Miss Payne's sedate elderly house-maid looked quite elated as she took Charlie's hand and, preceded by Cecil, led him upstairs. "Are you really 'out' when I come?" asked De Burgh when they reached the drawing-room. Katherine took off her hat and pushed her hair off her brow as she seated herself in a low chair. "Yes, I think so. I do not usually deny myself to any visitor." She looked up, half amused, half interested, by the almost imploring expression of his usually hard face. "I rather suspect I am not a favored guest?" "Why do you say that, Mr. De Burgh? am I uncivil?" "No. What a fool I am making of myself! Tell me, are you really going away to-morrow to bury yourself alive?" "I am _really_." "After all, I believe you are right. _I_ am always bored in London. Women think it a paradise." "I like London so well that I shall probably make it my headquarters." "It's rather premature for you to make plans, isn't it?" "Whether it is or not, I have arranged my future much to my own satisfaction." "The deuce you have! What, at nineteen?" "Is that an attempt to find out my age?" asked Katherine, laughing. "No! for I fancy I know it. How far is this place you are going to from town, and how do you get to it?" "The journey takes about three hours and a half, and you travel by the Southwestern line." "Well, I intend to have the pleasure of running down to see you presently, if you will permit me." "Oh, of course, we shall be very happy to see you." "I hope so," said De Burgh, with a smile. "I don't think you are very encouraging. If there are any decent roads about this place, shall we resume the driving lessons?" "Thank you"--evasively. "I think of buying a donkey and chaise--certainly a pony for the boys." De Burgh laughed. "I suppose there is some boating to be had there. I shall certainly have a look at the place, even if I be not admitted to the shrine." There was a pause, during which De Burgh seemed in profound but not agreeable thought; then he suddenly exclaimed: "By-the-way, have you heard the news? Old Errington died, rather sudden at last, some time last night." "Indeed!" cried Katherine, roused to immediate attention. "I am very sorry to hear it. The marriage will then be put off. You know they were going to have it nearly a month sooner than was at first intended, because Mr. Errington feared the end was near. He was with his father, I hope?" "Yes, I believe he hardly left him for the last few days. Now the wedding cannot take place for a considerable time." "It will be a great disappointment," observed Katherine. "To which of the happy pair?" "To both, I suppose," she returned. "Do you think they cared a rap about each other?" "Yes, I do indeed. Every one has a different way of showing their feelings, and Mr. Errington is _quite_ different from _you_." "Different--and immensely superior, eh?" "I did not say so, Mr. De Burgh."