'O, yes, entirely so.'
'I am relieved to hear it. In confidence I may tell YOU, it is said in our OWN family, that there is a rough overbearing temper about him. I could not bear to think of dear Theodora's high spirit being subjected to anything of that kind.'
'He is abrupt,' said Violet, eagerly; 'but I assure yon the better he is known, the more he is liked. My little boy is so fond of him.'
'I am glad. No doubt you have every means of judging, but I own I was surprised at such ready consent. You were behind the scenes, no doubt, and can tell how that determined spirit carried the day.'
'Lord Martindale gave his consent most readily and gladly,' said Violet; but Jane was only the more convinced that Mrs. Martindale was as ignorant as ever of family secrets.
'It was best to do so with a good grace; but I did think our dear Theodora might have looked higher! Poor Lord St. Erme! He would have been a more eligible choice. The family must have been much disappointed, for she might have had him at her feet any day last summer.'
'I do not think he would have suited her.'
'Well! perhaps not, but an easy gentle temper might. However, it cannot be helped! Only the long engagement is unfortunate--very trying to both parties. I have seen so few turn out well! Poor Pelham Fotheringham! It is a pity he should stand between them and the baronetcy.'
'Is he Sir Antony's son?'
'Yes; it is a sad affair. A fine tall youth, quite imbecile. He is his poor mother's darling, but no more fit to take care of himself than a child of five years old. A most melancholy thing! Old Sir Antony ought to set him aside, and let Percival enjoy the estate. Indeed, I should think it very probable he would do so--it would be greatly for the happiness of all parties.'
'I think it would,' said Violet.
'Percival can do anything with the old people, and they will be so delighted with the Martindale connection! Perhaps it is an understood thing. Do you know whether it is?'
'I should not think so. I never heard anything of it.'
'Has Theodora ever been introduced to the uncle and aunt?'
'Never.'
'Good old folks, exceedingly primitive. Very kind too, and a fine old-fashioned place; but, oh, so dull! All their ideas are of the seventeenth century. It will be a severe ordeal for poor Theodora, but if Lady Fotheringham, good old soul, is pleased with her, I shall expect grand consequences.'
Violet was glad that Miss Gardner was asked to dance. Presently Arthur returned to her side. 'Tired, Violet?' he asked. 'Slow work, is not it? They have a queer lot here. Scarcely a soul one ever saw before.'
'I was thinking so. Are there not a great many foreigners? I saw some immense moustaches.'
'Ay. Percy would think himself back in Blue Beard's country. There is the King of the Clothes Brushes himself polking with Mrs. Finch. Can't you see?'
'No! I wish I could.'
'An economical fellow! Every man his own clothes brush--two expenses saved at once, to say nothing of soap, an article that mayhap he does not deal in.'
'Oh! hush! you will make me laugh too much. Where 's Theodora?'
'Dancing with Gardner. He seems inclined to make up to her, unless it is a blind.'
'He said he used to know you at school.'
'Yes, scamp that he is. I had rather he had never turned up again. He is not worth Theodora's quarrelling about. I hear she is chattering away like fun. Have you had any one to speak to?'
'Miss Gardner came to me. She seemed to think Sir Antony might settle his property on Percy instead of on his son. Do you think there is any chance of it?'
'I wish he would. He could not do a wiser thing. But of course it is entailed--there's always a provision of nature for starving the younger branches. What does she say to Percy's absence!'
'I fancy she guesses the reason, but I don't know.'
'He is a lucky fellow, I know!' said Arthur, 'to be safe in his bed at home! This evening is a bore, and I wish the whole set were further off, instead of deluding Theodora! I'll get her away when this dance is over.'
'Ha!' cried Mrs. Finch, suddenly stopping in front of them, and disengaging herself from her partner, as she breathlessly threw herself down beside Violet. 'So there's Captain Martindale, after all! How exemplary! And my poor Mrs. Martindale, that I told Jane and Mark to take such care of, left deserted to her husband's mercy!'
'Suppose she wished for nothing better,' said Arthur, good- humouredly.
'I can't allow such things. Such a monopoly of our Guardsmen after two years' marriage is beyond bearing! What would they say to you in France?'
'We don't follow French fashions,' said Arthur, his gay tone making his earnest like jest. 'I am going to take my ladies home. I shall see for the carriage, Violet.'
'Mrs. Martindale will learn my maxim--Never bring a husband to an evening party. There is nothing so much in the way.'
'Or that would be so glad to be let off,' said Arthur, going.
'You don't mean to take them away? That is the climax of all your crimes. Quite unallowable.'
'Many things unallowable are done,' said Arthur; 'and I don't allow her to be over-tired.'
''Barbare',' began Mrs. Finch, but with a bow, as if it was a compliment, he was gone in search of the carriage. She sat for a moment silent, then said, 'Well, I must forgive him. I never thought to see him so careful of anything. How happy Theodora seems in your 'menage'. Quite a different creature; but perhaps that is from another cause?'
Violet made a little attempt at a laugh.
'I am glad of it,' said Mrs. Finch, heartily. 'It is a horrid stiff place for her at home, is it not? And I am delighted she should escape from it. How she got consent, I can't imagine; and Theodora has notions of her own, and would do nothing without.'
'Lord Martindale has a very high opinion of Mr. Fotheringham.'
'I am not surprised. I read that book--a wonder for me, and was perfectly 'eprise'. But I did not think a genius with empty pockets would have gone down at Martindale; and he is a bit of a bear, too, they say, though perhaps Theodora likes him the better for that.'
'Perhaps she does.'
'I hope he is worthy of her. He is the great pride of the old folks at Worthbourne. One heard of Percy's perfections there morning, noon, and night, till I could have hated the sound of his name. Very generous of me to ask him here to-night, is it not? but I wish he would have come. I want to judge of him myself. I could not bear all not to be perfect with Theodora.'
There was little occasion for Violet to speak, Mrs. Finch always kept the whole conversation to herself; but she could not but perceive that though the exaggeration and recklessness of style were unpleasing, yet it really was frank and genuine, and Theodora's declaration that Georgina was far preferable to Jane was less incomprehensible.
The evening was over, much to her relief; but there remained Theodora's bold undertaking to tell Mrs. Finch of Percy's refusal to visit her. Any one else would have let the subject drop, but Theodora thought this would be shabby and cowardly, and was resolved not to shrink from warning her friend.
She found Georgina looking over some cards of invitation, with an air of great dissatisfaction, and almost the first words that greeted her were, 'Have you a card for Lady Albury's party?'
'Yes; I heard Violet ask Arthur if he should be at home for it.'
'Very strange! We left our cards, I know, yet they never asked us to their party this week, and now seem to have missed us again. I wished particularly to go, for one is sure to meet all that is worth seeing, your knight among the rest. They are prim, strait-laced, exclusive people themselves; but it is a house worth going to.'
'I did not remember that you knew them.'
'Oh! yes, we did; we used to be there pretty often when we lived with my Uncle Edward; and it is not that they do not think my poor old man good enough for them, for we went to their parties last year. So, Mrs. Martindale has a card, you say!'
Theodora's colour rose as she said, 'Georgina, I am going to say what no one else will tell you. It is not your
