Swiftly she disrobed, tearing the veil in her haste and throwing the shimmering white garments to one side as though she hated the sight of them. Taking from her jewel casket the engagement ring which had been laid aside for the wedding ceremony, she quickly shut it within its own case, to be returned as early as possible to the giver; it seemed to burn her fingers like living fire.
A few moments later her aunt, entering her room, found her dressed in one of her favorite house gowns,—a camel's hair of creamy white. She looked at Kate, then at the discarded robes on a couch near by, and stopped speechless for an instant, then stammered,
"Katherine, child, what does this mean?"
"It means, auntie," said Kate, putting her arms about her aunt's neck, "that there will be no wedding and no bride to-day."
Then, looking her straight in the eyes, she added: "Really, auntie, deep down in your heart, aren't you glad of it?"
Mrs. Dean gasped, then replied, slowly, "Yes; it will make me very glad if you do not have to marry that man; but, Katherine, I don't understand; what will your father say?"
Before Kate could reply there was a heavy knock at the door, which Mrs. Dean answered. She came back looking rather frightened.
"Your father wishes to see you, Katherine, in your library. Something must have happened; he looks excited and worried. I don't know what he'll say to you in that dress."
"I'm not afraid," Kate replied, brightly.