all parties.'

'I think it would,' said Violet.

'Percival can do anything with the old people, and they will be so
delighted with the Martindale connection! Perhaps it is an understood
thing. Do you know whether it is?'

'I should not think so. I never heard anything of it.'

'Has Theodora ever been introduced to the uncle and aunt?'

'Never.'

'Good old folks, exceedingly primitive. Very kind too, and a fine
old-fashioned place; but, oh, so dull! All their ideas are of the
seventeenth century. It will be a severe ordeal for poor Theodora, but
if Lady Fotheringham, good old soul, is pleased with her, I shall expect
grand consequences.'

Violet was glad that Miss Gardner was asked to dance. Presently Arthur
returned to her side. 'Tired, Violet?' he asked. 'Slow work, is not it?
They have a queer lot here. Scarcely a soul one ever saw before.'

'I was thinking so. Are there not a great many foreigners? I saw some
immense moustaches.'

'Ay. Percy would think himself back in Blue Beard's country. There is
the King of the Clothes Brushes himself polking with Mrs. Finch. Can't
you see?'

'No! I wish I could.'

'An economical fellow! Every man his own clothes brush--two expenses
saved at once, to say nothing of soap, an article that mayhap he does
not deal in.'

'Oh! hush! you will make me laugh too much. Where 's Theodora?'

'Dancing with Gardner. He seems inclined to make up to her, unless it is
a blind.'

'He said he used to know you at school.'

'Yes, scamp that he is. I had rather he had never turned up again. He
is not worth Theodora's quarrelling about. I hear she is chattering away
like fun. Have you had any one to speak to?'

'Miss Gardner came to me. She seemed to think Sir Antony might settle
his property on Percy instead of on his son. Do you think there is any
chance of it?'

'I wish he would. He could not do a wiser thing. But of course it is
entailed--there's always a provision of nature for starving the younger
branches. What does she say to Percy's absence!'

'I fancy she guesses the reason, but I don't know.'

'He is a lucky fellow, I know!' said Arthur, 'to be safe in his bed at
home! This evening is a bore, and I wish the whole set were further
off, instead of deluding Theodora! I'll get her away when this dance is
over.'

'Ha!' cried Mrs. Finch, suddenly stopping in front of them, and
disengaging herself from her partner, as she breathlessly threw herself
down beside Violet. '