ff in his narrative before he had reached the end.

"I understand," she said quietly, as he stopped in confusion. "You have
made one more sacrifice to my welfare. Robert! I believe you are the
noblest man that ever breathed the breath of life!"

His eyes sank before hers; he blushed like a boy. "I have done nothing
for you yet," he said. "Don't despair of the future, if the pocketbook
should not be found. I know who the man is who received the bank note;
and I have only to find him to decide the question whether it _is_ the
stolen note or not."

She smiled sadly as his enthusiasm. "Are you going back to Mr. Sharon to
help you?" she asked. "That trick he played me has destroyed _my_ belief
in him. He no more knows than I do who the thief really is."

"You are mistaken, Isabel. He knows--and I know." He stopped there, and
made a sign to her to be silent. One of the servants was approaching
them.

"Is the pocketbook found?" Moody asked.

"No, sir."

"Has Mr. Hardyman left the cottage?"

"He has just gone, sir. Have you any further instructions to give us?"

"No. There is my address in London, if the pocketbook should be found."

The man took the card that was handed to him and retired. Moody offered
his arm to Isabel. "I am at your service," he said, "when you wish to
return to your aunt."

They had advanced nearly as far as the tent, on their way out of the
grounds, when they were met by a gentleman walking towards them from the
cottage. He was a stranger to Isabel. Moody immediately recognized him
as Mr. Felix Sweetsir.

"Ha! our good Moody!" cried Felix. "Enviable man! you look younger than
ever." He took off his hat to Isabel; his bright restless eyes suddenly
became quiet as they rested on her. "Have I the honor of addressing
the future Mrs. Hardyman? May I offer my best congratulations? What has
become of our friend Alfred?"

Moody answered for Isabel. "If you will make inquiries at the cottage,
sir," he said, "you will find that you are mistaken, to say the least of
it, in addressing your questions to this young lady."

Felix took off his hat again--with the most becoming appearance of
surprise and distress.

"Something wrong, I fear?" he said, addressing Isabel. "I am, indeed,
ashamed if I have ignorantly given you a moment's pain. Pray accept
my most sincere apologies. I have only this instant arrived; my health
would not allow me to be present at the luncheon. Permit me to express
the earnest h