"I do not intend to be presented," said Katherine; "it would be needless trouble. I have not the least ambition to go to court." "But, Katherine, it is absolutely necessary to take your proper position in society. It is not, Mr. De Burgh?" "What is your objection?" asked De Burgh, disregarding his hostess. "Are you too radical, or too transcendental, or what?" "Neither. I simply do not care to go, and do not see the necessity of going." "You were always the strangest girl!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, a good deal annoyed. "But still, if you were with _us_, you might see a good deal--" "You know, Ada, I am fixed for this year, and would not change even if I could." "Forgive me for interrupting you," said Errington, coming from the next room. "But if you are disengaged, Lady Alice would be greatly obliged by your playing for her." "Certainly," cried Katherine. She had a sort of pleasure in obliging Errington, and Lady Alice for his sake; and putting her knitting into its little case, she rose and accompanied him to what was called the music-room, because it contained a grand piano and an old, nearly stringless violin. "I don't think," said De Burgh, looking after her, "that your sister-in-law is quite as much under your influence as you fancy." "Oh, don't you?" cried Mrs. Ormonde, feeling a flash of dislike to Katherine thrill through her. It was terribly trying to find an admirer, of whom she was so proud, drawn from her by that "tiresome, obstinate girl"; it was also enough to vex a saint to see her turn a deaf ear to her more experienced and highly placed sister's suggestion. "When you know a little more of her you will see how obstinate and headstrong she is." "Ah! troublesome qualities those, especially in a rich woman, and a handsome one to boot. There is something very taking about that sister-in-law of yours, Mrs. Ormonde. If I were Lady Alice I wouldn't trust Errington with her: she would be a dangerous rival." "Oh, nonsense! Do you think our Admirable Crichton could go wrong?" "I don't know. If he ever does, he'll go a tremendous cropper." "Well, Mr. De Burgh, if you would like to go in and win, you had better make the running now. Once she 'comes out' in town, you will find a host of competitors." "Ha! I suppose you think a rugged fellow like me would have little or no chance with the curled darlings of May Fair and South Kensington?" Mrs. Ormonde looked down on her fan, but did not speak. De Burgh laughed. "Who is going to bring her out?" he asked. "I am," with dignity. De Burgh's reply was short and simple. He said, "Oh!" and the interjection (is there an interjection now?--I am not young enough to know) brought the color to Mrs. Ormonde's cheek and a frown to her fair brow. "The young lady is, on the whole, original," he continued. "She does not care to be presented." "Do you believe her? I don't. She only said so from love of contradicting."