She must have been very sorry to part with you, said he, looking at the fair girl sent so early into the world.
Oh, yes! and the tears started to the black eyelashes, though a smile came at the same time; she said I should be such a giddy young housekeeper, and she would have liked a little more notice.
It was not very long? said John, anxious to lead her to give him information; and she was too young and happy not to be confidential, though she looked down and glowed as she answered, Six weeks.
And you met at the ball!
Yes, it was very curious; and with deepening blushes she went on, the smile of happiness on her lips, and her eyes cast down. Annette was to go for the first time, and she would not go without me. Mamma did not like it, for I was not sixteen then; but Uncle Christopher came, and said I should, because I was his pet. But I can never think it was such a short time; it seems a whole age ago.
It must, said John, with a look of interest that made her continue.
It was very odd how it all happened. Annette and I had no one to dance with, and were wondering who those two gentlemen were. Captain Fitzhugh was dancing with Miss Evelyn, and heMr. Martindalewas leaning against the wall, looking on.
I know exactlywith his arms crossed so
Yes, just so, said Violet, smiling; and presently Grace Bennet came and told Matilda who they were; and while I was listening, oh, I was so surprised, for there was Albert, my brother, making me look round. Mr. Martindale had asked to be introduced to us, and he asked me to dance. I dont believe I answered right, for I thought he meant Matilda. But, said she, breaking off, how I am chattering and hindering you! and she coloured and looked down.
Not at all, said John; there is nothing I wish more to hear, or that concerns me more nearly. Anything you like to tell.
I am afraid it is silly, half-whispered Violet to herself; but the recollection was too pleasant not to be easily drawn out; and at her age the transition is short from shyness to confidence.
Not at all silly, said John. You know I must wish to hear how I gained a sister.
Then, as the strangeness of imagining that this grave, high-bred, more than thirty-years-old gentleman, could possibly call her by such a name, set her smiling and blushing in confusion, he wiled on her communications by saying, Well, that evening you danced with Arthur.
Three times. It was a wonderful evening. Annette and I said, when we went to bed, we had seen enough to think of for weeks. We did not know how much more was going to happen.
No, I suppose not.
I thought much of it when he bowed to me. I little fanciedbut there was another odd coincidencewasnt it? In general I never go into the drawing-room to company, because there are three older; but the day they came to speak to papa about the fishing, mamma and all the elder ones were out of the way, except Matilda. I was doing my Roman history with her, when papa came in and said, we must both come into the drawing-room.
You saw more of him from that time?
O yes; he dined with us. It was the first time I ever dined with a party, and he talked so much to me, that Albert began to laugh at me; but Albert always laughs. I did not care tilltillthat day when he walked with us in the park, coming home from fishing.
Her voice died away, and her face burnt as she looked down; but a few words of interest led her on.
When I told mamma, she said most likely he thought me a little girl who didnt signify; but I did not think he could, for I am the tallest of them all, and every one says I look as if I was seventeen, at least. And then she told me grand gentlemen and officers didnt care what nonsense they talked. You know she didnt know him so well then, said Violet, looking up pleadingly.
She was very prudent.
She could not know he did not deserve it, said the young bride, ready to resent it for her husband, since his brother did not, then again excusing her mother. It was all her care for me, dear mamma! She told me not to think about it; but I could not help it! Indeed I could not!
No, indeed, and painful recollections of his own pressed on him, but he could not help being glad this tender young heart was not left to pine under disappointment. How long ago was this?
That was six weeks agoa month before our wedding-day, said she, blushingly. I did wish it could have been longer. I wanted to learn, how to keep house, and I never could, for he was always coming to take me to walk in the park. And it all happened so fast, I had no time to understand it, nor to talk to mamma and Matilda. And then mamma cried so much! I dont feel to understand it now, but soon perhaps I shall have more quiet time. I should like to have waited till Lord Martindale came home, but they said that could not be, because his leave of absence would be over. I did wish very much though that Miss Martindale could have left her aunt to come to our wedding.
John found reply so difficult, that he was glad to be interrupted by Arthurs return. He soon after set out to call upon Captain Fitzhugh, who had been at Wrangerton with Arthur.
From him more of the circumstances were gathered. Mr. Moss was the person universally given up to reprobation. A thorough schemer, said the Irish captain. As to the Miss Mosses, they were lady-like girls, most of them pretty, and everywhere well spoken of. In fact, John suspected he had had a little flirtation on his own account with some of them, though he took credit to himself for having warned his friend to be careful. He ended with a warm-hearted speech, by no means displeasing to John, hoping he would make the best of it with Lord Martindale, for after all, she was as pretty a creature as could be seen, one that any man might be proud of for a daughter-in-law; and to his mind it was better than leaving the poor girl to break her heart after him when it had gone so far.
Arthur himself was in a more rational mood that evening. He had at first tried to hide his embarrassment by bravado; but he now changed his tone, and as soon as Violet had left the dining-room, began by an abrupt inquiry, What would you have me do?
Why dont you write to my father!
Arthur writhed. I suppose it must come to that, he said; but tell me first the state of things.
You could not expect that there would not be a good deal of indignation.
Ay, ay! How did you get the news? Did Theodora tell you?
No; there was a letter from Colonel Harrington; and at home they knew the circumstances pretty correctly through a cousin of Wingfields, who has a curacy in that neighbourhood.
Oh! that was the way Theodora came by the news. I wish he had let alone telling her,I could have managed her alone;but there! it was not in human nature not to tell such a story, and it did not much matter how it was done. Well, and my aunt is furious, I suppose, but Ill take care of her and of my lady. I only want to know how my father takes it.
He cannot endure the notion of a family feud; but the first step must come from you.
Very well:and so you came to set it going. It is very good-natured of you, John. I depended on you or Theodora for helping me through, but I did not think you would have come in this way. I am glad you have, for now you have seen her you cant say a word against it.
Against her, certainly not. I have made acquaintance with her this morning, andand there is everything to interest one in her: and then, as Arthur looked delighted, and was ready to break into a rhapsodyHer simplicity especially. When you write you had better mention her entire ignorance of the want of sanction. I cannot think how she was kept in such unconsciousness.