Part 19 (1/2)

”I shall be very glad to see you if you do turn up again,” said Mrs.

Liddell, graciously. ”So as this will probably be the last time I shall see you for some months, pray tell me some amusing gossip.”

But gossip did not seem to come readily to Colonel Ormonde; nevertheless they made a tour of the gardens in desultory conversation, till Mrs.

Liddell stopped decidedly, and bade him adieu.

”At last,” said the cautious ex-dragoon, ”you will write and tell me how you get on with this amiable old relative of yours.”

”I shall be very pleased to report progress, if you care to write and ask me, and tell me your whereabouts.”

”Then I suppose it is to be good-by?” said Ormonde, almost sentimentally. ”You are treating me devilishly ill.”

”I do not see that.” Here the boys came running up, at a signal from their mother.

”Well, my fine fellow,” said Ormonde, laying his hand on Cecil's shoulder, ”so you went to see your old uncle. Did he try to eat you?”

”No; but he is a nasty cross old man. He wouldn't speak a word to mammy, but took his stick and hobbled away.”

”Yes, he is a wicked man, and I am afraid he will hurt auntie,” put in Charlie.

Colonel Ormonde laughed rather more than the mother liked. ”I think you may trust 'auntie' to take care of herself.--So you forced the old boy to retreat? What awful stories your sister-in-law must have told of you!” to Mrs. Liddell.

She was greatly annoyed, but, urged by all-powerful self-interest, she maintained a smooth face, and answered, ”Oh yes, when Katherine kept worrying about our disturbing her uncle, the poor old man got up and left the room.”

”Well, you must turn her flank, and be sure to let me know how matters progress. I suppose you will be here all the autumn?”

”I should think so; small chance of my going out of town,” she returned, bitterly, and the words had scarce left her lips before she felt she had made a mistake. Men hate to be bothered with the discomforts of others.

The result was that Colonel Ormonde cut short his adieux, and parted from her with less regret than he felt five minutes before.

The young widow walked smartly back, holding her eldest boy's hand, and administered a sharp rebuke to him for talking too much. To which Cecil replied that he had only answered when he was spoken to. This elicited a scolding for his impertinence, and produced further tart answers from the fluent young gentleman, which ended by his being dismissed in a fury to Jane, _vice_ Charles, promoted to walk beside mamma.

As may be supposed, Mrs. Liddell lost no time about answering her daughter's note in person. In truth, toward the end of a week's separation she generally began to hunger painfully for a sight of her Katie's face, to feel the clasp of her soft arms, and to this was added in the present instance serious uneasiness respecting the strain to which her sense of responsibility as nurse as well as housekeeper must subject so inexperienced a creature.

It was rather late in the afternoon when Mrs. Liddell reached Legrave Crescent, and the servant showed her into the front parlor at once.

Katherine almost feared to draw her uncle's attention to the visitor. He had had all the papers read to him, and even asked for some articles to be read a second time; now after his dinner he seemed to doze. If he had not noticed Mrs. Liddell's entry she had perhaps better take her away upstairs at once, but while she thought she sprang to her and locked her in a close, silent embrace.

Turning from her, he saw that Mr. Liddell's eyes were open and fixed upon them, and she said, softly: ”I am sorry you have been disturbed. I shall take my mother to my room; perhaps if you want anything you will ring for me.”

”I will,” he returned; and Mrs. Liddell thought his tone a little less harsh than usual. ”I said you might come and see your daughter when you like,” he added, ”and I repeat it. You have brought her up more usefully than I expected.” Having spoken, he leaned his head back wearily and closed his eyes.

”I am pleased to hear you say so,” returned Mrs. Liddell, quietly, and immediately followed her daughter out of the room.

”Oh, darling mother, I am so delighted to have you here all to myself!

It is even better than going home,” cried Kate, when they were safe in her own special chamber. ”But you are looking pale and worn and thin--_so_ much thinner!”

”That is an improvement, Katherine,” returned Mrs. Liddell; ”I shall look all the younger.”

”Ah! but your face looks older, dear. What has been worrying you? Has Ada--”