Violet glowed with indignation at such mention of Percy. She never loved him! It is as John thought!
Theodora, returning, took the note, and began to put it into its envelope without a word.
‘Thank you,’ said Violet; ‘it is very kind in you to stay with me. It is a great comfort to Arthur.’
‘Is it no comfort to you?’ said Theodora. ‘If I am in your way, I will go.’
‘Oh! what should I do without you? It makes such a difference to me. I rely upon you to take care of Arthur, and Johnnie, and everything. Only don’t do what is not pleasant to you.’
‘I wish to live to be useful. I had rather be useful to you and Arthur than to any one. If you will keep me, I stay.’
All the rest of the day Violet could only feel that she could not be displeased with one so devoted to her. She wondered what Arthur would say. His comment was—
‘Well, I always expected it. It is a pity! She has thrown away her only chance of being a reasonable woman.’
‘You saw no cause for that horrid report?’
‘Not a bit. She is not so frantic as that comes to. She went on in her old way, only a little stronger than usual; but Percy was quite right not to stand it, and so I shall tell her.’