'I knew it. It is the soft, gentle, feminine mould that attracts men.'
'Another curious discovery.'
'I cannot change my nature. But when he comes, superior to them all, understanding my true self, seeing me high-spirited and cold- mannered, but able to look into me, and perceive there is warmth and soundness--oh! is not that a new well-spring of happiness!'
'Yes, he is as much out of the common run of folks as you are. You'll go as well together as Smithson's pair of piebalds. I am satisfied; I only wanted to know whether you cared for him, for you don't 'act as sich.''
'I can't talk stuff. I managed pretty well with papa, but I could not bear it with John. He began to praise Percy, which made me ready to cry, and that provoked me: besides, I know he does not believe in me. He cares for Helen's brother far more than for his own sister, and does not think me good enough for him. I saw he thought I should trifle, and meant to give me a lecture; and I could not stand that, you know, so I got away as fast as I could.'
'John does not lecture as you might expect, if you give him his full swing. He is the best and kindest fellow in the world.'
'I know how Percy looks up to him. The only thing I don't like is, that I believe one cause of Percy's attachment is my being his sister.'
'I tell you, Theodora, if you are so outrageously jealous, you will never get through the world in peace.'
'I shall have no reason for jealousy.'
'And for fear he should, had you not better give a hint to Wingfield? You are turning the poor fellow's head with your confabulations over the dirty children, and you'll have him languishing in an unrequited attachment.'
'He understands me too well,' said Theodora.
'You reckon a great deal on understanding! And you put yourselves to the test. Why don't you marry out of hand, and trust to the fates?'
'We have talked it over,' said Theodora. 'As to our income being equal to yours, that is nonsense. We have no expensive habits; but Percy says L450 a year is too little, so we shall wait for the appointment, or till he has made it up to L700. But I own I did not expect such ready consent from papa.'
'Ha! You would have liked a little opposition? You would sing a different song if he had set his face against it. It is very knowing of my aunt to take the line she does.'
'I wish my aunt was twenty years younger!'
'That you might fight it out, eh!'
'One comfort is, she will never leave me her money now! But I must go in, and send Miss Piper for a walk with Harrison. My aunt must be repaying herself on her.'
'Then I shall take another cigar, to get the damp out of my throat.'
'You wretch, you like to boast of it!'
'Ah! you don't know what Percy learnt in Turkey.'
'I know he always abominated smoking.'
'Perhaps he'll let you think so till you are married.'
'For shame, Arthur! That's the way you served your wife.'
'Not I. She is duly grateful to me for only smoking at fit times and places, wherein I don't resemble her precious brother.'
Arthur thus reported this conversation to his wife. 'I met Theodora in the park. She is as remarkable an article as ever I saw.'
'What do you think?--is she really attached to him?'
'I know as little as she does.'
It was determined that the secret should be strictly kept; it was the one point on which Lady Martindale was anxious, being thereto prompted by her aunt. Theodora declared she had no one to tell, and Mr. Fotheringham only desired to inform his uncle and aunt, Sir Antony and Lady Fotheringham. He was now going to pay them a visit before settling in his lodgings in London. Theodora's engagement certainly made her afford to be kinder to Violet, or else it was Percy's influence that in some degree softened her. She was pleased at having one of her favourite head girls taken as housemaid under Sarah's direction, her only doubt being whether Violet was a sufficiently good mistress; but she had much confidence in Sarah, whose love of dominion made her glad of a young assistant.
The party was now breaking up, Violet in high spirits at returning home, and having Arthur all to herself, as well as eager to put her schemes of good management into practice. The sorrow was the parting with John, who was likely to be absent for several years.
Before going he had one last conversation with his sister, apropos to some mention of a book which she wished to send to London to be returned to Miss Gardner.
'Does Violet visit her?' he asked.
'There have been a few calls; Jane Gardner has been very good-natured to her.'
'Is that cousin of theirs, that Gardner, still abroad?'
'Yes, I believe so.'
'I hope he will stay there. He used to have a most baneful influence over Arthur. Theodora, if by any chance it should be in your power, you ought to do your utmost to keep them from coming in contact. It may be a very superfluous fear, but your intimacy with those ladies might be the means of bringing them together, and there is nothing I should so much dread.'
'Surely Arthur may be trusted to choose his own friends.'
'You don't know what happened in their school days! No, you were too young. It was discovered that there was a practice of gambling and drinking wine in the boys' rooms, and Arthur was all but expelled; but it turned out that he had been only weak, and entirely led by this fellow, and so he was spared. Percy could tell you many histories of Gardner's doings at Cambridge. Arthur's worst scrape since he has been in the Guards was entirely owing to him, and it was evident he still had the same power over him.'
'Arthur is no boy now.'
'I doubt,' said John, half smiling.
'No one can make the least charge against him since his marriage.'
'It has done much for him,' answered John, 'and she has improved wonderfully. Theodora, now that I am going away, let me once more tell you that you are throwing away a source of much happiness by disregarding her.'
'Her romantic friendship with Emma Brandon is a proof that she cannot have much in common with me.'
'There is one thing you have not in common with either,' exclaimed John, 'and that is an unassuming temper.'
'Yes, I know you all think me prejudiced. I do not want you to go away misunderstanding me,' answered Theodora. 'She has good principles, she is amiable and affectionate; but there are three points that prevent me from esteeming her as you do. She has a weak fretful temper.'
'I am sure you have seen no sign of it.'
'It is just what is never shown; but I am convinced poor Arthur suffers from it. Next, she thinks a great deal of her appearance; and, lastly, she is fond of power, and tries to govern, if not by coaxing, by weakness, tears, hysterics--all the artillery of the feeble. Now, a woman such as that I can pity, but cannot love, nor think a fit wife for my brother.'
'I can't tell, I don't know,' said John, hesitating in displeasure and perplexity; 'but this once I must try whether it is of any use to talk to you. Her spirits and nerves are not strong, and they were cruelly tried last spring; but Arthur only saw her cheerful, and never guessed at the tears she shed in secret, till we found her papers blistered with them, when her never complaining and letting him go his own way had almost cost her her life! and if you knew her, you would see that the tendency to over-anxiety is the very failing with which she struggles. I wish I could make you see her in her true light.'
'I cannot help it, John,' said Theodora, 'I must speak the truth. I see how it is. Men are not clear-sighted in judging of a pretty woman of engaging manners. They are under a fascination. I don't blame you--it is exactly the same with papa and Percy.'
'Indeed?'
And for the last time baffled, John parted with his sister in much anxiety and disappointment, such as made it repose to turn to that other gentle, open-hearted, confiding sister, whose helplessness and sympathy had first roused him from despondency and inaction.
