"
"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.
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