Heartsease; Or, The Brother's Wife Part 46

'Yes, Emma gave it to me--it is very pretty,' said Violet, looking down.

'I am too stupid to understand it all, and I have been hoping for Emma to explain it to me.'

'Many people find it obscure, but I shall be delighted to a.s.sist you.

I am sure you will find some of the ideas useful to you. What were your difficulties?'

It made Violet so very shy to be spoken to by an auth.o.r.ess in public about her own books, that she was confused out of all remembrance of the whole story of the "Folded Lambs", and could only feel thankful that the announcement of dinner came to rescue her from her difficulties. She was not to escape authors; for Mr. Fotheringham took her in to dinner, Lady Martindale a.s.signed Miss Brandon to John; but Arthur, with a droll look, stepped between and made prize of her, leaving John to Miss Marstone.

Violet trusted she was not likely to be examined in the "Track of the Crusaders", of which, however, she comprehended far more than of the "Folded Lambs". Presently her neighbour turned to her, asking abruptly, 'Who is that next to Theodora?'

'Mr. Wingfield, the clergyman here.'

'I know. Is he attentive to the paris.h.!.+'

'O yes, very much so.'

'Does Theodora take to parish work?'

'Indeed she does.'

'What, thoroughly?'

'She goes to school twice a week, besides Sundays, and has the farm children to teach every morning.'

'That's right.'

'And she is so kind to the children at the Lodge.'

'Let me see, they were afraid the boy was deaf and dumb.'

'Yes, he is, poor little fellow, and Theodora teaches him most successfully.'

'Well done! I knew the good would work out. How tall she is! and she looks as full of spirit as ever. She has had a season in London, I suppose!'

'Yes, she went out a great deal this spring.'

'And it has not spoilt her?'

'O no!' cried Violet, warmly, feeling as if she had known him all her life, 'she is more eager than ever in her parish work. She spares no trouble. She got up at four one morning to sit with old Betty Blain, that her daughter might get a little rest.'

'That head and brow are a fine study. She has grown up more striking than even I thought she would. Curious to see the difference between natural pride and a.s.sumed,' and he glanced from Theodora to her mother.

'How well Lady Martindale preserves! She always looks exactly the same.

Who is that chattering in John's ear?

'Miss Marstone, a friend of Miss Brandon's.'

'What makes her go about such a figure?'

'She is very good.'

'I trust, by your own practice, that is not your test of goodness?'

'I should not think it was, said Violet, blus.h.i.+ng and hesitating.

'What crypt did they dig her out of? Is she one of the Marstones of Gothlands?'

'I believe she is. She has two sisters, gay people, whose home is with an uncle. She lives with a lawyer brother.'

'Sam Marstone! I know him! I pity him. So Emma Brandon is come out?

Which is she?'

'She is next to Arthur, on this side the table where you cannot see her.'

'What sort of girl is she!'

'Oh!' said Violet, and paused, 'she is the greatest friend I have in the world!'

He looked surprised, laughed, and said, 'So I must ask no more questions.'

Violet felt as if she had spoken presumptuously, and said, 'Lady Elizabeth has been so very kind to me. Emma is my baby's G.o.dmother.'

'And John its G.o.dfather.'

'Yes. Did he tell you so?'

'Ay! he spoke as if it was very near his heart.'

'He has been--O, so very--I believe he is very fond of baby,' hastily concluded Violet, as her first sentence stuck in her throat.

'I am heartily glad he has something to take interest in. He looks better and less frail. Is he so, do you think?'

'O yes, much better. He hardly ever coughs--'

'Does he get those bad fits of cough and breathlessness?'

'Very seldom; he has not had one since the day we heard you were coming home, and that, Brown thought, was from the excitement.'

'Ay! ay! he seems stronger every way.'

'Yes, he can bear much more exertion.'

'Then I hope he will be stirred up to do something. That's what he wants.'

'I am sure he is always very busy,' said Violet, displeased.

'Ay? Cutting open a book was rather arduous. If he was not at his best he left it to Brown.'

'No! no! I meant going over parchments; writing for Lord Martindale;'

she did not know if she might mention the West Indian scheme.