Kate Howard. 19

Hamilton that she had something to tell her,
though she would not indulge her curiosity
by informing her then what it was; in fact,
she rather thought, as a good exercise of
patience, she would make her wait a whole
week.
 "A week!" said Grace, "oh, that is too
bad !" And there was time for no more.
 The dinner that ensued passed off with
perhaps rather more of good humour than the
pelting rain and gloomy sky outside war-
ranted. Afterwards they were particularly
busy with their lessons, so that Grace could
inquire no more that day concerning Kate's
important news. She and Edith talked the
matter over when they were in bed that night,
but, after indulging in various suppositions,
agreed to wait with patience, as they were
no nearer a true solution of the riddle for
all their talking than when they began.
 Kate Howard was the eldest child of
wealthy parents, and, having no sister, she
was made much of at home, no reason-
able wish of hers being ever left ungratified.
She was amiable, moderately clever, and being
one of the oldest girls in Miss Campbell's
school, gave a certain tone of standing to the
whole establishment by her good conduct and
 B2