Theodora, annoyed at feeling a blush arising. The Earl
seemed sensible of a check, and changed his tone to a sober and rather
timid one, as he inquired after Mr. Martindale. The reply was left to
Violet.

'He has never been so well in his life. He is extremely busy, and much
enjoys the beauty of the place.'

'I suppose it is very pretty,' said Lord St. Erme.

'Nothing can be more lovely than the colour of the sea, and the
wonderful foliage, and the clearness. He says all lovers of fine scenery
ought to come there.'

'Scenery can hardly charm unless it has a past,' he replied.

'I can controvert that,' said Theodora.

With much diffidence he replied: 'I speak only of my own feeling. To
me, a fine landscape without associations has no soul. It is like an
unintellectual beauty.'

'There are associations in the West Indies,' said Theodora.

'Not the most agreeable,' said Lord St. Erme.

'There is the thought of Columbus,' said Violet, 'his whole character,
and his delight as each island surpassed the last.'

'Now, I have a fellow-feeling for the buccaneers,' said Theodora.
'Bertram Risingham was always a hero of mine. I believe it is an
ancestral respect, probably we are their descendants.'

Violet wondered if she said so to frighten him.

'"Rokeby" has given a glory to buccaneering,' he replied. 'It is the
office of poetry to gild nature by breathing a soul into her. It is what
the Americans are trying to do for their new world, still turning to
England as their Greece.'

'I meant no past associations,' said Theodora, bluntly. 'John carries
his own with him.'

'Yes; all may bear the colour of the imagination within.'

'And of the purpose,' said Theodora. 'It is work in earnest, no matter
where, that gives outward things their interest. Dreaming will never do
it. Working will.'

Their conversation here closed; but Theodora said as they went home:
'What did you think of him, Violet?'

'He looks younger than I expected.'

'He would be good for something if he could be made to work. I long to
give him a pickaxe, and set him on upon the roads. Then he would see the
beauty of them! I hate to hear him maunder on about imagination, while
he leaves his tenantry to take their chance. HE knows what eyes Percy
and John see things with!'

'I am glad to have seen him,' said Violet, reassured.

'He desired to be introduced to you.'

'I wonder--do you think--do you suppose he remembers--?'

'I don't suppose he