When my brother misses us, he and your charming niece will return to look for us in the cottage." Under cover of this arrangement the separation became complete.

Miss Pink held forth on education to Mrs.Drumblade in the parlor; while Hardyman and Isabel were on their way to a paddock at the farthest limits of the property.
"I am afraid you are getting a little tired," said Hardyman.

"Won't you take my arm ?" Isabel was on her guard: she had not forgotten what Lady Lydiard had said to her.

"No, thank you, Mr.Hardyman; I am a better walker than you think." Hardyman continued the conversation in his blunt, resolute way.

"I wonder whether you will believe me," he asked, "if I tell you that this is one of the happiest days of my life." "I should think you were always happy," Isabel cautiously replied, "having such a pretty place to live in as this." Hardyman met that answer with one of his quietly-positive denials.