the season otherwise.'

'I came up to bring the dumb boy to the Asylum. I am staying on because
I like it.'

'Do you mean to go out with her?'

'When she goes, I do so too, but I am not come for the season. My
brother's regiment is ordered to Windsor, and perhaps I may stay to be
with her.'

'She has more manner than last year,' said Jane: 'she is greatly
improved in looks. You will believe me, Theodora, all I said to Mark
only referred to her paleness.'

'It won't do, Jane,' said her sister; 'you only make it worse. I see how
it is; Theodora has found out that her sister-in-law is a pretty little
pet of a thing that does her no harm, and you have got into the wrong
box by flattering her first dislike. Yes, yes, Theodora, we know Jane of
old; and never could get her to see the only safe way is to tell one's
mind straight out.'

'I don't see it established that I did not tell Theodora my real
mind,' said Jane, quietly; 'I always thought Mrs. Martindale pretty and
elegant--'

'Self-evident,' said Georgina; 'but if I had been among you, would not
I have told Theodora the poor child was cowed by her dignities, and Mrs.
Nesbit and all the rest? Oh, I would have made much of her, and brought
her forward. She should have been my queen of Violets: I would have done
it last year if that unlucky baby had not come in the way.'

'And now she does not need patronage,' said Jane.

'No; and now Theodora has found her out for herself--a better thing,'
said Mrs. Finch. 'You look all the better for it! I never saw you look
so bright or so handsome, Theodora! You are a happy girl!'--and there
was a sigh. Some interruption here occurring, Theodora took her leave,
and walked home. She felt ruffled by her visit, and as she came indoors,
ran up-stairs and knocked at her sister's door. The room looked cool and
pleasant, and Violet was lying down in her white, frilled dressing-gown,
so freshly, purely, delicately neat, and with so calm and sweet a smile,
that the contrast marked itself strongly, and Theodora thought no one
ever looked more innocent and engaging. 'I hope you are not tired?'

'Oh, no; I only thought it wiser to rest, thank you.'

'I came to tell you that Georgina Finch wants us to go to a party next
Tuesday week. There's nothing to prevent it, is there?'

'I know of nothing; but Arthur will say--'

'We are to bring Percy. I meant to have told them of our affair; but
I did not think they deserved it just then. I am