Keep an eye on our friend, please, while I prepare Isabel for it.

My word!"-- and he heaved a prodigious sigh-- "I'd give something to be through with the next ten minutes!" He opened the door and, passing through, closed it as quickly behind him.

He was absent for half an hour perhaps.

We could hear the mutter of his voice in the next room and now and again another masculine voice interrupting--never Isabel's.

The Rector had found a seat for Miss Belcher beside the bureau.