Poor Ralph felt sick; he felt ashamed.

Isabel had uttered her last words with a low solemnity of conviction which virtually terminated the discussion, and she closed it formally by turning away and walking back to the house.

Ralph walked beside her, and they passed into the court together and reached the big staircase.

Here he stopped and Isabel paused, turning on him a face of elation--absolutely and perversely of gratitude.

His opposition had made her own conception of her conduct clearer to her.