Sir Meyville began to mutter to himself.
"God bless my soul!" he mumbled.

"Isabel, what do you want, girl?
Can't you see that we are engaged ?" She took no notice of him.

She turned appealingly towards Major Thomson.
"Can you send the soldiers away for a moment ?" she begged.

"I don't think that they will be needed." Major Thomson gave a brief order and the men left the room.

Isabel came a little nearer to the table.