men never attract you; you only care for bold----"

"Vivacious, coquettish, attractive little widows, like one I once knew,"
said the Colonel, laughing, as he carefully wiped his gray moustache.

"You are really too absurd!" she exclaimed, sharply. "Do you mean to say
I was ever bold?"

"No; I only mean to say you are an angel, and a deuced lucky angel in
every sense into the bargain! Now, have you any commissions? I am going
to Monckton this morning, and I fancy the dog-cart will be at the door.
Where's the boy? I'll take him and nurse down to the gate with me if
they'll wrap up. The little fellow is so fond of a drive."

"My dear 'Duke!--such a morning as this! Do you think I would let the
precious child out?"

"Nonsense! Do not make a molly-coddle of him. He is as strong as a
horse. Send for him anyway. I haven't seen him this morning. And be sure
you write a proper letter to Katherine Liddell; you had better let me
see it before it goes."

"Indeed I shall do nothing of the kind. Do you think I never wrote a
letter in my life before I knew you?"

"Oh, go your own way," retorted the Colonel, beating a retreat to save a
total rout.

In due course Katherine received an effusive letter of thanks, and a
pressing invitation to come down to Castleford on the following Monday,
and saying that as the hunting season was almost over, they would be
very quiet till after Easter, when Mrs. Ormonde was going to town for a
couple of months, ending with an assurance that the dear boys were dying
to see her, and that Colonel Ormonde was going to London for the express
purpose of escorting her on her journey.

"It is certainly not necessary," observed Katherine, with a smile,
"considering how accustomed I am to take care of myself. Still it is
kindly meant, and I shall accept the offer." This to Miss Payne, as they
rose from luncheon where Katherine had told her the contents of her
letter.

"Ahem! No doubt they are anxious to show you every attention. Would you
like to take Turner with you? I could spare her very well." Turner was
the maid expressly engaged to wait upon Miss Liddell.

"Oh no, thank you, I want so little waiting on. Lady Alice Mordaunt will
be with Mrs. Ormonde, and will be sure to have a maid, so another might
be inconvenient."

"My dear Miss Liddell, if you will excuse me for thrusting advice upon
you, I would say that 'considering' people is the very best way to
prevent their showing you consideration.