body else, and carried off to prison. It gives such a flurry to
the spirits to think of these things, and a life of monotony is so very
detestable."

Kate tried to smile an assent, and Lady Hester ran on in the same
strain, extolling the delights of anything and everything that promised
an excitement. "You know, my dear child, that this little place has
almost been the death of me," added she. "I never was so bored in all my
life; and I vow I shall detest a mill and a pine-forest to the last day
I live. If it had not been for you and your sweet sister, I do not know
what we should have clone; but it 's all over now. The dreary interval
is passed, and when we turn the foot of that hill yonder, we shall have
seen the last of it."

Kate's heart was almost bursting as she heard these words. To speak thus
of the little valley would have been a profanation at any time, but to
do so now, when she was about to leave it, when she was about to tear
herself away from all the ties of love and affection, seemed an actual
cruelty.

"Small places are my aversion," continued Lady Hester, who, when
satisfied with her own talk, never cared much what effect it was
producing upon others. "One grows down insensibly to the measure of a
petty locality, with its little interests, its little people, and its
little gossip don't you think so, dear?"

"We were so happy here!" murmured Kate, in a voice that a choking
fulness of her throat almost stifled.

"Of course you were, child, very happy; and it was very good of you
to be so. Yes, very good and very right." Here Lady Hester assumed a
peculiar tone, which she always put on whenever she fancied that she
was moralizing. "Natural amiability of disposition, and all that sort
of thing, is very nice indeed; but there 's luncheon, I see, and now, my
dear, let us take our places without loss of time. George, will you give
your arm to Miss Dalton? Mr. Dalton but where 's Mr. Dalton?"

"Papa has taken him with him to his dressing-room," answered Sydney,
"but begged you'd not wait; they'll be back presently."

"No lady does wait at luncheon," said Lady Hester, snappishly, while,
drawing Kate's arm within her own, she led her into the adjoining room.

The party had scarcely seated themselves at table when they were joined
by Jekyl. Indeed, Lady Hester had only time to complain of his absence
when he appeared; for it was a trick of that gentleman's tact merely to
make himself sufficiently regrette