Heartsease; Or, The Brother's Wife Part 62

'Georgina!' exclaimed Jane, 'you should have introduced Mark to Miss Martindale.'

As Theodora moved her stately neck she felt as if a thunder-bolt had fallen; but the gentleman's manner was particularly pleasing.

'It is Jane's concern,' said Mrs. Finch, laughing. 'I leave you to infer why she checks his communications.'

'There is nothing more awkward than "You told me so,"' said Mr. Gardner, 'since the days of "Who is your next neighbour, sir?" I may be allowed some interest in the matter, for your brother is an old school-fellow of mine.'

'Come!' exclaimed Georgina, 'if you stay dawdling here, my letter won't be written, and my vases won't come. Fancy, Theodora, such delicious Sevres vases, big enough to hold the Forty Thieves, sky blue, with medallions of Mars and Venus, and Cupids playing tricks--the loveliest things imaginable--came from Versailles--absolutely historical.'

'Lauzun is supposed to have been hidden in one,' said Mr. Gardner.

'I vowed I would have them, and I never fail. Mark has been through fire and water for them.'

'And I suppose they cost--' said Theodora.

'The keep of half-a-dozen starving orphans,' said Mrs. Finch, triumphantly. 'Ay, you may look, Theodora; but they are my trophies.'

'I wish you joy of them,' said Theodora.

'So you shall, when you see them; and that she may, off with you, Mark, or the post will go.'

'My cousin is a despot,' said Mark, moving off, with a bow to Theodora; Mrs. Finch, following, spoke a few words, and then shut him into the other room.

'Poor Mark'' said Jane, in the interval. 'We have brought him home. He has had a little property left him, and means to clear off his debts and make a fresh beginning. His poor mother is so delighted!'

'The coast is clear,' said Mrs. Finch, returning. 'Now, Theodora, is it true that you are going to be married?'

Point blank questions did not excite Theodora's blushes; and she composedly answered,

'Some time or other.'

'There! I knew it could not be true,' cried Jane.

'What is not true?' said Theodora.

'Not that you are going to have the curate!' said Mrs. Finch. 'Jane, Jane, that has brought the rouge! Oh! I hope and trust it is not the curate.'

'Certainly not,' said Theodora, in a grave deliberate voice.

'That's a mercy!' said Mrs. Finch. 'I had not the slightest confidence in you. I always reckoned on your making some wild choice. Oh! by the bye, do tell me where Percy Fotheringham is to be found. I must have him at our first party. What a charming book that is!'

'Even at Paris every one is full of it, already,' said Jane. 'I feel quite jealous of you, Theodora, for knowing him so well, when we, his cousins, never saw him at all.'

'Cousins in royal fashion,' said Theodora, glad that the blush had begun for Mr. Wingfield. 'What is the exact connection?'

'You explain, Jane; it is past me. I am content to count kindred with the royal beast.'

'Lady Fotheringham, his uncle's wife, is sister to Mark's mother, my uncle's wife,' said Jane. 'There! I trust that is lucidly done.'

'That is all, is it?' said Theodora.

'Enough for the sending of a card. Tell me where, if you know.'

Theodora named the place.

'Does he show off well? Mark says he has claws--'

'I have known him too long to tell how he appears to strangers,' said Theodora, as the colour mounted again.

'Do you see much of him?'

'He comes to Arthur's house.'

'You have ventured there?' said Jane. 'It was hard not to be able to come for the season otherwise.'

'I came up to bring the dumb boy to the Asylum. I am staying on because I like it.'

'Do you mean to go out with her?'

'When she goes, I do so too, but I am not come for the season. My brother's regiment is ordered to Windsor, and perhaps I may stay to be with her.'

'She has more manner than last year,' said Jane: 'she is greatly improved in looks. You will believe me, Theodora, all I said to Mark only referred to her paleness.'

'It won't do, Jane,' said her sister; 'you only make it worse. I see how it is; Theodora has found out that her sister-in-law is a pretty little pet of a thing that does her no harm, and you have got into the wrong box by flattering her first dislike. Yes, yes, Theodora, we know Jane of old; and never could get her to see the only safe way is to tell one's mind straight out.'

'I don't see it established that I did not tell Theodora my real mind,' said Jane, quietly; 'I always thought Mrs. Martindale pretty and elegant--'

'Self-evident,' said Georgina; 'but if I had been among you, would not I have told Theodora the poor child was cowed by her dignities, and Mrs.

Nesbit and all the rest? Oh, I would have made much of her, and brought her forward. She should have been my queen of Violets: I would have done it last year if that unlucky baby had not come in the way.'

'And now she does not need patronage,' said Jane.

'No; and now Theodora has found her out for herself--a better thing,'

said Mrs. Finch. 'You look all the better for it! I never saw you look so bright or so handsome, Theodora! You are a happy girl!'--and there was a sigh. Some interruption here occurring, Theodora took her leave, and walked home. She felt ruffled by her visit, and as she came indoors, ran up-stairs and knocked at her sister's door. The room looked cool and pleasant, and Violet was lying down in her white, frilled dressing-gown, so freshly, purely, delicately neat, and with so calm and sweet a smile, that the contrast marked itself strongly, and Theodora thought no one ever looked more innocent and engaging. 'I hope you are not tired?'

'Oh, no; I only thought it wiser to rest, thank you.'

'I came to tell you that Georgina Finch wants us to go to a party next Tuesday week. There's nothing to prevent it, is there?'

'I know of nothing; but Arthur will say--'

'We are to bring Percy. I meant to have told them of our affair; but I did not think they deserved it just then. I am glad he is no real relation to that Mr. Gardner.'

'Was it Mr. Gardner who met me going down-stairs?' said Violet, with an unpleasant recollection of having been stared at. 'Is he their brother?'

'No; their cousin. I wonder what you think of them?' said Theodora, hastily throwing aside her bonnet and gloves, and seating herself.

'Miss Gardner is very good-natured and pleasing.'