e could be first assured of a
courteous and tolerant reception by the family--if she could hope for no
warmer welcome at their hands.

Hardyman was not a man who yielded easily, even in trifles. In the
present case, his dearest interests were concerned in inducing Isabel
to reconsider her decision. He was still vainly trying to shake her
resolution, when the afternoon post brought a letter for Miss Pink which
introduced a new element of disturbance into the discussion. The letter
was nothing less than Lady Lydiard's reply to the written announcement
of Isabel's engagement, despatched on the previous day by Miss Pink.

Her Ladyship's answer was a surprisingly short one. It only contained
these lines:

"Lady Lydiard begs to acknowledge the receipt of Miss Pink's letter
requesting that she will say nothing to Mr. Hardyman of the loss of
a bank-note in her house, and, assigning as a reason that Miss Isabel
Miller is engaged to be married to Mr. Hardyman, and might be prejudiced
in his estimation if the facts were made known. Miss Pink may make her
mind easy. Lady Lydiard had not the slightest intention of taking Mr.
Hardyman into her confidence on the subject of her domestic affairs.
With regard to the proposed marriage, Lady Lydiard casts no doubt on
Miss Pink's perfect sincerity and good faith; but, at the same time,
she positively declines to believe that Mr. Hardyman means to make
Miss Isabel Miller his wife. Lady L. will yield to the evidence of a
properly-attested certificate--and to nothing else."

A folded piece of paper, directed to Isabel, dropped out of this
characteristic letter as Miss Pink turned from the first page to the
second. Lady Lydiard addressed her adopted daughter in these words:

"I was on the point of leaving home to visit you again, when I received
your aunt's letter. My poor deluded child, no words can tell how
distressed I am about you. You are already sacrificed to the folly of
the most foolish woman living. For God's sake, take care you do not fall
a victim next to the designs of a profligate man. Come to me instantly,
Isabel, and I promise to take care of you."

Fortified by these letters, and aided by Miss Pink's indignation,
Hardyman pressed his proposal on Isabel with renewed resolution. She
made no attempt to combat his arguments--she only held firmly to her
decision. Without some encouragement from Hardyman's father and mother
she still steadily refused to become his wife. Irrita