lk, bending their steps backward
toward the group of ladies.

"Could he have heard what we were saying?" ejaculated Barbara, below her
breath.

Mr. Carlyle looked down upon the concerned, flushed cheeks with a smile.
Barbara was so evidently perturbed. But for a certain episode of their
lives, some years ago, he might have soothed her tenderly.

"I think he must have heard a little, Barbara, unless his wits were
wool-gathering. He might not be attending. What if he did hear? It is of
no consequence."

"I was speaking, you know, of Captain Thorn--of his being the murderer."

"You were not speaking of Richard or his movements, so never mind.
Levison is a stranger to the whole. It is nothing to him. If he did hear
the name of Thorn mentioned, or even distinguished the subject, it would
bear for him no interest--would go, as the saying runs, 'in at one ear
and out at the other.' Be at rest, Barbara."

He really did look somewhat tenderly upon her as he spoke--and they were
near enough to Lady Isabel for her to note the glance. She need not have
been jealous: it bore no treachery to her. But she did note it; she
had noted also their wandering away together, and she jumped to the
conclusion that it was premeditated, that they had gone beyond her sight
to enjoy each other's society for a few stolen moments. Wonderfully
attractive looked Barbara that evening, for Mr. Carlyle or any one else
to steal away with. Her tasty, elegant airy summer attire, her bright
blue eyes, her charming features, and her damask cheeks! She had untied
the strings of her pretty white bonnet, and was restlessly playing with
them, more in thought than nervousness.

"Barbara, love, how are we to get home?" asked Mrs. Hare. "I do fear I
shall never walk it. I wish I had told Benjamin to bring the phaeton."

"I can send to him," said Mr. Carlyle.

"But it is too bad of me, Archibald, to take you and Lady Isabel by
storm in this unceremonious manner; and to give your servants trouble
besides."

"A great deal too bad, I think," returned Mr. Carlyle, with mock
gravity. "As to the servants, the one who has to go will never get over
the trouble, depend upon it. You always were more concerned for others
than for yourself, dear Mrs. Hare."

"And you were always kind, Archibald, smoothing difficulties for all,
and making a trouble of nothing. Ah, Lady Isabel, were I a young woman,
I should be envying you your good husband; there are not many like him