Year: 1868

service with the Valattica. At all events
she shan't follow you."


l sat lost in meditation and in silence
while he went over knew not what argu.
ments to enforce the council he had just
given me. l could listen to nothing, fol
nothing could give me any comfort or any
hope.


I'll go over and sec Katinka, said at
last "She has native finessc and acute
ness in difficulties that we know little
about"


"Ill not contest that point but don't
see how she is to help you here You'll
scarcely like to tell her the story-the
fraud, as you were pleased to call it the
other day."


Again was l overwhelmed with doubt and
uncertainty and not knowing where went
or what was about to do, sauntered down
into the street and made for the convent
AS went slowly along, a thought struck
me, at first very vaguely, afterwards it grew
more consistent. What if Katinka would
consent to aid me here? Why should she
not pretend-it need only be for few days
farthest-to be my wife? My aunt's few
words of Frcnch-and she possessed no 9th
or foreign language-would not make her a
very acute examiner; and the old
grandmamma's age and infirmity would be
reason enough for refusing all invitation to
return with my aunt Dnah to England.


To induce Katinka, however, to accept
this part, / must be able to show her how
vital it was to my interests-th it made the
whole difference to me between afiluencc
and beggary hut to do this must also CON
fess my deeeit. To be sure, could place
her before the fact that If made her an i'm
prudent match, if had induced girl to
share nay poverty with me, my aunt would
have been unforgiving, and possibly this
subtlety might reconcile her to the past


met Katinka in the garden. She was in
one Of her quiet thoughtful moods, and, en-
couraged by this, / at once revealed to her
the story of my difficulty, frankly declaring
that she alone could rescue me, and that
only by her help and her mother wit could l
escape ruin.


''What shall have to do ?" asked she,
calmly, but promptly.


Next to nothing You'll drive over to
the hotel and see my aunt Your watchful
care of grandmamma will always serve as a
reassn to make short visit Aunt Dinah s
French will put great curb on conversa-
tion. AT the outside her stay will not go
beyond a week and when the question
comes of going back with her


At this Katinka burst out into one of her
joyous laughs, so that she could not hear a
word said.


"Mind," she said seriously, elf con
sent, it is on one condition, and that is, that
your friend Mr., Ponsomhy must never pre-
sumo to regard me as your wife; if he ven
ture on the very smallest freedom, If he
ever give me to understand that he is an
actor in this drama, which by right has bui
three characters, LII not only throw off my
disguise, but Ill unmask you ALL"


l agreed to everything. l thanked her
with heart brimming over with gratitude
and having talked over the project for above
an hour, and settled that she should be at
the hotel at two o'clock, l hurried back to
see Ponsonby, and prepare all for the ap-
proaching visit


Ponsonby was eagerly expecting me when
entered. Aunt Dinah had twice sent to
ask for him, and he was forced to deny HIM
self till he knew what line of action / had
resolved on.


$50 up and tell her that we live-I and
will be here to see her by two o'clock, said l.


"What do you mean?' asked he in
amazement.


"Just what have said, repeated / shy
two o'clock, if not earlier. And now
briefly related the project we had conceiv-
ed, and cautioned him strictly as to the re-
serve he should impose upon himself. He
only remarked, with a slight irritation of
tone, ''AIdlle. Katinka's experiences Of the
tact of a gentleman seem unfortunate


"Come up with me, Bob," said he, after
a pause SD rather you spoke ofmy wifcs
coming than myself. l have done enough
in this affair" and the next moment was
in my dear old aunts arms.


Her kindness and affection were unbound
ed, and though she owned that the long
journey had wearied her greatly, she declar
ed that if she knew she was to take us back
with her she would think no more of her
fatigues. Ponsonby, too, she liked greatly,
and pressed him warmly to come and sec
her in Wales. We had got to talk so plea
sanity, and had SO much to say to each 9TH
er, that it was two o'clock actually ere VIC
knew it. Just as the pendule struck over
the chimney, a gentle tap came to the door.
The courier opened it, and Katinka entered.
She was beautifully dressed in her national
costume, and looking more lovely than l
had ever seen her. My aunt clasped her in
her arms in an ecstasy of delight, as she
called out, "Oh, she is queen!' Ponson-
by, out Of dclicacy, soon withdrew and we
were left alone together. We talked till
past four o'clock, translating for the most
part what my aunt said in English, and Civ
ing Katinka's replies. To be present at one
of my cousins weddings, aunt Dinah was
forced to return at once, and as we could
not possibly leave grandmamma at mo-
ment, the great discussion was when we
might be expected "Berto," said Katinka
to nc, calling me by my Christian name for
the first time, twill settle everything"


"Doubtless, love, said l, for once daring
to call her so, 1--WE will arrange it together, y
Aunt Dinah frightened us, however, by say
ing she did not think she could bring herself
to return without us, and rather than do so
she would forego my cousins wedding.


"When may sec grandma, darling r.
asked she of Katinka.


"Come when you like-come this eve
ming. Berto will fetch you"


"Then will come this evening; and
here, dearest, is something for yon," and
she handed me small leather case, strong
ly clasped in silver had to give Katinka