"My partner must be waiting for me," said Kitty. "And this place is too close," she added. "I cannot breathe comfortably."
She staggered out of the little retreat, and Katherine Hunt noticed that her face was as white as death. Major Strause was within view. Katherine led Kitty on to the balcony. She did not say anything more about the purse.
A week after the events related in the last chapter Katherine Hunt was standing in her pretty sitting-room. It was about eleven o'clock in the morning. She had ordered her carriage to come round at half-past eleven. She meant to do a round of shopping, and afterwards to visit a hospital in which she took an interest, in East London. She was already dressed, in a smart jacket and pretty hat. She was drawing on her gloves, when the servant threw open the door and announced Miss Hepworth, and Kitty Hepworth came in.
Kitty's face was white, and all the joy and happiness which had beamed in it when Katherine first made its acquaintance, on the night of the fancy ball, had left it. She came up to Katherine, clasped both her hands, and said impulsively,--
"Do sit down, Miss Hepworth. Your visit astonishes me very much," said Katherine.
"When I tell you what I have come about, you will be still more astonished. I want you to do something great--tremendous. I dreamt of you last night. I dreamt of you three times running, and every time yours was the helping hand, yours the sustaining touch. I came to you without telling Aunt Louisa. I have come alone. Are you going out?"
"You must not go out; we can talk best here. Countermand your carriage--that is, if you are going to drive. I claim this morning from you. You have forced yourself into my affairs, and I claim this morning; it is my right."
"I have forced myself into your affairs!" said Katherine Hunt. "What do you mean?"
For answer Kitty plunged her hand into her pocket.
"Here is your purse," she said. "You got back the money, and now here is the purse. Pretty, is it not?--soft Russian leather, and your initials in silver! Here it is back."
"My pretty, pretty purse!" said Katherine. She took it up, handling it with affection, and then put it down. "Now, what does this mean, Miss Hepworth?"
"Call me Kitty. We must be friends in future. Don't you want to ask me something?"