Annette, in whom the same meek character
was repeated, with the tendency to plaintiveness that prevented its real
superiority from taking effect. She drooped under the general disregard,
saw things amiss, but was hopeless of mending them; and for want of the
spirit of cheerfulness, had become faded, worn, and weary. Violet tried
to talk encouragingly, but she only gave melancholy smiles, and returned
to speak of the influences that were hurting Octavia.

'Do not let us dwell on what we cannot help,' said Violet; 'let us do
our best, and then leave it in the best Hands, and He will bring out
good. You cannot think how much happier I have been since I knew it was
wrong to be faint-hearted.'

Before the end of the day she had seen her mother and Annette look so
much more cheerful, that the wish crossed her that she could often be at
hand.

By and by Arthur came home in the highest spirits, tossing Annie in the
air, as he met her in the passage, and declaring himself so far from
tired that he had not felt so well for a year, and that the mountain
breezes had taken the weight off his chest for good and all. He was in
perfect raptures with Lassonthwayte and with its master, had made an
engagement to bring Violet, her mother, and the children, to stay there
a week, and--'What more do you think?' said he.

'Everything delightful, I see by your face,' said Violet.

'Why, Hunt has as pretty a little house as ever I saw in the village of
Lassonthwayte, to be let for a mere nothing, just big enough to hold us,
and the garden all over roses, and that style of thing. Now, I reckon
our allowance would go three times as far here as in London; and if I
were to sell out, the money invested in these concerns of Hunt's would
be doubled in a year or two--at any rate, before the boys will want
schooling. If I do know anything it is of horses, you see, and we should
pay off Percy and all the rest of them, and be free again.'

'Live near mamma and Olivia!'

'Ah! I knew you would like it. The mountain air will bring back your
colour, and make a Hercules of Johnnie yet. I longed to have him there
to-day! We may live cheaply, you know, not get into all this town lot;
only have the girls staying with us, and give your mother a holiday now
and then. Don't you fancy it, Mrs. Martindale?'

'It is too delightful! I suppose we must not settle it without your
father, though.'

'He can't object to our living at half the cost, and getting out o