dale's study; and 'Here,' said he, 'is where Theodora and I keep
our goods. Ha!' as he entered, 'you here, Theodora! Hallo! what's this?
A lot of wooden benches with their heels in the air. How is this? Have
you been setting up a charity school in my room?'

'I found the children by the wood were too far from school, so I have
been teaching them here. I came to see about taking the benches out of
your way. I did not expect you here.'

'I was showing her our haunts. See, Violet, here's my double barrel, and
here are the bows. I forget if you can shoot.'

'Matilda and Caroline do.'

'You shall learn. We will have the targets out. Where's the light bow
you used to shoot with, Theodora?'

'It is somewhere,' said Theodora, without alacrity; 'no, I remember, I
gave it to Mr. Wingfield's little nephew.'

'Unlucky! Yours will never do for those little fingers.' Theodora
abruptly turned to Violet, and said,' She must be tired of standing
there.' Violet smiled with pleasure at being addressed, thanked, and
disclaimed fatigue.

'She is of your sort, and does not know how to be tired,' said Arthur.
'I wondered to hear your bosom friend was here. What brings her about
now?'

'If you call her my bosom friend, you answer the question,' was the
proud reply, and it provoked him to carry on the teasing process.

'I thought she was not THE friend,' he continued; 'I ought to have
congratulated you on THE friend's capture. A goldfinch of the South
American breed is a rare bird.'

Theodora drew up her head, and impetuously heaped some school-books
together. 'Have you seen the pretty caged bird?'

'Never.'

In a soft tone, contrasting with the manner of his last sayings, Arthur
invited his wife to come out on the lawn, and walked away with her.
She was surprised and uneasy at what had taken place, but could not
understand it, and only perceived he would prefer her not seeming to
notice it.

It was all the strange influence of temper. In truth, Theodora's whole
heart was yearning to the brother, whom she loved beyond all others;
while on the other hand his home attachments centred on her, and he had
come to seek her with the fixed purpose of gaining her good-will and
protection for his young bride. But temper stepped between. Whether it
began from Theodora's jealousy of the stranger, or from his annoyance
at her cold haughty manner to his wife, he was vexed, and retaliated by
teasing; she answered coldly, in proud suffering at