'You may have it,' said Louis. 'If anything were wanting, the
coincidence proves that you were cut out for one another. I rejoice
that the moon does not stoop from her sphere.'


'My Dear Cousin,--I trust to you to prevent Mr. F. Dynevor from being
hurt or disappointed; and, indeed, I scarcely think he will, though I
should not avail myself of the permission for meeting him so kindly
intended. I saw at once that you felt as I did, and as I know he
will. He would not like me to have cause to blush before my kind
friends--to know that I had acted a deceit, nor to set an example to
my sisters for which they might not understand the justification. I
know that you will obtain my pardon, if needed; and to be assured of
it, would be all that would be required to complete the grateful
happiness of
'Isabel.'


The boy had orders not to wait; and these being seconded by fears of
something that 'walked' in Ebbscreek wood after dark, he was gone
before an answer could be thought of. It mattered the less, since
Isabel must receive James's note early in the morning; and so, in
fact, she did--and she was blushing over it, and feeling as if she
could never have borne to meet his eye but for the part she had
fortunately taken, when Louisa tapped at her door, with a message
that Mr. Mansell wished to speak with her, if she were ready.

She went down-stairs still in a glow; and her old friend's first
words were a compliment on her roses, so pointed, that she doubted
for a moment whether he did not think them suspicious, especially as