he went away at once to the Treasury
Chambers.

Silverbridge felt himself a little better after his lunch,--better
still when he had smoked a couple of cigarettes walking about the
empty smoking-room. And as he walked he collected his thoughts.
She could hardly have meant to slight him. No doubt her letter
down to him at Harrington had been very cold. No doubt he had been
ill-treated in being sent away so unceremoniously from the door. But
yet she could hardly intend that everything between them should be
over. Even an American girl could not be so unreasonable as that. He
remembered the passionate way in which she had assured him of her
love. All that could not have been forgotten! He had done nothing by
which he could have forfeited her esteem. She had desired him to tell
the whole affair to her father, and he had done so. Mr. Boncassen
might perhaps have objected. It might be that this American was so
prejudiced against English aristocrats as to desire no commerce with
them. There were not many Englishmen who would not have welcomed him
as son-in-law, but Americans might be different. Still,--still Isabel
would hardly have shown her obedience to her father in this way. She
was too independent to obey her father in a matter concerning her own
heart. And if he had not been the possessor of her heart at that last
interview, then she must have been false indeed! So he got once more
into his hansom and had himself taken back to Brook Street.

Mrs. Boncassen was in the drawing-room alone.

"I am so sorry," said the lady, "but Mr. Boncassen has, I think, just
gone out."

"Indeed! and where is Isabel?"

"Isabel is downstairs,--that is if she hasn't gone out too. She did
talk of going with her father to the Museum. She is getting quite
bookish. She has got a ticket, and goes there, and has all the things
brought to her just like the other learned folks."

"I am anxious to see her, Mrs. Boncassen."

"My! If she has gone out it will be a pity. She was only saying
yesterday she wouldn't wonder if you shouldn't turn up."

"Of course I've turned up, Mrs. Boncassen. I was here an hour ago."

"Was it you who called and asked all them questions? My! We couldn't
make out who it was. The man said it was a flurried young gentleman
who wouldn't leave a card,--but who wanted to see Mr. Boncassen most
especial."

"It was Isabel I wanted to see. Didn't I leave a card? No; I don't
think I did. I felt so--almost at home, that I