'Is it true that she used to go out with them last year?'
'I believe that she did sometimes.'
'At least, I hope that will not happen again.'
'No, I should not think it would. I am sure Theodora does not entirely approve of Mrs. Finch.'
'She defended her through thick and thin.'
'You shocked her with the suddenness of what you said. She cannot forget the having been happy together as children; but she thinks as you do, and disliked the marriage very much. Before you came, she had been lamenting over Mrs. Finch.'
'Then, it was pure perverseness!'
'If I said so, I wonder what you would answer,' said Violet, with a bright, arch look.
'I should hear reason,' said Percy, roughly, as if to repel the sweetness; yet it had a mollifying effect, and he presently spoke with less irritation and more regret.
'She suspects no evil, and cannot understand any imputation on her friend. She fancies I speak from report, but I have known this fellow, Mark, all my life. His mother is a sister of my Aunt Fotheringham. They wanted me to hunt up an appointment to get him out of the young lady's way.'
'Before her marriage?'
'Ay. When I was last in England, there was a great to-do at the discovery of an engagement between this youth and Miss Georgina. I suppose, considering her bringing-up, she was not much to be blamed. I remember my aunt thought the poor girl harshly dealt with.'
'O, that must have been the cause of the nervous fever Theodora mentioned. She said she knew no particulars.'
'She has not been openly dealt with,' said Percy. 'They do not dare to let her see their doings.'
'So the poor thing was tormented into this marriage?'
'No torment needed. The elder sister did try to warn her that it could not turn out well. I should think the old rogue had found his punishment for his extortions. Fine stories I could tell you of him in South America. Now, am I not justified in keeping clear of them? Let Theodora say what she will, it does not make it right for me to put myself in the way of those great extravagant dinners and parties of theirs, where they want me for nothing but a show- off.'
'I am sure Theodora will think with you, when she is cooler, and not taken by surprise.'
The clock struck.
'There, I have an appointment!'
'I wish you could wait for luncheon. She must come then.'
'What are you going to do this evening?'
'I am sorry to say that we dine out; but to-morrow is Sunday, and you will be sure to find us at home.'
He went, and one o'clock came, but no Theodora. Violet had waited ten minutes for luncheon before she returned.
'I did not know how late it was,' said she. 'I wish you had begun without me.'
Then, throwing her bonnet into a chair, and cutting some cake, she proceeded: 'Such hours as they keep! No one but Jane was up when I came, so I went to her room, and told her I would hear the rights of it.'
'Were you satisfied?'
'Georgina has been foolish and unguarded, and the world is very ill- natured. I hate it altogether, from beginning to end,' said Theodora, with an impatient gesture. 'Most decidedly,' she added, 'Georgina never ought to have married. I forced it from Jane that she had never cared for any one but this Mark. The discovery of his extravagance and misconduct was the real overthrow of my poor Georgina. It was that which brought on her illness; the family were very unkind; and at last weakness and persecution broke down her spirit, and she was ready to do anything to escape.'
'Poor thing! poor thing!'
'She had nothing to fall back upon. Oh, if I had but been there! If I had but known it at the time!'
'Well, and now?' said Violet, anxiously.
'The having Mr. Gardner there now? Really, I don't think she deserves all this abuse. The other matter is entirely passed away. Mr. Finch likes him, and they understand each other fully. Coming to them detaches him from his former habits, and gives him the best chance. His mother is so relieved to know he is with them. If Jane saw anything in the least amiss, she says she would be the first to take alarm, and I do trust her for that, for the sake of appearances.'
'I suppose it is a question of appearances,' said Violet, with the diffident blushes of her eighteen years.
'Is she to throw away the hope of rescuing her cousin, to save herself from spiteful tongues?' cried Theodora. 'Not that I suppose Lady Fotheringham means to be spiteful, but Percy hears it all from her, and we know very well that good ladies in the country have a tendency to think every one good-for-nothing that lives in London or Paris, especially their relations. That is all nonsense. If Percy goes by gossip, I don't. I go by my own observation, and I see there is nothing at which to take exception. I watched her and Mr. Gardner together, and I do declare there was nothing but ease and frankness. I am sure he was more inclined to pay that sort of attention to me. He really is very entertaining. I must tell you some of his stories.'
'Percy has been here,' said Violet.
'Has he?'
'He waited till twelve, and then was obliged to go.'
Theodora kept silence for some minutes, then said: 'If he thinks to make me give my friends up, he is much mistaken! You know I had written to Georgina last night. Well, she thought I had come to be congratulated; and if you had but seen the greeting--the whole manner--when she met me! Oh! you would know how impossible it is not to feel for her, with all one's heart!'
'Yes, yes. I suppose you could not say anything about this to her. No, of course not.'
'Not of course at all, if I could have had her alone, but Jane was there all the time. It was a pleasure to see the contrast between her manner and Jane's. There was soul in her, real hopes I should be happy, while Jane seemed only to think it tolerable, because I might end in being an ambassadress. I will see her again before the party, and draw my own conclusions.'
'Does she know that Percy will not go?'
'I know no such thing.'
She was too proud to ask what had passed in Violet's interview with him, and indeed was ready to take fire at the idea of their affairs having been discussed with her.
She strove to believe herself the offended party, but her conscience was not easily appeased, though she tried to set it at rest by affectionate care of Violet, and was much gratified by Arthur's stopping her after Violet had gone up-stairs at night, to beg her to stay, while he was at Windsor with his regiment.
'Thank you, for making me of use,' she said.
'I shall come backwards and forwards continually,' said Arthur, 'but she must not be alone; I shall be very glad if you can stay, or I shall be driven to have one of the Mosses here.'
'Oh, no, no! I shall be most happy to stay. I will take every care of her.'
'Thank you, Theodora; good night. You have got to know her better now,' he continued, lingering as on that first night to gain some word of commendation of her.
'Much better,' said Theodora cordially. 'One cannot help growing fond of her--so gentle and engaging.'
She was pleased with his satisfaction; and while she owned Violet's sincerity and sweetness, considered her one of those soft dependent beings formed to call forth tenderness from strong and superior spirits, and gloried in being necessary to her: it almost restored her balance of complacency.
On Sunday afternoon Violet stayed at home with little Johnnie, and the vacant place in the seat at church was filled by Mr. Fotheringham. Many thoughts floated through Theodora's mind; but whether the better or the worse would gain the advantage seemed rather to depend on chance than on herself. Perhaps she was not yet conscious what were her besetting sins, and thus the conflict was merely a struggle between her feelings for her friend and for her lover.
Arthur walked home with an acquaintance; but Theodora turned from Percy, and threw herself into eager conversation with Lady Elizabeth.
On entering the house, as Violet was not in the drawing-room, Theodora was going up-stairs, when Percy said,
