Page 35 (1/1)

When John ca, my happiness for Cathy increased, and with it my pain for myself Their attachment to each other was plain for all to see He treated her like a queen, and the adoration in her face matched his My heart twisted as I looked across the table at Robbie He was talking to August, as sitting beside hi cards, and once again I found myself the butt of Robbie's jokes

"The bairn, here, has told us that she is a lady now," he said, as he dealt the cards for cribbage

"Indeed she is!" said Cathy, srown up"

"We are both ladies," said August "Is it not so, Mr Belden?"

"Most accomplished and beautiful ladies, indeed," he said

"There, you see," I said "It is only you, Robbie, who believe that I am still a child"

"Ahem," said Kevin

"You do not matter; you are my brother," I said, and felt e, as he has only known"Perhaps that e, not better!" he said "It is ho have known you since you were swaddled in linen who know you truly!"

I took a sip of wine, willing the heat inleft me without repartee, and ed me

"She is a very lovely lady now; one day soon some man will claim her and take her away froer, if I could"

I sht, Dear Cathy I shall not leave you, for the man I shall an to tell an a story of his trip to Town, and turned the attention away froame was over, he and Cathy said that they would retire We all stood to say goodnight; we all kissed her

She received our caresses graciously, and held John's ar up, and when I turned away, found Robbie's eyes upon me; I brushed at my cheeks and fled from the room, out onto the terrace