“Have you quarrelled with Katherine, or offended her, that she is so implacable?” asked Mrs. Ormonde.

“Neither, I hope.  Now what are you doing in the way of amusement?  Have you seen a play since you came up?  The pantomimes are still on at the big theatres.  But I want you to come and see Ours at the Prince of Wales on Thursday; it’s very good in parts.  Then if you’ll sup with me after, at my rooms, I’ll get Carew and Brereton and one or two others to meet you.”

“It would be very nice!” exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde.

“Thank you,” returned Katherine.  “I am, strange to say, going to a party on Thursday.”

“To a party!  How extraordinary!  Where, Katherine?”

“To Lady Barrington’s—­a lady I knew in Florence, and who has invited me repeatedly.”

“I am sure I am very glad you are coming out of your shell at last.  Where does this Lady Barrington live?”

“In Lancaster Square, not far from my abode.”

“Well, let us say Friday for Ours,” said De Burgh; “for I too am going to Lady Barrington’s on Thursday.”

“Then why did you invite us for that evening?” cried Mrs. Ormonde.

“I could have gone afterwards.  Lady Barrington’s gatherings are always late.”

“You really know every one.”

“Oh, not every one, Mrs. Ormonde.”

“Then our ‘play’ is not to come off unless Katherine is to be of the party”—­rather pettishly.

“If you like I will take you on Thursday, and Miss Liddell (if she will allow me) on Friday.”

“What nonsense!  We will all go together on Friday.  Katie, do you think this friend of yours would invite me?  I don’t care to mope here when you are out enjoying yourself.”

“I am sure she would be very pleased to see you.  I will write and ask her for an invitation as soon as I go home.”  Katherine rose as she spoke.

“Do, like a good girl; and I will go and interview this dressmaker of yours.  Till to-morrow, then.”

The little woman stood on tiptoe to kiss her tall sister-in-law, who left the room, followed by De Burgh.

“Haven’t I been a reasonable, well-behaved fellow not to have haunted or worried you all these months?  Will you let me come and tell you how wise and staid and prudent I have become?” he said.

He spoke half in jest, but there was a wonderfully appealing look in his eyes.

“I am very glad to hear it, Mr. De Burgh.  I hope you will go on and prosper.”

“And will you shut your doors against me if I call?”

“No; why should I?”

“Thanks!  How heavenly it is to see you again! though you don’t look quite as bright as you did at Sandbourne.  Is this your carriage?  I see you have not started a turn-out of your own yet.”

“And never shall, probably.”

“Not, at all events, till you have appointed your ‘master of the horse.’  Good-by till to-morrow night.”