e it between you,' said Jane, with apparent
carelessness. 'I shall go home to appease for a little while the
unfortunate dressmaker, whom we are keeping so long waiting. Make the
most of Theodora, while you can have her.'

She would not have gone, had she not believed her work done.

'I have made up my mind,' said Theodora, as the door closed.

'Theodora! I do beg you will not,' cried Georgina, in an agitated voice,
fully meaning all she said. 'You will vex and displease them all. I know
you will, and I could not bear that! Your happiness is not wasted yet!
Go, and be happy with your Percy!'

'I have told Percy of my intentions. Do you think I would alter them for
this notion of Jane's?'

'That is my own dear Theodora! But it is not only that. They are such
good people--so kind! You must not risk their good opinion, for they
would be so fond of you!'

'If their good opinion depends on narrow-minded prejudice, I do not wish
for it.'

'If she would but come a day later,' said Georgina; 'for I do want you
to be with me very much, Theodora! I know I shall meet with nothing
but mortification, if you are not. People will only make that little
starched bow! And Mr. Finch has noticed your not being so much with me.
But no, no, you shall not come. You shall stay and see dear, good old
Lady Fotheringham! Oh! how I wish I could!' and her breast heaved with a
suppressed sob.

'Why do you not, then, dear Georgina? Let me tell her your feeling,
and--'

'No, no, no, no! I can never see her again! Don't talk to me about her!
She belongs to another state of existence.'

'This will not do, Georgina. It is vain to turn aside now from what will
and must come on you some day.'

'Don't! don't, Theodora!' said she, petulantly. 'Everything goes against
me! There's Jane taken to lecturing, and even Mr. Finch is growing
crabbed, and declares he shall take me to vegetate in this horrid place
he has bought in the country.'

'Oh, I am so glad!' exclaimed Theodora. 'Now then, there is a chance for
you. If you will throw yourself into the duties and pursuits--'

'What! be squiress and Lady Bountiful; doctor old women, and lecture
school-children? No, no, that may do for you, but I am at least no
hypocrite!'

'I should be a great hypocrite, if I did not believe the old women and
the children far better than myself,' said Theodora, gravely. 'But,
indeed, trying to make them comfortable would occupy your mind, and
interest you till--o