"Gone! Why? Where? Oh! what's the use of asking? I knew something of the sort was coming. I felt it in that horrible old church. And after all, why should I mind? What does it matter if you go away for a year or ten years--except that you are the only friend I have--especially as no doubt you are glad to get out of this dreadful hole? Don't stand there looking at me like a moon-calf, whatever that may be, but tell me what you mean, or I'll, I'll----" and she stopped.
Then he told her--well, not quite everything, for he omitted his father's disparaging remarks about herself.
She listened in her intent fashion, and filled in the gaps without difficulty.
"I see," she said. "Your father thinks that I am corrupting you about religion, as though anybody could corrupt you when you have got an idea into your stupid head; at least, on those subjects. Oh! I hate him, worse even than I do my own, worse than you do yourself."
Godfrey, thinking aloud, began to quote the Fourth Commandment. She cut him short: "Honour my father!" she said. "Why should we honour our fathers unless they are worthy of honour? What have we to thank them for?"
"Life," suggested Godfrey.
"Why? You believe that life comes from God, and so do I in a way. If so, what has a father to do with it who is just a father and no more? With mothers perhaps it is different, but you see I love my mother and he treats her like--like a dog, or worse," and her grey eyes filled with tears. "However, it is your father we are talking of, and there is no commandment telling me to honour him. I say I hate him and he hates me, and that's why he is sending you away. Well, I hope you won't find anyone to contaminate you in Switzerland."
"Oh! Isobel, Isobel," he broke out, "don't be so bitter, especially as it is of no use. Besides after all you have got everything that a girl can have--money and position and looks----"
"Looks!" she exclaimed, seizing on the last word, "when you know I am as ugly as a toad."
He stared at her.
"I don't know it; I think you beautiful."
"Wait till you see someone else and you will change your mind," she snapped, flushing.
"And you are going to come out," he went on hastily.
"Yes, at a fancy ball in this Plantagenet lady's dress, but I almost wish I was--to go out instead--like her."
"And I daresay you will soon be married," he blurted, losing his head for she bewildered him.