amiable against
her will, it came back with double force in her lonely moments.

One day, when they had dispersed after luncheon, her father came in,
inquiring for Violet. He was going to Rickworth, and thought she would
like to go with him. He wished to know, as otherwise he should ride
instead of driving; and, as she was up-stairs, desired Theodora to go
and find out what would suit her.

'Papa, too!' thought Theodora, as with some reluctance she for the first
time knocked at her sister's door, and found her with the baby.

'How very kind!' said she. 'I should be delighted, but I don't know
whether Arthur does not want me. Is he there?'

'I think he is in the library.'

'If I could but go down! But I must not take baby, and Sarah is at
dinner. Should you mind holding him for one minute?'

Theodora held out her arms, but Johnnie, though usually delighted to
come to her from Sarah, turned his head away, unwilling to leave his
mother. He did not quite cry, but was so near it that she had to do her
utmost to amuse him. She caught up something bright to hold before him,
and was surprised to see it was a coral cross, which Violet, in changing
her dress, had laid for a moment on the dressing-table. The coincidence
was strange, thought Theodora.

Violet was coming back, and she would have laid it down, but Johnnie had
grasped it in his little fingers. As his mother appeared, his merriest
smile shone out, and his whole little person was one spring of eagerness
to return to her.

'Little man! Is he glad to come back to his mamma?' Violet could not
help saying, as he nestled joyously on her neck; but the cold face of
Theodora made her sorry that the words had escaped her, and she began to
express her thanks.

Theodora was stooping to pick up the cross, and a concerned exclamation
passed Violet's lips on observing its fall.

'It is safe,' said Theodora. 'I beg your pardon, I took it up to amuse
him.'

'Thank you,' said Violet. 'I am sorry I seemed vexed. There's no harm
done; but I was frightened, because it was Helen's.'

'Helen's' exclaimed Theodora, extremely amazed. 'Did John give it to
you?'

'Yes, a little while ago,' said Violet, colouring. 'He--'

But Theodora was gone, with bitterer feelings than ever. This girl was
absorbing every one's love! John had never given her anything that had
belonged to Helen; he had never even adverted to his engagement, when
she almost adored her memory! She had never suppo