she coming to stay here!’ asked John.
‘Yes; did you not hear that we have asked her to come to us for the Whitford ball?’
‘Oh, are we in for the Whitford ball?’ said Theodora, in a tone of disgust that checked the delighted look on Violet’s face.
‘Yes, my dear; your papa wishes us to go.’
‘What a bore!’ exclaimed Theodora.
‘Yes,’ sighed Lady Martindale; ‘but your papa thinks it right.’
‘A necessary evil—eh, Violet?’ said Arthur.
‘I hope you don’t mind it?’ said Violet, looking anxiously at him.
‘Ah, you will enjoy it,’ said her ladyship, graciously regarding her folly.
‘Oh, yes, thank you,’ said Violet, eagerly.
‘Have you been to many balls?’
‘Only to one;’ and she blushed deeply, and cast down her eyes.
‘And so the Brandons are coming to stay! For how long, mamma?’ proceeded Theodora.
‘From Wednesday to Saturday,’ said Lady Martindale. ‘I have been writing cards for a dinner-party for Wednesday; and your father says there are some calls that must be returned; and so, my dear, will you be ready by three?’
‘You don’t mean me, mamma?’ said Theodora, as nobody answered.
‘No; you are a resolute rebel against morning visits. You have no engagement for this afternoon, my dear?’
Violet started, saying, ‘I beg your pardon; I did not know you meant me. Oh, thank you! I am very much obliged.’
‘I suppose you will not go with us, Arthur?’
He looked as if he did not like it, but caught a beseeching glance from his wife, and was beginning to consent, when Theodora exclaimed, ‘Oh, Arthur, don’t; it will be such a famous opportunity for that ride.’
‘Very well; you know where my cards are, Violet!’
‘Yes,’ she answered, submissively, though much disappointed, and in dread of the drive and of the strangers.
‘Really, I think you had better go, Arthur,’ said John, greatly displeased at Theodora’s tone. ‘It is the sort of occasion for doing things regularly.’
‘Indeed, I think so,’ said Lady Martindale; ‘I wish Arthur would go with us this once. I doubt if it will be taken well if he does not.’
‘You will find no one at home. His going won’t make a bit of difference,’ said Theodora, who now regarded keeping him as a matter of power.
‘Surely your ride might wait,’ said her mother. ‘No, it won’t, mamma. It is to see that old man, Mary’s father.’
‘What Mary, my dear?’
‘The scullery-maid. I want to speak to him about her confirmation; and the only way is over Whitford Down—all manner of leaping places, so we must go without Violet.’
Violet feared there was little hope for her, for Arthur looked much invited by the leaping places, but John made another effort in her favour, and a great one for him.
‘Suppose you accept of me for your escort, Theodora?’ Every one looked astonished, Lady Martindale positively aghast.
‘Were you ever on Whitford Down, John?’ said Arthur.
‘Why, yes,—in old times; I know the place, I believe.’
‘You talk of knowing it, who never hunted!’ said Arthur. ‘No, no; you are a great traveller, John, but you don’t know the one horse-track on Whitford Down that does not lead into a bog—’
‘Theodora does, I dare say.’
‘Yes, I know it, but it is too far for you, John, thank you, and not at all what would suit you. I must give it up, if Arthur prefers playing the disconsolate part of a gentleman at a morning call.’
‘Do you really dislike going without me?’ asked Arthur, and of course nothing was left for Violet to say but, ‘O, thank you, pray don’t stay with me. Indeed, I had much rather you had your ride.’
‘You are sure?’
‘O yes, quite. I shall do very well’ and she smiled, and tried to make a show of ease and confidence in his mother, by looking towards her, and asking upon whom they were to call.
Lady Martindale mentioned several ladies who had left their cards for Mrs. Arthur Martindale, adding that perhaps it would be better to leave a card at Rickworth Priory.
‘Is that where Lady Elizabeth Brandon lives?’ asked Violet.
‘Yes,’ said Lady Martindale. ‘It belongs to her daughter. Lady Elizabeth is a highly excellent person, for whom Lord Martindale has a great regard, and Miss Brandon is one of Theodora’s oldest friends.’
‘Hum!’ said Theodora.
‘My dear, she is a very nice amiable girl—just your own age, and admirably brought up.’
‘Granted,’ said Theodora.
‘I cannot see that Emma Brandon wants anything but style and confidence,’ proceeded Lady Martindale, ‘and that I believe to be entirely poor Lady Elizabeth’s fault for keeping her so much in retirement. That German finishing governess, Miss Ohnglaube, whom we were so sorry to lose, would have been the person to teach her a little freedom and readiness of manner. I wish we could have kept her a little longer.’
‘I told Lady Elizabeth about her,’ said Theodora; but Lady Martindale, without hearing, said she must go to her aunt, and renewing injunctions to Violet to be ready by three, left the room.
‘You did not astonish her weak mind with the ghost story?’ said Arthur.
‘With its cause.’
‘You would not have thought, Violet,’ continued Arthur, ‘that we had a ghost in the north wing.’
‘What was it?’ said Violet. ‘You don’t mean really?’
‘Only a Turk’s-head broom, with phosphorus eyes, and a sheet round the handle,’ said Theodora. ‘It had a grand effect when Arthur stood on the second landing-place, and raised it above the balusters—a sort of bodilessness rising from vacancy.’
‘Didn’t she faint?’ said Arthur.
‘No, I was afraid she would, and then it would have been all over with us; but I dragged her safe into the school-room, and there she was so hysterical that I nearly relented.’
‘Then was it all in play?’ said Violet.
‘In earnest,’ said Arthur. ‘It was the only way of getting quit of mademoiselle.’
‘That lady who used to talk metaphysics and sing!’ said John. ‘I remember the lamentations
