"Indeed," said Kate, then suddenly recollecting herself, "I dare say it is Colonel Dashwood." "Well, my dear, I will go and take off my bonnet, and, by that time, you will have finished your secrets." "I am sure Colonel Dashwood never had a secret in his life," said Kate, laughing. She ran hastily up stairs, and found, as she had anticipated, that gallant officer engaged in contemplating sundry long ringletted ladies in a book of beauty, having reduced the geometrical arrangement of the round table albums and annuals to great confusion. "I was just about to give you up in despair," cried Colonel Dashwood, advancing to meet her with great cordiality. "Any commands for Dublin? I start to-morrow." "For Dublin!" said Kate. "You astonish me. How--what is it takes you away so suddenly?" And she looked earnestly at his countenance, which wore a bright, hopeful expression, far different from the last she had seen there. "Hampton Court has been insupportable since your departure," said the Colonel, gaily, "so I have got three weeks' leave; and, after some uncertainty how to dispose of myself, decided on visiting my old haunts in Ireland." "I am sorry you will just miss Georgina," observed Miss Vernon. "She has either left Dublin for Castle Desmond, or will to-morrow." "Indeed," cried Colonel Dashwood, evidently pulled up by this piece of information. "I was speaking to Effingham, who put me down here, and he seemed to think she would remain there some short time." "It was pure fancy on Lord Effingham's part," returned Kate, "he is quite ignorant of her movements." "So it appears; yet they said at Hampton Court that this sudden move was merely a preparatory step to changing Lady Desmond into the Countess of Effingham." "How absurd," cried Kate, coloring, "there never was the least probability of such a _finale_ to their acquaintance." "I discovered as much from Effingham's conversation this morning," said the Colonel, significantly, "though," he added, laughingly, "I confess, notwithstanding some experience on these points, my observation was quite at fault as to his object in--but," interrupting himself, "I am growing terribly indiscreet, Miss Vernon. Effingham was sorry some engagement, I do not know what, prevented him from calling upon you to-day--and I strongly advised him to defer that pleasure." "I do not wish to see Lord Effingham," said Kate, gravely. The Colonel raised his eye-brows, and smiled. "Tell me, if I miss Lady Desmond in Dublin, how shall I get on her track? Is there any shooting or fishing in the neighbourhood--is Castle Desmond beyond the reach of Bianconi's cars?--for, if I remember rightly, they are the most extended ramifications of civilisation in your splendid country." The entrance of Mrs. Storey cut short his enquiries. "Colonel Dashwood, Mrs. Storey," said Kate, "you remember Colonel Dashwood perhaps."