"Understand? that is nonsense, Marian. What was there to understand? He spoke very improperly, find I desire him to apologise; and if he is obstinate, it is very wrong of you to defend him."
Marian was silenced, though her heart was swelling and her temples throbbing. In another minute Mrs. Lyddell was summoned to some more company, and Marian had nothing worse to hear than her companions' commiseration for the book, and declarations that India rubber would do it no good.
The afternoon passed away, and nothing was heard of Gerald: indeed,
Marian understood him well enough to expect that nothing would be heard.
As she was on her way to her own room, looking wistfully at his door,
Lionel overtook her; and thumping her hard on the back, exclaimed,
"Isn't it a jolly beast, Marian?"
"O, Lionel, it was very naughty of you. How could you make Gerald behave so ill?"
"Never mind, Marian, he will get out of it soon enough. Come, don't be savage; we did it all for your good."
"My good! how can you talk such nonsense?"
"Why, I'll bet you anything you like, that mamma will never be for having the little beastie down to show the company."
Marian half smiled; it was pleasant to find that, towards her at least, the boys' intention had been anything but unkind, but still she hardly knew how to be placable with Lionel when he had led her brother into mischief, and then left him to bear all the blame.
"It was very wrong," she repeated.
"Come, don't be cross, Marian. You don't mean that you really cared for that trumpery picture?"