nage the reading-room on nights when we are not
there.'

'Have you a reading-room?'

'Only at Wrangerton as yet; I want to set up another at Coalworth.'

'Then you find it answer? How do you arrange?'

'Two nights in the week we read to them, teach singing, or get up a sort
of lecture. The other days there are books, prints, newspapers; and you
will be surprised to see how much they appreciate them. There's a lad
now learning to draw, whose taste is quite wonderful! And if you could
have seen their faces when I read them King Henry IV! I want to have the
same thing at Coalworth for the winter--not in summer. I could not ask
them to spend a minute, they can help, out of the free air and light;
but in winter I cannot see those fine young men and boys dozing
themselves into stolidity.'

Was this the man who contemned the whole English peasantry, colliers
especially? Theodora rejoiced that his hobby had saved her a world of
embarrassment, and still more that their tete-a-tete was interrupted.
Lady Elizabeth Brandon begged to know whether Miss Martindale could see
her.

She was on her way through London; and having just heard of Colonel
Martindale's illness, had come to inquire, and offer to be useful. Emma
remained at the hotel. After Lord Martindale's cheerful answer and warm
thanks, the gentlemen set off together, and Theodora sat down with her
good old friend to give the particulars, with all the fulness belonging
to the first relief after imminent peril.

After the first, however, Lady Elizabeth's attention wandered; and
before the retrograding story had gone quite back to the original
Brogden cough, she suddenly asked if Percival Fotheringham was in
England.

'Yes, at Worthbourne. You know it was his cousin--'

'I know--it was a mistake,' said Lady Elizabeth, hurrying over the
subject, as by no means suited its importance in Theodora's eyes. 'Can
you tell me whether he has seen or heard anything of Mr. Mark Gardner?'

'Yes,' said Theodora, surprised.

'I suppose you have not heard him say how he is conducting himself?'

'Have you heard that he is going to be married to Mrs. Finch?'

Theodora was astonished at the effect of this communication on her sober
staid old friend. She started, made an incredulous outcry, caused it to
be repeated, with its authority, then rose up, exclaiming, 'The wretch!
My poor Emma! I never was more rejoiced. But Emma!'

The sight of Theodora's surprise recalled her to hersel