"And it is so kind in Lord de la
Poer to have come! Oh, now he will be better! I am so thankful he
is in England again! You must be with us whenever Barbara can spare
you, Katie dear, for I am sure he likes it."
"Each wants me, to do the other good," thought Kate; and she was so
much touched and pleased that she did not know what to do, and looked
foolish.
Uncle Giles took her down stairs; and when they were in the carriage,
in the dark, he seemed to be less shy: he lifted her on his knee and
said, "I will talk to your aunt, and we will see how soon you can
come to us, my dear."
"Oh, do let it be soon," said Kate.
"That must depend upon your Aunt Barbara," he answered, "and upon law
matters, perhaps. And you must not be troublesome to her; she has
suffered very much, and will not think of herself, so you must think
for her."
"I don't know how, Uncle Giles," said poor sincere Kate. "At home,
they always said I had no consideration."
"You must learn," he said gravely. "She is not to be harassed."
Kate was rather frightened; but he spoke in a kinder voice. "At
home, you say. Do you mean with my sisters, or at Oldburgh?"
"Oh, at Oldburgh, Uncle Giles!"
"You are older now," he answered, "and need not be so childish."
"And please one thing--"
"Well--"
There came a great choking in her throat, but she did get it out.
"Please, please, don't think all I do wrong is the Wardours' fault!
I know I am naughty and horrid and unladylike, but it is my own own
fault, indeed it is, and nobody ELSE'S! Mary and Uncle Wardour would
have made me good--and it was all my fault.
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