Meantime, parliament was within a few days of its prorogation--town fast thinning--and the season, to all intents and purposes, over. This was indeed a trying time; and no portion of it so trying, as when the Colonel sunk into his evening sleep. Kate then ventured to release her thoughts from the books, or work, on which she always endeavoured to fix them, in his presence, lest he should think her pre-occupied or depressed; and sometimes gazing from the window, at the slowly closing evening--sometimes fixing her eyes on the beloved face, which, freed from constraint, bore a pained expression--too truly indicative of internal feeling--occasionally an uneasy sigh would escape him, or some muttered word; and, oh! the inexpressible tenderness and anguish that would then swell his grandchild's heart. Did you ever watch one you loved, asleep? if not, you never knew of how much love your nature was capable; yet these communings with self, like Jacob's wrestling with the angel, left a blessing behind--though the frequent, bitter, passionate questions--"Why is it so? Why is he, who would turn aside, rather than tread upon a worm; whose strong, warm heart, was chiefly pleased in shewing mercy and pity--why is he thus tried, and left desolate, now when the years are come in which he has no pleasure?" would rise to her lips; and, hard, hard was it to suppress them, for Kate Vernon's heart beat with too strong, too passionate a pulse, not to feel that chastening was very grievous; nor could she frame unreal words of resignation--when the strong turmoil of her breast, lay open to the All-seeing--she could but cry, from out its troubled depths--"Behold, O Lord, and see!" One morning, her grandfather was reading aloud to her--she sometimes made him do so--it fixed his attention more--when the door was opened suddenly, and a lady presented herself, unannounced. She was richly dressed in rather showy colors, and held a large embroidered lace-edged handkerchief in her hand. The Colonel and Kate both rose. "Miss Vernon, I presume!" "Yes," she replied, advancing. The visitor presented a card; and Kate, glancing at it, exclaimed-- "Ah! Mrs. Storey--grandpapa--Mr. Langley's sister." And mutual civilities were exchanged. The new comer was slightly consequential, inclined to talk of her husband's firm, as of a subject of universal and recognized interest; she was a little patronising too; but evidently charmed and subdued by the inexpressible tone of deference and esteem which characterised the Colonel's manner to women, and to which few ladies, connected with even the most eminent firms, are accustomed. "I am come on a double errand," said she, to Kate, after explaining about her long delayed visit--"one, to hand you this note; the other, to beg you and Colonel Vernon will kindly consent to join a small circle of friends, at my house, on Thursday evening, though I have made the request rather unceremoniously."