oing, and that she was perfectly ignorant
and innocent, poor thing.'

'She looks as if she could never do anything wrong. Mamma, I hardly know
whether you would like me to make friends with her, but I could not
help it, and she said such nice things that I knew you would like her.
I never could get on with any one before, you know, but, from the moment
she came blushing in, and spoke to me in that sweet low voice, I felt as
if I most be fond of her--before I made out who she was--and even then I
could not like her less.'

'She is so unaffected and unassuming!' said Lady Elizabeth. 'I little
expected Arthur Martindale's marriage to have turned out so well.'

'I don't wonder at his falling in love at first sight! I don't see how
he could help it. I am sure I should!'

'I think you have, said Lady Elizabeth, smiling.

'Wasn't it charming, mamma? Theodora never came near us all the
morning, and very soon got out of my way in the afternoon, so we were so
comfortable!'

'Take care what you say about her, my dear.'

'Oh, yes. We never spoke of her at all. I wonder what Mrs. Martindale
does here! It is a dreadful place, and they are all one more stately
than the other,'

'Not the sons.'

'Oh! poor Mr. Martindale is worse than stately. There's something in
that gentle melancholy tone of his that is so different from other
people--and he looks so refined and thoughtful. He frightens me more
than any of them!'

'I hope he is in rather better spirits. I have had a good deal of talk
with him this evening. Indeed, his father told me he had been roused by
all this affair about his brother. But, Emma, my dear, you have not
rung all this time! Here am I almost dressed. I shall have to fulfil my
threat, and leave you to come down alone.'

It had to be fulfilled. Emma left insufficient time for her maid to try
to set out her soft light scanty hair, to make her satin and gauze look
anything but limp and flabby, and to put on her jewels, in the vain hope
of their making her seem well dressed. Whatever was ordained for her to
wear, Emma always looked exactly the same. She opened her door at the
same moment as Violet advanced into the gallery, her tall taper figure
arrayed in bridal lace, not much whiter than her long neck and rounded
arms, a wreath of roses around her dark tresses, brilliant flowers
in her hand, her soft eyes bright with pleasure, and her beauteous
complexion deepened by bashfulness.

Emma could not repress h