of the wisdom of elder and graver heads.  Such regrets derived additional poignancy from the impossibility of conferring direct assistance upon James, and from the degree of justice in the hard measure which had been dealt to him, would make it for ever difficult to recommend him, and yet the devising future schemes for his welfare was the refuge which Louis’s mind most willingly sought from the present perplexity of the communication in store for poor Isabel.

As he put out his head at the Estminster station, a familiar voice shouted, ’Hollo!  Fitzjocelyn, how jolly!  Have you got James there?  I told Isabel it would be no use; but when she did not get a letter this morning, she would have it that he was coming, and got me to walk up with her.’

‘Where is she?’ asked Louis, as he jumped out and shook hands with Walter.

’Walking up and down the esplanade.  She would not come into the station, so I said I would run up to satisfy her.  I don’t know what she will say to you for not being Frost.’

‘Do you mean that she is anxious!’

’It is the correct thing, isn’t it, when wives get away from their husbands, and have not the fragment of a letter for twenty-four whole hours?  But what do you mean, Fitzjocelyn?’ asked the boy, suddenly sobering.  ‘Is anything really the matter?’

‘Yes, Walter,’ said Louis; ’we must tell your sister as best we can.  James is ill, and I am come for her.’

Walter was silent for a few minutes, then drew a sigh, saying, ’Poor Isabel, I wish it had not been!  These were the only comfortable holidays I have had since she chose to marry.’

Isabel here came in sight, quickening her pace as she first saw that her brother had a companion, but slackening in disappointment when she perceived that it was not her husband; then, the next moment hurrying on, and as she met them, exclaiming, ’Tell me at once!  What is it?’

‘Nothing serious,’ said Louis.  ’The children are all well, but I left James very uncomfortable, though with nothing worse than a fit of jaundice.’

The inexperienced Isabel hardly knew whether this were not as formidable as even the cherished brain-fever, and becoming very pale, she said, ‘I am ready at once—­Walter will let mamma know.’

‘There will be no train for two hours,’ said Louis.  ’You will have plenty of time to prepare.’

‘You should have telegraphed,’ said Isabel, ’I could have come by the first train.’

Trembling, she grasped Walter’s arm, and began hastening home, impatient to be doing something.  ‘I knew something was wrong,’ she exclaimed; ’I ought to have gone home yesterday, when there was no letter.’

’Indeed, there—­was nothing the matter yesterday, at least, with his health,’ said Louis.  ‘You are alarming yourself far too much—­’

‘To be sure, Isabel,’ chimed in Walter.  ’A fellow at my tutor’s had it, and did nothing but wind silkworm’s silk all the time.  We shall have James yet to spend Christmas with us.  Everybody laughs at the jaundice, though Fitzjocelyn does look so lugubrious that he had almost frightened me.’