Do you understand me, child ?' 'Only in part, if even that,' said she slowly.
'Let us keep this theme, then, for another time.

Now for _ces messieurs_.

I am to invite them ?' 'If there was time to ask Miss O'Shea to come over--' 'Do you not fancy, Kate, that in your father's house, surrounded with your father's servants, you are sufficiently the mistress to do without a chaperon?
Only preserve that grand austere look you have listened to me with these last ten minutes, and I should like to see the youthful audacity that could brave it.

There, I shall go and write my note.

You shall see how discreetly and properly I shall word it.' Kate walked thoughtfully towards a window and looked out, while Nina skipped gaily down the room, and opened her writing-desk, humming an opera air as she wrote:-- 'KILGOBBIN CASTLE.
'DEAR MR.