Mrs. Campbell did not speak, and Isabel looked at her with a kind of contemptuous pity. She thought her mother had but lamely defended her position, and was sure she could have done it more effectively. Christina was simply interested. There was really something going to happen, and as far as she could see, the change in the house would bring other changes still more important. She was satisfied, and she looked at her silent mother and sister impatiently. Why did they not say something? At length Mrs. Campbell rose from the sofa, and began to walk slowly up and down the room, and with motion came speech. "I think, Isabel," she said, "I signified my opinions and desires plainly enough to your brother." "You spoke with your usual wisdom and clearness, mother." "Do you think Robert understood that I consider this house my house, and that I intend to be mistress in it? Why, girls, your father made me mistress here more than thirty-seven years ago. That ought to be enough for Robert." "Robert is now in father's place," said Christina. "Robert cannot take from me what your father gave me. This house is morally mine, and always will be, while I choose to urge my claim. I am not going to be put to the wall by two lovesick fools. No, indeed!" "I think Robert showed himself very wise for his own--and Theodora's interests; and he would refute your moral claim, I assure you, mother, without one qualm of conscience." "Refute me! He might as well try to refute the Bass rock. A mother is irrefutable, Isabel! But his conduct will necessitate us all using a deal of diplomacy. You do not require to be told why, or how, at the present time. I have a forecasting mind, and I can see how things are going to happen, but just now, we must keep a calm sound in all our observes, for the man is in the burning fever of an uncontrollable love, and clean off his reason--on the subject of that Englishwoman, he is mad entirely." "I wonder what Dr. Robertson, and the Kirk, and people in general, will say?"