raid of a rat, but you would
call a man a coward who was afraid in battle. To be a coward there seems
to me to be a coward all round. I have always thought the one virtue
in man I really envied was bravery, and that a coward was the most
despicable creature living. It might not be his actual fault, but one
can't help that. It is not anyone's fault if he is fearfully ugly or
born an idiot, for example. But cowardice seems somehow different. Not
to be brave when he is strong seems to put a man below the level of a
woman. I feel sure, Doctor, there must be some mistake, and that this
story cannot be true. I have seen a good deal of Mr. Bathurst since we
have been here, and you have always spoken so well of him, he is the
last man I should have thought would be--would be like that."

"I know the circumstances of the case, child. You can trust me when
I say that there is nothing in Bathurst's conduct that diminishes my
respect for him in the slightest degree, and that in some respects he is
as brave a man as any I know."

"Yes, Doctor, all that may be; but you do not answer my question. Did
Mr. Bathurst leave the army because he showed cowardice? If he did, and
you know it, why did you invite him here? why did you always praise
him? why did you not say, 'In other respects this man may be good and
estimable, but he is that most despicable thing, a coward'?"

There was such a passion of pain in her voice and face that the Doctor
only said quietly, "I did not know it, my dear, or I should have told
you at first that in this one point he was wanting. It is, I consider,
the duty of those who know things to speak out. But he is certainly not
what you say."

Isobel tossed her head impatiently. "We need not discuss it, Doctor. It
is nothing to me whether Mr. Bathurst is brave or not, only it is not
quite pleasant to learn that you have been getting on friendly terms
with a man who--"

"Don't say any more," the Doctor broke in. "You might at least remember
he is a friend of mine. There is no occasion for us to quarrel, my dear,
and to prevent the possibility of such a thing I will be off at once."

After he had left Isobel sat down to think over what had been said. He
had not directly answered her questions, but he had not denied that the
rumor that Bathurst had retired from the army because he was wanting in
courage was well founded. Everything he had said, in fact, was an excuse
rather than a denial. The Doctor was as stanch