"
"I will risk it," said Katherine, as she followed Mrs. Ormonde upstairs
to a very comfortable room, where a cheerful fire blazed on the hearth.
"I am afraid you find it rather small, but I was obliged to give the
best bedroom to Lady Alice--_noblesse oblige_, you know. I am sure you
will like her, she is so gentle; I think her father was very glad to let
her come, as she can see more of her _fiance_. They are not to be
married till the autumn, so--Oh dear! there is the second bell. Cis, run
away and tell Madeline to come and help your auntie to dress; and you
too, Charlie; you had better go too."
"He may stay and help me to unpack."
"Why did you not bring your maid, dear? It is just like you to leave her
behind; but we could have put her up; and you will miss her dreadfully."
"I do not think either of us has been so accustomed to the attentions of
a maid as not to be able to do without one," returned Katherine,
smiling.
"You know _I_ always had a maid in India," said Mrs. Ormonde, with an
air of superiority. "Don't be long over your toilet; Ormonde's cardinal
virtue is punctuality."
In spite of the hindrance of her nephew's help, Katherine managed to
reach the drawing-room before Lady Alice or the master of the house.
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