He went his way, while Isabel repaired to the Terrace, and found Charlotte awaiting her answer in much trepidation.
The low wages, instead of none at all, were a great disappointment, doing away with all the honour and sentiment, and merely degrading her in the eyes of her companions; but her attachment conquered this objection, and face to face with her mistress, the affectation departed, and left remaining such honest and sincere faithfulness and affection, that Isabel felt as if a valuable and noble-hearted friend had suddenly been made known to her. It was a silly little fanciful heart, but it was sound to the core; and when Isabel said, 'There will be very hard work, Charlotte, but we will try to do our best for Mr. Frost and the children, and we will help each other,' Charlotte felt as if no task could be too hard if it were to be met with such a look and smile.
'Is it settled?' asked Lord Fitzjocelyn, as Charlotte opened the door for him.
'Oh, yes, thank you, my Lord—'
'But, Charlotte, one thing is decided. Mrs. Frost can afford no more eau de Cologne. The first hysterics and you go!'
He passed upstairs, and found Isabel beginning to dismantle the drawing-room—'Which you arranged for us!' she said.
A long, deep sigh was the answer, and Louis mused for some moments ere he said—'It is hard work to say good-bye to trifles with which departed happiness seems connected.'
'Oh, no!' cried Isabel, eagerly. 'With such a home, the happiness cannot be departed.'
'No, not with such a home!' said Louis, with a melancholy smile; 'but I was selfish enough to be thinking who hung that picture—'
'I don't think you were the selfish person,' said Isabel.