a shock
to hear of such an important step being taken without my father's
knowledge; but he is very anxious there should be no estrangement, and I
am sure he will behave as if things had gone on in the usual course. You
may have great confidence in his kindness, Violet.'

She was somewhat reassured, and presently went on--'I don't wonder they
are vexed. I know how much beneath him I am, but I could not help that.
Oh! I wish Matilda was here to tell me how to behave, that every one may
not be ashamed of me and angry with him.'

'Don't be frightened' said John, 'you have pleased two of the family
already; you know, and depend upon it, you will make them all like you
in time as much as I do.'

'If YOU can overlook that laugh!' said Violet.

'I could say I liked you the better for it,' said John, pleasantly;
'only I don't know whether it would be a safe precedent. It has made
us feel well acquainted, I hope. Don't make a stranger of me,' he
continued, 'don't forget that we are brother and sister.

'I'm sure,'--and she broke off, unable to express herself; then added,
'Lady Martindale! I was frightened before at the thought of her, but it
is much worse now.'

'You must not frighten yourself. You will find out how kind she is
when you come to know her, and soon get over your first strangeness and
shyness.'

'And there is your sister,' said Violet; 'Theodora--I do long to see
her. Is she most like you or your brother?'

'Remarkably like him. She always makes children very fond of her,' he
added, pausing to find something safe and yet encouraging; 'but I
don't know half as much of her as Arthur does. We have not been as much
together as I could wish.'

'I see now why she never wrote,' said Violet, with some shame, and yet
glad to have it accounted for. 'But she will be sure to help me, and
tell me how to behave. She will want them to be able to bear me for his
sake.'

Without much reply, he applied himself to his letter, feeling that he
could hardly give an impartial judgment. It had been a great effort to
come to visit the bridal pair, but he found himself rewarded in a way he
had not expected by the new pleasure given him by her engaging ways, her
freshness and artlessness rousing him from long-continued depression of
spirits.

After some pondering, she suddenly looked up, and exclaimed, 'Well, I'll
try!'

'Try what, Violet!'

'I'll try to do my very best!' said she, cheerfully, though the tears
still were