"Miss Bradley!" announced the servant; and Angela entered, in an exquisite walking dress of dark blue velvet; bonnet and feathers, gloves, parasol, all to match. Mrs. Ormonde gazed in delighted admiration at this splendid apparition. "My dear Miss Liddell!" she exclaimed, shaking hands cordially. "I have rushed over to tell you that we have secured a box for Patti's benefit on Thursday, and I want you to join us. I know Mrs. Needham has a stall, but she will sup with us after. Mr. Errington and one or two musical critics are coming to dine with me at half past six, and we can go together." "You are very good," said Katherine, coloring. She did not particularly care to go with Miss Bradley, and she was amused at Mrs. Ormonde's expression of astonishment. "Of course I shall be most happy." "Now I must not stay; I have heaps to do. Will you be so kind as to give me the address of the modiste you mentioned the other day who made that pretty gray dress of yours? Madame Maradan is so full she cannot do a couple of morning dresses for me, so I want to try your woman." "I shall be so glad if you will," cried Katherine. "I will bring you one of her cards. Let me introduce my sister-in-law to you. Mrs. Ormonde, Miss Bradley." She left the room, and Miss Bradley drew a chair beside her. "I think I had the pleasure of seeing you at Lady Carton's garden party last July?" she said, courteously. "Oh, dear me, yes! I thought I knew your face. Lady Carton introduced you to me. Lady Carton is a cousin of Colonel Ormonde's." "Oh, indeed! Miss Liddell was not there?" "No; she chose to bury herself by the sea-side for the whole season." Here Katherine returned with the card. "I am so glad you are going to give my friend Rachel Trant a trial. I am sure you will like her. She has excellent taste." "Now I must not wait any longer. So good-by. Shall you be at Madame Caravicelli's this evening?" "I am not sure. I don't feel much disposed to go." "Good-by for the present, then. Good-morning," to Mrs. Ormonde, and Miss Bradley swept out of the room. "Well, Katherine!" cried Mrs. Ormonde, when her sister-in-law returned, "you seem to have fallen on your feet here. Pray who is that fine, elegant girl who seems so fond of you?" "She is the daughter of a wealthy publisher, and has been very kind to me." "Ah, yes! I remember now, Lady Carton said she would have a large fortune; and so she is your intimate friend?" "Well, a very kind friend." "Now I must bid you good-by. I am sure I am very glad you are so comfortable. I am going back to Castleford to-morrow, or I should call again. You are going to be Lucky Katherine, after all; I am sure you are;" and with many sweet words she disappeared. "Lucky," repeated Katherine, as she returned to her task, "mine has been strange luck." * * * * *