of my advantages. I think I could die without its
being noticed."

"You re an extraordinary young woman," her
friend, visibly held by her, declared at last. " What
a remarkable time to talk of such things!"

"Well, we won't talk, precisely " Milly got her
self together again. " I only wanted to make sure
of you."

"Here in the midst of! " But Kate could
only sigh for wonder almost visibly too for
pity.

It made a moment during which her companion
waited on her word; partly as if from a yearning,
shy but deep, to have her case put to her just as Kate
was struck by it; partly as if the hint of pity were
already giving a sense to her whimsical " shot," with
Lord Mark, at Mrs. Lowder's first dinner. Exactly
this the handsome girl's compassionate manner,
her friendly descent from her own strength was
what she had then foretold. She took Kate up as if
positively for the deeper taste of it. " Here in the
midst of what?"

"Of everything. There's nothing you can't have.
There's nothing you can't do."

"So Mrs. Lowder tells me."

It just kept Kate's eyes fixed as possibly for more
of that; then, however, without waiting, she went
on. " We all adore you."

You re wonderful you dear things!" Milly
laughed.

[[250]]

p249 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p250w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p251

v?