Transcribed from the 1902 Macmillan and Co. “Countess Kate and The Stokesley Secret” edition by David Price, email ccx074@pglaf.org [Picture: Frontispiece: man comforting little girl on stairs whilst boy watches] COUNTESS KATE * * * * * BY CHARLOTTE M. YONGE * * * * * London MACMILLAN AND CO., Limited NEW YORK: THE MACMILLAN COMPANY 1902 _All rights reserved_ * * * * * RICHARD CLAY AND SONS, LIMITED, LONDON AND BUNGAY _Transferred to Macmillan and Co._, _Limited_, 1901. _Reprinted_, 1902. CHAPTER I. “THERE, I’ve done every bit I can do! I’m going to see what o’clock it is.” “I heard it strike eleven just now.” “Sylvia, you’ll tip up! What a tremendous stretch!” “Wha-ooh! Oh dear! We sha’n’t get one moment before dinner! Oh, horrible! oh, horrible! most horrible!” “Sylvia, you know I hate hearing _Hamlet_ profaned.” “You can’t hate it more than having no one to hear our lessons.” “That makes you do it. What on earth can Mary be about?” “Some tiresome woman to speak to her, I suppose.” “I’m sure it can’t be as much her business as it is to mind her poor little sisters. Oh dear! if Papa could only afford us a governess!” “I am sure I should not like it at all; besides, it is wrong to wish to be richer than one is.” “I don’t wish; I am only thinking how nice it would be, if some one would give us a famous quantity of money. Then Papa should have a pretty parsonage, like the one at Shagton; and we would make the church beautiful, and get another pony or two, to ride with Charlie.” “Yes, and have a garden with a hothouse like Mr. Brown’s.” “Oh yes; and a governess to teach us to draw. But best of all—O Sylvia! wouldn’t it be nice not to have to mind one’s clothes always? Yes, you laugh; but it comes easier to you; and, oh dear! oh dear! it is so horrid to be always having to see one does not tear oneself.” “I don’t think you do see,” said Sylvia, laughing. “My frocks always _will_ get upon the thorns. It is very odd.” “Only do please, Katie dear, let me finish this sum; and then if Mary is not come, she can’t scold if we are amusing ourselves.” “I know!” cried Kate. “I’ll draw such a picture, and tell you all about it when your sum is over.” Thereon ensued silence in the little room, half parlour, half study, nearly filled with books and piano; and the furniture, though carefully protected with brown holland, looking the worse for wear, and as if danced over by a good many young folks.