The storm of rain and thunder growing every moment fiercer and more loud, Lady Desmond ordered the windows to be fastened; and the party drew naturally closer together, while the vivid flashes of lightning, at intervals, displayed their countenances to each other; and Kate, her nerves not yet braced back to their former strength, almost blushed for her own cowardice, as she, sometimes, covered her face with her hands, and scarce could refrain from seizing the arm nearest her; but that arm was Lord Effingham's. At last, one fearful crash, and blinding blaze of light, the climax of the storm, startled her out of every consideration, save the momentary terror; covering her eyes with one hand, she stretched out the other blindly, catching Lord Effingham's arm in the involuntary grasp of alarm and leaning towards him; it was but for a moment, and she drew back. "By Jove, a thunder-bolt must have fallen," cried Colonel Dashwood, springing to the window, as if to look for it. Lady Desmond followed him. "It was of no use," said Lord Effingham, rapidly, in a low voice, to Kate; "you see my position is not the least shaken! why interfere between your cousin and myself?" "Would it give you pain if I succeeded?" she asked, in the same tone. "Yes." "Do you answer me in all sincerity?" "In all sincerity, I do." "Then I am satisfied." "Then we are friends--at least, not foes." Kate bent her head, and said, frankly-- "I wish to _know_ you." Lord Effingham could only reply by a look of surprise, when Colonel Dashwood approached to take his leave. The Earl bowed formally to him. "I suppose I must not ask you to stay for dinner," said Lady Desmond. "It would not be _comme il faut_ for recluses such as Kate and myself to have so gay a guest as Lord Effingham!" "That is as you think," he returned; "I would, however, certainly stay, even on that faint shadow of an invitation, were I not unfortunately engaged to dine with a grand-aunt of mine, just arrived at the Palace. By the way, would you like to know her? she has two daughters. Miss Vernon might find them acceptable; young ladies are, you know, gregarious." "We shall be most happy to make your aunt's acquaintance," returned Lady Desmond. The Earl bowed, and departed. "I am weary, Kate--my head aches--I cannot speak to you to-day--some other time--I will go and lie down." "As you like, dear Georgy." CHAPTER IV. REVELATIONS. Not many days elapsed before the cards of the Honourable Mrs. J. E. Meredyth, and the Misses Meredyth were laid on Lady Desmond's table; but it was some time before Kate saw them; for, feeling totally unequal to the society of strangers, she declined accompanying her cousin to return their visit, or to an evening party, which quickly followed the first interchange of formalities.