ing on the bed, reading to his father, who listened
with amused, though languid attention.

'I believe you are right,' he said; 'though I wish I had the boy in the
country doing no lessons. He puts me more in mind of his uncle every
day.'

'One of the highest compliments Johnnie has ever had,' said Violet,
colouring with pleasure; 'but I am afraid to trust him away from me and
Mr. Harding in the winter because of his croup.'

'Ah! then it cannot be,' he answered; 'and I do not think I would take
him from his father now, but his sisters must come; they would be too
much for you without Theodora.'

Violet could only be mournfully thankful, and the project was in time
laid before Arthur.

'Send my little girls away!' said he, looking discomfited. 'Oh! if you
wish to keep them'--joyfully exclaimed Violet.

'I thought that if Theodora went home, Violet would hardly be able to
manage them,' said Lord Martindale.

'If they are in her way,' said Arthur, and his eyes smiled at her,
knowing what her decision would be.

'Oh! no, no! It was their grandpapa's kindness.' Johnnie and Helen here
peeped into the room; Arthur beckoned to them, and said, 'How should you
like to go into the country with Aunt Theodora?'

'To see grandmamma and the peacock?' said Lord Martindale. Johnnie clung
to his mother's hand, piteously whispering, 'Oh! don't send me away,
mamma--I would try to bear it if I ought.'

Helen climbed the bed, and sturdily seated herself close to her papa.
'I shall not desert my father and mother,' said she, with great dignity,
drawing up her head.

'No more you shall, my little heroine!' said Arthur, throwing his arm
round her, while she glanced with saucy triumph at her grandfather.

In the silence of night, when Arthur was alone with his father, he said,
'If those little girls go away now, they will never remember me.'

To this plea there could be no reply; for though the danger was no
longer imminent, it was still extremely doubtful whether he would ever
leave his room again.

His wish to keep the children made Lord Martindale reconsider of sending
Theodora home, and he desired Violet to choose between her and himself.
She thought Theodora the most effective, and Arthur seemed to prefer
her remaining, so that she found herself disposed of according to her
wishes, her father only stipulating that she should not neglect rest,
air, or exercise, of which she stood in evident need.

Every one observed her h