Mr. Carlyle and Lady Isabel, with Wilson and Peter in attendance, arrived at Boulogne, and proceeded to the Hotel des Bains.  It may be as well to mention that Peter had been transferred from Miss Carlyle’s service to theirs, when the establishment was first formed at East Lynne.  Upon entering the hotel they inquired for Mrs. Ducie, and then a disappointment awaited them.  A letter was handed them which had arrived that morning from Mrs. Ducie, expressing her regret that certain family arrangements prevented her visiting Boulogne; she was proceeding to some of the baths in Germany instead.

“I might almost have known it,” remarked Isabel.  “She was always the most changeable of women.”

Mr. Carlyle went out in search of lodgings, Isabel objecting to remain in the bustling hotel.  He succeeded in finding some very desirable ones, situated in the Rue de l’Ecu, near the port, and they moved into them.  He thought the journey had done her good, for she looked better, and said she already felt stronger.  Mr. Carlyle remained with her three days; he had promised only one, but he was pleased with everything around him, pleased with Isabel’s returning glimpses of health, and amused with the scenes of the busy town.

The tide served at eight o’clock the following morning, and Mr. Carlyle left by the Folkestone boat.  Wilson made his breakfast, and after swallowing it in haste, he returned to his wife’s room to say farewell.

“Good-bye, my love,” he said, stooping to kiss her, “take care of yourself.”

“Give my dear love to the darlings, Archibald.  And—­and——­”

“And what?” he asked.  “I have not a moment to lose.”

“Do not get making love to Barbara Hare while I am away.”

She spoke in a tone half jest, half serious—­could he but have seen how her heart was breaking!  Mr. Carlyle took it wholly as a jest, and went away laughing.  Had he believed she was serious, he could have been little more surprised had she charged him not to go about the country on a dromedary.

Isabel rose later, and lingered over her breakfast, listless enough.  She was wondering how she would make the next few weeks pass; what she should do with her time.  She had taken two sea baths since her arrival, but they had appeared not to agree with her, leaving her low and shivering afterwards, so it was not deemed advisable that she should attempt more.  It was a lovely morning, and she determined to venture on to the pier, to where they had sat on the previous evening.  She had not Mr. Carlyle’s arm, but it was not far, and she could take a good rest at the end of it.