‘I trust not.’
‘If she really wants to go, and she has never seen the thing, I had rather take her in a sober way by ourselves, and come home at our own time.’
‘Why don’t you! It would be very pleasant for you both, and I should be so glad. Think how she shuts herself up with me!’
‘We will see. Anything for a quiet life.’
Theodora, being fond of horses, and used to hear much about them from her brother, had a real curiosity to go to Epsom, and broached the subject the next morning at breakfast. Before any answer had been given, Mr. Fotheringham made his appearance.
‘Well, Percy,’ said Arthur, ‘you find this sister of mine bent on dragging me to Epsom. Come with us! You will have an opportunity of getting up an article against fashionable life.’
Theodora was ready to hide her desire for his consent, but thought better of it, and said, ‘It is of no use to ask him.’
‘Indeed I would go,’ said Percy; ‘I wish I could; but I came here to tell you that my Aunt Fotheringham is coming to London early on Wednesday for advice for her son, and will only be there two days, so that it is impossible to be away.’
‘Is Sir Antony Fotheringham coming?’ asked Violet, as Theodora did not speak.
‘No; he is a fixture. He has never even seen a railroad. My aunt could hardly persuade him to let her come up without the old chariot and posters.’