he extreme pleasure the project gives me that makes me balance,
lest I should overlook any objection. To have your dear Violet for the
daughter of our old age, and your children round us, would, as John
says, leave us nothing to wish.'

Arthur could only tremulously repeat his 'Thank you,' but there was a
hesitation that alarmed his mother. 'Your father wishes it, too,' she
eagerly entreated.

'Do not press him, Anna,' said Lord Martindale. 'I would not have him
decide hastily. It is asking a great deal of him to propose his giving
up his profession and his establishment.'

'It is not that,' said Arthur, turning gratefully to his father. 'I
should be glad to give up the army and live at home--there is nothing
I should like better; but the point is, that I must know what Violet
thinks of it.'

'Right! Of course, she must be consulted,' said Lord Martindale.

'You see,' said Arthur, speaking fast, as if conscious that he appeared
ungracious, 'it seems hard that she should have no house of her own, to
receive her family in. I had promised she should have her sisters with
her this winter, and I do not quite like to ask her to give it up.'

'When the house is finished, and we have room,' began Lady Martindale,
'the Miss Mosses shall be most welcome.'

'Thank you, thank you,' repeated Arthur. 'But besides, I do not know how
she will feel about the children. If we are to be here, it must be on
condition that she has the entire management of them to herself.'

'Certainly,' again said his father. She has them in excellent training,
and it would be entirely contrary to my principles to interfere.'

'Then, you see how it is,' said Arthur. 'I am quite willing. I know it
is what I do not deserve, and I am more obliged than I can say; but all
must depend upon Violet.'

He was going in quest of her, when the Rickworth carriage stopped at the
gate and prevented him. Poor Lady Martindale, when she had sent her note
of invitation to Lady Elizabeth and Emma to spend a long day at Brogden,
she little imagined how long the day would be to her suspense. She could
not even talk it over with any one but John, and he did not feel secure
of Violet's willingness. He said that, at one time, she had been very
shy and uncomfortable at Martindale, and that he feared there was reason
in what Arthur said about the children. He suspected that Arthur thought
that she would not like the scheme, and supposed that he knew best.

'Cannot you try