ted the papers,
and said nothing on the subject all breakfast-time. Even while Violet
regaled herself with Annette's happy letter, she had anxious eyes and
thoughts for the other sister, now scarcely less to her than Annette.

She called off the children from dancing round Uncle Percy after
breakfast, and watched him walk off with Theodora to the side arcade in
the avenue that always had especial charms for them.

'Theodora, here is something for you to decide.'

'Why, Percy!' as she read, 'this is the very thing! What! Is it not a
good appointment? Why do you hesitate?'

'It is an excellent appointment, but this is the doubt. Do you see that
name? There can be no question that this is owing to Lord St. Erme.'

'I see!' said Theodora, blushing deeply.

'I wish to be guided entirely by your feeling.'

They walked the whole length of the avenue and turned again before she
spoke. At last she said--'Lord St. Erme is a generous person, and should
be dealt with generously. I have given him pain by my pride and caprice,
and I had rather give him no more. No doubt it is his greatest pleasure
to make us happy, and I think he ought to be allowed to have it. But let
it be as you please.'

'I expected you to speak in this way. You think that he does not deserve
to be wounded by my refusing this because it comes from him.'

'That is my feeling, but if you do not like--I believe you do not.
Refuse it, then.'

'To say I like the obligation would not be true; but I know it is right
that I should conquer the foolish feeling. After all, it is public work
that I am to do, and it would be wrong and absurd to refuse it, because
it is he who has brought my name forward.'

'You take it, then?'

'Yes, standing reproved, and I might almost say punished, for my past
disdain of this generous man.'

'If you say so, what must I?'

Percy resolved that, after consulting Lord Martindale, he would at once
set off for London, to signify his acceptance, and make the necessary
inquiries. Theodora asked whether he meant to appear conscious of the
influence exerted in his favour. 'I will see whether it was directly
employed; if so, it would be paltry to seem to appear unconscious. I had
rather show that I appreciate his feeling, and if I feel an obligation,
acknowledge it.

'I wonder, Theodora,' said Arthur, 'that you allow him to go. He is
so fond of giving away whatever any one cries for, that you will find
yourself made over to St. Erm