s. So
Mrs. Ormonde resumed: "A good, religious girl like you, Katherine, must
feel that it is right to submit to the will of--"

"Yes, yes; I know all about that," interrupted Katherine, who was rather
irritated than soothed by her sister-in-law's attempt at preaching; and
recovering herself, she added: "I will not worry you with my tears. Tell
me how the boys get on with Colonel Ormonde."

"Very well indeed, especially Cecil. 'Duke is very kind. They have a
pony, and quite enjoy the country; but now that we have a boy of our
own, we feel doubly anxious that Cis and Charlie should be permanently
provided for; so do, dear, come back with me, and talk it all over with
my husband. He is _such_ a good man of business."

Katherine smiled faintly; she had not seen the drift of Mrs. Ormonde's
remarks at first; there was no mistaking them now. A slightly
mischievous sense of power kept her from setting her sister-in-law's
mind at rest immediately.

"I do not think it necessary to consult with Colonel Ormonde, Ada, for I
have quite made up my mind what to do. I think you may trust your boys
to me. I must see Mr. Newton and arrange many matters, so I do not think
I can go to you just yet. Then, I do not like to be in the way, and I
could _not_ mix in society just yet. Oh, I am not morbid or sentimental,
but some months of seclusion I _must_ have."

Mrs. Ormonde played with the tassel of the screen with which she
sheltered her face from the fire while she thought: "What can she really
mean to do? I wonder if she is engaged to any one, and waiting for him
here? Once she is married, good-by to a settlement. She is awfully
deep!" Then she said aloud, coaxingly, "Oh, we are very quiet
home-staying people. We have a few men to stay now and again, but we
never give big dinners. Tell me the truth, dear, are you not engaged? It
would be but natural. A charming girl like you, with a large fortune,
could not escape a multitude of lovers."

"You are wrong, Ada. I am not engaged, and I have no lovers. Of course a
prince or two and a German graf did me the honor of proposing to annex
my property, taking myself with it. Any well-dowered girl may expect
such offers in Continental society; but they did not affect me."

"No, no; certainly not! It will be an Englishman. Quite right. And 'Duke
must find out all about him. You know, dear, you would marry ever so
much better from _my_ house than you possibly could _here_, with a
person who, af