Not unmeaning phrases of rhapsody, about hearts and darts and dying for her, such as somebody else might have given utterance to, but earnest-hearted words of deep tenderness, calculated to win upon the mind's good sense, as well as upon the ear and heart; and it may be that, had her imagination not been filled up with that "somebody else," she would have said "Yes," there and then.
They were suddenly interrupted.

Lady Mount Severn entered, and took in the scene at a glance; Mr.Carlyle's bent attitude of devotion, his imprisonment of the hands, and Isabel's perplexed and blushing countenance.

She threw up her head and her little inquisitive nose, and stopped short on the carpet; her freezing looks demanded an explanation, as plainly as looks can do it.

Mr.Carlyle turned to her, and by way of sparing Isabel, proceeded to introduce himself.

Isabel had just presence of mind left to name her: "Lady Mount Severn." "I am sorry that Lord Mount Severn should be absent, to whom I have the honor of being known," he said.