r imperial ones,' said Percy. 'Did not you tell me Theodora came
straight from the Palaeologos who died in the West Indies? I always
considered that to account for certain idiosyncrasies.'

Theodora was called away to assist Mrs. Nesbit up-stairs; and as Violet
followed, she heard the aunt observing that Percival Fotheringham
was more bearish than ever; and that it was intolerable to see him
encouraged in his free-and-easy manner when he had thrown away all his
prospects.

'For poor John's sake,' began Lady Martindale.

'For his own,' interrupted Theodora. 'He has every right to be at home
here, and it is an honour to the place that he should be so.'

'Oh, yes, I know; and he will be expecting your father to exert himself
again in his behalf.'

'No, he will be beholden to no one,' said Theodora.

'I do wish his manners were less rough and eccentric,' said Lady
Martindale.

'Presuming,' said Mrs. Nesbit; 'in extremely bad taste. I never was more
sensible of our good fortune in having missed that connection. There was
nothing but their being of a good old family that made it by any means
endurable.'

At this hit at her brother's wife, Theodora was going to speak, but she
forbore, and only wished her aunt good night. It would not be repressed,
however; she stood in the gallery, after parting with the elder ladies,
and said, loud enough for them to hear,

'I hate good old family, and all such humbug! She was a noble,
self-devoted creature; as much above the comprehension of the rest of
the world as her brother!'

'Did you know her well?' said Violet.

Theodora's tone instantly changed. She was not going to gratify childish
curiosity. 'I never had the opportunity,' she said, coolly. 'Good
night.'

Violet was disappointed; for the tone of enthusiasm had given her a
moment's hope that they had at last found a subject on which they could
grow warm together, but it was evident that Theodora would never so have
spoken had she been conscious of her presence.

The next morning as Arthur and his wife were going down to breakfast, he
said, 'We shall see some rare fun now Theodora and Fotheringham have got
together.'

Theodora, with her bonnet on, was, according to her usual Sunday
fashion, breakfasting before the rest of the party, so as to be in time
for school. John and his friend made their appearance together, and
the greetings had scarcely passed, before John, looking out of window,
exclaimed, 'Ah! there's the