ly this morning.'

'But who is it? Nothing that your aunt disapproves, I trust, my dear.'

'Percy Fotheringham,' said Theodora, standing firm, and exulting in
defiance; but her aunt continued that same provoking disregard.

'Yes, you see it is of no use to oppose her. For my part, I think her
papa has acted wisely in permitting the engagement. Contradiction would
embellish her hero; while, left to him, she will soon find him out. I do
not concern myself, for Miss Martindale can get over a little matter of
this kind.'

'It is of no use to make protestations,' said Theodora; and she left
the room much more annoyed than she could have been by the violent
opposition for which she was prepared. Cool contempt was beyond
everything irritating, especially where reply was impossible, and
argument undignified.

Mrs. Nesbit continued to behave as if the engagement did not exist,
and Violet could not suppose her informed of it. Lady Martindale looked
melancholy and distressed, especially after having been with John, whom,
however, she declared to be better, and desirous of seeing his sister.
Theodora went to him, but remained a very short time.

Violet ventured in with his mother, to wish him good night, and he
thanked her warmly for having read him to sleep. 'When I am laid up
again, you will know where to find a nurse for me,' added he to his
mother; a speech which obtained for Violet a positively cordial and
affectionate good night from Lady Martindale.

Though mending, he did not leave his room the next day, as it was damp
and chilly; and he again asked for Violet's company in the afternoon,
since he supposed she was not thinking of going out.

'O, no; no one does, except Theodora. I saw something brown half-way
across the park, which must be either her cloak, or the old cow-man's
worst round frock.'

'And Percy not in attendance?'

'No; he and Arthur are lingering at luncheon, talking about the Austrian
army. When did you hear about this?'

'As soon as I came in. He marched into my room, sat down, and said,
"There! I've done it." I thought he had broken the knees of Arthur's
gray, till he explained--"No; I have taken your sister on my hands."'

'So you were watching them all the evening!'

'Yes; I was very anxious as to how my father might view it.'

'I suppose that hurt you more than the rain?'

'Excitement, as Brown would say. Perhaps it might. We talked long and
late, and afterwards I fell into the old str