st Lynne to see that I
don't despise Mr. Kane and his concert."

Later in the day the earl grew alarmingly worse; his paroxysms of pain
were awful. Isabel, who was kept from the room, knew nothing of the
danger, and the earl's groans did not penetrate to her ears. She dressed
herself in a gleeful mode, full of laughing willfulness, Marvel, her
maid, superintending in stiff displeasure, for the attire chosen did not
meet her approbation. When ready, she went into the earl's room.

"Shall I do, papa?"

Lord Mount Severn raised his swollen eyelids and drew the clothes from
his flushed face. A shining vision was standing before him, a beauteous
queen, a gleaming fairy; he hardly knew what she looked like. She had
put on a white lace hat and her diamonds; the dress was rich, and the
jewels gleamed from her delicate arms: and her cheeks were flushed and
her curls were flowing.

The earl stared at her in amazement. "How could you dress yourself off
like that for a concert? You are out of yours senses, Isabel."

"Marvel thinks so, too," was the gay answer; "she has had a cross
face since I told her what to put on. But I did it on purpose, papa;
I thought I would show those West Lynne people that _I_ think the poor
man's moment worth going to, and worth dressing for."

"You will have the whole room gaping at you."

"I don't mind. I'll bring you word all about it. Let them gape."

"You vain child! You have so dressed yourself to please your vanity.
But, Isabel, you--oooh!"

Isabel started as she stood; the earl's groan of pain was dreadful.

"An awful twinge, child. There, go along; talking makes me worse."

"Papa, shall I stay at home with you?" she gravely asked. "Every
consideration should give way to illness. If you would like me to
remain, or if I can do any good, pray let me."

"Quite the contrary; I had rather you were away. You can do no earthly
good, for I could not have you in the room. Good-bye, darling. If you
see Carlyle, tell him I shall hope to see him to-morrow."

The room was partly full when Mrs. Ducie, her two daughters, and Lady
Isabel entered, and were conducted to seats by Mr. Kane--seats he
had reserved for them at the upper end, near the orchestra. The same
dazzling vision which had burst on the sight of Lord Mount Severn fell
on that of the audience, in Isabel, with her rich, white dress, her
glittering diamonds, her flowing curls, and her wondrous beauty. The
Misses Ducie, plain girls, in