"I shall tell your father to flog you," gasped the lady when she
recovered her breath.

"I should advise you not," said Isobel. "And what is more," she added
after reflection, "if you do I shall advise him not to listen to you."

Then the governess thought better of it and gave notice instead. To be
just to John Blake he never attempted to resort to violence against
his daughter. This may have been because he knew by instinct that it
would not be safe to do so or tend to his own comfort. Or perhaps, it
was for the reason that in his way he was fond of her, looking on her
with pride not quite untouched by fear. Like all bullies he was a
coward at heart, and respected anyone who dared to stand up to him,
even although she were but a girl, and his own daughter.

After the victim of the inkpot incident departed, threatening actions
at law and proclaiming that her pupil would come to a bad end,
questions arose as to Isobel's future education. Evidently the
governess experiment had broken down and was not worth repeating.
Although she trembled at the idea of parting with her only joy and
consolation in life, Lady Jane suggested that she should be sent to
school. It was fortunate for her that she did so, since as the idea
came from his wife, Mr. Blake negatived it at once firmly and finally,
a decision which she accepted with an outward sigh of resignation,
having learned the necessity of guile, and inward delight. Indeed, for
it that evening she thanked God upon her knees.

It may be also that her father did not wish that Isobel should go
away. Lady Jane bored him to distraction, since kicking a cushion soon
becomes poor sport. So much did she bore him indeed that for this and