he was getting
up this concert in his desperate need. If it succeeded well, he could
then go on again; if not, he should be turned out of his home, and
his furniture sold for the two years' rent he owed--and he had seven
children.

Isabel, all her sympathies awakened, sought the earl. "Oh, papa! I have
to ask you the greatest favor. Will you grant it?"

"Ay, child, you don't ask them often. What is it?"

"I want you to take me to a concert at West Lynne."

The earl fell back in surprise, and stared at Isabel. "A concert at West
Lynne!" he laughed. "To hear the rustics scraping the fiddle! My dear
Isabel!"

She poured out what she had just heard, with her own comments and
additions. "Seven children, papa! And if the concert does not succeed he
must give up his home, and turn out into the streets with them--it is,
you see, almost a matter of life or death with him. He is very poor."

"I am poor myself," said the earl.

"I was so sorry for him when he was speaking. He kept turning red and
white, and catching up his breath in agitation; it was painful to him to
tell of his embarrassments. I am sure he is a gentleman."

"Well, you may take a pound's worth of tickets, Isabel, and give them to
the upper servants. A village concert!"

"Oh, papa, it is not--can't you see it is not? If we, you and I, will
promise to be present, all the families round West Lynne will attend,
and he will have the room full. They will go because we do--he said so.
Make a sacrifice for once, dearest papa, and go, if it be only for
an hour. _I_ shall enjoy it if there's nothing but a fiddle and a
tambourine."

"You gipsy! You are as bad as a professional beggar. There--go and tell
the fellow we will look in for half an hour."

She flew back to Mr. Kane, her eyes dancing. She spoke quietly, as she
always did, but her own satisfaction gladdened her voice.

"I am happy to tell you that papa has consented. He will take four
tickets and we will attend the concert."

The tears rushed into Mr. Kane's eyes; Isabel was not sure but they were
in her own. He was a tall, thin, delicate-looking man, with long, white
fingers, and a long neck. He faltered forth his thanks with an inquiry
whether he might be allowed to state openly that they would be present.

"Tell everybody," said she, eagerly. "Everybody you come across, if, as
you think, it will be the means of inducing people to attend. I shall
tell all friends who call upon me, and ask them to