Kate squeezed Adelaide's hand in an agony. Oh! would that aunt let
her go?

"You would like to come?" asked Lord de la Poer, bending his pleasant
eyes on her. "Have you ever been there?"

"Never! Oh, thank you! I should like it so much! I never saw any
exhibition at all, except once the Gigantic Cabbage!--May I go, Aunt
Barbara?"

"Really you are very kind, after--"

"Oh, we never think of AFTERS on birthdays!--Do we, Addie?"

"If you are so very good, perhaps Mrs. Lacy will kindly bring her to
meet you."

"I am sure," said he, turning courteously to that lady, "that we
should be very sorry to give Mrs. Lacy so much trouble. If this is
to be a holiday to everyone, I am sure you would prefer the quiet
day."

No one could look at the sad face and widow's cap without feeling
that so it must be, even without the embarrassed "Thank you, my Lord,
if--"

"If--if Katharine were more to be trusted," began Lady Barbara.

"Now, Barbara," he said in a drolly serious fashion, "if you think