Theodora got scent of it, and wrote me a furious
letter, full of denunciation--two of them--they hunted me everywhere, so
I saw it was no use going there.'

'She is much hurt at your letter. I can see that she is, though she
tries to hide her feelings. She was looking quite pale when we came
home, and I can hardly bear to see the struggle to look composed when
you are mentioned.'

This evidently produced some compunction, but Arthur tried to get rid
of it. 'I am sure there was nothing to take to heart in it--was there,
John?'

'I don't know. She had burnt it without letting any one see it; and it
was only through my aunt that we learnt that she had received it.'

'Well! her temper is up, and I am sorry for it,' said Arthur. 'I forget
what I said. I dare say it was no more than she deserved. I got one
of these remonstrances of hers at Wrangerton, on the day before, and
another followed me a couple of days after to Matlock, so I could not
have that going on for ever, and wrote off to put a stop to it. But what
does his lordship say?'

'Do you wish him to forgive or not?' said his brother, nearly out of
patience.

'Of course--I knew he would, he can't leave us with nothing to live on.
There's nothing to be done but to go through the forms, and I am quite
ready. Come, what's the use of looking intensely disgusted? Now you have
seen her, you don't expect me to profess that I am very sorry, and "will
never do so no more."'

'I say nothing against her, but the way of doing it.'

'So much trouble saved. Besides, I tell you I am ready to make whatever
apology my father likes for a preliminary.'

His brother looked vexed, and dropped the conversation, waiting to see
more of the bride before he should form an opinion.

It was seeing rather than hearing, for she was in much awe of him,
blushed more than she spoke, and seemed taken up by the fear of doing
something inappropriate, constantly turning wistful inquiring looks
towards her husband, to seek encouragement or direction, but it was a
becoming confusion, and by no means lessened the favourable impression.

'The next morning Arthur was engaged, and left her to be the guide to
the cathedral, whereat she looked shy and frightened, but Mr. Martindale
set himself to re-assure her, and the polished gentleness of his manner
soon succeeded.

They stood on the hill, overlooking the town and the vale of Itchen,
winding away till lost between the green downs that arose be