The upshot of all this was, that on coming home one afternoon, Everard found Lady Ashton, and Grace waiting for him. "Let bygones, be bygones," said the former taking his hand, while Grace offered hers with a dignified condescension that was truly amusing, Everard was only too glad to have a cessation of hostilities, and responded cordially to the overtures of peace.
Then Lady Ashton insisted upon giving them a farewell party,
she would take no denial, saying that if Everard did not come, that she would not believe that he forgave her."
Grace and Emily were delighted, saying, it was the very thing, and Alice was half wild with glee at being included in the invitation, and also allowed to go.
So Isabel had a new white dress for the occasion, and now that she was no longer the governess, she arrayed herself with some of the beautiful and costly jewels, which her fathers
creditors had refused to take, (though they were offered them by Isabel,) which had not seen the light since she came to Elm Grove.
"Oh Isabel, now you look like yourself" said Lucy, who had arrived just in time to be of the party.
"How sly of you Isabel, not to let us see them before" cried Emily examining them "what beauties," and Mrs. Arlington looked very approvingly at her future daughter-in-law. "I think that you are the proudest girl I ever saw, Isabel," she said reproachfully.
"Oh mamma, not proud, only sensitive," interposed Alice warmly.
"I think you were wrong my dear" continued Mrs. Arlington without heeding Alice.