, looking disconsolate enough
to set people wondering what is on his spirits, and avoids me, so as to
show them. It would be the best possible thing for me to get out of the
way till it is blown over, for I have no comfort in parish work. It has
been a relief to be always shut up with my aunt, since that was a reason
for not going into the village.'

'Then you will stay till the family migration?'

'I don't think there will be any this year. Papa talks about bad times,
and says the season in London is too expensive; and mamma was worried
and tired last year, and did not enjoy it, so she will be glad to avoid
it and stay with my aunt.'

'And, you being no longer a subject for speculation, there's no object.'

'Yes; I am glad to have ended that hateful consciousness.'

'Well, Violet will do her best for you.'

'I don't want her to trouble herself; I only want house-room.'

'And a change after a month's white niggering.'

'That's another reason. My aunt has grown so dependent on me, that this
new lady will not have a fair chance if I am at home; and if I don't
break the habit, I shall never call my time my own again.'

In fact, Theodora had been suffering under a fit of restlessness and
dissatisfaction, which made her anxious to change the scene. The school,
her great resource, was liable to be a place of awkward meetings. She
was going to lose her dumb charge; and with Percy and Arthur both at a
distance, there was no excitement nor relief to the tedium of home. The
thorough self-sacrificing attendance on her aunt had been the sole means
left her of maintaining the sense of fulfilling a duty.

The unexpected arrival of her favourite brother was as a reward. Her
spirits rose, and she talked with gaiety and animation, delighted to
find him claiming her company for walks and rides to be taken in his
holiday week, and feeling as if now the prediction had truly come to
pass, that he would be relieved to come to her from the annoyances of
his home.

Every one seemed glad to see Arthur--even Mrs. Nesbit. In the course
of the evening something was said about a dinner party for the ensuing
Saturday, and Lady Martindale asked if he could stay for it.

'Saturday? Yes; I need not go back till Monday.'

'I wish Violet could have come,' said Lord Martindale. 'I am glad you
can give us a week; but it is a long time for her to be alone. I hope
she has some friend to be with her.'

'Oh, she wants no one,' said Arthur. 'She