‘It did not suit,’ said Lady Elizabeth. ‘The uncle, old Mr. Randal, is an old-fashioned, sporting squire, and the other Miss Marstones are gay ladies. I felt myself out of my element when I was there before; but now I almost wish I was with her.’
‘You must miss her very much, indeed.’
‘It is what we must all come to, my dear,’ said Lady Elizabeth, looking at the young mother, with her boy leaning against her knee, deep in a book of illustrations. ‘You have a good many years to look forward to with your little flock; but, one way or other, they will go forth from us.’
Lady Elizabeth thought Johnnie too much absorbed to hear; but Violet found his hand lightly squeezing hers.
‘I thought you at least had kept your daughter,’ she said.
‘Emma will be five-and-twenty in the autumn.’
‘But, oh! Lady Elizabeth, I thought—’
‘I cannot tell, my dear. I hope Emma’s arrangements may be such that we may go on together as before.’
‘How do you mean?’ exclaimed Violet, confounded.
‘Her judgment is sound,’ continued Lady Elizabeth, ‘if she will only use it; and when it comes to the point, Miss Marstone’s may be the same.’