ou, except to love you with all
my heart. Still, it's a great encouragement to hear that her Ladyship's
views agree with mine--"

"They don't agree, Mr. Hardyman!" protested poor Isabel. "You are
entirely misrepresenting--"

Hardyman cordially concurred in this view of the matter. "Yes! yes! I
can't pretend to represent her Ladyship's language, or yours either; I
am obliged to take my words as they come to me. Don't disturb yourself:
it's all right--I understand. You have made me the happiest man living.
I shall ride over to-morrow to your aunt's house, and hear what you have
to say to me. Mind you're at home! Not a day must pass now without my
seeing you. I do love you, Isabel--I do, indeed!" He stooped, and kissed
her heartily. "Only to reward me," he explained, "for giving you time to
think."

She drew herself away from him--resolutely, not angrily. Before she
could make a third attempt to place the subject in its right light
before him, the luncheon bell rang at the cottage--and a servant
appeared evidently sent to look for them.

"Don't forget to-morrow," Hardyman whispered confidentially. "I'll call
early--and then go to London, and get the ring."

CHAPTER XVII.

EVENTS succeeded each other rapidly, after the memorable day to Isabel
of the luncheon at the farm.

On the next day (the ninth of the month) Lady Lydiard sent for her
steward, and requested him to explain his conduct in repeatedly leaving
the house without assigning any reason for his absence. She did not
dispute his claims to a freedom of action which would not be permitted
to an ordinary servant. Her objection to his present course of
proceeding related entirely to the mystery in which it was involved, and
to the uncertainty in which the household was left as to the hour of
his return. On those grounds, she thought herself entitled to an
explanation. Moody's habitual reserve--strengthened, on this occasion,
by his dread of ridicule, if his efforts to serve Isabel ended in
failure--disinclined him to take Lady Lydiard into his confidence,
while his inquiries were still beset with obstacles and doubts. He
respectfully entreated her Ladyship to grant him a delay of a few
weeks before he entered on his explanation. Lady Lydiard's quick temper
resented his request. She told Moody plainly that he was guilty of an
act of presumption in making his own conditions with his employer. He
received the reproof with exemplary resignation; but he held t