They were interrupted by Arthur’s walking in from the garden. Lady Martindale, too eager to heed that her lord would fain not broach the question till his deliberations were mature, rose up at once, exclaiming, ‘Arthur my dear, I am glad you are come. We wish, when Theodora leaves us, that you and your dear wife and children should come and live at home always with us. Will you, my dear?’ Arthur looked from one to the other in amaze.
‘It is a subject for consideration,’ began Lord Martindale. ‘I would not act hastily, without knowing the sentiments of all concerned.’
‘If you mean mine,’ said John, ‘I will finish what I was saying,—that, for my part, a home is all that I can ever want; and that for Arthur to afford me a share in his, and in his children’s hearts, would be the greatest earthly happiness that I can desire.’
‘I am sure’—said Arthur, in a voice which, to their surprise, was broken by a sob—‘I am sure, John—you have every right. You have made my home what it is.’
‘Then he consents!’ exclaimed Lady Martindale; ‘I shall have Violet always with me, and Helen.’
‘Thank you, thank you, mother; but—’ His eye was on his father.
‘Your mother does not know what she is asking of you, Arthur,’ said Lord Martindale. ‘I would not have you engage yourself without consideration. Such arrangements as these must not be made to be broken. For myself, it is only the extreme pleasure the project gives me that makes me balance, lest I should overlook any objection. To have your dear Violet for the daughter of our old age, and your children round us, would, as John says, leave us nothing to wish.’
Arthur could only tremulously repeat his ‘Thank you,’ but there was a hesitation that alarmed his mother. ‘Your father wishes it, too,’ she eagerly entreated.
‘Do not press him, Anna,’ said Lord Martindale. ‘I would not have him decide hastily. It is asking a great deal of him to propose his giving up his profession and his establishment.’
‘It is not that,’ said Arthur, turning gratefully to his father. ‘I should be glad to give up the army and live at home—there is nothing I should like better; but the point is, that I must know what Violet thinks of it.’