Read Cousin Kate for Free Online Page B

do?'
    'You will do very well, miss - being as her ladyship has taken a fancy to you.'
    'I hope I may be worthy of her regard!'
    'Yes, miss. My lady has had many crosses to bear.'
    'Does that signify that you hope I may not become another cross?'
    After a moment's hesitation, Sidlaw replied, picking her words: 'Oh, no, miss! Merely that you might disappoint her - but that I'm sure you won't do.'
    'I trust I shall not!'
    'No, miss. My lady is kindness itself - to those she likes.'
    The inference was plain. Kate sat pondering it, a slight furrow between her brows. Instinct forbade her to inquire more closely, but the silence was broken by Sidlaw, who said: 'I believe, miss - but I am not positive! - that my lady hopes you may provide Mr Torquil with the youthful companionship which he has missed, through no fault of his own.'
    The slowing down of the chaise as it approached the lodge-gates woke Lady Broome. She opened sleepy eyes, blinked them, and became aware of her surroundings. She sat up, gave her shoulders a little shake, and said: 'So we arrive! My love, I do beg your pardon! So impolite of me to fall asleep! Ah, Fleet! You see me home again before you expected to! And is all well here? Very well? You relieve my mind! Go on, James!' She turned her head, and smiled at her niece. 'This is Staplewood,' she said simply.
    The chaise bowled at a slackened pace through the park, allowing Kate plenty of time to see, and to admire. It had been a fine day, and the sun was setting redly. Kate's first view of the great house drew a gasp from her, not of admiration but of dismay, since it seemed to her for a moment, staring at the huge facade, whose numberless windows gave back the sun's dying rays in every colour of the spectrum, that the building was on fire. Shaken, but realizing that her aunt had not correctly interpreted her gasp, she murmured appreciation.
    'Yes,' said Lady Broome, in a purring voice that reminded Kate irresistibly of a large, sleek cat. 'It is beautiful, isn't it?'
    She put aside the rug that covered her legs as she spoke, and prepared to alight from the chaise. A footman, hurrying out of the house, let down the steps, and offered his arm, and an elderly man, whose habit proclaimed his calling, bowed to her, and said: 'Welcome home, my lady!'
    'Thank you, Pennymore. Kate, dear child, you must let me make Pennymore known to you! Our good butler, who knew Staplewood before ever I did. How is Sir Timothy, Pennymore?'
    'Quite well, my lady, and will be glad to see you home again. Mr Torquil too - as Dr Delabole will doubtless inform your ladyship.'
    She nodded, and led Kate into the house, saying: 'You will think it difficult at first, I daresay, to find your way about, but you will soon grow accustomed. We are now in the Great Hall, and that is the Grand Stairway.'
    'I can see that it is, ma'am,' responded Kate. 'Very grand!' She heard the sharp intake of breath behind her, and shot a mischievous look over her shoulder. The next instant, however, she had schooled her features into an expression of rapt interest, and was able to meet her aunt's eyes limpidly enough to allay suspicion.
    Before Lady Broome could conduct her up the Grand Stairway to her bedchamber, a tall, Gothic door at one side of the Great Hall was opened, and an old gentleman came into the hall. His hair was white, his frame emaciated, and his skin the colour of parchment. His eyes struck Kate as the weariest she had ever seen; and when he smiled it was with an effort. He said, in a gentle voice: 'So you have brought her to Staplewood, Minerva? How do you do, my dear? I hope you will be happy with us.'
    Taking the fragile hand he held out to her in her own warm clasp, she answered, smiling at him: 'Yes, sir, I hope so too. It won't be my fault if I am not.'
    'Well, as it certainly won't be mine, you will be happy!' said Lady Broome quizzically. 'Sir Timothy, I must take her up to her bedchamber! You, I see, have changed your dress, but we , I must