“I was on the point of leaving home to visit you again, when I received your aunt’s letter.  My poor deluded child, no words can tell how distressed I am about you.  You are already sacrificed to the folly of the most foolish woman living.  For God’s sake, take care you do not fall a victim next to the designs of a profligate man.  Come to me instantly, Isabel, and I promise to take care of you.”

Fortified by these letters, and aided by Miss Pink’s indignation, Hardyman pressed his proposal on Isabel with renewed resolution.  She made no attempt to combat his arguments—­she only held firmly to her decision.  Without some encouragement from Hardyman’s father and mother she still steadily refused to become his wife.  Irritated already by Lady Lydiard’s letters, he lost the self-command which so eminently distinguished him in the ordinary affairs of life, and showed the domineering and despotic temper which was an inbred part of his disposition.  Isabel’s high spirit at once resented the harsh terms in which he spoke to her.  In the plainest words, she released him from his engagement, and, without waiting for his excuses, quitted the room.

Left together, Hardyman and Miss Pink devised an arrangement which paid due respect to Isabel’s scruples, and at the same time met Lady Lydiard’s insulting assertion of disbelief in Hardyman’s honor, by a formal and public announcement of the marriage.

It was proposed to give a garden party at the farm in a week’s time for the express purpose of introducing Isabel to Hardyman’s family and friends in the character of his betrothed wife.  If his father and mother accepted the invitation, Isabel’s only objection to hastening the union would fall to the ground.  Hardyman might, in that case, plead with his Imperial correspondent for a delay in his departure of a few days more; and the marriage might still take place before he left England.  Isabel, at Miss Pink’s intercession, was induced to accept her lover’s excuses, and, in the event of her favorable reception by Hardyman’s parents at the farm, to give her consent (not very willingly even yet) to hastening the ceremony which was to make her Hardyman’s wife.

On the next morning the whole of the invitations were sent out, excepting the invitation to Hardyman’s father and mother.  Without mentioning it to Isabel, Hardyman decided on personally appealing to his mother before he ventured on taking the head of the family into his confidence.

The result of the interview was partially successful—­and no more.  Lord Rotherfield declined to see his youngest son; and he had engagements which would, under any circumstances, prevent his being present at the garden party.  But at the express request of Lady Rotherfield, he was willing to make certain concessions.