"We have both something better to do--thank goodness! May I ask if you
are doing any work?"

He laughed.

"Ten hours a day. This is my first evening out since March. I came to
meet you."

Constance bowed ironically. Then for the first time, since their
conversation began, it might have been seen that she had annoyed him.

"Friends are not allowed to doubt each other's statements!" he said with
animation. "You see I still persist that you allowed me that name,
when--you refused me a better. As to my work, ask any of my friends.
Talk to Meyrick. He is a dear boy, and will tell you anything you like.
He and I 'dig' together in Beaumont Street. My schools are now only
three weeks off. I work four hours in the morning. Then I play till
six--and get in another six hours between then and 1 a.m."

"Wonderful!" said Constance coolly. "Your ways at Cannes were different.
It's a mercy there's no Monte Carlo within reach."

"I play when I play, and work when I work!" he said with emphasis. "The
only thing to hate and shun always--is moderation."

"And yet you call yourself a classic! Well, you seem to be sure of your
First. At least Uncle Ewen says so."

"Ewen Hooper? He is a splendid fellow--a real Hellenist. He and I get on
capitally. About your aunt--I am not so sure."

"Nobody obliges you to know her," was the tranquil reply.

"Ah!--but if she has the keeping of you! Are you coming to tea with me
and my people? I have got a man in college to lend me his rooms. My
mother and sister will be up for two nights. Very inconsiderate of
them--with my schools coming on--but they would do it. Thursday?--before
the Eights? Won't my mother be chaperon enough?"

"Certainly. But it only puts off the evil day."

"When I must grovel to Mrs. Hooper?--if I am to see anything of you?
Splendid! You are trying to discipline me again--as you did at Cannes!"

In the semidarkness she could see the amusement in his eyes. Her own
feeling, in its mingled weakness and antagonism, was that of the
feebler wrestler just holding his ground, and fearing every moment to be
worsted by some unexpected trick of the game. She gave no signs of
it, however.

"I tried, and I succeeded!" she said, as she rose. "You found out that
rudeness to my friends didn't answer! Shall we go and get some lemonade?
Wasn't that why you brought me here? I think I see the tent."

They walked on together. She seemed to see--exultantly--that she had
both angered and