“I cannot tell.  Do we ever know ourselves?”

“That’s true; but few admit their ignorance.  I begin to think that you are dangerous, in addition to your other qualities, as you can refrain from discussing yourself; that is a bait which draws out most women.”

“And most men,” added Katherine.  “We haven’t much to reproach each other with on that score.”

“No, I must admit that.  Self is a fascinating topic.”

“Some more tea?” asked Katherine, demurely.

“No, thank you.  I am not absolutely insatiable.  Tell me,” he went on, with a quaint familiarity which was not offensive, “how can a girl with your nature—­mind, I have not told half I guess—­how can you stand your life here—­walking about with those brats, making tea while the others are out amusing themselves, hammering away at the same round day after day?  You are made for different things.”

“I should not care to live at Castleford all the days of my life,” said Katherine, a little surprised by his question, and feeling there was a mistake somewhere; “but I do not intend to stay long.”

“Oh, indeed!  How do you get on with Mrs. Ormonde?  She doesn’t worry you about the boys?  She is a jolly, pretty little woman; but you are not exactly the sort of young lady I should have fancied would be her choice.”

“Why not?” asked Katherine, beginning to see his mistake.

“Because”—­began De Burgh, looking full at her, and then paused.  “You are too handsome by half!” were the words on his lips, but he did not utter them; he substituted, “You don’t seem quite the thing for Mrs. Ormonde.”

“She finds I suit her admirably,” said Katherine, gravely.

“I don’t quite understand”—­De Burgh was beginning, when the door opened to admit Mrs. Ormonde.

“Ah, Mr. De Burgh, I did not expect you so early; but I am glad Katherine was here to give you your tea.  It is not necessary to introduce you.  I was afraid you would have been caught in that shower, Katie.”

“We just escaped it.  I hope Lady Alice has found shelter, or she will renew her cold.”

“You are Miss Liddell, then?” said De Burgh, as he placed a chair for Mrs. Ormonde and took her cloak.

“To be sure.  Didn’t you guess who she was?”

“Mr. De Burgh guessed a good deal, but he did not guess my identity,” said Katherine, handing her a cup of tea.

“What!  Were you playing at cross questions and crooked answers?”

“Something of that sort,” he returned, and changed the subject by asking if they had heard how Errington’s father was.

“Better, I suppose, for Mr. Errington has returned.  He met us when we were in Melford Woods.”

“I dare say he met Alice and Miss Brereton, then,” said Mrs. Ormonde; “they were riding in that direction.”

“Lady Alice will be taken care of, then,” said Katherine, and taking her hat she went away, seeing that Mrs. Ormonde was quite ready to absorb the conversation.