lushing. She thought Miss Gardner's answer good-naturedly
unconscious:

'Oh, people always shake together best afterwards. There is not the
least use in a prolonged courtship acquaintance. It is only a field for
lovers' quarrels, and pastime for the spectators.'

'By the bye,' said Mrs. Nesbit, 'what is become of your cousin, Mrs.
George Gardner's son?'

'Mark! Oh, he is abroad. Poor fellow, I wish we could find something for
him to do. Lady Fotheringham asked her nephew, Percival, if he could not
put him in the way of getting some appointment.'

'Failed, of course,' said Mrs. Nesbit.

'Yes; I never expected much. Those diplomats are apt to be afraid
of having their heels trodden upon; but it is a great pity. He is so
clever, and speaks so many languages. We hope now that Mr. Finch may
suggest some employment in America.'

'Highly advisable.'

'I assure you poor Mark would be glad of anything. He is entirely
steadied now; but there are so few openings for men of his age.'

An interruption here occurring, Miss Gardner drew off to the window.
Theodora sat still, until her friend said, 'How lovely it is! Do you
ever take a turn on the terrace after dinner?'

Theodora could not refuse. Violet wished they had asked her to join
them; but they went out alone, and for some moments both were silent.
Miss Gardner first spoke, remarking, 'A beautiful complexion.'

There was a cold, absent assent; and she presently tried again, 'Quite
a lady,' but with the same brief reply. Presently, however, Theodora
exclaimed, 'Jane, you want me to talk to you; I cannot, unless you unsay
that about Percy Fotheringham. He is not to be accused of baseness.'

'I beg your pardon, Theodora, dear; I have no doubt his motives were
quite conscientious, but naturally, you know, one takes one's own
cousin's part, and it was disappointing that he would not help to give
poor Mark another chance.'

'That is no reason he should be accused of petty jealousies.'

'Come, you must not be so very severe and dignified. Make some allowance
for poor things who don't know how to answer Mrs. Nesbit, and say what
first occurs. Indeed, I did not know you were so much interested in
him.'

'I am interested in justice to the innocent.'

'There! don't annihilate me. I know he is a very superior person, the
pride of Lady Fotheringham's heart. Of course he would have recommended
Mark if he had thought it right; I only hope he will find that he was
mistaken.'