there is only room for you.  Neil Semple I fear and dislike.”