‘My dear Lord Warburton,’ she said, smiling, ‘you may do, so far as I’m concerned, whatever comes into your head.’

And with this she got up and wandered into the adjoining room, where, within her companion’s view, she was immediately addressed by a pair of gentlemen, high personages in the Roman world, who met her as if they had been looking for her. While she talked with them she found herself regretting she had moved; it looked a little like running away—all the more as Lord Warburton didn’t follow her. She was glad of this, however, and at any rate she was satisfied. She was so well satisfied that when, in passing back into the ball-room, she found Edward Rosier still planted in the doorway, she stopped and spoke to him again. ‘You did right not to go away I’ve some comfort for you.’

‘I need it,’ the young man softly wailed, ‘when I see you so awfully thick with him!’

‘Don’t speak of him; I’ll do what I can for you. I’m afraid it won’t be much, but what I can I’ll do.’

He looked at her with gloomy obliqueness. ‘What has suddenly brought you round?’

‘The sense that you are an inconvenience in doorways!’ she answered, smiling as she passed him. Half an hour later she took leave, with Pansy, and at the foot of the staircase the two ladies, with many other departing guests, waited a while for their carriage. Just as it approached Lord Warburton came out of the house and assisted them to reach their vehicle. He stood a moment at the door, asking Pansy if she had amused herself; and she, having answered him, fell back with a little air of fatigue. Then Isabel, at the window, detaining him by a movement of her finger, murmured gently: ‘Don’t forget to send your letter to her father!’