after
offering him intentional and pre-arranged insult. Such were the
thoughts that flashed through his somewhat muddled brain. Also another,
that they were too late. The evil was done and never could be undone.

Then Isobel spoke in cold, clear tones, saying:

"Godfrey is quite right and has been right all through. Had you,
Father, and that man," and she pointed contemptuously at Mr. Knight,
"left us alone we should have come and told you what had happened
between us, and if you disapproved we would have waited until we were
of full age and have married as we should have been free to do. But now
that is impossible, for blows have passed between you. After slandering
him vilely, you struck Godfrey first, Father, and he would not have
been a man if he had not struck you back; indeed I should have thought
little of him afterwards. Well, he has made an oath, and I know that he
will keep it. Now I, too, make an oath which certainly I shall keep. I
swear in the presence of both of you, by myself and by Godfrey, that
neither in this world or in any other, should I live again and have
remembrance, will I marry any man or exchange tendernesses with any
man, except himself. So all your plans come to nothing; yes, you have
brought all this misery upon us for nothing, and if you want to found a
great family, as I know you do, you had better marry again yourself and
let me go my way. In any case, if I should survive you and should
Godfrey live, I will marry him after your death, even if we have to
wait until we are old to do so. As to your fortune, I care nothing for
it, being quite ready to work in the world with the help of the little
I have."

She paused as though for an answer, but none came, for if Sir John had
been frightened before, now he was terrified of this outraged young
woman who, tall, commanding and stern-eyed, looked to him like an
avenging angel.

"There doesn't seem much more to say, does there?" she went on, "except
that I think, Father, you had better telegraph to your guests that you
are not well and cannot receive them, for I won't. So good-bye, dearest
Godfrey. I shall remember all that you have said, and you will remember
all that I have said, and as I believe, we shall live to meet again one
day. Meanwhile, don't think too bitterly of my father, or of your own,
because they have acted according to their natures and lights, though
where these will lead them I am sure I do not know. Good-bye, dearest,
d