-as it seemed--on a low ottoman before the fire. She looked so
ill that Mr. Carlyle could not forbear remarking upon it.

"I have not slept, and I am very cold," she answered. "I did not close
my eyes all night, I was so terrified."

"Terrified at what?" he asked.

"At those men," she whispered. "It is strange that Mr. Vane has not
come."

"Is the post in?"

"I don't know," she apathetically replied. "I have received nothing."

She had scarcely spoke when the butler entered with his salver full of
letters, most of them bearing condolence with Lady Isabel. She singled
out one and hastened to open it, for it bore the Castle Marling
post-mark. "It is Mrs. Vane's handwriting," she remarked to Mr. Carlyle.

CASTLE MARLING, Saturday.

"MY DEAR ISABEL--I am dreadfully grieved and shocked at the news
conveyed in Mr. Carlyle's letter to my husband, for he has gone cruising
in his yacht, and I opened it. Goodness knows where he may be, round the
coast somewhere, but he said he should be home for Sunday, and as he is
pretty punctual in keeping his word, I expect him. Be assured he will
not lose a moment in hastening to East Lynne.

"I cannot express what I feel for you, and am too _bouleversee_ to write
more. Try and keep up your spirits, and believe me, dear Isabel, with
sincere sympathy and regret, faithfully yours,

"EMMA MOUNT SEVERN."

The color came into Isabel's pale cheek when she read the signature.
She thought, had she been the writer, she should, in that first, early
letter, have still signed herself Emma Vane. Isabel handed the note to
Mr. Carlyle. "It is very unfortunate," she sighed.

Mr. Carlyle glanced over it as quickly as Mrs. Vane's illegible writing
allowed him, and drew in his lips in a peculiar manner when he came to
the signature. Perhaps at the same thought which had struck Isabel.

"Had Mrs. Vane been worth a rush, she would have come herself, knowing
your lonely situation," he uttered, impulsively.

Isabel leaned her head upon her hand. All the difficulties and
embarrassments of her position came crowding on her mind. No orders had
been given in preparation for the funeral, and she felt that she had
no right to give any. The earls of Mount Severn were buried at Mount
Severn; but to take her father thither would involve great expense;
would the present earl sanction that? Since the previous morning, she
seemed to have grown old in the world's experience; her ideas were
changed, the ben