CHAPTER XIV
Catherine's Appeal
When Catherine Carmichael reached Carm Hall she found that a groom was leading the squire's horse up and down the carriage drive. Her uncle appeared at the hall door, booted for riding, just as she arrived at it; but he smilingly welcomed her, and gave orders that the spirited bay should be taken back to the stable.
'I do not receive visits from you so often that I can afford to cut them short, my dear,' he replied to her promise that she would not detain him long.
'Don't take me into the drawing-room,' she petitioned. 'I have a great deal to say to you, uncle, and the library is so much more cosy. If you treat me as a stranger, my courage will fail me, and I shall not be able to find words in which to explain my reason for coming to-day.'
He smiled.
'Your wish is, of course, a command to me. I trust that nothing is troubling you? Mr. North is not ill?'
'No; the trouble does not concern Brian.'
He wheeled the largest arm-chair near to the fire for her, and stood beside her, looking down into her face.