‘I should have said, practical life made things real,’ gaid Miss King.

Isabel had not found out that having duties and not doing them was less practical than having no particular task.

Another cloud of mystery was over the relations with Mr. Dynevor and Clara.  Isabel baffled all Lady Conway’s inquiries and advice by entering into no particulars, but adhering to her own version of the matter, ’that Mr. Dynevor had required of James conditions incompatible with his duty,’ and not deigning to explain either duty or conditions, as beyond the capacity of her hearer.

Of Clara no account was vouchsafed, except that Isabel believed she was abroad; ‘they had been very much disappointed in her,’ and Isabel was afraid that she was a good deal altered; and the snbject seemed so painful, that Virginia did not venture to push her inquiries any farther.

The great subject of interest in the Conway family was that Virginia and Louisa were going to lose their maid; and the suggestion somehow arose that Charlotte should be her successor.  It was agreed on all hands that nature had formed her for a lady’s-maid, and a few lessons from a hairdresser would make her perfection; and she would be invaluable in reading to Louisa when restless and unable to sleep.

Isabel gave herself credit for the most notable arrangement she had ever made—­promoting the little maiden, whom she really liked, and relieving herself from the constant annoyance about sparing Ellen from the nursery by obtaining a stronger housemaid.  She had only a few scruples, or rather she knew that James would have some, as to exposing Charlotte to Delaford’s attentions after what she had heard in Clara’s letter; but the least hint on this score led to a panegyric upon Delaford’s perfections—­his steadiness, his prudence, his cleverness on journeys, his usefulness in taking care of Walter.  ‘I know that Walter is safe when he is with Delaford,’ said Lady Conway.  And even the sensible Miss King observed, smiling, ’that there always would be nonsense between men and maidservants; and there were many more dangerous places than the present.  She would watch over Charlotte, and Fanshawe was quite to be trusted.’

The Conway family knew rather less about their own servants’ hall than they did of feudal establishments five hundred years ago.

Still, Isabel, in her superior prudence, resolved to consult Fanshawe on the true state of affairs.  Fanshawe was a comfortable portly personage, chiefly absorbed in her caps and her good cheer, and faring smoothly through life, on the principle of always saying what was expected of her, and never seeing anything to anybody’s disadvantage.

She assured Mrs. James Frost that she did not think Delaford to blame; many girls would be foolish about a man with personal advantages, but she could not see it was his fault.  Poor Marianne had been always weakly, and, ’After all, ma’am, some young women will put constructions upon anything,’ said Mrs. Fanshawe, deciding that at least she should make no mischief by sacrificing poor Marianne.