ties and the benefit of his colliers were
what engrossed his mind; and with his sister to render his home happy,
everything else was secondary. When it did occur to him to think of
love, it was for Theodora; but he had no more time for such thoughts
than most other busy practical men.

He discoursed upon his schools and reading-rooms till the children came
in, and then bade her good-bye, quite as if he had talked himself back
into an every-day state of feeling.

Was Theodora mortified? She went to her own room to analyze her
sensations, but was almost immediately followed by Johnnie, coming to
tell her that the owl-man was in the drawing-room.

'Another who is consoled!' thought she. 'Humiliating, indeed, it is to
see such complete cures. There is no need to be absurd and conscious
at this meeting! But here I do, indeed, need forgiveness--how my heart
aches to ask it--his mere pardon for my offences! If I could only have
it out with him without compromising womanly proprieties! That can't be;
I must bear it!'

On the stairs she heard Helen's voice. 'He came yesterday, to the
evening dinner, but I don't like him.'

'Why not?' asked Percy.

'Because he says I am just like Aunt Theodora, and I am not.'

Theodora knew whom she meant. Lord St. Erme had been much struck by
her little niece's resemblance, and Helen resented the comparison as an
indignity to her beauty. She felt extremely annoyed at Percy's hearing
this; then recollected it did not signify to him, and entered just as
he was telling little Miss Vanity that she was the silliest child he had
ever the honour of meeting.

There was some constraint, on her part, in the short conversation on
Arthur's health that ensued, before he went up; and he only returned to
the drawing-room for a moment, to assure her that he thought Arthur much
better than when he had last seen him.

'He avoids me! he cannot endure me!' she thought, and yet she felt
doubly averse to the idea of returning to Brogden.

Lord Martindale came in with a look of expectation on his face which
grieved Theodora, for she knew her refusal would be a disappointment
to him. He sent the children away, paused for her to begin, and at last
asked: 'Well, my dear, has Lord St. Erme been here?'

'Yes papa;' and it was plain enough how it had been. Lord Martindale
sighed. The rest being equal, it was not in human nature not to prefer
an Earl to an almost penniless author. 'I would not urge you on any
a