Isabel Leicester

o Elm Grove, and was in a very similar condition to what she had been on that occasion. On her arrival at Eastwood, Ada embracing her exclaimed "Oh! here you are at last my own darling Isabel, I hav

arm yourself dearest, for you seem half frozen," she continued as she hurried Isabel into the cosy l

th chattering with cold. "I am sadly chilled with this piercing wind, Oh! this is nice"

w delightful, you will help me to arrange the gim-cracks on the Xmas tree, won't you my pet

ecover the use of my fingers

sonable as that," Lucy answered, seating herself upon an ottoman. "Here I am your humble servant to c

mamma know that Isabel has

"to usher my illustrious mother to the pr

e same nonsensical

very warm welcome. She could not help shedding tears of happiness and gratitude, when Mrs. Mornington embracing her said, "ever look upon this as your home dear child, whenever you like to come you will always

was given her as of old; it was evident that her al

ds. Bob's party went off with great eclat, and the perfect succ

r advice was almost invariably taken. This annoyed Lady Ashton extremely, and she often succeeded in vexing her, and making her feel very uncomfortable. But Lady Ashton's disagreeable behaviour did not annoy Isabel so

rmined to prevent it-she resolved to put a stop to it, so seeing him seated next Isabel at dinner, she asked her across the table how her little pup

were quite well when she left them, and that s

ould possibly give) and Arthur finding her pre-occupied, transferred his attention to Mabel Ainsley, so that Isabel was left to the mercy of a queer old gentleman who sat next her on the other side, who was exceedingly deaf, and stuttered dreadfully. Nor did Lady Ashton's evident satisfaction tend to make her feel more at ease, so that she was heartily gla

ton," replied Isabel coldly, "a

o apologize for," she added with a contemptuous little laugh, "I was about to say" she continued, "that th

replied Isabel with dign

interrupted me so rudely) from my observations, I thought it high time that Mr. Barrington should be reminded of your position, as I know that his father would n

abel, "I am convinced that my position is of no consequence to Mr. Barrington,

would be only too glad to make such a match, and he is just foolish enough to take a fancy to a pretty face. But I

cannot permit it," said Isabel, and then with dignified composure she crossed the room

t to the party generally, tho' all agreed that it

y Ashton had nothing to warrant her conjecture, but her own surmises,) made no alteration in her manners. She found him a very agreeable companion, and imagined that he too found her society pleasant, as indeed he did, beautiful, accomplished, and good-natured, how could she be otherwise than attractive. But Lady Ashton's chagrin knew

e cause. Moreover, she was not easily influenced by others, and her decisions were usually just. But the hot blood suffused her cheeks as Lady Ashton concluded. Fortunately Lucy entered the room, and th

ived were particularly painful, being both unfeeling and uncalled for. However, upon retiring to her own room at night, she found upon

-, so that I trust dearest, the period of your teaching will not be of long duration, as there will then be no cause to delay our union. I alrea

. I would not advise your taking any steps at present, as my uncle does not say positively that the purchase is ab

ow how radiantly happy she was. Ah, with what sweet visions of a bright unclouded futur

ccepted him, so she taxed him with it accordingly. Arthur was excessively amused, and so archly evaded giving a direct answer, that she became the more convinced of the truth of her own surmise