e had forgotten all about our
appointment. I reminded him of it, and he with difficulty recalled it,
and consented, without any enthusiasm, to accompany me. By a few artful
hints to her mother (including a casual mention of his income), I
manoeuvred matters so that he had Edith almost entirely to himself for
the whole evening. I was proud of what I had done, and as we were
walking home together I waited to receive his gratitude.

"As it seemed slow in coming, I hinted my expectations.

"'Well,' I said, 'I think I managed that very cleverly for you.'

"'Managed what very cleverly?' said he.

"'Why, getting you and Miss Trevior left together for such a long time in
the conservatory,' I answered, somewhat hurt; '_I_ fixed that for you.'

"'Oh, it was _you_, was it,' he replied; 'I've been cursing Providence.'

"I stopped dead in the middle of the pavement, and faced him. 'Don't you
love her?' I said.

"'Love her!' he repeated, in the utmost astonishment; 'what on earth is
there in her to love? She's nothing but a bad translation of a modern
French comedy, with the interest omitted.'

"This 'tired' me--to use an Americanism. 'You came to me a month ago,' I
said, 'raving over her, and talking about being the dirt under her feet
and kissing her doorstep.'

"He turned very red. 'I wish, my dear Mac,' he said, 'you would pay me
the compliment of not mistaking me for that detestable little cad with
whom I have the misfortune to be connected. You would greatly oblige me
if next time he attempts to inflict upon you his vulgar drivel you would
kindly kick him downstairs.'

"'No doubt,' he added, with a sneer, as we walked on, 'Miss Trevior would
be his ideal. She is exactly the type of woman, I should say, to charm
that type of man. For myself, I do not appreciate the artistic and
literary female.'

"'Besides,' he continued, in a deeper tone, 'you know my feelings. I
shall never care for any other woman but Elizabeth.'

"'And she?' I said

"'She,' he sighed, 'is breaking her heart for Smith.'

"'Why don't you tell her you are Smith?' I asked.

"'I cannot,' he replied, 'not even to win her. Besides, she would not
believe me.'

"We said good-night at the corner of Bond Street, and I did not see him
again till one afternoon late in the following March, when I ran against
him in Ludgate Circus. He was wearing his transition blue suit and
bowler hat. I went up to him and took his arm.

"'Which are you?