Isabel's self-consciousness,
moreover, so great, that she betrayed lamentable confusion, and the earl
had no further need to ask. Pity stole into his hard eyes as they fixed
themselves on her downcast, glowing face.

"Isabel," he gravely began, "Captain Levison is not a good man; if ever
you were inclined to think him one, dispossess your mind of the idea,
and hold him at arm's distance. Drop his acquaintance--encourage no
intimacy with him."

"I have already dropped it," said Isabel, "and I shall not take it up
again. But Lady Mount Severn must think well of him, or she would not
have him there."

"She thinks none too well of him; none can of Francis Levison," returned
the earl significantly.

Before Isabel could reply, Mr. Carlyle entered. He held out his hand to
the earl; the earl did not appear to see it.

"Isabel," said he, "I am sorry to turn you out, but I suppose you have
but this one sitting-room. I wish to say a few words to Mr. Carlyle."

She quitted them, and the earl wheeled round and faced Mr. Carlyle,
speaking in a stern, haughty tone.

"How came this marriage about, sir? Do you possess so little honor,
that, taking advantage of my absence, you must intrude yourself into my
family, and clandestinely espouse Lady Isabel Vane?"

Mr. Carlyle stood confounded, and confused. He drew himself up to his
full height, looking every whit as fearless and far more noble than the
peer. "My lord, I do not understand you."

"Yet I speak plainly. What is it but a clandestine procedure to take
advantage of a guardian's absence and beguile a young girl into a
marriage beneath her?"

"There has been nothing clandestine in my conduct toward Lady Isabel
Vane; there shall be nothing but honor in my conduct toward Lady Isabel
Carlyle. Your lordship has been misinformed."

"I have not been informed at all," retorted the earl. "I was allowed to
learn this from the public papers--I, the only relative of Lady Isabel."

"When I proposed for Lady Isabel--"

"But a month ago," sarcastically interrupted the earl.

"But a month ago," calmly repeated Mr. Carlyle, "my first action, after
Isabel accepted me, was to write to you. But that I imagine you may not
have received the letter, by stating you first heard of our marriage
through the papers, I should say, the want of courtesy lay on your
lordship's side for having vouchsafed me no reply to it."

"What were the contents of the letter?"

"I stated what had occurred, m