"
"No; neither is it wise to throw good money after bad. We were just
going to Mr. Newton's, so I'll say good-morning. Till to-morrow,
Katherine. I'll report what Newton says."
"Good-morning, Mr. Errington," said Mrs. Ormonde, pulling herself
together, and her veil down. "This is a terrible business! I feel it as
acutely as if it were myself--I mean my own case. I am sure it is so
good of you to come and see Katherine. I hope you will give us a few
days at Castleford." So murmuring and with a painful smile, she hastened
downstairs after her husband.
Then Errington closed the door and returned to where Katherine stood,
white and trembling, in the middle of the room. "I am afraid your
kinsfolk have been but Job's comforters," he said, looking earnestly
into her eyes, his own so grave and compassionate that her heart grew
calmer under their gaze. "You are greatly disturbed."
"They have been very cruel," she murmured. "Yet, not knowing all you do,
they could not know how cruel. They are so angry because what I tried to
do for the boys proved a failure. They little dream how guilty I feel
for having created this confusion. If I am obliged to give up Cis and
Charlie to--to Colonel Ormonde, their lot will be a miserable one!" She
spoke brokenly, and her eyes brimmed over, the drops hanging on her long
lashes.
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