. Accident
revealed the state of the case to me. I went to see Urquhart, who had
just returned from India, and was in Edinburgh. I persuaded him to
return with me, and once the lovers met, matters swiftly arranged
themselves. Finally, Bradley gave his consent. Now the air is resonant
with the coming chime of wedding bells."

"I am greatly surprised," said Katherine, and it was some minutes before
she could speak again. Her horizon seemed suddenly suffused with light;
she felt dizzy with a strange delightful glow, and confused with a sense
of shame at her own unreasoning, irrational joy. What difference could
Errington's marriage or no marriage make to her?

"I suppose," resumed Errington, after looking earnestly at her speaking
face, "that the intimacy which arose between Mr. Bradley and myself in
consequence of my connection with _The Cycle_ suggested the rumor of my
engagement with his daughter; but no such idea ever entered my head or
Angela's. You know, I suppose, I am now _de facto_ editor of _The
Cycle_. It is a good appointment, and enables me to hope for
possibilities, though I dare not say probabilities."

"I am sure you will be an admirable editor," said Katherine, pulling
herself together, and trying to speak lightly.

"Why?" asked Errington, smiling.

"You are just, and--and careful, and must be a good judge of the
subjects such a periodical treats of."

"Thank you." He paused; then, looking down, he continued, "Mrs. Needham
tells me you have been troubled about your nephews."

"Yes, I was very much troubled, but I think they are safe and well now;
later I should put them to a better school, as I now hope to do." She
stopped to think how she should best explain George Liddell's unexpected
generosity, and Errington exclaimed.

"These boys are a heavy charge to you! yet I suppose you could not bring
yourself to give them up?"

"How could I? their mother can really do nothing for them, and it would
be cruel to hand them over to Colonel Ormonde's charity."

"It would! you are right," said Errington, hastily. "Poor little
fellows! to lose you would be too terrible a trial for them."

Katherine raised her eyes to his; they were moist with gratitude for his
sympathy, and seemed to draw him magnetically to her. He changed his
place to the sofa; leaning one arm on the back, he rested his head on
his hand, and looked gravely down upon her.

"Will you forgive me if I ask an intrusive question? You know we