that
you were married, every thought of you was rigidly repelled, and it was
arrant presumption in you to suppose anything else," she continued,
proudly, the angry tears suffusing her eyes.

The conference was here ended, to Isabel's great relief, by the entrance
of Everard, who looked inquiringly at each.

"How are you, old fellow?" he said (for Isabel's proud anger fled at his
approach), "what brought you here so unexpectedly?"

"Oh, a little private affair," he replied, looking rather uncomfortable;
but there was that in Louis's eye, as he said this, that made Isabel
distrust him; something that made her determined to put it out of his
power to misrepresent and make mischief. True, he had said how changed
he was, and spoken of the reformation his trials had made. Certainly he
had been more calm under disappointment than had been his wont. But
still she doubted him. She had seen that look before, and knew that it
was the same false Louis, not so changed as he imagined. The dark side
was only lying dormant; she could read his malicious enjoyment in that
cruel smile, and knew its meaning well. Meeting his glance with one of
proud defiance and quiet determination, which said, as plainly as words,
"I will thwart your fine plans, Mr. Louis," she said:

"You are aware that I was formerly engaged to Dr. Taschereau. His
business here to-day was to endeavor to renew that engagement. I need
not say how very strange and absurd this appears, as you are acquainted
with the circumstances under which the former engagement terminated."

"Yes, that was the 'little private affair,' but I find that you have
already won the prize; allow me to congratulate you."

Louis said this in a frank, pleasant manner, appearing to take his own
disappointment with so much good nature, at the same time blending a
certain degree of sadness in his tone as quite to deceive Everard and
win his sympathy. But the thundering black look which he cast at Isabel
fully convinced her that she was right.

"You will dine with us, of course," said Everard, cordially.

"I shall do so with pleasure," returned Louis.

Isabel bit her lip. "Just to see how much he can annoy me," she thought.
But if this was his object he must have been disappointed, so totally
unconscious of his presence did Isabel appear, and when he addressed her
personally her manner was colder than even Everard thought necessary.

The heat of the rooms became very oppressive during the even