"But this is all waste of time," resumed Winter, "and you will have enough to do to be ready to return with me by the two o'clock train—Mrs. Winter expects us to tea this evening."
"This evening!—Oh! I can be ready in a moment," cried Kate rapturously. "But,"—her countenance fell—"I must not, I fear—I could not be rude to these people; they have been civil to me in their way."
"Poter del mondo! cospetta!" cried Winter thickly and stoutly; "I will lose sight of you no more, and I have no time to stay in this confounded cotton-spinning metropolis. Let me see these dragons of yours. I am he that will bell the cat."
So they went into the front parlour, Kate still clinging to his arm.
"My friend, Mr. Winter, Mrs. Jorrocks," said Kate.
"Please to sit down, sir," returned that lady.
"I am come to take Miss Vernon away with me," began Winter, in abrupt and decided tones.
"Oh! you be——But I think it is rather sudden. What am I to do—and where will you be if I say no?"
"My dear madam, I shall still be in Carrington. It is quite natural you should not like to part with Miss Vernon; in short, she expressed to me her reluctance to leave you, abruptly, and all that sort of thing; but I want her, and my wife wants her, and I am sure you will not stand in her way."