The noble old matron had long been a subject of almost timid veneration to the maiden, and she obeyed the summons with more bashful awe than she had ever felt before; and with much fear lest the two elders might have been combining to make an appeal to her to give up her betrothal, for James's sake.
As she entered, the old lady came to meet her, held out both arms, and drew her into her bosom, with the fond words, 'My dear child!'
Isabel rested in her embrace, as if she had found her own mother again.
'My dear child,' again said Mrs. Frost, 'I am glad you like my Jem, for he has always been a good boy to his granny.'
The homeliness of the words made them particularly endearing, and Isabel ventured to put her arm round the slender waist.
'Yes, darling,' continued the grandmother; 'you will make him good and happy, and you must teach him to be patient, for I am afraid you will both want a great deal of patience and submission.'
'He will teach me,' whispered Isabel.
Lady Conway was fairly crying.
'I am glad to know that he has you to look to, when his old grandmother is gone.'
'Oh, don't say—'