ded over to him in liquidation,
perhaps only partial, were working in her brain.

"Does my father owe you any money?" she breathed in a timid tone.

"Not any," he replied. "Lord Mount Severn was never indebted to me in
his life."

"Yet you purchased East Lynne?"

"As any one else might have done," he answered, discerning the drift of
her thoughts. "I was in search of an eligible estate to invest money in,
and East Lynne suited me."

"I feel my position, Mr. Carlyle," she resumed, the rebellious fears
forcing themselves to her eyes; "thus to be intruding upon you for a
shelter. And I cannot help myself."

"You can help grieving me," he gently answered, "which you do much when
you talk of obligation. The obligation is on my side, Lady Isabel; and
when I express a hope that you will continue at East Lynne while it can
be of service, however prolonged that period may be, I assure you, I say
it in all sincerity."

"You are very kind," she faltered; "and for a few days; until I can
think; until--Oh, Mr. Carlyle, are papa's affairs really so bad as they
said yesterday?" she broke off, her perplexities recurring to her with
vehement force. "Is there nothing left?"

Now Mr. Carlyle might have given the evasive assurance that there would
be plenty left, just to tranquilize her. But to have used deceit with
her would have pricked against every feeling of his nature; and he saw
how implicitly she relied upon his truth.

"I fear things are not very bright," he answered. "That is, so far as we
can see at present. But there may have been some settlement effected for
you that you do not know of. Warburton & Ware--"

"No," she interrupted: "I never heard of a settlement, and I am sure
there is none. I see the worst plainly. I have no home, no home and no
money. This house is yours; the town house and Mount Severn go to Mr.
Vane; and I have nothing."

"But surely Mr. Vane will be delighted to welcome you to your old home.
The houses pass to him--it almost seems as though you had the greater
right in them, than he or Mrs. Vane."

"My home with them!" she retorted, as if the words had stung her. "What
are you saying, Mr. Carlyle?"

"I beg your pardon, Lady Isabel. I should not have presumed to touch
upon these points myself, but--"

"Nay, I think I ought to beg yours," she interrupted, more calmly. "I am
only grateful for the interest you take in them--the kindness you have
shown. But I could not make my home with Mrs. Va