hey reached the park gates. "I wish I could go with you and be your
clerk," she cried, unwilling to release his hand. "I should not have all
that long way to go back by myself."

He laughed and shook his head, telling her that she wanted to bribe
him into taking her back, but it could not be. And away he went, after
saying farewell.

CHAPTER XVI.

DOMESTIC TROUBLES.

Isabel wandered back, and then wandered through the rooms; they looked
lovely; not as they had seemed to look in her father's time. In her
dressing-room knelt Marvel, unpacking. She rose when Lady Isabel
entered.

"Can I speak to you a moment, if you please my lady?"

"What is it?"

Then Marvel poured forth her tale. That she feared so small an
establishment would not suit her, and if my lady pleased, she would like
to leave at once--that day. Anticipating it, she had not unpacked her
things.

"There has been some mistake about the servants, Marvel, but it will be
remedied as soon as possible. And I told you before I married that Mr.
Carlyle's establishment would be a limited one."

"My lady perhaps I could put up with that; but I never could stop in the
house with--" "that female Guy" had been on the tip of Marvel's tongue,
but she remembered in time of whom she was speaking--"with Miss Carlyle.
I fear, my lady, we have both got tempers that would slash, and might be
flying at each other. I could not stop, my lady, for untold gold. And if
you please to make me forfeit my running month's salary, why I must do
it. So when I have set your ladyship's things to rights, I hope you'll
allow me to go."

Lady Isabel would not condescend to ask her to remain, but she wondered
how she should manage the inconvenience. She drew her desk toward her.
"What is the amount due to you?" she inquired, as she unlocked it.

"Up to the end of the quarter, my lady?" cried Marvel, in a brisk tone.

"No," coldly answered Lady Isabel. "Up to to-day."

"I have not had time to reckon, my lady."

Lady Isabel took a pencil and paper, made out the account, and laid
it down in gold and silver on the table. "It is more than you deserve,
Marvel," she remarked, "and more than you would get in most places. You
ought to have given me proper notice."

Marvel melted into tears, and began a string of excuses. "She
should never have wished to leave so kind a lady, but for attendant
ill-conveniences, and she hoped my lady would not object to testify to
her character."

Lad