Isabel leaned against the balustrades; partly for support, partly that she seemed afraid to stir from them; and the ominous disturbances downstairs reached her ears.
Strangers, interlopers, appeared to be in the hall, talking vehemently, and complaining in bitter tones.

More and more terrified, she held her breath to listen.
"Where's the good of your seeing the young lady ?" cried the butler, in a tone of remonstrance.

"She knows nothing about the earl's affairs; she is in grief enough just now, without any other worry." "I will see her," returned a dogged voice.

"If she's too start-up and mighty to come down and answer a question or two, why I'll find my way on to her.

Here we are a shameful crowd of us, swindled out of our own, told there's nobody we can speak to; nobody here but the young lady, and she must not be troubled.