Naturally she did not sleep well or continuously, disturbed as she was by such thoughts—such uneasy anticipations—and her eyes showed the results of a bad night when she met Miss Payne in the morning.
About eleven o'clock Katherine came quickly into Miss Payne's particular sitting-room, where she made up her accounts and studied her bank-book.
"What is it?" asked that lady, looking up, and perceiving that Katherine was agitated.
"A telegram from Ada. They will be here about five this afternoon."
"Well, never mind. There is nothing in that to scare you."
"I am not scared, but I wish that interview was over."
"Yes; I shall be glad when it is; though I shall not obtrude on his Royal Highness. (I suppose he is coming as well as she.) I shall be in the house, so you can send for me if you want me."
"Thank you, Miss Payne; you are very good to me. I feel that I ought not to stay here crowding up your house."
"Nonsense! I am not in such a hurry to find a new inmate. I shall not like any one as well as you. I wish I could give up and live in a neat little cottage, but I cannot. Indeed, if you think I may, I should like to mention this deplorable change in your fortunes to Mrs. Needham. She knows every one, and can bring all sorts of people together if she likes."
"By all means, Miss Payne. There is no reason why you should not."