"You are just, and—and careful, and must be a good judge of the subjects such a periodical treats of."
"Thank you." He paused; then, looking down, he continued, "Mrs. Needham tells me you have been troubled about your nephews."
"Yes, I was very much troubled, but I think they are safe and well now; later I should put them to a better school, as I now hope to do." She stopped to think how she should best explain George Liddell's unexpected generosity, and Errington exclaimed.
"These boys are a heavy charge to you! yet I suppose you could not bring yourself to give them up?"
"How could I? their mother can really do nothing for them, and it would be cruel to hand them over to Colonel Ormonde's charity."
"It would! you are right," said Errington, hastily. "Poor little fellows! to lose you would be too terrible a trial for them."
Katherine raised her eyes to his; they were moist with gratitude for his sympathy, and seemed to draw him magnetically to her. He changed his place to the sofa; leaning one arm on the back, he rested his head on his hand, and looked gravely down upon her.
"Will you forgive me if I ask an intrusive question? You know we agreed to be friends, yet our friendship does not seem to thrive, it is dying of starvation because we so rarely meet; still, for the sake of our shadowy friendship, answer me: may I put the natural construction on De Burgh's sudden departure from England?"
Katherine hesitated; she did not like to say in so many words that she had refused him, a curious, half-remorseful feeling made her especially considerate towards him.
"I do not like to speak of Lord de Burgh," she said at length.