exclaimed Violet. 'What does Arthur say?'

'Arthur says he is willing, but that it must depend on what you like.'
Then, perhaps taking Violet's bewildered looks for reluctance, 'I am
afraid, my dear, I have not always been as affectionate as you deserved,
and have not always tried to make you comfortable.'

'Oh! no, no! Don't say so!'

'It was before I rightly knew you; and indeed it shall never be so
again. We are so comfortable now together; do not let us break it up
again, and take the poor dear children away to grow pale in London. You
shall have all you wish; I will never do anything you don't like with
the children; and all your family shall come and stay whenever you
please; only don't go away, dear Violet--I cannot spare you.'

'Oh! don't, dear grandmamma! This is too much,' said Violet, almost
crying. 'You are so very kind. Oh! I should be so glad for Arthur to
be spared the London winter! How happy the children will be! Thank you,
indeed.'

'You do consent, then!' cried Lady Martindale, triumphantly. 'John
thought we had not made you happy enough!'

'John should know better! It is the greatest relief--if Arthur likes it,
I mean.'

'Then you do stay. You will be, as Lord Martindale says, the daughter of
our old age--our own dear child!'

'Will I?' Violet threw her arms round Lady Martindale's neck, and shed
tears of joy.

Lady Martindale held her in her arms, and murmured caressing words.
Arthur's step approached. His mother opened the door and met him. 'She
consents! Dear, dear Violet consents! Now we shall be happy.'

Arthur smiled, looked at his wife, understood her face, and replied to
his mother with a warm kiss, a thank you, and good night. She went away
in perfect satisfaction.

Your last, greatest victory, Violet,' said he. 'You have got at her
heart at last, and taught her to use it. But, do you like this plan?'

'Like it? It is too delightful! If you knew how I have been dreading
that winter in London for your chest!'

'And saying nothing?'

'Because I thought there was nothing else to be done; but this--'

'Ay! I have told my father that, if we stay here, I hope he will lessen
my allowance. Even then, I can pay off something every year of the
debts that will be left after what would be cleared by the price of my
commission.'

'Oh, yes; we shall have scarcely any expense at all.'

'Don't agree to it, though, because you think I like it, if you do not.
Consider how you will get on