They sat silent for a few moments, a sense of peace and safety stealing over Katherine’s heart.

Suddenly Errington turned to her, and said,

“Our friend De Burgh can scarcely know himself in his new condition.”

“He seems remarkably at home, however.  I hope he will distinguish himself as an enlightened and benevolent legislator.”

“He must be a good deal changed if he does.  You have seen a great deal of him, I believe, since he returned to London?”

“I have seen him several times.  He seems to get on with Mrs. Needham.”

“With Mrs. Needham?” repeated Errington, in a slightly mocking tone, and elevating his eyebrows in a way that made Katherine blush for her uncandid remark.

“Well, Mrs. Needham seems to have taken immensely to him.”

“I can understand that.  De Burgh has wherewithal now to recommend him to most party-giving dowagers.”

“That speech is not like you, Mr. Errington; you know my dear good chief is utterly uninfluenced by worldly considerations.  Lord de Burgh has been very good and helpful to me with the boys, I assure you,” said Katherine, feeling that she changed color under Errington’s watchful eyes.

“Yes, I have no doubt he could be boundlessly kind where he wishes to please—­more, I think he is a generous fellow; but—­I am going to be ill-natured,” he said, with a slight change of tone, “and, as you have allowed me the privilege of a friend, I must beg you to reflect that De Burgh is a man of imperious temper, given to somewhat reckless seeking of what he desires, and not too steady in his attachments.  Though in every sense a man of honor, and by no means without heart, yet I fear as a companion he would be disturbing, if not——­”

“Why do you warn me?” cried Katherine, growing somewhat pale.  “And what has poor Lord de Burgh done to earn your disapprobation?”

“I know I am somewhat Quixotic and unguarded in speaking thus to you; but it would be affectation to say I did not perceive De Burgh’s very natural motive.  There is much about him that is attractive to women, apart from his exceptional fortune and position; but I doubt if he could make a woman like you happy.  If the ease and luxury he could bestow ever prove tempting, I do not think that anything except sincere affection would enable you to surmount the difficulty of dealing with a character like his.”

While Errington spoke with quiet but impressive earnestness, a perverse spirit entered into Katherine Liddell.  Here was this man, sailing triumphantly on the crest of good fortune, about to ally himself to a woman, good, certainly, and suited to him, but also rich enough to set him above all care and money troubles, urging counsels of perfection on her.  Why was she to be advised to reject a man who certainly loved her by one who only felt a temperate and condescending friendship for her?  How could he judge what amount of influence De Burgh’s affection for herself might give her?