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。