didn't think of a
card."

"That's very kind of you, Lord Silverbridge."

"I hope you are going to be my friend, Mrs. Boncassen."

"I am sure I don't know, Lord Silverbridge. Isabel is most used to
having her own way, I guess. I think when hearts are joined almost
nothing ought to stand between them. But Mr. Boncassen does have
doubts. He don't wish as Isabel should force herself anywhere. But
here she is, and now she can speak for herself." Whereupon not only
did Isabel enter the room, but at the same time Mrs. Boncassen most
discreetly left it. It must be confessed that American mothers are
not afraid of their daughters.

Silverbridge, when the door was closed, stood looking at the girl
for a moment and thought that she was more lovely than ever. She was
dressed for walking. She still had on her fur jacket, but had taken
off her hat. "I was in the parlour downstairs," she said, "when you
came in, with papa; and we were going out together; but when I heard
who was here, I made him go alone. Was I not good?"

He had not thought of a word to say, or a thing to do;--but he felt
as he looked at her that the only thing in the world worth living
for, was to have her for his own. For a moment he was half abashed.
Then in the next she was close in his arms with his lips pressed
to hers. He had been so sudden that she had been unable, at any
rate thought that she had been unable, to repress him. "Lord
Silverbridge," she said, "I told you I would not have it. You have
offended me."

"Isabel!"

"Yes; Isabel! Isabel is offended with you. Why did you do it?"

Why did he do it? It seemed to him to be the most unnecessary
question. "I want you to know how I love you."

"Will that tell me? That only tells me how little you think of me."

"Then it tells you a falsehood;--for I am thinking of you always.
And I always think of you as being the best and dearest and sweetest
thing in the world. And now I think you dearer and sweeter than
ever." Upon this she tried to frown; but her frown at once broke out
into a smile. "When I wrote to say that I was coming why did you not
stay at home for me this morning?"

"I got no letter, Lord Silverbridge."

"Why didn't you get it?"

"That I cannot say, Lord Silverbridge."

"Isabel, if you are so formal, you will kill me."

"Lord Silverbridge, if you are so forward, you will offend me."
Then it turned out that no letter from him had reached the house;
and as the letter had been add