"Oh, I a.s.sure you that does not count for much. "Duke doesn"t care to spend money, and my having something of my own makes matters wonderfully smooth. I am sure you would not like to make any unhappiness between us."
"No, certainly not. I think it quite right, as my brother"s widow, you should have something for yourself as long as you live."
"You really have a great sense of justice, Katherine, I must say! Living as you do, dear, you can form no idea what it costs to present an appearance when you are in a certain set."
"I don"t suppose I ever shall, though I like nice clothes too."
"And look so well in them!" added Mrs. Ormonde, who was always ready, when she deemed it necessary, to burn the incense of flattery on her sister-in-law"s shrine. "By-the-way, that is a very pretty, well-made costume you have on. I think you are slighter than you used to be."
"The effect of a good fit. I wish you would employ my dressmaker. She is very moderate."
"Is she?"
A short discussion of prices followed, and Mrs. Ormonde declared she would call on Miss Trant that very afternoon and bespeak two dresses, for all she had were quite familiar to the eyes of her a.s.sociates.
"I suppose you have heard or seen nothing of De Burgh lately?" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde, suddenly.
"No, not for a long time."
"He has been away--somewhere in Hungary, hunting or shooting--and then he has been staying with old Lord de Burgh. They used hardly to speak, and now he seems taken into favor. He is a curious sort of man, and he can be _so_ insolent! How he will put his foot on people"s necks when he gets the old man"s t.i.tle and wealth!"
"If they let him," said Katherine, quietly.
"As he is in town, I thought he might have called on you. He was always running down to that stupid place in the summer, so I----"
"Mr. De Burgh!" said a waiter, opening the door with a burst.
"Talk of an angel!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, rising to receive him with a welcoming smile. "My sister was just saying it was a long time since she had seen you."
Katherine felt annoyed at the thoughtless speech--if it _was_ thoughtless. However, she kept a composed air, though the varying color which she never could regulate told De Burgh that she was not unmoved.
"And probably hoped it would be longer," he replied, as he shook hands with Mrs. Ormonde, but only bowed to Miss Liddell.
"Don"t answer him," cried the former; "such decided fishing does not deserve success."
"I will not," said Katherine, with a kind smile. She was too thorough a woman not to have a soft corner in her heart for the man who had professed, with so convincing an air of sincerity, to love her with all his heart.
It did not, however, seem to please or displease him, for he sat down beside the tea-table with his usual unaffected ease, and addressed his conversation to Mrs. Ormonde.
"Just heard from Carew that you were in town, and I have only escaped from Pontygarvan, where I have been playing the dutiful kinsman to my immortal relative. I don"t know which is most to be avoided, his enmity or his liking. He is an amusing old cynic at times, but a born despot.
He only let me away to prosecute a scheme that he has taken up, and which I have gone pretty deeply into myself."
"Indeed!" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde, handing him some tea. "Have you turned promoter, or--"
"Well, I am going to be my own promoter; time only will show how I"ll succeed. You must both give me your best wishes."
"I am sure I do," said Mrs. Ormonde.
De Burgh raised his eyes slowly to Katherine"s. She had not spoken.
"Don"t _you_ wish me success? No; I thought you didn"t."
"I wish you all possible happiness," she said, in a low tone.
"Have you quarrelled with Katherine, or offended her, that she is so implacable?" asked Mrs. Ormonde.
"Neither, I hope. Now what are you doing in the way of amus.e.m.e.nt? Have you seen a play since you came up? The pantomimes are still on at the big theatres. But I want you to come and see _Ours_ at the Prince of Wales on Thursday; it"s very good in parts. Then if you"ll sup with me after, at my rooms, I"ll get Carew and Brereton and one or two others to meet you."
"It would be very nice!" exclaimed Mrs. Ormonde.
"Thank you," returned Katherine. "I am, strange to say, going to a party on Thursday."
"To a party! How extraordinary! Where, Katherine?"
"To Lady Barrington"s--a lady I knew in Florence, and who has invited me repeatedly."
"I am sure I am very glad you are coming out of your sh.e.l.l at last.
Where does this Lady Barrington live?"
"In Lancaster Square, not far from my abode."
"Well, let us say Friday for _Ours_," said De Burgh; "for I too am going to Lady Barrington"s on Thursday."
"Then why did you invite us for that evening?" cried Mrs. Ormonde.
"I could have gone afterwards. Lady Barrington"s gatherings are always late."
"You really know every one."
"Oh, not every one, Mrs. Ormonde."
"Then our "play" is not to come off unless Katherine is to be of the party"--rather pettishly.
"If you like I will take you on Thursday, and Miss Liddell (if she will allow me) on Friday."
"What nonsense! We will all go together on Friday. Katie, do you think this friend of yours would invite me? I don"t care to mope here when you are out enjoying yourself."
"I am sure she would be very pleased to see you. I will write and ask her for an invitation as soon as I go home." Katherine rose as she spoke.
"Do, like a good girl; and I will go and interview this dressmaker of yours. Till to-morrow, then."
The little woman stood on tiptoe to kiss her tall sister-in-law, who left the room, followed by De Burgh.
"Haven"t I been a reasonable, well-behaved fellow not to have haunted or worried you all these months? Will you let me come and tell you how wise and staid and prudent I have become?" he said.
He spoke half in jest, but there was a wonderfully appealing look in his eyes.
"I am very glad to hear it, Mr. De Burgh. I hope you will go on and prosper."
"And will you shut your doors against me if I call?"