East Lynne

d to demur, as believing that it could have no foundation in fact, in the actions of real life, but must be a wild creation of the

was over-the consequence of which was, that by Saturday morning, early, a shoal of what the late peer would have called harpies, had arrived, to surround East Lynne. There were creditors of all sorts; for small

le away from the hubbub of the clamorous, and peering cunningly about, made their way to

in come yet?

ain't here yet. Mr. Jones didn't promise that

ts road. We'll go up to his lordship's ro

e undertaker's, sir," announced she. "The shell's co

e you to wait." And closing the door upon the unsuspicious butler, they took up their station on either side of the dead, like a couple of ill-omened mutes.

day; at first with the housekeeper; afterward, when the nameless dread was somewhat effaced, alone. But she felt nervous again this morning, and had gained the bed

hood, come to gratify an idle and unpardonable curiosity. Her first i

ything here?" s

the inquiry, miss

ar in the extreme; and they kept their seats,

" she repeated. "W

left thumb over his shoulder at the late peer-"and we hear he have got no other relative

reek to her, and the

ware on, and our employers is in, deep. So, as soon as they heard what had

elieved in such. Arrest it for what purpose? What to do? To disfigure it?-to sell it? With a panting heart and ashy lips, she turned from the room. Mrs. Maso

in there!"

y?" returned Mrs.

hink they are going to stop ther

e words. Isabel leaned against the balustrades; partly for support, partly that she seemed afraid to stir from them; and the ominous disturbances downstairs reached he

, in a tone of remonstrance. "She knows nothing about the earl's a

Here we are a shameful crowd of us, swindled out of our own, told there's nobody we can speak to; nobody here but the young lady, and she must not be

d partly down the staircase, and softy called to the

't do any good; pray go back before they see you. I hav

m all money?" she

id he did

l anger, at least external anger, was hushed at her sight. She looked so young, so innocent, so childlike in her pretty morning dress of peach-colored muslin, her fai

" she began, her agitation causing the words to come f

rmidable claims; promissory notes and I O Us, overdue bills and underdue bills; heavy outstanding debts of all sorts,

promise to give? She stood in bewilderment, unable to speak, turnin

elf-but his lordship's men of business, Warburton & Ware, to whom many of us hastened last evening, told us there would not be a shilling for anybody un

o upstairs, to judge by his nose. "But what's such furniture as this to our cla

bel. "What is it you wish me to do

e, you are worse wronged than we are, for you won't have a

body," interrupted an intemperate

they were not men gratuitously

miss," persisted the voice, in spite of the

aught sight of the white face and trembling hands of Isab

" he demanded, in a tone of a

, you ought to know what we want," was

lyle; "your coming here flocking in this extraordinary m

their answer-a cool assurance tha

Mr. Carlyle, to the assembly, collectively. "Allo

that they would for h

Mr. Carlyle; "you are trespassing upon a stranger's property. T

e laughed, and said t

rl's affairs come to be investigated, would be simply foolish. I give you my word of honor as a gentleman-nay, as a fellow-man-that this estate, with the house and a

ed it?" was

e. Some of you may possibl

of th

bserved a voice; "as his

cannot suppose I should risk my money upon any sale not perfectly safe and legal. I was not an agen

ney paid over?" inq

over at the t

Mount Severn do

lyle. "I am not cognizant of Lor

that the earl should stop two or thr

few days' visit, by way of farewell, and I acceded. Before the few days were over, he was taken ill, and remained, from t

us you bought

the market for sale; I heard of it, and became the purchaser-just as I might have bought an estate from any

s and carriages next, sir," cri

purchased and paid for-a fair, just price. The carriages and horses I

e as they don't run away," nodded the man, complacently; "and if I

scoundrel Mou

. Carlyle; "and I should have thought that men, calling themselves Englishmen, would have disdained the shame. Allow me, L

ed to speak a word of apology, of sorrow; she thought she ought to do so; she did not like them to deem her quite heartless. But i

know anything of all this; my father's affairs were not spoken of before me. I believe I have not anything; if I had, I would divide it amo

ch a moment, fell heedlessly upon the ear. Scarcely one present but felt sympathy and sorrow for her, and Mr.

s annoyance, you should have been spared it. Can

rightened and sick. This is not the worst," sh

ed. He saw that she was shaking from

inued, attempting an explanation. "They are sitting in

he turned and looked at the butler, who was standing near. But the man only respond

id to Lady Isabel, pointing back to the

nce to the chamber by a sly, deceitful trick, saying they were the undertaker's men, and that he can't be buried unless their claims are paid, if it's

m-quite the contrary-but on the memory of the unhappy peer, who lay overhead. A few had taken the precaution to insure the earl's life, and they were the best off. T

gh it had under his father's, and Mr. Carlyle remembered hearing of it. The body of a church dignitary, who had died deeply in debt, was arrested as it was being carried through the cloisters to

re was no arrival. Isabel sat in the breakfast-room alone, the meal on the table untouched, and she shivering-as

d," she answered. "I did not close m

at what?"

pered. "It is strange th

he po

thetically replied. "I

bearing condolence with Lady Isabel. She singled out one and hastened to open it, for it bo

ARLING,

sing in his yacht, and I opened it. Goodness knows where he may be, round the coast somewhere, but he said he should be home for Sun

to write more. Try and keep up your spirits, and believe me, d

MOUNT

he been the writer, she should, in that first, early letter, have still signed herself

g allowed him, and drew in his lips in a peculiar manner when he came

ould have come herself, knowing your lo

dy of high position, of wealth and rank, she appeared to herself more in the light of an unfortunate pauper and interloper in the house she was inhabiting. It has been the custom in romance to present young ladies, especially if they be handsome and interesting, as being entirely oblivious of matter-of-fact cares and necessities, supremely indifferent to future prospects of poverty-poverty that brings hunger and thirst and cold and nakedness; but, be assured, this apathy never existed in real life. Isabel Vane's grief for her father-whom, whatever may have been the aspect he

this house been yours?" she

s completed. Did Lord Mount Severn n

things are yours?" g

rt of things," he added, his eye falling on the silv

poor men who were here yesterday have

with the entail-and the jewels go also. The

clothes

led at her simplicity, and assured

nd. So many strange things have happened in the l

o Mr. Carlyle; plenty of indefinite ones, and they were haunting her. Fears of debt to him, and of the hous

ou any money?" she br

rd Mount Severn was never

urchased E

g the drift of her thoughts. "I was in search of an eligi

lious tears forcing themselves to her eyes; "thus to be i

igation is on my side, Lady Isabel; and when I express a hope that you will continue at East Lynne whil

, Mr. Carlyle, are papa's affairs really so bad as they said yesterday?" she broke

ft, just to tranquilize her. But to have used deceit with her would have pricked aga

ar as we can see at present. But there may have been some settle

none. I see the worst plainly. I have no home, no home and no money. This hous

ur old home. The houses pass to him-it almost seems as thou

, as if the words had stung her.

I should not have presumed to tou

. "I am only grateful for the interest you take in them-the kindn

ude longer. He suggested that it might be more pleasant if Isabel had a friend with h

mber!" she uttered. "Mrs. Ducie drove over yesterday, perhaps to remain-I don't know; but I was

opped Mr. Carlyle

tle Marling? Pound said there w

ected him home yesterday, so it is

athed. "The leaden coffin ought to be soldered down,

dered down wit

here this morning at daybreak, and those men intimated that they were not going to lose sight of the dead.

hat I know little what right of law they have or have not. Do not mention this to Lady