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117 THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY. 117 "Well, you have been on your guard intensely. I suppose it's natural to you ; that's just what I wanted to observe. And so, too, Miss Molyneux she wouldn't commit herself. You have been warned, anyway," Henrietta continued, addressing this young lady, " but for you it wasn't necessary." " I hope not," said Miss Molyneux, vaguely. " Miss -Stackpole takes notes," Ealph explained, humorously. " She is a great 'satirist ; she sees through us all, and she work? us up." " Well, I must say T never have had such a collection of bad material ! " Henrietta declared, looking from Isabel to Lord Wavburton, and from this nobleman to his sister and to Ealph. " There is something the matter with you all; you are as dismal as if you had got a bad telegram." " You do see through us, Miss Stackpole," said Ealph in a low tone, giving her a little intelligent nod, as he led the party out of the gallery. " There is something the matter with us all." Isabel came behind these two; Miss Molyneux, who decidedly liked her immensely, had taken her arm, to walk beside her over the polished floor. Lord WarburtoH strolled on the other side, with his hands behind him, and his eyes lowered. For fome moments he said nothing ; and then " Is it true that you are going to London?" he asked. " I believe it has been arranged." " And when shall you come back 1 " " In a few days ; but probably for a very short time. I am going to Paris with my aunt." "When, then, shall I see you again 1 ? " " Not for a good while." said Isabel ; " but some day or other, I hope." " Do you really hope it 1 " "Very much." He went a few steps in silence j then he stopped, and put out his hand. " Good-bye," " Good-bye," said Isabel. Miss Molyneux kissed her again, and she let the two depart ; after which, without rejoining Henrietta and Ealph, she re- treated to her own room. In this apartment, before dinner, she was found by Mrs. Touchett, who had stopped on her way to the drawing-room. " I may as well tell you," said her aunt, " that your uncle has informed me of your relations with Lord Warburton."