a distance looked not unlike a sheet of figures.

It was short and ran:--

Dear Old Godfrey,--Don't be vexed with me because I was so cross
this evening. Something in that old church upset me, and you know
I have a dreadful temper. I didn't mean anything I said. I daresay
it is a good thing you should go away and see the world instead of
sticking in this horrid place. Leave your address with Mother
Parsons, and I will write to you; but mind you answer my letters
or I shan't write any more. Good-bye, old boy.
Your affectionate Isobel. Who is always thinking of you.

P.S.--I'll get this to the Abbey with your milk. Can't leave it
myself, as we are starting for town at half-past seven to-morrow
morning to catch the early train.

CHAPTER IV

THE GARDEN IN THE SQUARE

As it chanced Godfrey did see Isobel once more before he left England.
It was arranged that he was to leave Charing Cross for Switzerland
early on a certain Wednesday morning. Late on the Tuesday afternoon,
Mr. Knight brought the lad to the Charing Cross Hotel. There, having
taken his ticket and made all other necessary arrangements, he left
him, returning himself to Essex by the evening train. Their farewell
was somewhat disconcerting, at any rate to the mind of the youth.

His father retired with him to his room at the top of the hotel, and
there administered a carefully prepared lecture which touched upon
every point of the earnest Christian's duty, ending up with admonitions
on the dangers of the world, the flesh, and the devil, and a strong
caution against frivolous, unbelieving and evil-disposed persons,
especially such as were young, good-looking and wore petticoats.

"Woman," said Mr. Knight, "is the great danger of man. She is the
Devil's favourite bait, at least to some natures of which I fear yours
is one, though that is strange, as I may say that on the whole I have
always disliked the sex, and I married for other reasons than those
which are supposed to be common. Woman," he went on, warming to his
topic, "although allowed upon the world as a necessary evil, is a
painted snare, full of [he meant baited with] guile. You will remember
that the first woman, in her wicked desire to make him as bad as
herself, tempted Adam until he ate the apple, no doubt under threats of
estranging herself from him if he did not, and all the results that
came from her iniquity, one of which is that men have had to work hard
ever since