'

'I could not help it. I felt I was doing wrong; that was the terrible
part; and I am glad you know the worst. I have been very weak and silly,
and wasted your money sadly, and I did not know how to help it; and
that was what made me so miserable. And now, dear Arthur, only say you
overlook my blunders, and indeed I'll try to do better.'

'Overlook! The only thing I don't know how to forgive is your having
made yourself so ill with this nonsense.'

'I can't be sorry for that,' said Violet, smiling, though the tears
came. 'That has been almost all happiness. I shall have the heart to try
more than ever--and I have some experience; and now that cook is gone, I
really shall get on.'

'Promise me you'll never go bothering yourself for nothing another time.
Take it easy! That's the only way to get through the world.'

'Ah! I will never be so foolish again. I shall never be afraid to make
you attend to my difficulties.'

'Afraid! That was the silliest part of all! But here--will you have
another hundred a year at once? and then there'll be no trouble.'

'Thank you, thank you! How kind of you! But do you know, I should like
to try with what I have. I see it might be made to do, and I want to
conquer the difficulty; if I can't, I will ask you for more.'

'Well, that may be best. I could hardly spare a hundred pounds without
giving up one of the horses; and I want to see you riding again.'

'Besides, this illness must have cost you a terrible quantity of money.
But I dare say I shall find the outgoings nothing to what the cook
made them.' And she was taking up the accounts, when he seized them,
crumpling them in his hand. 'Nonsense! Let them alone, or I shall put
them in the fire at once.'

'Oh, don't do that, pray!' cried she, starting, 'or I shall be ruined.
Oh, pray!'

'Very well;' and rising, and making a long arm, he deposited them on the
top of a high wardrobe. 'There's the way to treat obstinate women. You
may get them down when you can go after them--I shan't.'

'Ah! there's baby awake!'

'So, I shall go after that book at the library; and then I've plenty to
tell you of inquiries for Mrs. Martindale. Good-bye, again.'

Violet received her babe into her arms with a languid long-drawn sigh,
as of one wearied out with happiness. 'That he should have heard my
confession, and only pet me the more! Foolish, wasteful thing that I am.
Oh, babe! if I could only make you grow and thrive, no one would ever be
so