Chapter XLVI

. A domestic picture is given, an interior, with the

characters thus disposed:—

“One evening, when Kate was at home, and, as usual, abstracted over a

## book in a corner; when the Berties were in full possession, one bending

over Ombra at the piano, one talking earnestly to her mother, Francesca suddenly threw the door open, with a vehemence quite unusual to her, and without a word of warning—without even the announcement of his name to put them on their guard—Mr. Courtenay walked into the room.”

Thus ends Chapter XLV ., and thus opens