But Katherine never saw it, and when Matilda recounted all the glories to her, she had the awkwardness to ask why Mabel had indulged in a court train? "Bridesmaids were natural enough," she said, "if you all wanted to have some gaiety and a jolly party, but Fred's wife will never go to Court, so why pages and a train?" "Oh--well," Matilda returned in annoyance, "who's to know that at Bindon's Green? And it has given her ever such a tip-top position to begin her home upon. The Perkins girls and Bob Hartley's mother and cousins were just mad with envy, and Fred as pleased as Punch to have such a stunning turn-out at his side to down the aisle with." "I am so glad you are all happy then," Katherine said kindly. How merciful, she reflected when she had left her sister at Stanhope Gate, that their ambitions were so easily satisfied! How merciful also that only Matilda's affection for her need count in her future connection with the family--and Matilda might at no distant date be a bride too! The bride of Katherine's old devoted admirer, Charlie Prodgers! While Ethel announced her intention of following Gladys' example and migrating to America the moment she was seventeen, in the spring. Thus, visits to Bindon's Green were no longer desired by the inhabitants of Laburnum Villa, nor of Talbot Lodge, where Mr. and Mrs. Frederick Bush were installed, and Katherine felt she could drift from them all without hurting their feelings, indeed, with mutual satisfaction. So the winter of 1912 drew to a close, and the spring of 1913 came, and with it Gerard Strobridge. He was well and sunburnt and seemed more resigned on his first visit after he returned to Blissington accompanied by Lady Beatrice. Katherine was pouring out the tea--now her daily task--when he came in, and a glad thrill ran through her. Would he see any change in her? Would he be pleased with her advancement? He was her friend, and her helpmate in literature, and never by word or look did she recognise that he could feel any other emotion but a platonic one for her. Her attractions always struck Gerard afresh after his absences, and made him remark upon them each time he returned. "How beautiful you have grown, Katherine," he said when presently they had a chance of talking a little apart. "You are the most wonderful thing in the world--I came back hoping to find you less attractive, and you are just as fascinating as ever--more so--Oh! shall I never make you care the least for me?" "Never." "It is a wonder that I should love you so madly, when you are as cold as ice to me, and never melt--I believe you could see me on the rack without turning a hair--if it suited your purpose!" "Probably." But she smiled softly, so he asked eagerly: "Is it so, Katherine?"