k they are going to stop there; they
say they have taken papa."

After a pause of bewildered astonishment, the housekeeper left her
standing where she was, and went to the earl's chamber, to see if
she could fathom the mystery of the words. Isabel leaned against the
balustrades; partly for support, partly that she seemed afraid to stir
from them; and the ominous disturbances downstairs reached her ears.
Strangers, interlopers, appeared to be in the hall, talking vehemently,
and complaining in bitter tones. More and more terrified, she held her
breath to listen.

"Where's the good of your seeing the young lady?" cried the butler, in
a tone of remonstrance. "She knows nothing about the earl's affairs; she
is in grief enough just now, without any other worry."

"I will see her," returned a dogged voice. "If she's too start-up and
mighty to come down and answer a question or two, why I'll find my way
on to her. Here we are a shameful crowd of us, swindled out of our own,
told there's nobody we can speak to; nobody here but the young lady, and
she must not be troubled. She didn't find it trouble to help to spend
our money. She has got no honor and feelings of a lady, if she don't
come and speak to us. There."

Repressing her rebellious emotions, Lady Isabel glided partly down
the staircase, and softy called to the butler. "What is all this?" she
asked. "I must know."

"Oh, my lady, don't go amongst those rough men! You can't do any good;
pray go back before they see you. I have sent for Mr. Carlyle, and
expect him here momentarily."

"Did Papa owe them _all_ money?" she said, shivering.

"I'm afraid he did, my lady."

She went swiftly on; and passing through the few stragglers in the hall,
entered the dining-room, where the chief mass had congregated, and the
hubbub was loudest. All anger, at least external anger, was hushed at
her sight. She looked so young, so innocent, so childlike in her pretty
morning dress of peach-colored muslin, her fair face shaded by its
falling curls, so little fit to combat with, or understand _their_
business, that instead of pouring forth complaints, they hushed them
into silence.

"I heard some one calling out that I ought to see you," she began, her
agitation causing the words to come forth in a jerking manner. "What did
you want with me?"

Then they poured forth their complaints, but not angrily, and she
listened till she grew sick. There were many and formidable claims;
promis