which you shall need to go
no further."

Last came Lady Lisle's secrets. Her complaint was short and decided,
like most things she said.

"Frank is a born fool to set her against Mr Monke. He would make her a
jointure of eighty pounds by the year, and he spendeth two hundred by
the year and more. And is a gentleman born, and hath a fair house, and
ne father ne mother to gainsay her in whatsoever she would. Doth the
jade look for a Duke or a Prince, trow? Methinks she may await long ere
she find them."

Isoult thought, but she did not say, that in all probability what
Frances wished was only to be let alone. The result of these repeated
confidences was that Isoult began to want a confidante also; and as Dr
Thorpe had asked her to find out what was distressing Lady Frances, she
laid the whole matter before him. When he was put in possession of as
much as Isoult knew, he said thoughtfully--

"'Tis my Lady Lisle, then, that doth chiefly urge her?"

"I think so much," she replied. "Methinks Mrs Philippa doth but follow
my Lady her mother; and should trouble her but little an' she did
cease."

"She will cease ere long," he answered sadly.

"You think so, Dr Thorpe?" said Isoult, mistaking his meaning. "I shall
verily be of good cheer when she doth so."

"You do misconceive me, Mrs Avery," said he. "I do not signify that she
shall leave it of her good will; nay, nor perchance ere death take her.
But that will be ere long."

"Dr Thorpe!" cried Isoult. "You would say--"

"I would say," answered he, "that my Lady Lisle's life is scantly worth
twelve months' purchase. Methought it better to let you know so much,
Mrs Avery, for I would not give you but Scarborough warning." [Note 7.]

"Woe worth the day!" said Isoult.

"The Lady Frances is but ill off touching her health," replied he, "but
with her 'tis rather the soul than the body that doth suffer. Rest from
sorrow and vexations might yet avail for her. But neither rest, nor
physic, nor aught save a miracle from God, can avail, as methinks, for
the Lady Lisle."

When Isoult came down into the little parlour the day after, she was
surprised to find there a stranger, in close conversation with Lady
Lisle and Philippa. She hesitated a moment whether to enter, but Lady
Lisle desired her to come in; so she sat down and began to work. Little
of the conversation reached her, for it was conducted almost in
whispers; until the door opened, and Lady Franc