aint and pretty. There is an elegant simplicity about
everything, Mrs. Scobel tells me, which is very charming. The costumes
for the Norwegian tour are heather-coloured water-proof cloth, with
stitched borders, plain to the last degree, but with a _chic_ that
redeems their plainness.

"Conrad and I received an early invitation to the wedding. He will go;
but I have refused, on the ground of ill-health. And, indeed, my dear
Violet, this is no idle excuse. My health has been declining ever since
you left us. I was always a fragile creature, as you know, even in your
dear papa's time; but of late the least exertion has made me tremble
like a leaf. I bear up, for Conrad's sake. He is so anxious and unhappy
when he sees me suffer, and I am glad to spare him anxiety.

"Your old friend, Mr. Vawdrey, looks well and happy, but I do not see
much of him. Believe me, dear, you acted well and wisely in leaving
home when you did. It would have been a dreadful thing if Lady Mabel's
engagement had been broken off on account of an idle flirtation between
you and Rorie. It would have left a stain upon your name for life.
Girls do not think of these things. I'm afraid I flirted a little
myself when I was first out, and admiration was new to me; but I
married so young that I escaped some of the dangers you have had to
pass through.

"Roderick is making considerable improvements and alterations at
Briarwood. He is trying to make the house pretty--I fear an impossible
task. There is a commonplace tone about the building that defies
improvement. The orchid-houses at Ashbourne are to be taken down and
removed to Briarwood. The collection has been increasing ever since
Lady Jane Vawdrey's death, and is now one of the finest in England. But
to my mind the taste is a most foolish one. Dear Conrad thinks me
extravagant for giving sixty guineas for a dress--what might he not
think if I gave as much for a single plant? Lord Mallow is staying at
Ashbourne for the wedding. His success in the House of Commons has made
him quite a lion. He called and took tea with me the other day. He is
very nice. Ah, my dearest Violet, what a pity you could not like him.
It would have been such a splendid match for you, and would have made
Conrad and me so proud and happy."

Vixen folded the letter with a sigh. She was sitting in her favourite
spot in the neglected garden, the figs ripening above her among their
broad ragged leaves, and the green slopes and vall