ISABEL looked down at the letter in her hand--considered it in silence--and turned to Moody.

"I feel tempted to open it already," she said.
"After giving your promise ?" Moody gently remonstrated.
Isabel met that objection with a woman's logic.
"Does a promise matter ?" she asked, "when one gives it to a dirty, disreputable, presuming old wretch like Mr.Sharon?
It's a wonder to me that you trust such a creature.

_I_ wouldn't!" "I doubted him just as you do," Moody answered, "when I first saw him in company with Mr.Troy.But there was something in the advice he gave us at that first consultation which altered my opinion of him for the better.

I dislike his appearance and his manners as much as you do--I may even say I felt ashamed of bringing such a person to see you.

And yet I can't think that I have acted unwisely in employing Mr.Sharon." Isabel listened absently.