‘But why a difficulty? what reason can you offer for all this absurd submission to the whims of a very tiresome old woman? Is she very rich, and do you expect an heritage?’
‘No, no; nothing of the kind.’
‘Does she load you with valuable presents? Is she ever ready to commemorate birthdays and family festivals?’
‘No.’
‘Has she any especial quality or gift beyond riding double and a bad temper? Oh, I was forgetting; she is the aunt of her nephew, isn’t she?—the dashing lancer that was to spend his summer over here?’
‘You were indeed forgetting when you said this,’ said Kate proudly, and her face grew scarlet as she spoke.
‘Tell me that you like him or that he likes you; tell me that there is something, anything, between you, child, and I’ll be discreet and mannerly, too; and more, I’ll behave to the old lady with every regard to one who holds such dear interests in her keeping. But don’t bandage my eyes, and tell me at the same time to look out and see.’
‘I have no confidences to make you,’ said Kate coldly. ‘I came here to ask a favour—a very small favour, after all—and you might have accorded it without question or ridicule.’
‘But which you never need have asked, Kate,’ said the other gravely. ‘You are the mistress here; I am but a very humble guest. Your orders are obeyed, as they ought to be; my suggestions may be adopted now and then—partly in caprice, part compliment—but I know they have no permanence, no more take root here than—than myself.’
‘Do not say that, my dearest Nina,’ said Kate, as she threw herself on her neck and kissed her affectionately again and again. ‘You are one of us, and we are all proud of it. Come along with me, now, and tell me all that you advise. You know what I wish, and you will forgive me even in my stupidity.’