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: “Look here, young fellow, I have no time to listen to jaw about the Bible and moral and immoral and all that bosh, which you can have out with your reverend parent afterwards. I am a plain man, I am, and want a plain answer to a plain question. Do you think that you are going to marry my daughter, Isobel?” “Such is my desire and intention,” replied Godfrey, with vague recollections of the baptismal service, though of these at the moment he was not aware. “Oh, is it? Then you are jolly well mistaken in your desire and intention. Let’s make things clear. You are a beggarly youngster who propose to enter the army at some future date, which you may or may not do. And you have the impudence to wish to marry one of the biggest heiresses in England against my will.” “And against mine,” burst in Mr. Knight, “who consider her a most pernicious young woman, one who rejects the Christian faith and will lead you to perdition. That is why, when I chanced to espy you in such a compromising position, I hastened to inform the lady’s father.” “Oh! you did that, did you?” interposed Isobel, contemplating him steadily. “Well, I am glad to know who could have been so cowardly,” she added with withering contempt. “Now I begin to wonder whether a letter which some years ago, I brought to the Abbey House to be forwarded to Godfrey, was ever posted to him who did not receive it, or whether, perhaps, it fell into the hands of—someone like you.”