aghast. 

 'Fitzjocelyn! Then it is Fitzjocelyn, is it?' he exclaimed.  'Then, why could he not set about it openly and honourably? Does his father object? I would not have thought it of you, Isabel, nor of the lad neither!' 

 'You need not think it, dear Mr. Mansell. There is nothing between Lord Fitzjocelyn and myself but the warmest friendship.' 

 'Isabel! Isabel! why are you making mysteries? I do not wish to pry into your affairs. I would have trusted you anywhere; but when it comes round to me that you have been sending a private messenger to one of the young gentlemen there, I don't know what to be at! I would not believe Mrs. Mansell at first; but I saw the boy, and he said you had sent him yourself. My dear, you may mean, very rightly—I am sure you do, but you must not set people talking! It is not acting rightly by me, Isabel; but I would not care for that, if it were acting rightly by yourself.'  And he gazed at her with a piteous, perplexed expression. 

 'Let me call mamma,' said Isabel. 

 'As you will, my dear, but cannot you let the simple truth come out between you and your own blood-relation, without all her words to come between? Can't you, Isabel? I am sure you and I shall understand each other.' 

 'That we shall,' replied Isabel, warmly.  'I have given her no promise. Dear Mr. Mansell, I have wished all along that you should know that I am engaged, with her full consent, to Mr. Frost Dynevor.' 

 'To the little black tutor!' cried Mr. Mansell, recoiling, but recollecting himself.  'I beg your pardon, my dear, he may be a very good man, but what becomes of all this scrambling over barricades with the young Lord?' 

 Isabel described the true history of her engagement; and it was received with a long, low whistle, by no means too complimentary. 

 'And what makes him come and hide in holes and corners, if this is all with your mamma's good will?' 

 'Mamma thought you would be displeased; she insisted on taking her own time for breaking it to you,' said Isabel. 

 'Was there ever a woman but must have her mystery? Well, I should have liked him better if he had not given into it!' 

 'He never did!' said Isabel, indignant enough to disclose in full the whole 

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