"Yes--call me Captain Egerton, it reminds me of old times and pleasant days. I arrived here nearly a month ago--I had been ordered home by the doctor, at the same time Mary, (my sister, Mrs. Wentworth), wrote requesting I would return, on account of Egerton's health; besides," he added, with another smile, "I was home-sick, and restless to learn more than letters could tell me. I was almost a fortnight at Allerton." "So we heard on the rail-road," interrupted Winter; "I mean, that you had been at Allerton. And so your brother is very ill?" Colonel Egerton shook his head. "Very painfully affected; and, I fear, will never be much better. They want me to stay in England; but I can really be of no use to him; and as soon as I have refreshed myself, I mean to return to India, unless something very unforeseen occurs." "Being his next heir," began Winter. "Is no reason why I should waste my life, waiting to step into my brother's shoes. As soon as I could get away from Allerton, I started for A----, hoping to find you and Mrs. Winter there. I knew," turning to Kate, and insensibly softening his tones, "that the Priory existed no more--at least, for me--but I knew Winter would always be in communication with you. Imagine my dismay, to find a stranger in possession of the hospitable house where I had been so well cared for. Do you know I felt confoundedly cut up. I could learn nothing satisfactory there, so I came on to Carrington, and put up for a night with the ---- Hussars--old friends of mine. It was curious, Miss Vernon, how vividly the place reminded me of that ball. I felt a sort of certainty that you were near, and that I should meet you somehow. By the way, I went to hear the famous Doctor M---- preach before starting for town." "I know," said Kate, quietly--"you sat three rows before me." Egerton almost started from his seat in profound amazement. "How! what! do you mean to say you were in the church, and I did not see you?" "How extraordinary you did not mention this to me," exclaimed Winter. "I did not think--that is, I intended--and was always interrupted," faltered Kate. "And why! why did you not speak to me?" cried Egerton, eagerly. "I could not, indeed! though I wished it much," said Kate, with a simple earnestness, at which Egerton's dark, embrowned cheek flushed with sudden pleasure. He did not pursue the subject then; but said, abruptly-- "I have felt bewildered at finding myself so suddenly talking to my old friends, or I could not have been so long without enquiring for Mrs. O'Toole. May I not see my good nurse? You know she is mine, as well as yours, Miss Vernon." "She is quite well; but alas! not with me; she joins us, however, when we return to A----. Oh! how glad she would be to see you again! she was so fond of you." "Not with you!" Colonel Egerton was beginning in tones of no small surprise, when the door opened, and Mesdames Storey and Winter entered.