ed to have a most baneful influence
over Arthur. Theodora, if by any chance it should be in your power, you
ought to do your utmost to keep them from coming in contact. It may be a
very superfluous fear, but your intimacy with those ladies might be the
means of bringing them together, and there is nothing I should so much
dread.'

'Surely Arthur may be trusted to choose his own friends.'

'You don't know what happened in their school days! No, you were too
young. It was discovered that there was a practice of gambling and
drinking wine in the boys' rooms, and Arthur was all but expelled;
but it turned out that he had been only weak, and entirely led by this
fellow, and so he was spared. Percy could tell you many histories of
Gardner's doings at Cambridge. Arthur's worst scrape since he has been
in the Guards was entirely owing to him, and it was evident he still had
the same power over him.'

'Arthur is no boy now.'

'I doubt,' said John, half smiling.

'No one can make the least charge against him since his marriage.'

'It has done much for him,' answered John, 'and she has improved
wonderfully. Theodora, now that I am going away, let me once more
tell you that you are throwing away a source of much happiness by
disregarding her.'

'Her romantic friendship with Emma Brandon is a proof that she cannot
have much in common with me.'

'There is one thing you have not in common with either,' exclaimed John,
'and that is an unassuming temper.'

'Yes, I know you all think me prejudiced. I do not want you to go away
misunderstanding me,' answered Theodora. 'She has good principles, she
is amiable and affectionate; but there are three points that prevent me
from esteeming her as you do. She has a weak fretful temper.'

'I am sure you have seen no sign of it.'

'It is just what is never shown; but I am convinced poor Arthur suffers
from it. Next, she thinks a great deal of her appearance; and, lastly,
she is fond of power, and tries to govern, if not by coaxing, by
weakness, tears, hysterics--all the artillery of the feeble. Now, a
woman such as that I can pity, but cannot love, nor think a fit wife for
my brother.'

'I can't tell, I don't know,' said John, hesitating in displeasure and
perplexity; 'but this once I must try whether it is of any use to talk
to you. Her spirits and nerves are not strong, and they were cruelly
tried last spring; but Arthur only saw her cheerful, and never guessed
at the tears she sh