Yet learn the gamut of Hortensio.
—Taming of the Shrew
Mrs. Nesbit was recommended to spend some months at Baden Baden; and Theodora formed a design, which highly pleased Arthur and Violet, of spending this time, while the family were absent, and while Arthur was in Scotland, as hostess at Martindale to Violet and the children.
After seeing Arthur off to Windsor for the next fortnight, Theodora had begun writing to propose the scheme to her father, when she was interrupted by the announcement of Lord St. Erme.
To visit her alone was a strong measure, and she put on a panoply of dignified formality. He began to say he had brought a German book, to show her a poem of which their conversation had reminded him.
‘I understand very little German,’ said she, coldly. ‘I once had a German governess whom I disliked so much that I took a disgust to the language.’
‘There is so much that is beautiful and untranslatable in its literature, that I am sure it would recompense you.’
‘I do not like the German tone of mind. It is vapoury and unreal.’
‘I should like to show you cause to alter your opinion, but—’
‘This is English,’ said Theodora, as her eye fell on a paper of verses that marked the place.
‘Ah, Lucy made me put it in. A few lines that occurred to me after watching Mrs. Martindale’s little boy.’