“Yes, I will,” he warmly answered.

Mr. Carlyle sold no end of tickets the following day, or rather caused them to be sold.  He praised up the concert far and wide, and proclaimed that Lord Mount Severn and his daughter would not think of missing it.  Mr. Kane’s house was besieged for tickets, faster than he could write his signature in their corner; and when Mr. Carlyle went home to luncheon at midday, which he did not often do, he laid down two at Miss Corny’s elbow.

“What’s this?  Concert tickets!  Archibald, you have never gone and bought these!”

What would she have said had she known that the two were not the extent of his investment?

“Ten shillings to throw away upon two paltry bits of cardboard!” chafed Miss Carlyle.  “You always were a noodle in money matters, Archibald, and always will be.  I wish I had the keeping of your purse!”

“What I have given will not hurt me, Cornelia, and Kane is badly off.  Think of his troop of children.”

“Oh, dear!” said Miss Corny.  “I imagine he should think of them.  I suppose it was his own fault they came.  That’s always it.  Poor folks get a heap of children about them, and then ask for pity.  I should say it would be more just if they asked for blame.”

“Well, there the tickets are, bought and paid for, so they may as well be used.  You will go with me, Cornelia.”

“And stick ourselves there upon empty benches, like two geese, and sit staring and counting the candles!  A pleasant evening?”

“You need not fear empty benches.  The Mount Severns are going, and West Lynne is in a fever, racing after tickets.  I suppose you have got a—­a cap,” looking at the nondescript article decorating his sister’s head, “that will be suitable to go in, Cornelia; if not you had better order one.”

This suggestion put up Miss Carlyle.  “Hadn’t you better have your hair curled, and your coat tails lined with white satin, and a gold opera-glass, and a cocked hat?” retorted she.  “My gracious me!  A fine new cap to go to their mess of a concert in, after paying ten shillings for the tickets!  The world’s coming to something.”

Mr. Carlyle left her and her grumbling to return to the office.  Lord Mount Severn’s carriage was passing at the moment, and Isabel Vane was within it.  She caused it to stop when she saw Mr. Carlyle, and he advanced to her.

“I have been to Mr. Kane’s myself for the tickets,” said she, with a beaming look.  “I came into West Lynne on purpose.  I told the coachman to find out where he lived, and he did.  I thought if the people saw me and the carriage there, they would guess what I wanted.  I do hope he will have a full concert.”

“I am sure he will,” replied Mr. Carlyle, as he released her hand.  And Lady Isabel signed to the carriage to drive on.