to prevail with her, dear John? You have great
influence.'

'I should not think it proper to persuade her. I trust to her judgment
to see what is best, and should be sorry to distress her by putting
forward my own wishes.'

This conversation took place while the younger ladies were walking in
the garden with Lady Elizabeth and her daughter. It was the first time
that Emma had been persuaded to come from home, and though she could not
be more quiet than formerly, there was less peculiarity in her manner.
She positively entered into the general conversation, and showed
interest in the farming talk between her mother and Lord Martindale;
but the children were her chief resource. And, though affectionate
and almost craving pardon from Violet,--drawing out from her every
particular about the little ones, and asking much about Arthur's health,
and Theodora's prospects,--she left a veil over the matters that had so
deeply concerned herself.

It was from Lady Elizabeth that the sisters heard what they wished to
know; and Theodora, on her side, imparted the information which Percy
had brought from London. He had been trying whether it were possible
to obtain payment of Mr. Gardner's heavy debts to Arthur, but had been
forced to relinquish the hope. So many creditors had claims on him
that, ample as was the fortune which Mrs. Finch's affection had placed
entirely in his power, there was little probability that he would ever
venture to return to England. No notice had been taken of the demands
repeatedly sent in, and Percy had learnt that he was dissipating his
wife's property very fast upon the Continent; so that it was likely
that, in a few years, Mr. Finch's hoards would be completely gone.
Report also spoke of his rewarding his wife's affection with neglect
and unkindness; and her sister, Mrs. Fotheringham, declared that, having
acted against warning, Georgina must take the consequences, and could
expect no assistance from Worthbourne.

Mournfully Theodora spoke. It was a saddening thought in the midst
of her happiness, and it pressed the more heavily upon her from the
consciousness, that she had been looked up to by Georgina, and had, in
her pride and self-will, forfeited the chance of exerting any beneficial
influence. She perceived the contrast between the effect of her own
character on others, and that of Violet, and could by no means feel
herself guiltless of her poor playmate's sad history. Still she
cherished a sec