caise_.

"Madame Vine, ma'am," quoth Peter to his mistress, as he ushered in Lady
Isabel.

The old familiar drawing-room; its large handsome proportions, the well
arranged furniture, its bright chandelier! It all came back to her with
a heart-sickness. No longer _her_ drawing-room, that she should take
pride in it; she had flung it away from her when she flung away the
rest.

Seated under the blaze of the chandelier was Barbara. Not a day older
did she look than when Lady Isabel had first seen her at the churchyard
gates, when she had inquired of her husband who was that pretty girl.
"Barbara Hare," he answered. Ay. She was Barbara Hare then, but now
she was Barbara Carlyle; and she, she, who had been Isabel Carlyle, was
Isabel Vane again! Oh, woe! Woe!

Inexpressibly more beautiful, looked Barbara than Lady Isabel had
ever seen her--or else she fancied it. Her evening dress was of pale
sky-blue--no other color suited Barbara so well, and there was no other
she was so fond of--and on her fair neck there was a gold chain, and
on her arms were gold bracelets. Her pretty features were attractive
as ever; her cheeks were flushed; her blue eyes sparkled, and her light
hair was rich and abundant. A contrast, her hair, to that of the worn
woman opposite to her.

Barbara came forward, her hand stretched out with a kindly greeting. "I
hope you are not very much tired after your journey?"

Lady Isabel murmured something--she did not know what--and pushed the
chair set for her as much as possible into the shade.

"You are not ill, are you?" uttered Barbara, noting the intensely pale
face--as much as could be seen of it for the cap and the spectacles.

"Not ill," was the low answer; "only a little fatigued."

"Would you prefer that I spoke with you in the morning? You would like,
possibly, to retire to bed at once."

But Lady Isabel declined. Better get the interview over by candlelight
than by daylight.

"You look so very pale, I feared you might be ill."

"I am generally pale; sometimes remarkably so; but my health is good."

"Mrs. Latimer wrote us word that you would be quite sure to suit us,"
freely spoke Barbara. "I hope you will; and that you may find your
residence here agreeable. Have you lived much in England?"

"In the early portion of my life."

"And you have lost your husband and your children? Stay. I beg your
pardon if I am making a mistake; I think Mrs. Latimer did mention
children."

"I have los