So there's Captain Martindale, after all! How
exemplary! And my poor Mrs. Martindale, that I told Jane and Mark to
take such care of, left deserted to her husband's mercy!'

'Suppose she wished for nothing better,' said Arthur, good-humouredly.

'I can't allow such things. Such a monopoly of our Guardsmen after
two years' marriage is beyond bearing! What would they say to you in
France?'

'We don't follow French fashions,' said Arthur, his gay tone making his
earnest like jest. 'I am going to take my ladies home. I shall see for
the carriage, Violet.'

'Mrs. Martindale will learn my maxim--Never bring a husband to an
evening party. There is nothing so much in the way.'

'Or that would be so glad to be let off,' said Arthur, going.

'You don't mean to take them away? That is the climax of all your
crimes. Quite unallowable.'

'Many things unallowable are done,' said Arthur; 'and I don't allow her
to be over-tired.'

'"Barbare",' began Mrs. Finch, but with a bow, as if it was a
compliment, he was gone in search of the carriage. She sat for a moment
silent, then said, 'Well, I must forgive him. I never thought to see him
so careful of anything. How happy Theodora seems in your "menage". Quite
a different creature; but perhaps that is from another cause?'

Violet made a little attempt at a laugh.

'I am glad of it,' said Mrs. Finch, heartily. 'It is a horrid stiff
place for her at home, is it not? And I am delighted she should escape
from it. How she got consent, I can't imagine; and Theodora has notions
of her own, and would do nothing without.'

'Lord Martindale has a very high opinion of Mr. Fotheringham.'

'I am not surprised. I read that book--a wonder for me, and was
perfectly "eprise". But I did not think a genius with empty pockets
would have gone down at Martindale; and he is a bit of a bear, too, they
say, though perhaps Theodora likes him the better for that.'

'Perhaps she does.'

'I hope he is worthy of her. He is the great pride of the old folks at
Worthbourne. One heard of Percy's perfections there morning, noon, and
night, till I could have hated the sound of his name. Very generous of
me to ask him here to-night, is it not? but I wish he would have come. I
want to judge of him myself. I could not bear all not to be perfect with
Theodora.'

There was little occasion for Violet to speak, Mrs. Finch always kept
the whole conversation to herself; but she could not but perceive that
though the