“No, Mrs. Needham, I have asked him for time to reflect.”

“Oh, that is all right,” in a tone of satisfaction, “and only means a turn of the rack while you can handle the screws; of course you’ll accept him when he comes again.  After all, though there are plenty of unhappy marriages, there is no joy so delightful as reciprocal affection.  I am sure I never saw a creature so glorified by love as Angela Bradley; she told me at Mrs. Cochrane’s she had a wonderful piece of news for me, and, when I said perhaps I knew it, she beamed all over and squeezed my hand as she whispered, “Perhaps you do!” I saw her driving Errington in her pony-carriage afterwards, and meeting old Captain Everard just then, he nodded after them and said, ’That’s an excellent arrangement; the wedding, I hear, is fixed for the twenty-ninth of next month.’  Now, I don’t quite believe that; Angela would certainly have told me, but I am sure it will come off soon.  I am glad for both their sakes.”

“I am sure they will make a very happy couple, and I really believe I shall follow their example.”

“Quite right!  The double event will make a sensation, my dear child:  to see you happily and splendidly settled will be the greatest joy I have known for years, and what will Colonel Ormonde say?”

“I neither know nor care; and, Mrs. Needham, if you don’t mind, I will go to bed.  I have such a headache.”

The fateful morning found Katherine resolved and composed.

She would tell De Burgh everything, and, if her revelation did not frighten him away, she would try to make him happy and to be happy herself.  It would be painful to tell him, but oh! nothing compared with the agony of humiliation it cost her to prostrate herself morally before Errington.  Still she would be glad when the confession was over; afterwards, feeling her destiny decided, she would be calmer and more resigned.  Resigned? what a term to apply to her acceptance of an honest man’s hearty affection; for, whatever De Burgh’s life may have been, he had said he had done nothing he was ashamed of.  By some unconscious impulse she dressed herself in black, and went down to the drawing-room with her knitting, that she might be ready to receive the man who, an hour later, might be her affianced husband.

On the stairs she met Ford, who informed her that Miss Trant was waiting for her.  Katherine felt glad of any interruption to her thoughts, especially as she knew that the arrival of a visitor would be the signal for Rachel’s departure.

“I am so glad to see you,” exclaimed Katherine, “but how is it you have escaped so early?”

“I have been to the City to buy goods, and came round here to have a peep at you, for Miss Payne told me yesterday of your trouble about the boys.”

“How early you are! why, it is scarcely eleven.  Yes, (sit down for a moment,) yes, I was dreadfully angry and upset;” and Katherine proceeded to describe Cecil’s letter, and her visit to the school.