believe.'

'You talk of knowing it, who never hunted!' said Arthur. 'No, no; you
are a great traveller, John, but you don't know the one horse-track on
Whitford Down that does not lead into a bog--'

'Theodora does, I dare say.'

'Yes, I know it, but it is too far for you, John, thank you, and not at
all what would suit you. I must give it up, if Arthur prefers playing
the disconsolate part of a gentleman at a morning call.'

'Do you really dislike going without me?' asked Arthur, and of course
nothing was left for Violet to say but, 'O, thank you, pray don't stay
with me. Indeed, I had much rather you had your ride.'

'You are sure?'

'O yes, quite. I shall do very well' and she smiled, and tried to make
a show of ease and confidence in his mother, by looking towards her, and
asking upon whom they were to call.

Lady Martindale mentioned several ladies who had left their cards for
Mrs. Arthur Martindale, adding that perhaps it would be better to leave
a card at Rickworth Priory.

'Is that where Lady Elizabeth Brandon lives?' asked Violet.

'Yes,' said Lady Martindale. 'It belongs to her daughter. Lady Elizabeth
is a highly excellent person, for whom Lord Martindale has a great
regard, and Miss Brandon is one of Theodora's oldest friends.'

'Hum!' said Theodora.

'My dear, she is a very nice amiable girl--just your own age, and
admirably brought up.'

'Granted,' said Theodora.

'I cannot see that Emma Brandon wants anything but style and
confidence,' proceeded Lady Martindale, 'and that I believe to be
entirely poor Lady Elizabeth's fault for keeping her so much in
retirement. That German finishing governess, Miss Ohnglaube, whom we
were so sorry to lose, would have been the person to teach her a little
freedom and readiness of manner. I wish we could have kept her a little
longer.'

'I told Lady Elizabeth about her,' said Theodora; but Lady Martindale,
without hearing, said she must go to her aunt, and renewing injunctions
to Violet to be ready by three, left the room.

'You did not astonish her weak mind with the ghost story?' said Arthur.

'With its cause.'

'You would not have thought, Violet,' continued Arthur, 'that we had a
ghost in the north wing.'

'What was it?' said Violet. 'You don't mean really?'

'Only a Turk's-head broom, with phosphorus eyes, and a sheet round the
handle,' said Theodora. 'It had a grand effect when Arthur stood on
the second landing-place, and raised it above th