Chapter XIV.


Kitty Feels the Heartache.


Linley advanced a few steps--and stopped.

His wife, hurrying eagerly to meet him, checked herself. It might
have been distrust, or it might have been unreasoning fear--she
hesitated on the point of approaching him.

"I have something to say, Catherine, which I'm afraid will
distress you."

His voice faltered, his eyes rested on her--then looked away
again. He said no more.

He had spoken a few commonplace words--and yet he had said
enough. She saw the truth in his eyes, heard the truth in his
voice. A fit of trembling seized her. Linley stepped forward, in
the fear that she might fall. She instantly controlled herself,
and signed to him to keep back. "Don't touch me!" she said. "You
come from Miss Westerfield!"

That reproach roused him.

"I own that I come from Miss Westerfield," he answered. "She
addresses a request to you through me."