That half-hour was spent by Katherine in explaining to Cis and Charlie that she could not go out with them that day, for the morning was promised to De Burgh, and after luncheon she had undertaken to try over the song which had pleased her with Lady Alice, who was to leave the next day. The little fellows thought themselves very ill-used. But Miss Richards, who had greatly prized her deliverance from long muddy rambles since Katherine's advent, promised to take them to fish in a stream which ran between the Castleford and Melford properties. "Do you suppose I shall dare to touch the reins of these terrible creatures?" said Katherine when De Burgh dashed up to the door, and held the spirited, impatient animals steady with some difficulty. "We'll get rid of some of the steam first, and you will get accustomed to their playfulness," he returned. "Here, Ormonde, haven't you a rug for Miss Liddell? It may come on to rain." "Yes; here you are;" and Colonel Ormonde, who was examining the turn-out, tucked up his fair guest carefully, and warned them to be back in good time, as he wanted De Burgh to ride over with him to see some horses which were for sale a mile or two at the other side of Monckton. "What a frightful pace;" said Katherine, after they had whirled out of the gates, yet feeling comforted by De Burgh's evident mastery of the ponies. "You are not frightened? Don't you think I can manage them?" "I am not comfortable, because I am not accustomed to horses and furious driving." "Oh, they will settle down presently. Where shall we go--through Garston? It's a fine place. Perhaps you have seen it?" "I have not, and I should like to see it very much." She was delighted with the suggestion. It would be a help to her, a consolation, to see so visible a token of Errington's wealth. "Curious fellow, Errington," resumed De Burgh. "I suppose he is about the only man who isn't spoiled by the most unbroken prosperity. Still, a fellow who never did anything wrong in his life is rather uninteresting; don't you think so?" "Has he never done anything wrong? That seems rather incredible." "If he has, he has kept it deucedly close. But you are right; it is very incredible." They drove on for a while in silence. It was a delicious morning--a blue sky flecked with fleecy white clouds, bright sunlight, birds singing, hedges budding, all nature welcoming the first sweet intoxication of renewed youth stirring in her veins. Katherine loved the spring-time, and felt its influence profoundly, but it was the first spring in which she had been alone; this time last year she--they--had been at Bordighera. How heavenly fair it had been! But De Burgh was speaking: "You did not hear, or rather heed, what I said, Miss Liddell; that's not civil." "Indeed it is not--forgive me. What did you say?" "I suppose you like country life best, as you demolished Mrs. Ormonde's scheme respecting a house in town so promptly?"