g them a farewell party, she would
take no denial, saying that if Everard did not come, that she would not
believe that he forgave her."

Grace and Emily were delighted, saying, it was the very thing, and Alice
was half wild with glee at being included in the invitation, and also
allowed to go.

So Isabel had a new white dress for the occasion, and now that she was
no longer the governess, she arrayed herself with some of the beautiful
and costly jewels, which her fathers creditors had refused to take,
(though they were offered them by Isabel,) which had not seen the light
since she came to Elm Grove.

"Oh Isabel, now you look like yourself" said Lucy, who had arrived just
in time to be of the party.

"How sly of you Isabel, not to let us see them before" cried Emily
examining them "what beauties," and Mrs. Arlington looked very
approvingly at her future daughter-in-law. "I think that you are the
proudest girl I ever saw, Isabel," she said reproachfully.

"Oh mamma, not proud, only sensitive," interposed Alice warmly.

"I think you were wrong my dear" continued Mrs. Arlington without
heeding Alice.

"Please don't', pleaded Isabel the tears gathering in her eyes "I could
not help feeling so, indeed I could not."

"Don't blame her mamma, it does not matter now," put in Emily.

"She was a stupid little goose to care so much about it; and I always
said so," chimed in Lucy.

"Pray who is a stupid little goose," asked Everard joining the group in
the drawing-room.

"Ask no questions----you know the rest" returned Lucy saucily.

"Dear me, how late we shall be" cried Emily "what can make papa and
Harry so long."

"On arriving at the Park, an unexpected pleasure caused a great deal of
excitement. On entering the dressing-room they met Ada. "Oh, when did
you come." I'm so glad." "How delightful." Burst from them
simultaneously, as Ada was hugged in a manner that bid fair to ruin the
effect of her careful toilet.

"Didn't Lucy tell you," asked Ada amazed.

"Not I," cried Lucy triumphantly.

"Oh Lucy."

Then a thundering rap at the door from Harry, who was impatient to see
his sister; made them hasten down, all in high spirits at the unlooked
for meeting.

Lady Ashton hardly seemed herself she was so pleasant, and even Grace
did the agreeable to perfection.

Lucy, lectured Everard, and condemned severely his taking Isabel to be
eaten up by savages; as she persisted would be the case if he carried
out his