ell of her; but while
this is matter of opinion, it is childish to dispute. Time will show
which is the correct view--I shall be glad if it is yours. The elder
sister is a steady amiable person, whom my aunt likes, and that is in
their favour. I do not wish you to break with an old friend while we
know of no positive charge against her, though I should think there
could be little to attract you. For me it is another matter, and I will
not.'

'You will not adopt my friends?'

I will not be talked into it.'

'I do not understand your principle,' said Theodora, but without
asperity. 'Why do you decline an acquaintance to which you do not object
for me?'

'The beginning has been made in your case, and I know it is old
affection, not present approval. You can't be hurt by one like her. But
for my part, knowing what I do of them, I will enter on no acquaintance;
it is a line of which I have resolved to keep clear. She would think
herself patronizing a literary man.'

'Oh! you could not submit to that!' cried Theodora--'never. Stay away, I
beg of you.'

'It is for no such nonsense,' said Percy. 'But thinking of them as I
do, I cannot receive from them the favours which rich folks consider
invitations to poor ones. My connection with them makes it all the more
undesirable. I totally disapprove their style of conduct, and will not
seem to sanction it by beginning an acquaintance, or appearing at their
grand dinners and parties. If I had known them before, the case might be
different.'

'I will say no more. You are quite right,' said Theodora, well able to
appreciate the manliness of his independence.

She thought over several times the way of communicating to Mrs. Finch,
Percy's rejection of her invitation, and made some attempts at seeing
her, but without success, until the night of the party. Violet had an
undefined dread of it, and was especially glad that her husband was able
to go with them. It was one of the occasions when he was most solicitous
about her appearance; and he was well pleased, for she was in very good
looks, and prettily dressed with some Irish lace, that to Theodora's
amusement she had taken off Miss Marstone's hands; and with his
beautiful wife and distinguished-looking sister, he had his wish of
displaying woman as she should be.

The room was full, but Violet saw few acquaintance; as Mrs. Finch, with
much display of streamer, flounce, jewellery, and shoulders, came to
meet them with vehement