She went to the piano, and struck the well-remembered arpeggio chords so long unheard; she strove to steady her voice, as it rose tremulous with its rich sweetness and deep expression; Egerton leant on the piano, wrapt in memory and contemplation. Kate proceeded very well to the end of the first verse; but there, at the sustained note to which her grandfather had so loved to listen, she faltered, paused, and covering her face with both her hands, for an instant, hastily left the room. She was thoroughly overcome; and, exhausted by the excitement of the day, returned no more that evening. Colonel Egerton came the next day, and the next, and the next. Mr. and Mrs. Winter, or Mrs. Storey, or some snuffy picture dealer was always there, and he was reduced, _malgré lui_, to talk of generalities, this constraint gave something of coolness and gravity to his manner; he was often _distrait_; and Kate felt less calm. Meanwhile Mrs. O'Toole's letters were filled with the rapturous expectation of a reunion with her _Darlint_, and could scarce be induced to wait until the time specified for her return by Winter. Kate was re-reading one of her characteristic epistles one morning after Mr. and Mrs. Winter had departed on some common errand. She had a slight cold, and was ordered by her kind authoritative _maestro_ to keep in doors; they had not been gone many minutes when Egerton came in, carrying a large bouquet of hot-house flowers. "I have just met Winter, and his _cara sposa_; they told me you were on the sick list. How is that?" "A cold--oh, nothing; but what beautiful flowers. I have suffered much from a dearth of flowers." "I wrote to my sister, who is at present at Allerton, to send me a basket full, they have tolerable conservatories there." "You are very kind; I will ring for a vase or bowl, or something to put them in. Mrs. Winter will be delighted with them." "Yes, but they are for you." The little bustle of arranging the graceful gift proceeded pleasantly. Egerton lounged on the sofa. Kate stood by the table, now consulting him as to their arrangement, and touching them with a tender, admiring care, that showed their appreciation of their rare beauty; gradually, as the task was accomplished, they glided into talk of former times; and Egerton spoke with such feeling of the sudden shock her grandfather's death had been to him, that Kate, unspeakably gratified by the reverent affection he expressed, was drawn on to give some account of his last moments, and how the old hound died when relieved from his watch. She spoke tremblingly, yet with wonderful composure; Egerton listened in motionless attention.