stood side by side quite still before
the altar, as a pair about to be married might do.

They were dumbfounded, and no wonder. As might be expected Isobel was
the first to recover herself.

"Come, my dear," she said in a clear voice to Godfrey, "my father and
yours wish to speak to us. I am glad we have a chance of explaining
matters so soon."

"Yes," said Godfrey, but in a wrathful voice, for he felt anger
stirring in him. Perhaps it was excited by that ancient instinct which
causes the male animal to resent the spying upon him when he is
courting his female as the deadliest of all possible insults, or
perhaps by some prescience of affronts which were about to be offered
to him and Isobel by these two whom he knew to be bitterly hostile. At
least his temper was rising, and like most rather gentle-natured men
when really provoked and cornered, he could be dangerous.

"Yes," he repeated, "let us go out and see this matter through."

So they went, Sir John and Mr. Knight drawing back a little before
them, till they were brought to a halt by the horrible memorial which
the former had erected over his wife's grave. Here they stood, prepared
for the encounter. Sir John was the first to take the lists, saying:

"Perhaps you will explain, Isobel, why I found you, as I thought,
kissing this young fellow--like any village slut beneath a hedge."

Isobel's big eyes grew steely as she answered:

"For the same reason, Father. Like your village slut, I kissed this man
because he is my lover whom I mean to marry. If, as I gather, you are
not certain as to what you saw, I will kiss him again, here in front of
you."

"I have no doubt you will; just like your cheek!" ejaculated Sir John,
taken a little aback.

Then Mr. Knight took up the ball, addressing himself to his son:

"Could you find no other place for your immoral performances except the
church, Godfrey, and my chancel too?"

"No," answered Godfrey, "because it was raining and we sheltered there.
And what do you mean by your talk about immorality? Is it not lawful
for a man to love a woman? I should have thought that the Bible, which
you are always quoting, would have taught you otherwise. Also, once you
were married yourself else I should not be here, for which I am not
sure that I thank you; at least, I shouldn't were it not for Isobel."

For a moment Mr. Knight could think of no answer to these arguments,
but Sir John having recovered his breath, attacked again