"Oh, she goes with us, of course," replied Kate. "Well, you know best how much you pay her, and whether you can afford it?" returned Winter. "But nurse is not like a servant, she is a friend, she could never live with any people but us? Oh, do not tell me, we must leave nurse!" said Miss Vernon. "We cannot accept her services for nothing," observed the Colonel. "I will gladly engage her as cook and house-keeper, at whatever wages you give her." "Her wages are small," said Kate, "she would not accept higher, since we left Dungar!" "Well, you must settle all that with her," returned Winter. "I am ready to ratify any arrangement you may make; and now write to Lady Desmond, as I suggested, Kate; _ma belle et bonne enfant_, you are wearied by this long, gloomy talk, and I am an old bear. I know it, Colonel; but my heart is like the coat of my prototype, rough and warm." After some more general conversation, they separated, Winter and the Colonel, to visit some land the former wished to purchase, and about which he affected great anxiety to have the Colonel's opinion. Kate to walk in solitary meditation by the river, to try and collect her thoughts, before the dreaded explanation with nurse. Mournfully she gazed at all the well-known objects she had learned to love, in her tranquil, happy retirement; and her bright, quick, fancy painted in strong contrast the life she was henceforth to lead. "Even if I am successful, grandpapa will be so much alone," she thought; "and what a crowded, busy, terrifying place London is! I am glad Fred Egerton is in India, I could not bear that he should meet me, perhaps, walking alone in London." And the large tears stole down her cheeks, at the mixture of feelings this vision aroused. Turning slowly round, she approached the little landing place, intending to speak a few words to Elijah Bush; a little, rosy, curly-headed boy, was seated in the boat instead of its shaggy owner; he rose, as Kate stopped at the end of the landing. "Where is Elijah?" she enquired. "Please, ma'am, he's been sick these three days back." "I am sorry to hear it; what is the matter with him?" "Oh, ma'am, he's got the rheumatics drefful bad." "And is there no one to mind the boat but you, my little man?" "No, ma'am." "You cannot row it?" "No, ma'am; but whiles the men rows the'selves, and gives me the money." "And have you had many passengers?" "One yesterday, ma'am; and none at all the day." "Then poor Elijah must be but badly off; has he any money?" "Oh dear no, ma'am." "Where does he live?" "In the Piper's lane, nigh St. Winefred's Tower, ma'am." "Will you show me the way to him?" "Oh yes, ma'am; I often hear him speak of ye, ma'am; he'll be main glad to see ye, ma'am." "What is your name, my little man?" "Willy Bush, ma'am." "Are you Elijah's grandson?" "No, ma'am, he's my gran-uncle." "Well, I will just go up to the Priory, and return to you immediately; and then you shall show me the way to him."