but try to coax the strength back again, change of air and scene
are of immense benefit."

"I will propose it to her," said Mr. Carlyle.

"I have just done so," replied Dr. Martin, who was the other speaker.
"She met it with objection, which I expected, for invalids naturally
feel a disinclination to move from home. But it is necessary that she
should go."

The object of their conversation was Lady Isabel. Years had gone on,
and there were three children now at East Lynne--Isabel, William, and
Archibald--the latter twelve months old. Lady Isabel had, a month or two
back, been attacked with illness; she recovered from the disorder; but
it had left her in an alarming state of weakness; she seemed to get
worse instead of better, and Dr. Martin was summoned from Lynneborough.
The best thing he could recommend--as you save seen--was change of air.

Lady Isabel was unwilling to take the advice; more especially to go so
far as the "French coast." And but for a circumstance that seemed to
have happened purposely to induce her to decide, would probably never
have gone. Mrs. Ducie--the reader may not have forgotten her name--had,
in conjunction with her husband, the honorable Augustus, somewhat run
out at the elbows, and found it convenient to enter for a time on the
less expensive life of the Continent. For eighteen months she had been
staying in Paris, the education of her younger daughters being the plea
put forth, and a very convenient plea it is, and serves hundreds.
Isabel had two or three letters from her during her absence, and she
now received another, saying they were going to spend a month or two at
Boulogne-sur-Mer. Mr. Carlyle, Mr. Wainwright, and Dr. Martin--in short,
everybody--declared this must remove all Lady Isabel's unwillingness to
go from home, for Mrs. Ducie's society would do away with the loneliness
she had anticipated, which had been the ostensible score of her
objection.

"Boulogne-sur-Mer, of all places, in the world!" remonstrated Lady
Isabel. "It is spoken of as being crowded and vulgar."

"The more amusing for you, my lady," cried Dr. Martin, while Mr. Carlyle
laughed at her. And finding she had no chance against them all, she
consented to go, and plans were hastily decided upon.

"Joyce," said Lady Isabel to her waiting maid, "I shall leave you at
home; I must take Wilson instead."

"Oh, my lady! What have I done?"

"You have done all that you ought, Joyce, but you must stay with the
chi