Trembling, she grasped Walter's arm, and began hastening home, impatient to be doing something. 'I knew something was wrong,' she exclaimed; 'I ought to have gone home yesterday, when there was no letter.' 'Indeed, there--was nothing the matter yesterday, at least, with his health,' said Louis. 'You are alarming yourself far too much--' 'To be sure, Isabel,' chimed in Walter. 'A fellow at my tutor's had it, and did nothing but wind silkworm's silk all the time. We shall have James yet to spend Christmas with us. Everybody laughs at the jaundice, though Fitzjocelyn does look so lugubrious that he had almost frightened _me_.' 'Is this true?' said Isabel, looking from one to the other, as if she had been frightened in vain. 'Quite true, Isabel,' said Walter. 'Never mind Fitzjocelyn's long face; I wouldn't go if I were you! Don't spoil the holidays.' 'I must go, Walter dear,' said Isabel, 'but I do not think Lord Fitzjocelyn would play with my fears. Either he is very ill, or something else is wrong.' 'You have guessed it, Isabel,' said Louis. 'This illness is partly the effect of distress of mind.' 'That horrid meeting of trustees!' cried Isabel. 'I am sure they have been impertinent.' 'They objected to some of his doings; he answered by threatening to resign, and I am sorry to say that the opposition set prevailed to have his resignation accepted.' 'A very good thing too,' cried Sir Walter. 'I always thought that school a shabby concern. To be under a lot of butchers and bakers, and nothing but cads among the boys! He ought to be heartily glad to be rid of the crew.' Isabel's indignation was checked by a sort of melancholy amusement at her brother's view, but Louis doubted whether she realized the weight of her own words as she answered--'Unfortunately, Walter, it is nearly all we have to live upon.' 'So much the better,' continued Walter. 'I'll tell you--you shall all go to Thornton Conway, and I'll come and spend my holidays there, instead of kicking my heels at these stupid places. I shan't mind your babies a bit, and Frost may call himself my tutor if he likes. I don't care if you take me away from Eton.' 'A kind scheme, Walter,' said Isabel, 'but wanting in two important points, mamma's consent and James's.' 'Oh, I'll take care of mamma!' 'I'm afraid I can't promise the same as to James.' 'Ah! I see. Delaford was quite right when he said Mr. Frost was a gentleman who never knew what was for his own advantage.' As they arrived at the house, Isabel desired to know how soon she must be ready, and went upstairs. Walter detained his cousin--'I say, Fitzjocelyn, have they really got nothing to live on?' 'No more than will keep them from absolute want.' 'I shall take them home,' said Walter, with much satisfaction. 'I shall write to tell James that there is nothing else to be done. I cannot do without Isabel, and I'll make my mother consent.'