"Now, Miss Vernon, may I ask for that march we liked so much, yesterday?" said Mrs. Storey, and soon afterwards they separated for the night.
The next morning was most perseveringly wet, and both Mrs. Storey and Kate agreed that the most determined picture-maniac would hardly venture out in such weather.
"But you will see, he will come for all that," concluded Mrs. Storey.
"Then you must receive him," said Kate, "I will not appear."
"Gracious goodness," cried her hostess. "What shall I say about you?"
"Do not trouble yourself to think—send for me, and the message I shall return will relieve you of all responsibility."
"But if he insists on seeing you?"
"He dare not!" said Kate, with a sudden lighting of the eye, and proud drawing up of the head that seemed to her good easy friend like the revelation of some unknown world. "Well my dear, whatever you like," she said, meekly.
Mrs. Storey's conjectures proved true, for, notwithstanding the weather, Lord Effingham arrived punctually at the time specified.