drew her arm within
his, and they walked on.

"Oh, I hardly know," she sighed. "Trying the new piano, and looking at
my watch, wishing the time would go quicker, that you might come home.
The ponies and carriage have arrived, Archibald."

"I know they have, my dear. Have you been out of doors much?"

"No, I waited for you." And then she told him about Marvel. He felt
vexed, saying she must replace her with all speed. Isabel said she knew
of one, a young woman who had left Lady Mount Severn while she, Isabel,
was at Castle Marling; her health was delicate, and Lady Mount Severn's
place too hard for her. She might suit.

"Write to her," said Mr. Carlyle.

The carriage came round--a beautiful little equipage--and Isabel was
ready. As Mr. Carlyle drove slowly down the dusty road, they came upon
Miss Corny, striding along in the sun with a great umbrella over her
head. She would not turn to look at them.

Once more, as in the year gone by, St. Jude's Church was in a flutter of
expectation. It expected to see a whole paraphernalia of bridal finery,
and again it was doomed to disappointment, for Isabel had not put off
the mourning for her father. She was in black--a thin gauze dress--and
her white bonnet had small black flowers inside and out. For the first
time in his life, Mr. Carlyle took possession of the pew belonging to
East Lynne, filling the place where the poor earl used to sit. Not so
Miss Corny--she sat in her own.

Barbara was there with the Justice and Mrs. Hare. Her face wore a gray,
dusky hue, of which she was only too conscious, but could not subdue.
Her covetous eyes would wander to that other face, with its singular
loveliness and its sweetly earnest eyes, sheltered under the protection
of him for whose sheltering protection she had so long yearned. Poor
Barbara did not benefit much by the services that day.

Afterward they went across the churchyard to the west corner, where
stood the tomb of Lord Mount Severn. Isabel looked at the inscription,
her veil shading her face.

"Not here, and now, my darling," he whispered, pressing her arm to his
side, for he felt her silent sobs. "Strive for calmness."

"It seems but the other day he was at church with me, and now--here!"

Mr. Carlyle suddenly changed their places, so that they stood with their
backs to the hedge, and to any staring stragglers who might be lingering
on the road.

"There ought to be railings round the tomb," she presently said, afte