The eldest boy--a fair-haired, bright-eyed child, just old enough to be shy--stood awhile, his finger in his mouth, half hiding behind his nurse-maid's apron, till Kate stretched out her arms. When, after a moment's hesitation, he bounded into them, and they were as great friends as ever.
"Now that I have installed Kate in the bosom of your family, Mrs. Storey, I must say good-bye," said Lady Desmond, rising.
Kate put down little Willie, and stood up with a beating heart.
"You will let me know immediately how you get over, and make nurse write--give her my fond love, Georgy."
"I will," said her cousin, who had taken a very gracious leave of Mrs. Storey. She paused a moment, and, then folding her arms round Kate, kissed her with all her old accustomed warmth, whispering--"Trust me still!" and rapidly descending the stairs, was out of sight before Kate could realise that she was really going.
Miss Vernon turned from the window with a choking sensation in her throat; the time was indeed come when she must struggle on alone.
"So you are very glad to see Miss Vernon again, Willie?" asked the proud mama, stroking his curls.
"Yes," lisped Willie, pressing his little round cheek against Kate's hand, and looking up in her face with such a bright loving glance, that she felt irresistibly cheered by it.
"We do not dine till six to-day," said Mrs. Storey; "you are accustomed to late hours, and my brother said he would join us--you are such a favorite with him."
"You must not change your hours for me," returned Kate, "I know you generally dine with the children, and I like dining early."
"You are very good and obliging, I am sure. You see, Mr. Storey is so late generally--but to-day he said he would make it a point to be home early; he is so pleased you are to be with us."
"I am very glad to hear it," said Kate, gratified at this cordiality.
"And I expect to hear lots of news," resumed Mrs. Storey, significantly.
"Indeed, I have none to tell," said Kate.
"Well, well, we shall see. And how do you think the children looking? Willie has had a sore throat--we were afraid it might end in scarletina, &c., &c."
And the good-natured gossip was merged in the anxious mother, who, encouraged by Kate's ready attention, poured forth a string of anecdotes, maternal and domestic, touching "baby's last tooth," and "Maria's shameful neglect of her plate and glass."