There was a pause, broken by the appearance of Miss Payne, who had only just discovered that Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde had left, and was not aware that Katherine had another visitor.  After a little further and somewhat desultory conversation Errington took leave; nor was Katherine sorry, for the presence of Miss Payne seemed to have set them as far apart as ever, and how near they had drawn for a few moments!

“So that is Mr. Errington!” said Miss Payne, when the door had closed upon him.  “He has never been here before?” The tone was interrogative.

“Mr. Errington has some acquaintance with George Liddell,” returned Katherine, “and has very kindly done his best to dissuade him from claiming the money I have expended.”

“How very good of him!  I am sure I trust he will succeed!” exclaimed Miss Payne.  “Now tell me how did Colonel Ormonde and your sister-in-law behave?”

Whereupon Katherine recounted all that had been said.  Many and cynical were Miss Payne’s remarks on the occasion, but Katherine scarcely heard her.  That Errington should take so deep an interest in her, should persist in wishing to be her friend, was infinitely sweet and consoling.  He was transparently true, and she did not doubt for a moment that he was sincere in all he said.  Still she could not forget the sense of humiliation his presence always inflicted.  It was always delightful to speak to him, and to hear him speak.  What would she not give to be able to stand upright before him and dare to assert herself?  How silent and dull and commonplace she must appear! not a bit natural or—­She would think no more of him.  Why was his face ever before her eyes?  She would not be haunted in that way.

Here Bertie Payne’s entrance created a diversion, which was most welcome.  He was looking white and ill, as though suffering from some mental strain, Katherine observed, and then remembered that he had been very silent and grave of late; but he replied cheerfully to her inquiries, and exerted himself to do the agreeable during dinner, for which he staid.

Katherine almost hoped for a summons from Mr. Newton next day, also for some communication from Mrs. Ormonde, but none reached her.  Still she possessed her soul in patience, fortified by the recollection of her interview with her new friend.

It was wet, and Katherine did not venture out, having a slight cold.  She tried to read, to write, to play, but she could not give her attention to anything.  It was an anxious crisis of her fate, and the sense of her isolation pressed upon her more heavily than ever.  She really had no family ties.  Friends were kind, but she had no claim on them or they on her.  Colonel and Mrs. Ormonde had ceased to exist for her.  How would her future life be colored?  From consecutive thought she passed to vague reverie, from which she was glad to be roused by the return of Miss Payne, who never staid in for any weather.