‘I see how it is,’ said the wife; ‘a proud Countess we shall have.’
‘If one of the girls had but been here! Every one of them is prettier than this Miss Martindale. Who knows?’
‘Ah! I shall take care in a friendly way to let your sister know how her own family feel at her keeping aloof—’
‘I do not believe it is her fault, poor child,’ said Albert. ‘Martindale has set this haughty young lady to keep guard over her—’
‘We shall see,’ said the bride. ‘I am not used to be refused, and once with your sister, I will discover all her secrets.’
Fortunately for Violet, Theodora had found her so much exhausted by the fatigue of dressing, that she thought it safest, considering what a bride it was, not to divulge her presence in the house; and she came down with this intelligence, trying to compensate for it by civility, and by showing the children.
Mrs. Moss was not easily repulsed, she begged Miss Martindale to reconsider her verdict.
‘I must not relent; I am accountable to the doctor and to my brother.’
‘It shall not be your fault. You shall know nothing of it. I will find my way. Ah! I’m a giddy young thing. Nothing can stop me!’ and she stepped forward, laughing affectedly, and trying to look arch.
‘I cannot permit this. It might do serious harm,’ said Theodora, obliged to stand in her path, and to put on such a look of haughty command, that she was positively subdued and frightened, and went back to her seat in a meek state of silence, whence she only recovered to overwhelm poor Johnnie with her attentions. He cried and was sent away, and Mrs. Moss was obliged to be satisfied with the baby, though she looked as dignified and as little to be taken liberties with as any Martindale of them all.