test intention of insulting you--I repeat
that the rank which Mr. Hardyman inherits makes it simply impossible for
him even to think of marrying Isabel. You will do well not to give him
any opportunities of meeting with her alone. And you will do better
still (seeing that he is so near a neighbor of yours) if you permit
Isabel to return to my protection, for a time at least. I will wait to
hear from you when you have thought the matter over at your leisure.
In the mean time, if I have inadvertently offended you, I ask your
pardon--and I wish you good-evening."

She bowed, and walked to the door. Miss Pink, as resolute as ever in
maintaining her pretensions, made an effort to match the great lady on
her own ground.

"Before you go, Lady Lydiard, I beg to apologize if I have spoken too
warmly on my side," she said. "Permit me to send for your carriage."

"Thank you, Miss Pink. My carriage is only at the village inn. I shall
enjoy a little walk in the cool evening air. Mr. Troy, I have no doubt,
will give me his arm." She bowed once more, and quietly left the room.

Reaching the little back garden of the villa, through an open door
at the further end of the hall, Lady Lydiard found Tommie rolling
luxuriously on Miss Pink's flower-beds, and Isabel and Mr. Troy in close
consultation on the gravel walk.

She spoke to the lawyer first.

"They are baiting the horses at the inn," she said. "I want your arm,
Mr. Troy, as far as the village--and, in return, I will take you back
to London with me. I have to ask your advice about one or two little
matters, and this is a good opportunity."

"With the greatest pleasure, Lady Lydiard. I suppose I must say good-by
to Miss Pink?"

"A word of advice to you, Mr. Troy. Take care how you ruffle Miss Pink's
sense of her own importance. Another word for your private ear. Miss
Pink is a fool."

On the lawyer's withdrawal, Lady Lydiard put her arm fondly round
Isabel's waist. "What were you and Mr. Troy so busy in talking about?"
she asked.

"We were talking, my Lady, about tracing the person who stole the
money," Isabel answered, rather sadly. "It seems a far more difficult
matter than I supposed it to be. I try not to lose patience and
hope--but it is a little hard to feel that appearances are against me,
and to wait day after day in vain for the discovery that is to set me
right."

"You are a dear good child," said Lady Lydiard; "and you are more
precious to me than ever. Don't