in company with the Earl. Matilda, and indeed
the others, were surprised at his declining the invitations to stay at
the park; but Violet, as well as he, thought it better to lay themselves
under no further obligations; though they could not avoid receiving many
attentions. Lady Lucy feted the children, and Violet accomplished her
wish of showing Johnnie the little Madonna of Ghirlandajo.

The first sight of the rooms made Violet somewhat melancholy, as she
missed the beautiful works of art that had been a kind of education to
her eye and taste, and over which she had so often dreamt and speculated
with Annette. However, there was something nobler in the very emptiness
of their niches, and there was more appropriateness in the little
picture of the Holy Child embracing His Cross, now that it hung as
the solo ornament of the library, than when it was vis-a-vis to Venus
blindfolding Cupid, and surrounded by a bewildering variety of subjects,
profane and sacred, profanely treated. She could not help feeling that
there was a following in those steps when she saw how many luxuries
had been laid aside, and how the brother and sister, once living in
an atmosphere of morbid refinement, were now toiling away, solely
thoughtful of what might best serve their people, mind or body, and
thinking no service beneath them.

Lord St. Erme's talent and accomplishment were no longer conducive only
to amusement or vanity, though they still were exercised; and it
was curious to see his masterly drawings hung round the schools and
reading-room, and his ready pencil illustrating his instructions, and
to hear him reading great authors to the rude audience whom he
awakened into interest. There might be more done than sober judgments
appreciated, and there were crotchets that it was easy to ridicule, but
all was on a sound footing, the work was thoroughly carried out, and the
effects were manifest. The beautiful little church rising at Coalworth
would find a glad congregation prepared to value it, both by the Earl
and by the zealous curate.

Violet wished Theodora could but see, and wondered whether she would
ever venture to make a visit at Lassonthwayte; hardly, she supposed,
before her marriage.

Lady Lucy one day asked when Miss Martindale was to be married, and on
hearing that no period could be fixed, said she was grieved to find it
so; it would be better for her brother that it should be over. Violet
ventured to express her hopes that