owslips,
at our age, unless one is in love,' said Georgina. 'If you were going to
bring your Percy, perhaps we would not interfere with your sweet rural
felicity, my dear.'

'We will bring some one else,' said Jane. 'After poor Mrs. Martindale
had carried you off', Theodora, I found the author of "Pausilippo"
looking extremely disconsolate, and hinting to him that such a scheme
was in agitation, and that you were included in it, he looked so eager,
that he will be for ever beholden to Georgina for an invitation.'

'Poor Lord St. Erme!' said Georgina. 'It really is a shame, Theodora. I
rather take him under my protection. Shall he come, or shall he not?'

'It makes no difference to me,' said Theodora, coolly.

'Whatever it does to him, eh?'

'But, Georgina, you are not in the least secure of Theodora,' said Jane,
satirically. 'She is devoted to Mrs. Martindale.'

'If my sister-in-law is not well I shall not leave her, if she is, you
may depend upon me.'

'I shall do no such thing, whatever Georgina does,' said Jane.

'I am sure Mrs. Martindale has ways and means.'

'I shall not stay without real reason.'

'And bring the Captain,' entreated Mrs. Finch.

'Still more doubtful,' suggested Jane.

'Yes, I think you will not get him,' said Theodora; 'but I will
certainly join you, provided Violet is not really ill.'

'I am very good friends with that pretty sister of yours,' said Jane. 'I
will call some day, and try to get her permission for him.'

'Once--twice--you have failed us,' said Mrs. Finch, rising to take
leave. 'This third time, and I shall believe it is some one else in the
shape of Theodora Martindale.'

'I will not fail,' repeated Theodora.

They departed, and presently Arthur came down. 'How long those women
have been here! Have they been hatching treason? I want you to go up and
sit with Violet; I am going out for an hour.'

It was a tame conclusion to the morning's alarms when a brisk voice
answered, 'Come in,' at her knock, and Violet lay very comfortably
reading, her eyes bright and lively, and her cheeks with almost their
own colour. Her sweet smile and grateful face chased away ill humour;
and Theodora was so affectionate and agreeable as to surprise herself,
and make her believe herself subject to the fascination Violet exercised
over her brothers.

She told Arthur, on his return, that Violet was just ill enough to make
waiting on her pretty pastime; but was something between alarmed a