have been. You may remember those bitter days we had in January; they
died then."

"You are very good to take care of them all this while. How is East
Lynne looking? Dear East Lynne! Is it occupied?"

"Not yet. I have spent some money upon it, and it repays the outlay."

The excitement of his arrival had worn off, and she was looking herself
again, pale and sad; he could not help observing that she was changed.

"I cannot expect to look so well at Castle Marling as I did at East
Lynne," she answered.

"I trust it is a happy home to you?" said Mr. Carlyle, speaking upon
impulse.

She glanced up at him a look that he would never forget; it certainly
told of despair. "No," she said, shaking her head, "it is a miserable
home, and I cannot remain in it. I have been awake all night, thinking
where I can go, but I cannot tell; I have not a friend in the wide
world."

Never let people talk secrets before children, for be assured that they
comprehend a vast deal more than is expedient; the saying "that little
pitchers have great ears" is wonderfully true. Lord Vane held up his
hand to Mr. Carlyle,--

"Isabel told me this morning that she should go away from us. Shall I
tell you why? Mamma beat her yesterday when she was angry."

"Be quiet, William!" interrupted Lady Isabel, her face in a flame.

"Two great slaps upon her cheeks," continued the young viscount; "and
Isabel cried so, and I screamed, and then mamma hit me. But boys are
made to be hit; nurse says so. Marvel came into the nursery when we were
at tea, and told nurse about it. She says Isabel's too good-looking, and
that's why mamma--"

Isabel stopped the child's tongue, rang a peal on the bell, and marched
him to the door, dispatching him to the nursery by the servant who
answered it.

Mr. Carlyle's eyes were full of indignant sympathy. "Can this be true?"
he asked, in a low tone when she returned to him. "You do, indeed, want
a friend."

"I must bear my lot," she replied, obeying the impulse which prompted
her to confide in Mr. Carlyle; "at least till Lord Mount Severn
returns."

"And then?"

"I really do not know," she said, the rebellious tears rising faster
than she could choke them down. "He has no other home to offer me; but
with Lady Mount Severn I cannot and will not remain. She would break
my heart, as she has already well-nigh broken my spirit. I have not
deserved it of her, Mr. Carlyle."

"No, I am sure you have not," he warmly answered