It was a half truth, exaggerated, but it had not a happy effect on Vera. Nevertheless, the finishing push of preparation brought on such a succession of violent headaches as quite to disable the really delicate boy. Moreover, the tutor declared that there had been little chance of his success, and Dr. Dagger said that he had much better not try again. The best hope for his health, and even for his life, was to keep him at home for a few years, and give him light work. He had never been the pleasantest element in the household; and if his parents were glad of the avoidance of the risk of a launch into the world, and his mother’s love rejoiced in the power of watching over him, there were others who felt his temper a continual trial, while his career was a perplexity. However, Captain Henderson offered a clerkship at the Marble Works, subject to Mr. White’s approval; and this was gratefully accepted. Nor did Agatha come home again at the Long Vacation for more than two days, in which there was no time for consultation with her sisters on matters of uncertain import. Miss Arthuret and Elizabeth Merrifield had arranged together to take the old roomy farmhouse on Penbeacon for three or four months, and there receive parties of young women in need of rest, fresh air, and, in some cases, of classes, or time for study. It was to be a sort of Holiday House, though not altogether of idleness; and Dolores undertook to be a kind of vice-president, with Agatha to pursue her reading under her superintendence, and to assist in helping others, governesses, students, schoolmistresses from Coalham, in whose behalf indeed the scheme had been first started, and it was extremely delightful to Agatha, among many others. CHAPTER XIX—TWO WEDDINGS “How happy by my mother’s side When some dear friend became a bride! To shine beyond the rest I was In gay embroidery drest. Vain of my drapery’s rich brocade, I held my flowing locks to braid.” ANSTICE (_from the Greek_). “EPIDEMICS of marriage set in from time to time,” said Jane Mohun. “Gillian has set the fashion.”