to perceive the
subtle change which had sobered her spirit.

The season was over, and Mrs. Ormonde descended on Cliff Cottage for a
parting visit. She had only given notice of her approach by a telegram.

"You know you are quite too obstinate, Katherine," she said, as the
sisters-in-law sat together in the drawing-room, waiting for the cool of
the evening before venturing out. "You never came to me all through the
season except once, when you wanted to shop, and now you refuse to join
us at Castleford in September, when we are to have really quite a nice
party: Mr. De Burgh and Lord Riversdale and--oh! several really good
men."

"I dare say I do seem stupid to you, but then, you see, I know what I
want. You are very good to wish for me. Next year I shall be very
pleased to pay you a visit."

"Then what in the world will you do in the winter?"

"Remain where I am--I mean with Miss Payne--and look out for a house for
myself."

"But, my dear, you are much too young to live alone."

"I am twenty-one now; I shall be twenty-two by the time I am settled in
a house of my own. And, Ada, I am going to ask you a favor. Lend me your
boys to complete my respectability."

"What! for altogether? Why, Katherine, you will marry, and--"

"Well, suppose I do, that need not prevent my having the comfort of my
nephews' company until the fatal knot is tied."

"Now, dear Katherine, _do_ tell me--_are_ you engaged to any one? Not a
foreigner?--anything but a foreigner!"

"At present," said Katherine, with some solemnity, "I am engaged to two
young men."

"My dear! You of all young girls! I am astonished. There is nothing so
deep, after all, as a demure young woman. I suppose you are in a scrape,
and want Colonel Ormonde to help you out of it?"

"I think I can manage my own affairs."

"Don't be too sure. A girl with money like you is just the subject for a
breach-of-promise case. Do I know either of these men?"

"Yes, both."

"Who are they?" cried Mrs. Ormonde, with deepening interest.

"Cis and Charlie," returned Katherine, laughing.

"I really cannot see anything amusing in this sort of stupid
mystification," cried Mrs. Ormonde, in a huff.

"Pray forgive me; but your determination to marry me out of hand tempts
me to such naughtiness. However, be forgiving, and lend me the boys till
next spring. They might go to Castleford for Christmas."

"Oh no," interrupted Mrs. Ormonde, hastily. "I forgot to mention that
Ormonde