“Oh no.  On the contrary, I am living on the fat of the land, with the kindest mistress in the world.”

“Mistress!  Great heavens!  Why will you persist in such a life?”

“My dear Lord de Burgh, don’t you know that it is not always easy to judge or to act for another?

“Which means I am to mind my own business?”

“You have a very unvarnished style of stating facts.”

“I know I have.”  A short pause, and he began again.  “Where are those boys now?

“At Sandbourne.  But, alas!  I am going to take them away to-morrow.  They are going to a school at Wandsworth.”

“Going down to Sandbourne to-morrow?  Is Miss Payne going with you?”

“Oh no; I don’t need any one.”

“Nonsense! you can’t go about alone.  I’ll meet you at the station and escort you there.”

Katherine laughed.  “I am afraid that would never do.  You have increased in importance and I have diminished, till the distance between our respective stations has widened far too much to permit of familiar intercourse, or—­”

“I never thought I should hear you talking such rubbish.  What difference can there be between us, except that you are a good woman and I am not a good man?  I don’t think it’s quite fair that on our first meeting after ages—­at least quite two months of separation—­you should talk in this satirical way.”

“I speak the words of truth and soberness, Lord de Burgh.”

“Perhaps.  I can’t quite make you out.  I am certain you have been in worse trouble than even want of money.  I wish you’d confide in me.  That’s the right word, isn’t it?  Do you know, I can be very true to my friends, and silent as the grave.  I could tell you everything.”

“Thank you.  I am sure you could be a faithful friend.”

“Do you ever see Errington?” asked De Burgh, changing the subject abruptly.

“Oh yes.  He often comes here.”

“Indeed?  To see you, or Mrs.—­what’s her name?”

“To see Mrs. Needham,” returned Katherine, smiling.

“Hum!  I suppose he has a taste for mature beauty?”

“I do not know.  At all events Mrs. Needham knows charming girls—­enough to suit all tastes, and Mr. Errington—­”

“Is too superior a fellow to be influenced by such attractions, eh?” put in De Burgh.

“I am not so sure;” and she laughed merrily.  “I think there is one fair lady for whom he is inclined to forego his philosophic tranquility.”

“Ha!  I thought so.  Yourself?”

“Me!  No, indeed!  A young lady of high attainments and a large fortune.”

“Indeed?  I am glad of it.  He must be awfully hard up, poor devil!”

“Mr. Errington can never be poor,” cried Katherine, offended by the disparaging epithet.  “He carries his fortune in his brain.”