s interrupted by a knock at the door,
followed by the announcement that a gentleman named O'Gree wished to
see Mr. Waymark. Waymark smiled at Julian.

"Don't run away," he said. "You ought to know O'Gree in the flesh."

The teacher came into the room with a rush, and was much taken aback at
the sight of a stranger present. Perspiration was streaming profusely
from his face, which was aglow with some great intelligence. After
being introduced to Casti, he plunged down on a chair, and mopped
himself with his handkerchief, uttering incoherencies about the state
of the weather. Waymark made an effort to bring about a general
conversation, but failed; O'Gree was so preoccupied that any remark
addressed to him had to be repeated before he understood it, and Julian
was in no mood for making new acquaintances. So, in a few minutes, the
latter took his hat and left, Waymark going with him to the door to
speak a few words of encouragement.

"The battle's won!" cried O'Gree, with much gesticulation, as soon as
Waymark returned. "The campaign's at an end!--I'm sorry if I've driven
your friend away, but I was bound to tell you."

"All right. Let me have a description of the manoeuvres."

"Look here, my boy," said O'Gree, with sudden solemnity, "you've never
been very willing to talk to me about her. Now, before I tell you
anything, I want to know this. _Why_ wouldn't you tell me how you first
got to know her, and so on?"

"Before I answer, I want to know this: have you found out why I
wouldn't?"

"Yes, I have--that is, I suppose I have--and from her own lips, too!
You knew her when she lived near the Strand there, eh?"

"I did."

"Well now, understand, my boy. I don't want to hear anything
disagreeable; in fact, I won't listen to anything disagreeable;--all I
want to know is, whether I may safely tell you what she has told me. If
you don't know it already, there's no need to talk of it."

"I understand, and I don't think you can tell me anything I'm not well
aware of."

"Sure, then, I will tell you, and if there's another girl as brave and
honest as Sally in all this worruld, I'll be obliged if you'll make me
acquainted with her! Well, you know she has a Saturday afternoon off
every month. It hasn't been a very cheerful day, but it couldn't be
missed; and, as it was too rainy to walk about, I couldn't think of any
better place to go to than the British Museum. Of course I wanted to
find a quiet corner, but there were p