But the little bit of grit had, as is often the case, made its way into the mechanism, and the wheels had so suddenly come to a stoppage that the baronet was for the moment utterly confounded.
It was only a few minutes before that, in the dining room, Alison had for about the fifth time consulted his watch, and then said quickly:
“There, old chap, it’s all right now. She will be alone in the drawing room, so off with you, and say all you like.”
“You think the old man will not make any objection—on account of his illness, you know?”
“Not an objection. Never fear. There, quick; be off.”
“What a hurry you are in!”
“Well, you wished me to be,” said Alison sharply, and hardly able to keep from referring again to his watch.
“Humph! Yes,” said the baronet; and they parted, each to follow out his plans, which seemed too well made to fail.
“Take me to my room now,” whispered Isabel, as she clung tightly to her protectress, whose face was bent down so that her lips rested upon the girl’s wavy hair. “I will not stay here to be insulted,” she cried, as indignation was beginning fast to take the place of fear. “It is shameful. It is too cruel of Aunt Anne. She left me on purpose.”
“Hush! hush, my child! be calm,” whispered Elisia, in whom a strange sense of elation was growing fast, as she felt the ever tightening clutch of the agitated girl. “There is no need to let others know. You are quite safe now.”