understand it, nor to talk to mamma and Matilda. And then mamma cried
so much! I don't feel to understand it now, but soon perhaps I shall
have more quiet time. I should like to have waited till Lord
Martindale came home, but they said that could not be, because his
leave of absence would be over. I did wish very much though that Miss
Martindale could have left her aunt to come to our wedding.'

John found reply so difficult, that he was glad to be interrupted by
Arthur's return. He soon after set out to call upon Captain Fitzhugh,
who had been at Wrangerton with Arthur.

From him more of the circumstances were gathered. Mr. Moss was the
person universally given up to reprobation. 'A thorough schemer,' said
the Irish captain. As to the Miss Mosses, they were lady-like girls,
most of them pretty, and everywhere well spoken of. In fact, John
suspected he had had a little flirtation on his own account with some
of them, though he took credit to himself for having warned his friend
to be careful. He ended with a warm-hearted speech, by no means
displeasing to John, hoping he would make the best of it with Lord
Martindale, for after all, she was as pretty a creature as could be
seen, one that any man might be proud of for a daughter-in-law; and to
his mind it was better than leaving the poor girl to break her heart
after him when it had gone so far.

Arthur himself was in a more rational mood that evening. He had at
first tried to hide his embarrassment by bravado; but he now changed
his tone, and as soon as Violet had left the dining-room, began by an
abrupt inquiry, 'What would you have me do?'

'Why don't you write to my father!'