At last she appeared, saying loudly as she looked back, “I shall be back directly, my dear,” and closed the door.
Claud appeared at once, and with a meaning smile at his mother, she crossed to the stairs, while as she ascended to her room the son went straight to the library and entered.
As he threw open the door he found himself face to face with his cousin, who, book in hand, was coming out of the room.
“Hallo!” he cried, with a peculiar laugh; “Where’s the old lady?”
“She has just gone to her room, Claud,” said Kate, quietly.
“Here, don’t be in such a hurry, little one,” he cried, pushing to the door. “What’s the matter?”
“Nothing,” she said, quietly, though her heart was throbbing heavily; “I was going to take my book into the drawing-room.”
“Oh, bother the old books!” he cried, snatching hers away, and catching her by the wrist; “come and sit down; I want to talk to you.”
“You can talk to me in the drawing-room,” she said, trying hard to be firm.
“No, I can’t; it’s better here. I say, Kitty, when shall it be?”