‘Thank you,’ said Louis.  ’I think James will be able to ride out the storm independently.’

’I know that would be his wish.  And I think I heard that Mr. Dynevor objected to the school.  That might be one obstacle removed.’

Lady Conway comforted herself by flourishing on into predictions that all would now be right, and that poor dear Isabel would soon be a much richer woman than herself; while Louis listened to the castle-building, not thinking it worth while to make useless counter-prophecies.

The sisters were upstairs, assisting Isabel, and they all came down together.  The girls were crying; but Isabel’s dark, soft eyes, and noble head, had an air of calm, resolute elevation, which drove all Louis’s misgivings away, and which seemed quite beyond and above the region of Lady Conway’s caresses and affectionate speeches.  Walter and Virginia came up to the station, and parted with their sister with fondness that was much mure refreshing, Walter reiterating that his was the only plan.

‘Now, Fitzjocelyn,’ said Isabel, when they were shut into a coupe, ’tell me what you said about distress of mind.  It has haunted me whether you used those words.’

‘Could you doubt his distress at such a state of affairs?’

’I thought there could be no distress of mind where the suffering is for the truth.’

‘Ah! if he could quite feel it so!’

’What do you mean?  There has been a cabal against James from the first to make him lay aside his principles, and I cannot regret his refusal to submit to improper dictation, at whatever cost to myself.’

’I am afraid he better knows than you do what that cost is likely to be.’

‘Does he think I cannot bear poverty?’ exclaimed Isabel.

‘He had not said so—­’ began Louis; ‘but—­’

‘You both think me a poor, helpless creature,’ said Isabel, her eyes kindling as they had done in the midst of danger.  ’I can do better than you think.  I may be able myself to do something towards our maintenance.’

He could not help answering, in the tone that gave courtesy to almost any words, ’I am afraid it does not answer for the wife to be the bread-winner.’

‘Then you doubt my writing being worth anything?’ she asked, in a hurt tone of humility.  ’Tell me candidly, for it would be the greatest kindness;’ and her eye unconsciously sought the bag where lay Sir Hubert, whom all this time her imagination was exalting, as the hero who would free them from their distresses.

‘Worth much pleasure to me, to the world at large,’ said Louis; ’but--you told me to speak plainly—­to your home, would any remuneration be worth your own personal care?’

Isabel coloured, but did not speak.

Louis ventured another sentence—­’It is a delicate subject, but you must know better than I how far James would be likely to bear that another, even you, should work for his livelihood.’