rassment makes cowards of us; and Mr.
Carlyle repeated it after her. He knew no more about housekeeping than
she did.

"Something to roast and boil, tell the man, Peter."

Up started Miss Corny; she could not stand that. "Are you aware, Lady
Isabel, that an order such as that would only puzzle the butcher? Shall
I give the necessary orders for to-day? The fishmonger will be here
presently!"

"Oh, I wish you would!" cried the relieved Lady Isabel. "I have not been
accustomed to it, but I must learn. I don't think I know anything about
housekeeping."

Miss Corny's answer was to stalk from the room. Isabel rose from her
chair, like a bird released from its cage, and stood by his side. "Have
you finished, Archibald?"

"I think I have, dear. Oh! Here's my coffee. There; I have finished
now."

"Let us go around the grounds."

He rose, laid his hands playfully on her slender waist, and looked at
her. "You may as well ask me to take a journey to the moon. It is past
nine, and I have not been to the office for a month."

The tears rose in her eyes. "I wish you would be always with me! East
Lynne will not be East Lynne without you."

"I will be with you as much as ever I can, my dearest," he whispered.
"Come and walk with me through the park."

She ran for her bonnet, gloves and parasol. Mr. Carlyle waited for her
in the hall, and they went out together.

He thought it a good opportunity to speak about his sister. "She wishes
to remain with us," he said. "I do not know what to decide. On the one
hand I think she might save you the worry of household management; on
the other, I fancy we shall be happier by ourselves."

Isabel's heart sank within her at the idea of that stern Miss Corny,
mounted over her as resident guard; but, refined and sensitive, almost
painfully considerate of the feelings of others, she raised no word of
objection. "As you and Miss Carlyle please," she answered.

"Isabel," he said, "I wish it to be as you please; I wish matters to be
arranged as may best please you: and I will have them so arranged. My
chief object in life now is your happiness."

He spoke in all the sincerity of truth, and Isabel knew it: and the
thought came across her that with him by her side, her loving protector,
Miss Carlyle could not mar her life's peace. "Let her stay, Archibald;
she will not incommode us."

"At any rate it can be tried for a month or two, and we shall see how it
works," he musingly observed.

T