And Kate laid her head on her pillow, blessing Lever for having effected by his light-hearted, familiar style, what no writer, however profound, or grand, pathetic, or even religious, would in all probability have accomplished. CHAPTER V. THE NEW WORLD CONTINUED. The morning of Miss Vernon's visit to her _ci-devant_ music-master rose bright and clear; and smiling at her own care, it was with rather more than usual attention to her appearance, she arranged her simple toilette; for, thought she, "I am to meet his daughter--and women judge so much more critically of dress than men." The Colonel's announcement of his intention to accompany her, called forth all her tact to avoid the escort. She remembered keenly, the effect produced on him, by Mr. Langley's plain, unvarnished communications; and, as he had now apparently forgotten them, and returned to his usual happy, easy frame of mind, she dreaded the renewal of those unpleasant sensations, which had so disturbed him, by the discussion of the important questions of pounds, shillings, and pence, which she was nerving herself to approach boldly; besides, she did not feel quite certain, how Herman would take the intelligence she had to communicate. Then she dreaded that the kind old man might fancy himself _de trop_. "I am afraid, dear grandpapa, we must start so early, you will not have time to read the paper comfortably." "It cannot take more than half-an-hour to drive from this to Baker Street?" "I intended walking. Cabs are so expensive." "Why, Kate, my love, you are grown quite miserly." Finally, she managed to insinuate a strong necessity that he should return Mr. Langley's call, and fix a day for her to visit his studio, and carried her point, that she and Mrs. O'Toole should walk to Baker Street, by the Park, while the Colonel was pacified, by the paper, and the projected visit to Langley. "Good bye, my own, dear grandpapa--am I looking nice?" "Yes, darling, like a rose-bud, as you are." And he gazed proudly at her, over his glasses, as she stood before him in her simple, elegant, muslin dress, straw bonnet, with plain white ribbon, and large, soft _barège_ shawl. "There isn't the like iv her in Buckingham Palace!" said Mrs. O'Toole, with a confidential nod, as she followed her out of the room. "Keep to the Parks, till you come to the Marble Arch, then down Oxford Street--any one will show you the way to Portman Square, and--" "Oh, thank you, Mrs. Crooks, once I am in Portman Square, I shall know my way." Kate was not quite so agreeable a companion as usual during this walk, as she felt considerable nervousness about the approaching interview. Nurse, too, greatly disliking the errand on which they were bound, spoke little, except an occasional ejaculation of pious discontent, or a growl at the various conductors, who kindly invited them to ride in their omnibusses. Their walk was, therefore, silent and fatiguing; but Baker Street was gained at last.