r. It was most
unlikely that she had yet heard of the accident. And yet she might have
seen Sorell.

He made up his mind and quickened his pace. She heard the steps behind
her and involuntarily looked round. He saw, with a passionate delight,
that she could not immediately hide the agitation with which she
recognised him.

"Whither away?" he said as he took off his hat. "Were you up as late as
I? And are balls worth their headaches?"

She was clearly surprised by the ease and gaiety of his manner, and at
the same time--he thought--inclined to resent his interruption of her
walk, before she had made up her mind in what mood, or with what aspect
to meet him next. But he gave her no time for further pondering. He
walked beside her, while she coldly explained that she had taken Nora to
meet some girl friends at the Cherwell boat-house, and was now hurrying
back herself to pay some calls with her aunt in the afternoon.

"What a week you have had!" he said when she paused. "Is there anything
left of you? I saw that you stayed very late last night."

She admitted it.

"As for me, of course, I thought the ball--intolerable. But that of
course you know--you must know!" he added with a sudden vehement
emphasis. "May I not even say that you intended it? You meant to scourge
me, and you succeeded."

Constance laughed, though he perceived that her lip trembled a little.

"The scourging had, I think--compensations."

"You mean I took refuge with Mrs. Glendower? Yes, she was kind--and
useful. She is an old friend--more of the family than mine. She is
coming to stay at Flood in August."

"Indeed?" The tone was as cool as his own. There was a moment's pause.
Then Falloden turned another face upon her.

"Lady Constance!--I have something rather serious and painful to tell
you--and I am glad of this opportunity to tell you before you hear it
from any one else. There was a row in college last night, or rather this
morning, after the ball, and Otto Radowitz was hurt."

The colour rushed into Connie's face. She stopped. All around them the
park stretched, grey and empty. There was no one in sight on the path
where they had met.

"But not seriously," she breathed.

"His hand was hurt in the scuffle!"

Constance gave a cry.

"His hand!"

"Yes. I knew you'd feel that. It was a horrible shame--and a pure
accident. But you'd better know the whole truth. It was a rag, and I was
in it. But, of course, nobody had the smallest