He was a clever man, also ambitious, one who had hopes of some day ruling the country, but to do this he needed behind him great and assured fortune in addition to his ancient but somewhat impoverished rank.

In short, she suited his book, and he suited that of Sir John.

Now, the thing to do was to bring it about that he should also suit Isobel's book.

And just at the critical moment this accursed accident had happened.

Oh! it was too much.
No wonder that Sir John was filled with righteous wrath and a stern determination to "make things hot" for the cause of the "accident" as, led to the attack by the active but dripping Mr.Knight whom he designated in his heart as that "little cur of a parson," much as an overfed and bloated bloodhound might be by some black and vicious mongrel, he tramped heavily towards the church.