s.

De Burgh walked with Miss Liddell to her own door, but wisely refused to
enter. "No," he mused, as he proceeded to his hotel; "I have had enough
of a _solitude a trois_. It's an uncomfortable, tantalizing thing, and
though I have been positively angelic for the last seven or eight hours,
I can't stand any more intercourse under Miss Payne's paralyzing optics.
I wonder if any fellow can keep up a heavenly calm for more than
twenty-four hours? Depends on the circulation of the blood. I wonder
still more if it is possible that Katherine is more disposed to like me
than she was? She is somehow different than when I was here last. So
divinely soft and kind! I have known a score or two of fascinating
women, and gone wild about a good many, but _this_ is different, why the
deuce should she _not_ love me? Most of the others did. Why? God knows.
I'll try my luck; she seems in a propitious mood."

CHAPTER XXI.

"NO."

Next morning's post brought a letter from Bertie, which was a kind of
complement to Katherine's reflections of the night before. After
explaining that he had hitherto been unable to take a holiday from his
various avocations, he promised to spend the following week with his
sister and Miss Liddell. He then described the success of Mrs. Needham's
bazar, and proceeded thus:

"Meeting my old friend Mrs. Dodd a few days ago, I was sorry to find
from her that your favorite, Rachel Trant, had been very unwell. She had
had a great deal of work, thanks to your kind efforts on her behalf, and
sat at it early and late; then she took cold. I went to see her, and
found her in a state of extreme depression, like that from which you
succeeded in rousing her. I think it would be well if she could have a
little change. Are there any cheap, humble lodgings at Sandbourne, where
she might pass a week or two? I shall pass this matter in your hands."

"I am sure old Norris's wife would take her in. They have a nice
cottage, almost on the beach, close to the point."

"No doubt. Really that Rachel of yours is in great luck. I wonder how
many poor girls in London are dying for a breath of sea-air?"

"Ah, hundreds, I fear. But then, you see, they have not been brought
under my notice, and Rachel has; so I will do the best I can for her. I
am sure she is no common woman."

"At all events she has no common luck."

Katherine lost no time in visiting Mrs. Norris, and found that she was
in the habit of letting a large, lo