follow,
to lead up to the publication of the letters.

Anxious as Mrs. Bryce was to have the scandal suppressed, she was
unwilling that Wally should pay the price which these rascals demanded.
So lengthy and irritating meetings followed--discussion and bargaining.
Wally insisted upon paying anything they asked, and putting a period to
the affair. But Mrs. Bryce was upheld by Clifford, in the idea that they
would beat them down to a much lower figure, if they persisted.

During this period Max was so furious at both Isabelle and Miss Watts
that it seemed wise for them to keep out of her way. They were like two
conspirators slipping in and out of the house. But the most annoying
detail was the espionage of Jean Jacques Petard. They soon discovered
that he lay in wait for them, near the house, and on all occasions save
when he was closeted with Bryce _pere et mere_, he was at the heels of
Bryce _fille_.

He made Miss Watts so nervous that she could hardly be induced to go
out. Isabelle was all for having a talk with the man, and speaking her
mind, but Miss Watts prevented this. She repeatedly said that she must
tell Mr. Bryce of his behaviour, but Isabelle begged her not to do that
as it would only result in their being ordered to stay indoors. After
all, he did not speak to them, his presence could not hurt them. Let him
follow!

These were the most difficult days Isabelle had ever known. Usually,
before, she had rescued herself with a high hand, from her escapades.
But this thing had descended upon her head, like an avalanche, and for
once, she saw no way of extricating herself.

Then, too, she was so homesick for Bermuda that she could scarcely bear
the thought of it. The long, happy days, with Percy and Jack at heel,
and Captain Larry O'Leary somewhere on the horizon, they haunted her. It
was ten whole days since they left them, and not a word from any of
them. To come from that paradise into this prison--from that atmosphere
of devotion to this one of reproach--from that freedom--to this--tagged
by the horrid little Frenchman!

The strain was telling upon poor Miss Watts, too. She was thinner than
ever, and she looked haunted. Isabelle begged her to leave her, but she
always replied: "My dear, we will face this together."

But in her innermost heart Miss Watts lamented that Isabelle had not
tried harder to interest Captain O'Leary. He was the right man for her,
she knew it; and they certainly did need a man o