Absorbed in the dog, Lady Lydiard answered, "Isabel is doing nothing, let Isabel seal it.

Show Mr.Hardyman in here," she continued, turning to Isabel, "and then seal a letter of mine which you will find on the table." "And when you have sealed it," careful Mr.Moody added, "put it back on the table; I will take charge of it when her Ladyship has done with me." Such were the special instructions which now detained Isabel in the drawing-room.

She lighted the taper, and closed and sealed the open envelope, without feeling curiosity enough even to look at the address.
Mr.Hardyman was the uppermost subject in her thoughts.

Leaving the sealed letter on the table, she returned to the fireplace, and studied her own charming face attentively in the looking-glass.

The time passed--and Isabel's reflection was still the subject of Isabel's contemplation.