my rooms, but I do not require supper. We have
dined."

"Then what would you like to take?" asked Miss Corny.

"Some tea, if you please, I am very thirsty."

"Tea!" ejaculated Miss Corny. "So late as this! I don't know that they
have boiling water. You'd never sleep a wink all night, ma'am, if you
took tea at eleven o'clock."

"Oh, then, never mind," replied Lady Isabel. "It is of no consequence.
Do not let me give trouble."

Miss Carlyle whisked out of the room; upon what errand was best known to
herself; and in the hall she and Marvel came to an encounter. No words
passed, but each eyed the other grimly. Marvel was very stylish, with
five flounces to her dress, a veil, and a parasol. Meanwhile, Lady
Isabel sat down and burst into bitter tears and sobs. A chill had come
over her; it did not seem like coming to East Lynne. Mr. Carlyle entered
and witnessed the grief.

"Isabel!" he uttered in amazement, as he hastened up to her. "My
darling, what ails you?"

"I am tired, I think," she gently answered; "and coming into the house
again made me think of papa. I should like to go to my rooms, Archibald,
but I don't know which they are."

Neither did Mr. Carlyle know, but Miss Carlyle came whisking in again,
and said: "The best rooms; those next the library. Should she go up with
my lady?"

Mr. Carlyle preferred to go himself, and he held out his arm to Isabel.
She drew her veil over her face as she passed Miss Carlyle.

The branches were not lighted, and the room looked cold and comfortless.
"Things seem all sixes and sevens in the house," remarked Mr. Carlyle.
"I fancy the servants must have misunderstood my letter, and not have
expected us until to-morrow night."

On returning to the sitting-room Mr. Carlyle inquired the cause of the
servants' negligence.

"I sent them away because they were superfluous encumbrances," hastily
replied Miss Carlyle. "We have four in the house, and my lady has
brought a fine maid, I see, making five. I have come up here to live."

Mr. Carlyle felt checkmated. He had always bowed to the will of Miss
Corny, but he had an idea that he and his wife should be better without
her. "And your house?" he exclaimed.

"I have let it furnished; the people enter to-day. So you cannot turn
me out of East Lynne into the road, or to furnished lodgings, Archibald.
There'll be enough expense without our keeping on two houses; and most
people in your place would jump at the prospect of my livin