“Oh yes! long ago.”

“Then, Miss Liddell, indulge me in a little talk.  It is so long since I have had a word with you!  It seems that since we agreed to be fast friends, founding our friendship on the injuries we have done each other, that we have drifted apart more than ever.  Pray do not turn away with that distressed look.  I am so unfortunate in being always associated with painful ideas in your mind.”

“Indeed you are not.  All the good of my present life I owe to you,” and she raised her soft brown eyes, full of tender gratitude, to his.  It was a glance that might have warmed any man’s heart, and Errington’s answer was: 

“Come, then, and let us exchange confidences,” the crowd round the door at that moment obliging him, as it seemed to her, to hold her arm very close to his side.

At the end of the hall, which was little more than a passage, was a door sheltered by a large porch.  The door had been removed, and the porch turned into a charming nook, with draperies, plants, colored lamps, and comfortable seats.  Here Errington and Katherine established themselves.

“First,” he began, “tell me, how do you fare at Mrs. Needham’s hands?  I am glad to see that you seem quite at home; and if I may be allowed to say it, you bear up bravely under the buffets of unkindly fortune.”

“I have no right to complain,” returned Katherine.  “As to Mrs. Needham, were I her younger sister she could not be kinder.  I think the great advantage of the semi-Bohemian set to which she belongs, is that among them there is neither Jew nor Greek, neither bond nor free, for all are one in our common human nature.  Were I to go down into the kitchen and cook the dinner, it would not put me at any disadvantage with my good friend.  I should have only to wash my hands and don my best frock, and in the drawing-room I should be as much the daughter of the house as ever.”

Errington laughed.  There was a happy sound in his laugh.  “You describe our kind hostess well.  Such women are the salt of the social earth.  And your ‘dear boys.’  How and where are they?”

“Ah! that is a trial.  I go down to Sandbourne the day after to-morrow, to take them from that delightful school, and place them in a far different establishment.”

“Ha!  Does Mrs. Ormonde go with you?”

“Mrs. Ormonde?  Oh no.  You know—­” she hesitated.  “Well, you see, Colonel Ormonde is exceedingly indignant with me because I have lost my fortune, and I fancy he does not approve of Ada’s having anything to do with me.  Besides—­” She paused, not liking to betray too much of the family politics.  “They have agreed to give the boys over to me.”

“I know.  I paid Mr. Newton a long visit the other day, and he told me—­perhaps more than you would like.”

“I do not mind how much you know,” said Katherine, sadly.  “I am glad you care enough to inquire.”

“I want you to understand that I care very, very much,” replied Errington, in a low, earnest tone.  “You and I have crossed each other’s paths in an extraordinary manner, and if you will allow me, I should like to act a brother’s part to you if—­” He broke off abruptly, and Katherine, looking up to him with a bright smile, exclaimed, “I shall be delighted to have such a brother, and will not give you more trouble than I can help.”