had done wrong in betraying her dislike; she knew not
how; and trying to ascribe all to shyness, said, 'It was so strange and
new; I have never been out till now.'

'Yes, if you will allow me to say so, I thought you got on admirably,
considering how trying the situation was.'

'Oh! I was very much frightened; but they are very kind--Mr. Martindale
especially.'

'Poor Mr. Martindale! I wish he could recover his spirits. He has never
held up his head since Miss Fotheringham's death. He is an admirable
person, but it is melancholy to see him spending his life in that lonely
manner.'

'It is, indeed. I often wish anything would cheer him!'

'All the family are devoted to him, if that would comfort him. It is the
only point where Lady Martindale is not led by her aunt, that she almost
worships him!'

'I thought Mrs. Nesbit was fond of him.'

'Did you ever hear that Percy Fotheringham once said of her, "That
woman is a good hater"? She detested the Fotheringham family, and Mr.
Martindale, for his engagement. No, he is out of her power, and she
cannot endure him; besides, he is a rival authority--his father listens
to him.'

'I suppose Mrs. Nesbit is very clever.'

'She has been one of the cleverest women on earth. She formed her niece,
made the match, forced her forward into the very highest society--never
were such delightful parties--the best music--every lion to be met
with--Lady Martindale herself at once a study for beauty, and a
dictionary of arts and sciences--Mrs. Nesbit so agreeable. Ah! you
cannot judge of her quite, she is passee, broken, and aged, and, poor
thing! is querulous at feeling the loss of her past powers; but there
used to be a brilliance and piquancy in her conversation that has become
something very different now.'

Violet thought it most prudent only to remark on Lady Martindale's
varied accomplishments.

'She has carried them on much longer than usual. People generally give
them up when they marry, but she has gone on. I am not sure whether it
was the wisest course. There is much to be said on both sides. And I
have sometimes thought Theodora might have been a little less determined
and eccentric, if she had not been left so much to governesses, and if
her affections had had more scope for development.'

Theodora came in, and Violet blushed guiltily, as if she had been
talking treason.

Miss Gardner's object in life, for the present, might be said to be to
pick up amusement, and g