CHAPTER XXXVII
THE RETURN
Kate Kearney was in the act of sending out scouts and messengers to look out for Nina, whose long absence had begun to alarm her, when she heard that she had returned and was in her room.
‘What a fright you have given me, darling!’ said Kate, as she threw her arms about her, and kissed her affectionately. ‘Do you know how late you are?’
‘No; I only know how tired I am.’
‘What a long day of fatigue you must have gone through. Tell me of it all.’
‘Tell me rather of yours. You have had the great Mr. Walpole here: is it not so?’
‘Yes; he is still here—he has graciously given us another day, and will not leave till to-morrow night.’
‘By what good fortune have you been so favoured as this?’