he went on.

"I--I'm sorry I haven't anything to tell about that accident. I've been
telegraphing all day, without finding out anything beyond the fact as
first reported; and now my son's gone up to Wellwater, to look it up on
the ground. It may have been our Mr. Northwick, or it may not. May I ask
how much you know?"

"I don't know that I'm quite free to say," answered Maxwell.

"Oh!"

"And I didn't expect you to say anything unless you wished to make
something known. It's a matter of business."

"Exactly," said Hilary. "But I think I might been a little civiller in
saying what I did. The rumor's been a great annoyance to me; and I like
to share my annoyances with other people. I suppose your business often
brings you in contact with men of that friendly disposition? Heigh?"
Hilary rolled the cigar he was about to light between his lips.

"We see the average man," said Maxwell, not at all flattered from his
poise by Hilary's apologies. "It's a bore to be interviewed; I know that
from the bore it is to interview."

"I dare say that's often the worst part of it," said Hilary, lighting
his cigar, and puffing out the first great clouds. "Well, then, I may
congratulate myself on sparing you an unpleasant duty. I didn't know I
should come off so handsomely."

There seemed nothing more to say, and Maxwell did not attempt to make
conversation. Hilary offered him his hand, and he said, as if to relieve
the parting of abruptness, "If you care to look in on me again, later
on, perhaps--"

"Thank you," said Maxwell, and he turned to go. Then he turned back, and
after a moment's hesitation, bowed to Louise, and said very stiffly,
"Good-evening!" and went out.

Louise fetched a deep breath. "Why didn't you keep him longer, papa, and
find out all about him?"

"I think we know all that's necessary," said her father, dryly. "At
least he isn't on my conscience any longer; and now I hope you're
satisfied."

"Yes--yes," she hesitated. "You don't think you were too patronizing in
your reparation, papa?"

"Patronizing?" Hilary's crest began to rise.

"Oh, I don't mean that; but I wish you hadn't let him see that you
expected him to leap for joy when you stooped to excuse yourself."

Hilary delayed, for want of adequate terms, the violence he was about to
permit himself. "The next time, if you don't like my manner with people,
don't stay, Louise."

"I knew you wanted me to stay, papa, to see how beautifully you could do