“I don’t know what to think; they were very good friends, but I do not think Katherine was in love with him.  She is a curious girl.  I often am tempted to fancy she has something on her mind.”

“Nonsense, my dear Miss Payne.  I never met a finer, truer nature than Katherine Liddell’s,” cried Mrs. Needham, an affectionate smile lighting up her handsome, kindly face.  “The worst of it is, I do not know whom to blame, and Katherine has put me on honor not to ask her.”

“I cannot help you,” said Miss Payne; and she fell into a thoughtful silence, while Mrs. Needham watched her eagerly.

“I am going away for a few weeks,” resumed Miss Payne.  “I have let my house, and I shall go to Sandbourne; the weather seems settled, and it will be pleasant there.  If you can spare her, I will ask Katherine to come with me, she liked the place, and perhaps in the intimacy of every-day life she may tell me what happened; but, remember, I’ll not tell you unless she gives me leave.”

“No, no, of course not; but I am sure she would trust me as soon as anyone.’

“Very likely.  It will just depend upon who is near her when she is in a confidential mood.”

“Perhaps.  I am sure it would do her good; and Sandbourne is not far.  If De Burgh wants to make it up, he can easily run down there.”

“Yes, he knows his way.  I am not sure that he is the right man, though,” said Miss Payne, reflectively; “he is too ready to ride rough-shod over everyone and everything.”

“Do you think so?  I must say I thought him a delightful person, so natural and good-natured.”

“Well, let me go and see Katherine.  I am anxious to take her away with me.”

Katherine was most willing to accept Miss Payne’s proposition.  She was soothed and gratified by the thoughtful kindness shown her by both her friends, and anxious to refresh her mind and recruit her strength before taking up her life again.

“You are so good to think of taking me with you,” she cried, when Miss Payne ceased speaking.  “I should like greatly to go, if Mrs. Needham can spare me.”

“Of course I can.  You will come back a better secretary than ever,” exclaimed that lady, cheerfully.  “I will try to run down and see you some Saturday.  It is rather a new place, this Sandbourne, isn’t it?”

“Yes; it is not crowded yet.”

“When do you go down there?”

“On Saturday afternoon,” returned Miss Payne.  “I have taken rooms at Marine Cottage; you know, it is at the end of the parade, near an old house.”

“Yes, quite well; it is a nice little place.”

“I will write to secure another bedroom; and let us meet at the station on Saturday.  I go by the 2.50 train.”  A few more preliminaries and the affair was settled.

Previous to leaving town, however, Katherine felt she must see Rachel Trant, though she half dreaded meeting her.  It must have been an awful blow to meet De Burgh as she did.  Would she divine what brought him there?  Katherine felt she had been cold and remiss in having kept silence towards her friend so long, and, when Miss Payne left, she walked with her across the park to Rachel’s abode, in spite of Mrs. Needham’s assurances that it would be too much for her, and retard the recovery of her nervous forces, etc., etc.