ntain out of a molehill--they'll
know we're all right, four of us together!"

"At all events it can't be helped," said Mrs. Clowes, smiling at
Lawrence with her kind trustful eyes, "so don't distress
yourself. My sweet Isabel too, so tired!" she took Isabel's cold
hand. "Never mind, Val won't let your father worry, and we shall
be home by ten or eleven in the morning. It is only to go to an
hotel for a few hours. Come, dear Lawrence, don't look so
subdued! It wasn't your fault, so you mustn't trouble even if--"

"Even if what?"

"Even if Bernard locks the door in my face," she finished
laughing. "He'll be fearfully cross! but I dare say Val will go
down and smooth his ruffled plumage."

CHAPTER XV

"I do not like all this running about to places of amusement,"
said Mr. Stafford, rumpling up his curls till they stood on end
in a plume. "If you or Rowsley were to visit a theatre I should
say nothing. You're men and must judge for yourselves. But
Isabel is different. I have a good mind to put my foot down once
and for all. An atmosphere of luxury is not good for a young
girl."

He stretched himself out in his shabby chair; a shabby, slight
man, whose delicate foot, the toes poking out of a shabby
slipper, looked as if it were too small to make much impression
however firmly put down. Val, smoking his temperate pipe on the
other side of the diningroom hearth, temperately suggested that
the amount of luxury in Isabel's life wouldn't hurt a fly.

"One grain of strychnine will destroy a life: and one hour of
temptation may destroy a soul for ever." Val bowed his head in
assent. "Why are we all so fond of Isabel? Because she hasn't a
particle of self-consciousness in her. A single evening's
flattery may infect her with that detestable vice."

"She must grow up some time."

"More's the pity," retorted the vicar. "Another point: I'm not
by any means sure I approve of that fellow Hyde. I doubt if he's
a religious man." Val brushed away a smile. "He comes to church
with Laura pretty regularly, but would he come if her influence
were removed? I greatly doubt it." So did Val, therefore he
prudently held his tongue. "I hate to be uncharitable," continued
Mr. Stafford "but I doubt if he is even what one narrowly calls a
moral man. Take Jack Bendish, now one can see at a glance that
he's a good fellow, right-living and clean-minded. But Hyde
doesn't inspire me with any such confidence. I know no