“And then you will bring him up to me at once! I wonder if the boy is much altered!”
Throb! throb! throb! went Kate’s heart! So the terrible stern uncle was in England, and this was the time for her to be given up to the Lord Chancellor and all his myrmidons (a word that always came into her head when she was in a fright). She had never loved Aunt Jane so well; she almost loved Aunt Barbara, and began to think of clinging to her with an eloquent speech, pleading to be spared from the Lord Chancellor!
To-morrow morning—that was a respite!
There was a sound of wheels. Lady Jane started.
“They are giving a party next door,” said Lady Barbara.
But the bell rang.
“Only a parcel coming home,” said Lady Barbara. “Pray do not be nervous, Jane.”
But the red colour was higher in Barbara’s own cheeks, as there were steps on the stairs; and in quite a triumphant voice the butler announced, as he opened the door, “Colonel and Mrs. Umfraville!”
Kate stood up, and backed. It was Aunt Barbara’s straight, handsome, terrible face, and with a great black moustache to make it worse. She saw that, and it was all she feared! She was glad the sofa was between them!
There was a lady besides all black bonnet and cloak; and there was a confusion of sounds, a little half sobbing of Aunt Jane’s; but the other sister and the brother were quite steady and grave. It was his keen dark eye, sparkling like some wild animal’s in the firelight, as Kate thought, which spied her out; and his deep grave voice said, “My little niece,” as he held out his hand.