has just come
back from the Riviera. I'll go and do the dutiful, and tell him I have
found a suitable partner for my joys and sorrows; it will score to my
credit. He doesn't half like me, you know. Then I'll have a dozen better
chances to cultivate Miss Liddell in town, and away from your nursery,
than I have here. Give me her address. She is a frank, unconventional
creature, and won't mind coming out with me alone."

"Very true. Mrs. Ormonde has persuaded me to take her to town for a
couple of months; so we'll be there to back you up."

"Good! Meanwhile I will do my best for my own hand. If she starts on
Monday, I'll pay my respects to the peerless one by the time she has
swallowed her luncheon on Tuesday," said De Burgh, with a harsh laugh.

Thus it came to pass that De Burgh's card was amongst those preserved
for Katherine's inspection; but she postponed her departure first to
Wednesday, next to Saturday, and De Burgh grew savagely impatient when
Colonel Ormonde informed him of these changes in a private note.

When at last she did arrive, Miss Payne was struck by the look of
renewed hope and cheerfulness in her young friend's face. Her movements
even were more alert, and her voice had lost its languid tone.

"I thought you would find it difficult to get away," said Miss Payne,
as she assisted her to remove her travelling dress. "But I am very
pleased to see you again, and to see you looking more like yourself."

"I _feel_ more like my old self," returned Katherine, actually kissing
Miss Payne--a kind of treatment exceedingly new to her.

"In fact, I am full of a project which will, I hope, make me much
happier. I will tell you all about it after dinner, if we are alone.
Your advice will be of great value to me."

"Such as it is, I shall be glad to give it; though I do not suppose
you'll take it unless it suits your wishes."

"Perhaps not," said Katherine, laughing; "but I think it will."

"She is going to marry some fortune-hunting scamp," thought Miss Payne.
"I was afraid no good would come of her visit to that little dressy
dolly sister-in-law of hers." She only said, "Dinner will be ready in
half an hour, and we shall be quite alone."

Then she went quickly down stairs to her brother, who was gazing out of
the window, but not seeing what he looked at.

"You can't dine here to-day, Bertie," said Miss Payne, abruptly, as she
entered the room.

"And why not?"

"Because she wants to have some confiden