for in her present happiness she

  "To see me, Susan?" exclaimed Isabel.   "Yes, Miss, he asked for you, but he would not give his name."   "Very well, Susan. Who can it be?" she asked, turning to Alice.   "I'm sure I don't know," answered Alice, laughing, "you had better go and see."   On entering the drawing-room, Isabel saw to her astonishment that it was Louis Taschereau. "This is indeed a surprise," she said, extending her hand, for in her present happiness she could not be ungracious or unkind.   Encouraged by her cordial greeting, Louis began: "I thought of writing, but determined on seeking an interview, as a letter could but inadequately convey what I wished to say. I have suffered much, as you are aware, and my troubles have made me a very different man; but a gleam of light seems once more to shine on my path, and I hope yet to repair the error of my life. Can you--will you--overlook and forgive the past, and be again to me all that you once were? I know that I do not deserve it, but I will try to atone for the past if, dear Isabel, you will be my wife."   "Stay, Dr. Taschereau!" interposed Isabel, "I am just about to marry a clergyman who is going abroad."   Had a cannon-ball fallen at his feet, Louis could scarcely have been more dumbfounded than he was at this intelligence. He became deadly pale, and she thought he would faint.   "You are ill, Dr. Taschereau. Let me ring for some wine."