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TheonethingthatMr。KnighthadfearedforyearswasthatGodfrey，who，asheknew，wasfonderofIsobelthanofanyotherlivingcreature，shouldcometoloveherinafullerfashion：Isobel，agirlwhohadlaughedatandfloutedhimandoncetoldhimtohisfacethatastudyofhischaracterandtreatmentofothershaddonemoretoturnherfromtheChristianreligionthananythingelse。
Inasensehewasunselfishinthismatter，orratherhishatemasteredhisselfishness。HeknewverywellthatIsobelwouldbeagreatmatchforGodfrey，andhewasbynomeansamanwhounderratedmoneyandpositionandtheirpower。Heguessed，too，thatshereallylovedhimandwouldhavemadehimthebestofwives；thatwithherathissidehemightdoalmostanythingintheworld。Buttheseconsiderationsdidnotintheleastsoftenhisloathingoftheverythoughtofsuchamarriage。Incredibleasitmayseem，hewouldratherhaveseenGodfreydeadthanthehappyhusbandofIsobel。
Mr。Knight，drunkwithrage，reeledratherthanwalkedawayfromthechurchdoor，wonderingwhathemightdotobaulkandshamethatliving，lovingpairwhocouldkissandclingevenamongthetombs。A
thoughtcametohim，averyevilthoughtwhichhewelcomedasaninspirationsentstraightfromanoffendedHeaven。SirJohnBlakehadcomehome；heknewit，forhehadpassedhimontheroadseatedaloneinafinemotor-car，andtheyhadwavedtheirhandstoeachothernottenminutesbefore。Hewouldgoandtellhimall；inthecharacterofanuprightmanwhodoesnotliketoseehisrichneighbourharmedbytheentanglementofthatneighbour’sdaughterinanundesirablerelationship。ThatSirJohnwouldconsiderhimselftobeharmed，hewassureenough，beingbynomeansignorantofhisplansandaspirationsforthefutureofthatdaughter，whowasexpectedtomakeagreatallianceinreturnforthefortunewhichshewouldbringtoherhusband。
Nosoonersaidthandone。InthreeminuteshewasattheHalland，asitchanced，metSirJohnbythefrontdoor。
“Hullo，Reverend!Howareyou？Youlookverywetandmiserable；takingrefugefromtherain，Isuppose，thoughitisclearingoffnow。Haveabrandyandsoda，oraglassofport？“
“Thankyou，SirJohn，Iamanabstainer，butacupofhotteawouldbewelcome。“
“Tea——ah!yes，butthattakestimetomake，soIshouldhavetoleaveyoutodrinkitbyyourself。FactisIwanttofindmydaughter。Someofthoseblessedguestsofmine，includingMounteroy，theyoungEarl，youknow，whomIwishhertomeetparticularly，arecomingdownto-nightbythelasttrainandnotto-morrow，soImustgeteverythingarrangedinahurry。Can’tmakeoutwherethegirlhasgone。“
“IthinkIcantellyou，SirJohn，“saidMr。Knightwithasicklysmile；“atleastIsawheralittlewhileagoratherpeculiarlyengaged。“
“Where，andhowwassheengaged？“
WithoutaskingpermissionMr。Knightenteredthehouseandsteppedintoacloak-roomthatopenedoutofthehall。Beingcurious，SirJohnfollowedhim。Mr。Knightshutthedoorand，supportinghimselfagainsttheframeofamarblewash-basinwithgildedtaps，said：
“IsawherinthechanceloftheAbbeyChurchandshewaskissingmyson，Godfrey；atleasthewaskissingher，andsheseemedtoberespondingtohisinfamousadvances，forherarmswereroundhisneckandIheardsoundswhichsuggestedthatthiswasso。“
“HolyMoses!“ejaculatedSir
