“And patience on the part of a young lady to wade through them.”

“No; they always interest me, even when a little over my head.  Though I do not want you to come and see me, I am always so glad to hear about you, to know you are well.”

“Then why avoid me?”

“How can I help it?”—­looking at him with dewy eyes and quivering lips.

“Well, I must accept your decision.  I wish—­But I will not detain you.”  He opened the carriage door and handed her in.

For an instant her eyes sought his with a wistful, deprecating look, then she said, “Tell him ‘home,’ please,” and she drove off.

The encounter unhinged her for the day.  Why had he crossed her path, and why had she allowed herself to reject his friendly offer to come and see her?  Yet it would have made her miserable to bear the quiet scrutiny of his eyes through a whole visit.  He had evidently quite forgiven her, but that could not restore her self-respect or render her less keenly alive to the silent reproach of his presence.  And yet it was pleasant to hear him speak, his voice was so clear, so well modulated, so intelligent.  And how well he looked!—­better and brighter than she had ever seen him.  It was evident that he was not breaking his heart about Lady Alice.  How could she have given him up?

Though nothing was more natural or probable than that they should meet when both lived in the same town, huge as it is, it was an immense surprise to Katherine, who had somehow come to the conclusion that they were never to set eyes on each other again.  This impression upset her.  She was constantly on the outlook for Errington wherever she drove or walked, and the composure which she had been diligently, and with a sort of sad resignation to Errington’s wishes, building up, was replaced by a feverish, restless anticipation of she knew not what.

The result was increased eagerness to see the completion of her dressmaking scheme, and she made Mr. Newton’s life a burden to him till all was accomplished.

In this she found a shrewd assistant in Mrs. Needham, who took up the cause furiously, and drove hither and thither, exhorting, entreating, commanding, and really bringing in customers, somewhat to Katherine’s surprise, as she did not expect much wool from so great a cry.

Shortly before Christmas Miss Trant’s establishment was in full working order, a couple of clever assistants had been engaged, and Rachel herself seemed to wake up to the full energy of her nature under the spur of responsibility.

The affair was not brought to a conclusion, however, without a struggle on the part of Mr. Newton against Katherine’s resolution not to appear in the matter.  The house was bought in Rachel Trant’s name, the sale was made to her, and Miss Liddell’s name never appeared.  Newton declared it to be sheer madness; even Bertie Payne considered it unwise; but Katherine was immovable.