f. 'Ah! you do
not know?' she said; and having gone so far, was obliged to explain,
with expressions of gratitude to Arthur and Violet for having so well
guarded a secret that now might continue hidden for ever.

Theodora was slow in comprehending, so monstrous was the idea of Emma
Brandon engaged to Mark Gardner! She put her hands before her eyes,
and said she must be dreaming--she could not credit it. When convinced,
there was something in her manner that pleased and comforted Lady
Elizabeth by the kind feeling and high esteem it showed.

'Let me ask you one question, my dear,' she said, 'just to set my mind
at rest. I was told that your brother's affairs were involved with those
of that unhappy man. I trust it is no longer so.'

Theodora explained, as far as she understood, how Percy had extricated
him.

'Ah!' said Lady Elizabeth, 'I fear we are in some degree the cause. My
poor Emma was imprudent enough to quote Colonel Martindale; and she has
told me that she was frightened by a pale look of anger that crossed his
face, and something which he muttered between his teeth. But he made her
believe Arthur his seducer!'

'Poor Arthur! If you knew all!' said Theodora; 'and who--' then breaking
off, 'Percy did tell papa that it was all Mr. Gardner's revenge for
Arthur's not consenting to some nefarious transaction. Depend upon
it, that was it! You asked Violet, you say. Percy said that, among the
sentences he overheard on the quay, there was something about a wife
who had crossed him, and who should suffer for it. He said it was spoken
with a hard-hearted wickedness that, even when he did not know who it
was, made him long to crush him like a reptile; and when he had seen
Violet and the children, though it might be interference, he said he
could as soon have left them in the folds of a serpent!'

'Ah! my poor girl!'

'But this frees her. Oh! she cannot grieve for such a wretch!'

'I fear her attachment is so strong that she will not see it in this
light.'

'When he gives her up without a word, she ought to be too angry to
grieve.'

'I do not think that is in her nature.'

'So much the better. Anger and comfort cannot go together. Oh, one so
good and gentle must be helped! How I wish I could do anything for her;
but she will be better at home. It is lucky there are no associations
with him there.'

'I wish she was at home. Theresa Marstone is staying with her brother in
London, and I left her with Emma at th