Troy!--that
she should know what has happened, and should have an opportunity of
defending herself. She is in the next room, Moody. Bring her here."
Robert's courage failed him: he trembled at the bare idea of exposing
Isabel to the terrible ordeal that awaited her. "Oh, my Lady!" he
pleaded, "think again before you tell the poor girl that she is
suspected of theft. Keep it a secret from her--the shame of it will
break her heart!"
"Keep it a secret," said Lady Lydiard, "when the Rector and the Rector's
wife both know of it! Do you think they will let the matter rest where
it is, even if I could consent to hush it up? I must write to them;
and I can't write anonymously after what has happened. Put yourself in
Isabel's place, and tell me if you would thank the person who knew you
to be innocently exposed to a disgraceful suspicion, and who concealed
it from you? Go, Moody! The longer you delay, the harder it will be."
With his head sunk on his breast, with anguish written in every line
of his face, Moody obeyed. Passing slowly down the short passage which
connected the two rooms, and still shrinking from the duty that had
been imposed on him, he paused, looking through the curtains which hung
over the entrance to the boudoir.
CHAPTER VII.
THE sight that met Moody's view wrung him to the heart.
Isabel and the dog were at play together. Among the varied
accomplishments possessed by Tommie, the capacity to take his part at a
game of hide-and-seek was one.
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