“And mine, too. I had not one dark thought till I saw evening coming on, and felt how soon it was to end. But I have such happy news for you, dear Kate, only I am not at liberty to tell it--something that is going to happen--somewhere we are about to go.” “Do not tell me more, or I shall become too curious to hear all.” “But you would be so glad, so overjoyed to hear it.” “One can always wait patiently for good tidings, the wise people say. Where did you get your violets in mid-winter?” “Where _you_ got your roses, Kate,” said the other, laughing. “I never saw such pink cheeks as you had when you came into the garden.” “I had fallen asleep,” said Kate, blushing slightly. “Whenever I am very, very happy, I grow sleepy.” CHAPTER XXIX. MR. M’KINLAY IS PUZZLED. Mr. M’Kinlay was at his breakfast the next day when he received the following letter from Sir Gervais Vyner: “Rome, Palazzo Altieri. “My dear M’Kinlay,--Lady Vyner’s mother insists on seeing Ada out here, and will not listen to anything, either on the score of the season or the long journey. I cannot myself venture to be absent for more than a few days at a time; and I must entreat of you to give Mademoiselle and my daughter a safe convoy as far as Marseilles, where I shall meet you. I know well how very inconvenient it may prove to you, just as term is about to open, so pray make me deeply your debtor for the service _in all ways_. My sister-in-law informs me--but so vaguely that I cannot appreciate the reasons--that Mademoiselle H. does not advise Miss O’Hara should accompany them. It will be for you to learn the grounds of this counsel, and, if you concur with them, to make a suitable arrangement for that young lady’s maintenance and education in England, unless, indeed, her friends require her to return home. To whatever you decide, let money be no obstacle. There are good schools at Brighton, I believe. If her friends prefer a French education, Madame Gosselin’s, Rue Neuve, St. Augustin, Paris, is well spoken of. See Sir Within Wardle on the subject, who, besides being her guardian, is well qualified to direct your steps. “I cannot tell you how much I am provoked by what I must call this failure in a favourite project, nor is my annoyance the less that I am not permitted to know how, when, or why the failure has been occasioned. All that Miss Courtenay will tell me is, ‘She must not come out to Italy,’ and that I shall be the first to agree to the wisdom of this decision when I shall hear the reasons for it. Of course all this is between ourselves, and with Sir Within you will limit yourself to the fact that her education will be more carefully provided for by remaining north of the Alps--a truth he will, I am certain, recognise. “Be sure, however, to get to the bottom of this, I may call it--mystery, for up to this I have regarded Ada’s progress in learning, and great improvement in spirits, as entirely owing to this very companionship.