Though she despised herself for it, this gave a new turn to Katherine’s thoughts too. Lady Somers! yes, that was what Stella was now. That little title, though it was not an exalted one, would have an effect upon the general opinion, however lofty might be the theories expressed, as to the insignificance of rank. Rank; it was the lowest grade of anything that could be called rank. And yet it would have a certain effect on the general mind. She was even conscious of feeling it herself, notwithstanding both the indignation and the sorrow in her mind. “My sister, Lady Somers!” Was it possible that she could say it with a certain pleasure, as if it explained more or less now (a question which had always been so difficult) who the Tredgolds were, and what they were worth in the island. Now Katherine suddenly realised that people would say, “One of the daughters married Sir Charles Somers.” It would be acknowledged that in that case the Tredgolds might be people to know. Katherine’s pride revolted, yet her judgment recognised the truth of it. And she wondered involuntarily if it would affect her father--if he would think of that? “Is my father awake yet, Simmons?” she asked. “Beginning to stir, Miss Katherine,” Dolby said. “How clever they are, them doctors, with their sleeping draffs and things! Oh, I’m quite opposed to ’em. I don’t think as it’s right to force sleep or anything as is contrary to the Almighty’s pleasure. But to be such nasty stuff, the effeck it do have is wonderful. Your papa, as was so excited like and ready to shoot all of us, right and left, he has slep’ like a baby all these hours. And waking up now, Dolby says, like a lamb, and ready for his breakfast.” “I must go to him at once, Simmons,” cried Katherine, thrusting back into Simmons’s hand the cup and the spoon. “You won’t do nothing of the sort, Miss, if so be as you’ll be guided by me. He’ll not think of it just at once, and he’ll eat his breakfast, which will do him a lot of good, and if he don’t see you, why, he’ll never remember as anything’s up. And then when he comes to think, Dolby will call you, Miss Katherine, if the doctor isn’t here first, which would be the best way.”