‘Is that where Lady Elizabeth Brandon lives?’ asked Violet.
‘Yes,’ said Lady Martindale. ‘It belongs to her daughter. Lady Elizabeth is a highly excellent person, for whom Lord Martindale has a great regard, and Miss Brandon is one of Theodora’s oldest friends.’
‘Hum!’ said Theodora.
‘My dear, she is a very nice amiable girl—just your own age, and admirably brought up.’
‘Granted,’ said Theodora.
‘I cannot see that Emma Brandon wants anything but style and confidence,’ proceeded Lady Martindale, ‘and that I believe to be entirely poor Lady Elizabeth’s fault for keeping her so much in retirement. That German finishing governess, Miss Ohnglaube, whom we were so sorry to lose, would have been the person to teach her a little freedom and readiness of manner. I wish we could have kept her a little longer.’
‘I told Lady Elizabeth about her,’ said Theodora; but Lady Martindale, without hearing, said she must go to her aunt, and renewing injunctions to Violet to be ready by three, left the room.
‘You did not astonish her weak mind with the ghost story?’ said Arthur.
‘With its cause.’
‘You would not have thought, Violet,’ continued Arthur, ‘that we had a ghost in the north wing.’