“What would Colonel Ormonde say if he knew you gave his favorite kinsman so bad a character?”

“Oh, my dear Katherine, you must not betray me!  Duke would be furious.  But of course your happiness is my first consideration.”

“Thank you,” returned Katherine, gravely.

“And Mr. Payne, how does he like Mr. De Burgh’s visits here?”

“I don’t think he minds”—­seriously.  “I should be sorry if he were annoyed.  I am very fond of Bertie Payne.”

This declaration somewhat bewildered Mrs. Ormonde.  But before she could find suitable words to reply, Charlie came running to meet them, jumping up to kiss his aunt first, and cried; “Mr. De Burgh has come.  I saw him driving up to the hotel outside the omlibus.”

“The omnibus!” repeated Mrs. Ormonde.

“He would find no other conveyance from the train unless he ordered one previously,” said Katherine, laughing.

“Dear me!  I suppose he will be here directly.  How early he must have started!” in a tone of annoyance.  “I feel so hot and uncomfortable after this dreadfully long walk, I must change my dress before I see any one.”  And she hastened on.

After holding his aunt’s hand for a while, Charlie darted away to overtake Francois, whom he perceived at a little distance.

“I declare, Katherine, you are quite supplanting me with those boys!” exclaimed their mother, querulously.

“Ada, I would not for the world wean them from you, if—­I mean”—­stopping the words which rushed to her lips.  “I should be sorry.  But you have new ties—­another boy.  Could you not spare Cis and Charlie to me—­for I have no one?”

“I am sure that is your own fault.  However, if after three or four months’ experience you are not tired of them, I shall be very much surprised.”

On reaching the house, Mrs. Ormonde went straight to her own apartment to “refit,” and Katherine sat down in the smaller drawing or morning room, which looked west and was cool.  She had not been there many minutes before De Burgh was announced.

“Alone!” he exclaimed.  “Where is Mrs. Ormonde?”

“She will be here immediately.”

“Has she persuaded you to return with her?  I wish you would.  Lady G——­ gives a dinner at Richmond on Thursday; it will be rather amusing.  I know most of the fellows who are going, and I think you would enjoy it.  You like good talkers, I know.”

“Thank you; I have refused.”

“Absolutely?”

“Absolutely.”

De Burgh came over and leaned his shoulder against the side of the window opposite to where Katherine sat.

“What are you thinking of, if I may ask, Miss Liddell?” he said.  “You have scarcely heard what I said.  They are not pleasant thoughts, I fancy.”

“No,” she returned, glad to put them into words that she might exorcise them.  “Ada has just reproached me with supplanting her with her boys, and it made me feel, as Americans say ‘bad.’”