dding. Oh! Violet, if
you had had one particle of selfishness or pettiness, how many unhappy
people you would have made!'

Violet's last letter from home had announced that Mr. Fanshawe had come
to stay with Mr. Jones, and she was watching eagerly for the next
news. She went down-stairs quickly, in the morning, to seek for her own
letters among the array spread on the sideboard.

Percy was alone in the room, standing by the window. He started at her
entrance, and hardly gave time for a good morning, before he asked where
Theodora was.

'I think she is not come in. I have not seen her.'

He made a step to the door as if to go and meet her.

'There is nothing wrong, I hope.'

'I hope not! I hope there is no mistake. Look here.'

He held up, with an agitated grasp, a long envelope with the mighty
words, 'On her Majesty's service;' and before Violet's eyes he laid a
letter offering him a diplomatic appointment in Italy.

'The very thing above all others I would have chosen. Capital salary!
Excellent house! I was staying there a week with the fellow who had it
before. A garden of gardens. Orange walks,--fountains,--a view of the
Apennines and Mediterranean at once. It is perfection. But what can have
led any one to pitch upon me?'

Arthur had come down in the midst, and leant over his rejoicing wife
to read the letter, while Percy vehemently shook his hand, exclaiming,
'There! See! There's the good time come! Did you ever see the like,
Arthur! But how on earth could they have chosen me? I know nothing of
this man--he knows nothing of me.'

'Such compliments to your abilities and classical discoveries,' said
Violet.

'Much good they would do without interest! I would give twenty pounds to
know who has got me this.'

'Ha! said Arthur, looking at the signature. 'Did not he marry some of
the Delaval connection?'

'Yes,' said Violet; 'Lady Mary--Lord St. Erme's aunt. He was Lord St.
Erme's guardian.'

'Then that is what it is,' said Arthur, sententiously. 'Did you not tell
me that St. Erme had been examining you about Percy?'

'Yes, he asked me about his writings, and how long he had been at
Constantinople,' said Violet, rather shyly, almost sorry that her
surprise had penetrated and proclaimed what the Earl no doubt meant
to be a secret, especially when she saw that Percy's exultation was
completely damped. There was no time for answer, for others were
entering, and with a gesture to enforce silence, he pocke