n his hiding place until he heard the movement
of the carriage-wheels, which informed him that his lawful mistress had
left the cottage! Isabel had at once called Hardyman, on the chance
that the carriage might yet be stopped. It was already out of sight, and
nobody knew which of two roads it had taken, both leading to London. In
this emergency, Isabel could only look at Hardyman and ask what was to
be done.

"I can't spare a servant till after the party," he answered. "The dog
must be tied up in the stables."

Isabel shook her head. Tommie was not accustomed to be tied up. He would
make a disturbance, and he would be beaten by the grooms. "I will take
care of him," she said. "He won't leave me."

"There's something else to think of besides the dog," Hardyman rejoined
irritably. "Look at these letters!" He pulled them out of his pocket as
he spoke. "Here are no less than seven men, all calling themselves my
friends, who accepted my invitation, and who write to excuse themselves
on the very day of the party. Do you know why? They're all afraid of my
father--I forgot to tell you he's a Cabinet Minister as well as a Lord.
Cowards and cads. They have heard he isn't coming and they think to
curry favor with the great man by stopping away. Come along, Isabel!
Let's take their names off the luncheon table. Not a man of them shall
ever darken my doors again!"

"I am to blame for what has happened," Isabel answered sadly. "I am
estranging you from your friends. There is still time, Alfred, to alter
your mind and let me go."

He put his arm round her with rough fondness. "I would sacrifice every
friend I have in the world rather than lose you. Come along!"

They left the cottage. At the entrance to the tent, Hardyman noticed
the dog at Isabel's heels, and vented his ill-temper, as usual with male
humanity, on the nearest unoffending creature that he could find. "Be
off, you mongrel brute!" he shouted. The tail of Tommie relaxed from its
customary tight curve over the small of his back; and the legs of Tommie
(with his tail between them) took him at full gallop to the friendly
shelter of the cupboard in the smoking-room. It was one of those
trifling circumstances which women notice seriously. Isabel said
nothing; she only thought to herself, "I wish he had shown his temper
when I first knew him!"

They entered the tent.

"I'll read the names," said Hardyman, "and you find the cards and tear
them up. Stop! I'll keep the c