are plans for the rebuilding of the chapel at once,
and Lady Elizabeth was on the watch for a chaplain. Thus matters were
actually in train for the fulfilment of Emma's aspiration, spoken so
long ago, that 'Sunday might come back to Rickworth Priory.' Little had
she then imagined that she should see its accomplishment commence with
so heavy a heart, and enter on her own share of the toil with so little
of hope and joy. Alas! they had been wasted in the dreamy wanderings
whither she had been led by blind confidence in her self-chosen guide;
and youthfulness and mirth had been lost in her rude awakening and
recall, lost never to return. Yet in time the calmer joy of 'patient
continuance in well-doing' would surely arise upon her, and while
working for her Master, His hand would lighten her load.

So Violet felt comforted with regard to Emma; and as she stood at the
garden-gate with her sister-in-law in the clear, lovely summer night,
watching the carriage drive off, smiled as she said, 'How well all
has turned out! How strange to remember last time I parted with Lady
Elizabeth at Brogden, when I was almost equally anxious about Emma,
about you and Percy, and about our own affairs--to say nothing of the
dreariness for Annette!'

'When the sky is darkest the stars come out,' said Theodora. 'Yes, the
tide in the affairs of men has set most happily in our favour of late;
though I don't see our own way yet. John and my father both say, that
our marriage must be at once; and I have not made out which is the
worst, to desert my mother or to have my own way.'

'Which is your own way?' said Violet, archly.

'That is what provokes me! I don't know.'

'And which is Percy's?'

'Whichever mine is, which makes it all the worse. Violet! I wish Helen
could be put into the hot-house, and made a woman of at once. Only,
then, if Lord St. Erme is to have her, it would be equally troublesome.'

'My dears, pray come in!' said Lady Martindale, in the porch. 'You do
not know how late it is.'

Her ladyship was in an unusual hurry to make them wish good night, and
come up-stairs. She followed Violet to her room, and in one moment had
begun:

'Violet, my dear, has Arthur told you?'

'He has told me nothing. What is it?'

'We all think, now Theodora is going to leave us, that it would be the
best way for you all to come and live at home with us. Lord Martindale
wishes it, and John, and every one. Will you, my dear?'

'How very kind!'