ke to the children, though he was no more to be trusted with
them than a sea-mew; and if it was not for Master John, she believed
they would all come home some day drownded.'

As soon as the spring was sufficiently advanced, Lord Martindale had
sent the whole party to recruit by the sea-side, at their own dear
Ventnor, and there the last six weeks had been spent in the daily joy
of watching Arthur's progress in recovery;--until now a slight degree
of weakness and languor, an occasional cough, and his greatly altered
appearance, were the only evident remains of his illness; and though she
could not feel that his health was absolutely re-established, there was
such abundant cause for hope and thankfulness, as filled her heart to
overflowing, especially when she was rejoiced by tokens of that more
blessed change within.

His spirits had returned with his health. Perhaps it was part of his
boyish nature, that his sorrow for his errors, though sincere and
earnest, did not permanently depress him, when not brought before his
mind; but rather the sense of behaving well added to his brightness.
There was nothing to conceal; the guilty consciousness was gone, and
the fear for the future was distant. His manners had a sweetness more
engaging than ever. To his wife, who had, as he recovered, suffered from
the effects of her exertions, he was most affectionately attentive, and
his children were his delight, while little Johnnie throve and expanded
into spirit and mirth, like a plant reviving in sunshine.

He had gone over Violet's old haunts with her, and she had enjoyed
making him enter into the feelings associated with the scenes she had
visited with his brother. John was expected to return in the summer, but
even this anticipation paled in comparison with the present felicity.
That longing for her own home had been forced into such a remote cell,
that she had had no idea of its strength till now, when it was allowed
to spring up and colour everything.

She walked along the shore within sight of the cottage, where she had
been with John, too small and expensive for their present numbers and
means, and looking up at its bowery wicket, gathered up the remembrances
associated with it.

She had come thither a mere child, a wife and mother, before strength,
spirits, or judgment were equal to her tasks,--terrified at her
responsibility, perceiving her failures, sinking under the load too
early laid on her. There had she been guide