ccount,' he said; 'but I wish it could have been otherwise.'

'So do I, most heartily,' said Theodora.

'It is very different now,' said Lord Martindale. Four years ago I could
hardly have wished it. Now, I think most highly of him, and I should
have been rejoiced to have seen his constancy rewarded.'

'I am ashamed and grieved,' said Theodora. 'He did, indeed, deserve
better things. He is a noble character; and I cannot honour or esteem
him enough, nor sufficiently regret the way I treated him. But, indeed,
papa, it would not be right. I cannot help it.'

'Well, there is no more to be said,' sighed Lord Martindale. 'I know you
will do right.'

Something was won since her former dismissal of the Earl! Her father
gave her a look full of confidence and affection; and made happy by it,
she rallied her spirits and said, 'Besides, what a pair it would be! We
should be taken for a pretty little under-graduate and his mother!'

'That will not last, my dear,' said Lord Martindale, vexed though
smiling at her droll manner. 'You are younger than he.'

'In years, but not in mind,' said Theodora. 'No, no, papa; you have me
for life, and it is hard you should be so anxious to get rid of me!'

'I only wish to consult your happiness, my dear child.'

'And that always was in fancying myself necessary,' said Theodora,
gaily, though there was a trembling in her voice; and when she went up
to her own room, she hid her face in her hands, and felt as if life was
very dreary and uninteresting, and as if it was a miserable exile to be
sent into the country just now, to have to force cheerful conversation
for her mother, and to be wearied with Helen's wild spirits. 'But have
I not deserved everything? And after my brother has been spared so far,
how can I repine at any selfish trouble?'

CHAPTER 12

Herself, almost heartbroken now,
Was bent to take the vestal vow,
And shroud, within St. Hilda's gloom,
Her wasted hopes and withered bloom.

--SCOTT

Violet, when called to consult with her father-in-law in the outer room,
felt a sort of blank apprehension and consternation at the idea of being
separated from her children; and a moment's reflection satisfied her
that in one case at least she might rightly follow the dictates of her
own heart. She said that she thought Johnnie could not be spared by his
papa.

Lord Martindale's eye followed hers, and through the half-closed door
saw Johnnie, sitt