never
stand them, and will respect you for being independent. However, don't
make too little of yourself, or be shy of making the lady's maids wait
on you. There are enough of them--my mother has two, and Theodora a
French one to her own share.

'I should not like any one to do my hair, if that is not wrong.'

'None of them all have the knack with it you have, and it is lucky, for
they cost as much as a hunter.'

'Indeed, I will try to be no expense.'

'I say, what do you wear this evening?'

'Would my white muslin be fit?'

'Ay, and the pink ribbons in your hair, mind. You will not see my aunt
till after dinner, when I shall not be there; but you must do the best
you can, for much depends on it. My aunt brought my mother up, and
is complete master here. I can't think how my father'--and he went on
talking to himself, as he retreated into his dressing-room, so that all
Violet heard was, 'wife's relations,' and 'take warning.'

He came back to inspect her toilette and suggest adornments, till,
finding he was overdoing them, he let her follow her own taste, and was
so satisfied with the result, that he led her before the glass, saying,
'There. Mrs. Martindale, that's what I call well got up. Don't you?'

'I don't mind seeing myself when I have you to look at.'

'You think we make a handsome couple? Well, I am glad you are tall--not
much shorter than Theodora, after all.'

'But, oh! how shall I behave properly all dinner-time? Do make a sign if
I am doing anything wrong.'

'Nonsense!'

'I know I shall make mistakes. Matilda says I shall. I had a letter from
her this morning to warn me against "solecisms in etiquette," and to
tell me to buy the number of the "Family Friend" about dinner-parties,
but I had not time, and I am sure I shall do wrong.'

'You would be much more likely, if you had Matilda and her prig of a
book,' said Arthur, between anger and diversion. 'Tell her to mind her
own business--she is not your mistress now, and she shall not teach you
affectation. Why, you silly child, should I have had you if you had not
been "proper behaved"? You have nothing to do but to remember you are my
wife, and as good as any of them, besides being twenty times prettier.
Now, are you ready?'

'Yes, quite; but how shall I find my way here again?'

'See, it is the third door from the stairs. The rest on this side are
spare rooms, except where you see those two green baize doors at the
ends. They lead to passag