good, for I could not have you in the room. Good-bye, darling. If you
see Carlyle, tell him I shall hope to see him to-morrow."

The room was partly full when Mrs. Ducie, her two daughters, and Lady
Isabel entered, and were conducted to seats by Mr. Kane--seats he
had reserved for them at the upper end, near the orchestra. The same
dazzling vision which had burst on the sight of Lord Mount Severn fell
on that of the audience, in Isabel, with her rich, white dress, her
glittering diamonds, her flowing curls, and her wondrous beauty. The
Misses Ducie, plain girls, in brown silks, turned up their noses worse
than nature had done it for them, and Mrs. Ducie heaved an audible sigh.

"The poor motherless girl is to be pitied, my dears," she whispered;
"she has nobody to point out to her suitable attire. This ridiculous
decking out must have been Marvel's doings."

But she looked like a lily among poppies and sunflowers whether the
"decking out" was ridiculous or not. Was Lord Mount Severn right, when
he accused her of dressing so in self-gratification? Very likely, for
has not the great preacher said that childhood and youth are vanity?

Miss Carlyle, the justice, and Barbara also had seats near the
orchestra; for Miss Carlyle, in West Lynne, was a person to be
considered, and not hidden behind others. Mr. Carlyle, however,
preferred to join the gentlemen who congregated and stood round about
the door inside and out. There was scarcely standing room in the place;
Mr. Kane had, as was anticipated, got a bumper, and the poor man could
have worshipped Lady Isabel, for he knew he owed it to her.

It was very long--country concerts generally are--and was about three