In a moment Kate saw her, and began to beckon and
call; and the maid ran to meet her.
"Mistress Isabel, Mistress Isabel," she cried, "make haste."
"What is it?" asked the girl, in sick foreboding.
"There is a man come from Great Keynes," began the maid, but Kate stopped
her.
"Come in, Mistress Isabel," she said, "my father is waiting for you."
Dr. Carrington met her at the dining-room door; and his face was tender
and full of emotion.
"What is it?" whispered the girl sharply. "Anthony?"
"Dear child," he said, "come in, and be brave."
There was a man standing in the room with cap and whip in hand, spurred
and splashed from head to foot; Isabel recognised one of the grooms from
the Hall.
"What is it?" she said again with a piteous sharpness.
Dr. Carrington laid his hands gently on her shoulders, and looked into
her eyes.
"It is news of your father," he said, "from Lady Maxwell."
He paused, and the steady gleam of his eyes strengthened and quieted her,
then he went on deliberately, "The Lord hath given and the Lord hath
taken it."
He paused as if for an answer, but no answer came; Isabel was staring
white-faced with parted lips into those strong blue eyes of his: and he
finished:
"Blessed be the name of the Lord."
CHAPTER XII
A WINDING-UP
The curtained windows on the ground-floor of the Dower House shone red
from within as Isabel and Dr. Carrington, with three or four servants
behind, rode round the curving drive in front late on the Monday evening.
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