her weakness and
her engagingness. She has very sweet, winning ways, and I am very fond
of her in reason, but it will be very good for her to see I can be kind
to her without being her slave.'

In this mind Theodora went to sleep, but was wakened in the early
morning by Arthur's voice on the stairs, calling to Sarah. She threw on
her dressing-gown, and half-opening her door, begged to know what was
the matter.

'Only that you have done for her with your freaks and your wilfulness,'
answered Arthur, roughly.

'She is not ill?' exclaimed the terrified sister.

'Of course she is. I can't think what possessed you.'

'I tried hard to keep her at home. But, oh! Arthur, where are you
going?'

'To fetch Harding.'

'Can I do anything? Can I be of use? Let me go to her. Oh! Arthur, pray
let me.'

He went into the room, and brought back word that Violet wanted no one
but Sarah, and was a little more comfortable; only begging Theodora
would be so kind as to go to the nursery, lest little Johnnie should
awake.

Thither she repaired, but without the satisfaction of usefulness, for
the child slept soundly till his nurse returned. Mr. Harding had been
there, and Mrs. Martindale was better, needing only complete quiet; but
Sarah was extremely brief, scornful, and indignant, and bestowed very
few words on Miss Martindale. 'Yes, ma'am--no, ma'am,' was all that hard
pumping could extract, except funereal and mysterious sighs and shakes
of the head, and a bustling about, that could only be understood to
intimate that she wished to have her nursery to herself.

It was still so early that Theodora had time to go to church; as usual,
she met the Brandons; and Lady Elizabeth, much concerned at her tidings,
came home with her to see how the patient was going on.

Lady Elizabeth forbore to reproach Violet, but she lectured Arthur on
allowing her to be imprudent. He took it in very good part, not quite
disagreeing when told they were all too young together, and made a
hearty protest that she should be well looked after for the future.

He was certainly doing his part. All the morning he was in and out, up
and down stairs, effectually preventing any rest, as his sister thought.

Theodora's time passed in strange variations of contrition, jealousy,
and perverseness. She was hurt at his displeasure,--she was injured by
her exclusion from Violet's room,--she was wounded even by her little
nephew, who cried down-stairs for mamma, and u