et Lady Isabel be informed that I am ready to depart, and that I wait
to see her," he said the servant who answered it. "And while she is
coming, Mr. Carlyle," he added, "allow me to express my obligations to
you. How I should have got along in this worrying business without you,
I cannot divine. You have promised, mind, to pay me a visit, and I shall
expect it speedily."

"Promised conditionally--that I find myself in your neighborhood,"
smiled Mr. Carlyle. "Should--"

Isabel entered, dressed also, and ready, for she was to depart
immediately after the earl. Her crape veil was over her face, but she
threw it back.

"My time is up, Isabel, and I must go. Is there anything you wish to say
to me?"

She opened her lips to speak, but glanced at Mr. Carlyle and hesitated.
He was standing at the window, his back towards them.

"I suppose not," said the earl, answering himself, for he was in a fever
of hurry to be off, like many others are when starting on a journey.
"You will have no trouble whatever, my dear; only mind you get some
refreshments in the middle of the day, for you won't be at Castle
Marling before dinner-time. Tell Mrs. Va--tell Lady Mount Severn that I
had no time to write, but will do so from town."

But Isabel stood before him in an attitude of uncertainty--of
expectancy, it may be said, her color varying.

"What is it, you wish to say something?"

She certainly did wish to say something, but she did not know how.
It was a moment of embarrassment to her, intensely painful, and the
presence of Mr. Carlyle did not tend to lessen it. The latter had no
idea his absence was wished for.

"Bless me, Isabel! I declare I forgot all about it," cried the earl, in
a tone of vexation. "Not being accustomed to--this aspect of affairs is
so new--" He broke off his disjointed sentences, unbuttoned his coat,
drew out his purse, and paused over its contents.

"Isabel, I have run myself very short, and have but little beyond what
will take me to town. You must make three pounds do for now, my dear.
Once at Castle Marling--Pound has the funds for the journey--Lady Mount
Severn will supply you; but you must tell her, or she will not know."

He shot some gold out of his purse as he spoke, and left two sovereigns
and two half sovereigns on the table. "Farewell, my dear; make yourself
happy at Castle Marling. I shall be home soon."

Passing from the room with Mr. Carlyle, he stood talking with that
gentleman a minute