well-ground
and vigorous, with a strong, full voice, and as she approached maturity
she developed a fine figure.

When she was not much more than ten Isobel had her first trouble with
her father. Something had gone wrong with one of his shipping
speculations, and as usual, he vented it upon his wife. So cruelly did
he speak to her on a household matter for which she was not the least
to blame, that the poor woman at last rose and left the room to hide
her tears. Isobel, however, remained behind, and walking up to her
father, who stood with his back to the fire, asked him why he treated
her mother thus.

"Mind your own business, you impertinent brat," he answered.

"Mummy is my business, and you are--a brute," she exclaimed, clenching
her little fists. He lifted his hand as though to strike her, then
changed his mind and went away. She had conquered. Thenceforward Mr.
Blake was careful not to maltreat his wife in Isobel's presence. He
complained to her, however, of the child's conduct, which, he said, was
due to her bringing up and encouragement, and Lady Jane in turn,
scolded her in her gentle fashion for her "wicked words."

Isobel listened, then asked, without attempting to defend herself,

"Were not father's words to you wicked also, Mummy? It was not your
fault if James forgot to bring round the dog-cart and made him miss the
train to London. Ought you to be sworn at for that?"

"No, dear, but you see, he is my husband, and husbands can say what
they wish to their wives."

"Then I will never have a husband; at least, not one like father,"
Isobel announced with decision.

There the matter ended. Or rather it did not end, since from that
moment Isobel began to reflect much on matrimony and other civilized
institutions, as to which at last she formed views that were not common
among girls of her generation. In short, she took the first step
towards Radicalism, and entered on the road of rebellion against the
Existing and Acknowledged.

During the governess era which followed this scene Isobel travelled far
and fast along that road. The lady, or rather the ladies, hired by her
father, for his wife was allowed no voice in their selection, were of
the other known as "determined"; disciplinarians of the first water.
For one reason or another they did not stay. Isobel, though a quick and
able child, very fond of reading moreover, proved unamenable under
discipline as understood by those formidable females, and ow