n't even want to know what you and
Miss Westerfield said to each other. At the same time, as a matter of
convenience to myself, I wish to ascertain whether I must leave this
hotel or not. The same house doesn't hold that woman and ME. Has she
gone?"

"She has gone."

Mrs. Presty looked round the room. "And taken Kitty with her?" she
asked.

"Don't speak of Kitty!" Catherine cried in the greatest distress. "I
have had to keep the poor innocent affectionate child apart from Miss
Westerfield by force. My heart aches when I think of it."

"I'm not surprised, Catherine. My granddaughter has been brought up on
the modern system. Children are all little angels--no punishments--only
gentle remonstrance--'Don't be naughty, dear, because you will make poor
mamma unhappy.' And then, mamma grieves over it and wonders over it,
when she finds her little angel disobedient. What a fatal system of
education! All my success in life; every quality that endeared me to
your father and Mr. Presty; every social charm that has made me the idol
of society, I attribute entirely to judicious correction in early life,
applied freely with the open hand. We will change the subject. Where is
dear Bennydeck? I want to congratulate him on his approaching marriage."
She looked hard at her daughter, and mentally added: "He'll live to
regret it!"

Catherine knew nothing of the Captain's movements. "Like you," she told
her mother, "I have something to say to him, and I don't know where he
is."

Mrs. Presty still kept her eyes fixed on her daughter. Nobody, observing
Catherine's face, and judging also by the tone of her voice, would have
supposed that she was alluding to the man whose irresistible attractions
had won her. She looked ill at ease, and she spoke sadly.

"You don't seem to be in good spirits, my dear," Mrs. Presty gently
suggested. "No lovers' quarrel already, I hope?"

"Nothing of the kind."

"Can I be of any use to you?"

"You might be of the greatest use. But I know only too well, you would
refuse."

Thus far, Mrs. Presty had been animated by curiosity. She began now
to feel vaguely alarmed. "After all that I have done for you," she
answered, "I don't think you ought to say that. Why should I refuse?"

Catherine hesitated.

Her mother persisted in pressing her. "Has it anything to do with
Captain Bennydeck?"

"Yes."

"What is it?"

Catherine roused her courage.

"You know what it is as well as I do," she said. "Capta