t----It has come upon me by surprise," she stammered. "I like you
very much; I esteem and respect you; but I do not love you."

"I should wonder if you did. But you will let me earn your love,
Isabel?"

"Oh, yes," she earnestly answered. "I hope so."

He drew her closer to him, bent his face, and took from her lips his
first kiss. Isabel was passive; she supposed he had gained the right to
do so. "My dearest! It is all I ask."

CHAPTER XIII.

A MOONLIGHT WALK.

The sensations of Mr. Carlyle, when he returned to West Lynne, were much
like those of an Eton boy, who knows he has been in mischief, and dreads
detection. Always open as to his own affairs--for he had nothing to
conceal--he yet deemed it expedient to dissemble now. He felt that his
sister would be bitter at the prospect of his marrying; instinct had
taught him that, years past; and he believed that, of all women, the
most objectionable to her would be Lady Isabel, for Miss Carlyle
looked to the useful, and had neither sympathy nor admiration for the
beautiful. He was not sure but she might be capable of endeavoring
to frustrate the marriage should news of it reach her ears, and her
indomitable will had caused many strange things in her life; therefore,
you will not blame Mr. Carlyle for observing entire reticence as to his
future plans.

A family of the name of Carew had been about taking East Lynne; they
wished to rent it, furnished, for three years. Upon some of the minor
arrangements they and Mr. Carlyle were opposed, but the latter declined
to give way. During his absence at Castle Marling, news had arrived from
them--they had acceded to all his terms, and would enter upon East Lynne
as soon as it was convenient. Miss Carlyle was full of congratulations;
it was off their hands, she said; but the fist letter Mr. Carlyle wrote
was--to decline them. He did not tell this to Miss Carlyle. The final
touches to the house were given, preparatory to the reception of its
inhabitants, and three maids and two men servants hired and sent there,
upon board wages, until the family should arrive.

One evening three weeks subsequent to Mr. Carlyle's visit to Castle
Marling, Barbara Hare called at Miss Carlyle's, and found them going to
tea much earlier than usual.

"We dined earlier," said Miss Corny, "and I ordered tea as soon as the
dinner went away. Otherwise, Archibald would have taken none."

"I am as well without tea. And I have a mass of business to g