They talked of Northwold, and Isabel mentioned various details of Mrs. Ponsonby, which she had learnt from Miss King, and talked of Mary with great feeling and affection.  Never had Louis had anything so like a conversation with Isabel, and he was more bewitched than ever by the enthusiasm and depth of sensibilities which she no longer concealed by coldness and reserve.  In fact, she had come to regard him as an accessory of Northwold, and was delighted to enjoy some exchange of sympathy upon Terrace subjects—­above all, when separated from the school-room party.  Time had brought her to perceive that the fantastic Viscount did not always wear motley, and it was almost as refreshing as meeting with Clara, to have some change from the two worlds in which she lived.  In her imaginary world, Adeline had just been rescued from the Corsairs by a knight hospitalier, with his vizor down, and was being conducted home by him, with equal probabilities of his dying at her feet of a concealed mortal wound, or conducting her to her convent gate, and going off to be killed by the Moors.  The world of gaiety was more hollow and wearisome than ever; and the summons was as unwelcome to her as to Fitzjocelyn, when Lord Ormersfield reminded him that the ladies were going to an evening party, and that it was time to take leave.

‘Come with us, Fitzjocelyn,’ said his aunt.  ’They would be charmed to have you;’ and she mentioned some lions, whose names made Louis look at his father.

‘I will send the carriage for you,’ said the Earl; but Louis had learnt to detect the tone of melancholy reluctance in that apparently unalterable voice, and at once refused.  Perhaps it was for that reason that Isabel let him put on her opera-cloak and hand her down stairs.  ‘I don’t wonder at you,’ she said; ’I wish I could do the same.’

‘I wished it at first,’ he answered; ’but I could not have gone without a heavy heart.’

’Are you young enough to expect to go to any gaieties without a heavy heart?’

‘I am sorry for you,’ said he, in his peculiar tone:  ’I suppose I am your elder.’

‘I am almost twenty-four,’ she said, with emphasis.

’Indeed!  That must be the age for care, to judge by the change it has worked in Jem Frost.’

The words were prompted by a keen, sudden desire to mark their effect; but he failed to perceive any, for they were in a dark part of the entry, and her face was turned away.

‘Fitzjocelyn,’ said the Earl, on the way home, ’do not think it necessary to look at me whenever you receive an invitation.  It makes us both appear ridiculous, and you are in every respect your own master.’

‘I had rather not, thank you,’ said Louis, in an almost provokingly indifferent tone.

‘It is full time you should assume your own guidance.’

‘How little he knows how little that would suit him!’ thought Louis, sighing despondingly.  ’Am I called on to sacrifice myself in everything, and never even satisfy him?’