But there came a day in early February of Isabelle's second year of residence when the end was reached. Herbert Hunter had smuggled a note to her that he was coming to New York to have his tonsils out and he wanted to see her before he went to the hospital. She answered by special delivery and agreed to meet him on Sunday, in the Park. When the girls were entering church on that day, Isabelle was taken with a violent fit of coughing, and was left in the vestibule to quiet herself. She fled to her tryst. But she miscalculated the length of the sermon, and met the school coming out, on the church steps. She was questioned, led home in disgrace. She was accused of truancy; she admitted it, even confessed her rendezvous in the Park. Miss Vantine had to act this time. She sent a final letter to the Bryces with a sentence of suspension for their daughter, who was packed off home at once, in disgrace. Mrs. Bryce was furious because she and Wally were going off with the Abercrombie Brendons on their yacht. She explained their dilemma to their hostess and she was decent enough to include the girl, but it was a nuisance to have her along. No time was lost in letting Isabelle feel her disgrace. After a perfunctory greeting, her mother remarked: "You've made a nice record for yourself, haven't you?" Isabelle made no reply. "Why don't you answer me?" "Foolish question, Number One. Yes, I have made a nice record for myself." "If you make yourself a nuisance around here, I shall find a way to punish you," she threatened her. "Go ahead. Get it all off your chest at once and then drop it." Mrs. Bryce decided upon injured dignity, as her best role. "Where's Wally?" demanded Isabelle. "I don't know." "What's doing around here? I expect to enjoy myself on this little vacation. I hope you don't intend to be too disagreeable." Later at dinner Wally remarked to his wife-- "Tell her about the trip?" "No." "What trip?" demanded their daughter. "We are going off on the Abercrombie Brendons' yacht, and your unfortunate return has forced Mrs. Brendon to include you in the party." "I hope you said 'No, thanks' for me." "We said 'yes' for you," replied Wally. "But I won't go. Shut up on a boat with you two and the Brendons? Not much." "You're not being consulted," remarked her mother, coolly. "You'll have to drag me aboard." Mrs. Bryce's temper flared. "You will walk aboard and you will behave like a decent individual while we are on this cruise, or there will be the most serious consequences you have ever met yet. Nobody wants you on this party, you understand, and the less conspicuous you make yourself, the better." Isabelle beamed upon them. "Thank you so much for your charming invitation, my dear, doting parents. I accept with pleasure, and I think I can promise you that your little outing will be a complete success, so far as I am concerned."