Kate had never known this. Her aunts never told her anything, nor
talked over family affairs before her; and she was opening her ears
most eagerly, and turning her quick bright eyes from one speaker to
the other with such earnest attention, that the guest turned kindly
to her, and said, "Do you remember your uncle?"
"Oh dear no! I was a little baby when he went away."
Kate never used DEAR as an adjective except at the beginning of a
letter, but always, and very unnecessarily, as an interjection; and
this time it was so emphatic as to bring Lady Barbara's eyes on her.
"Did you see either Giles or poor Frank before they went out to him?"
"Oh dear no!"
This time the DEAR was from the confusion that made her always do the
very thing she ought not to do.
"No; my niece has been too much separated from her own relations,"
said Lady Barbara, putting this as an excuse for the "Oh dears."
"I hope Mr. Wardour is quite well," said Lord de la Poer, turning
again to Kate.
"Oh yes, quite, thank you;" and then with brightening eyes, she
ventured on "Do you know him?"
"I saw him two or three times," he answered with increased kindness
of manner. "Will you remember me to him when you write?"
"Very well," said Kate promptly; "but he says all those sort of
things are nonsense."
The horror of the two aunts was only kept in check by the good
manners that hindered a public scolding; but Lord de la Poer only
laughed heartily, and said, "Indeed! What sort of things, may I ask,
Lady Caergwent?"
"Why--love, and regards, and remembrances.
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