Fortunately Isabel had no idea that Everard had gone with the Doctor, or she would have been terribly anxious, for fear Louis should still be near. But guilt makes cowards of all, so Louis was now in a fearful state of mind: for he was passionate, hasty, violent and selfish, but not really bad-hearted, and jealous anger and hatred had so gained the mastery over him that he had been impelled to do that at which, in cooler moments, he would have shuddered. So now he was enduring agony, fearing lest his mad attempt at murder had been successful, yet not daring to inquire. Ah, Louis! you are now, as ever, your own worst enemy." CHAPTER XXXIII. "What makes you look so sad Everard; Isabel was not much hurt; not hurt at all I may say." "I was not thinking of her just now Emmy," he answered smiling, but the smile passed away, and left his face very sad indeed. "What is it Evvie," she asked in the old coaxing way, seating herself beside him on the seat round the old Elm tree. "I was thinking of Grace," he replied "you can't think how her keeping away pains me." "I wouldn't think of it, if I were you, it is very mean and ill-natured of her, but she will get over her huff after a while." "That would be all very well, if I were going to remain here, but you know how soon I go and----" "Oh Everard," (Emmy could not contemplate this event with composure) "Oh Everard, I can't bear you to go, and she threw her arms round his neck, weeping passionately. His sisters were not much given to tears, this one in particular, the brightest of them all, so that this genuine bust of grief was the more perplexing. He was endeavouring in vain to soothe her, when little Emmy came upon the scene, and seeing her mamma in trouble, she set up a terrific howling, and running at Everard, she seized his coat to steady herself and commenced to kick him with all the force she could muster, exclaiming "naughty, naughty, to make my mamma cry." This warlike attack upon her brother set Emily laughing, while he feigned to be desperately hurt by the tiny feet at which the round blue eyes grew wonderfully well satisfied. Isabel now joined them alarmed by the cries of her little playmate. Emmy looking very brave scrambled upon mamma's knee, from whence she darted very defiant glances at her uncle. "I think I will go to Ashton Park" said Everard. "Do you think that it will do any good" asked Emily. "I hope so, Grace is not bad hearted, only vexed, besides, I should wish to leave on good terms with the old lady." "I have no doubt that she pities you immensely." Everard laughed "I will go now" he said, "and we hope you may be successful" returned both warmly. "Good evening Lady Ashton" said Everard when he arrived at the Park; entering the drawing-room from the lawn. "Oh is that you, you poor unfortunate boy," returned her ladyship compassionately.