to most girls."

"Why, you're as bad as he!" I exclaimed.

"In what way?"

"Unjust, and--almost morbid. I wouldn't have thought _you_ would be
like that, though perhaps one can't blame him so much, if he's had bad
experiences. I _am_ sorry for him. It must be miserable to fancy always
that people care for you for your money."

"I'm sorry for him, too. At least, I used to be--whenever I thought of
him."

"Aren't you now?"

"No. I believe he's a changed man. He's found that there are exceptions
to the gloomy rule he'd laid down for humanity."

"Oh, then he's happier."

"So far as I understand the case, he isn't exactly happy yet. He isn't
out of the woods. In fact, he's in the thickest part. But he sees blue
sky and the sun shining overhead."

"What do you mean?"

"A fellow who knows him very well told me that Harborough had fallen in
love with a beautiful girl who was so unworldly that she might be
induced to marry for love--if she cared."

"Then why isn't he happy?"

"Because he doesn't know whether she can ever care for him--except as a
friend. He's sure she likes him pretty well, but there's nothing in
that. I'm mighty ignorant about such things myself, but they say if a
girl doesn't mind showing that she's your friend, and values you in a
way, it's a sign she's a thousand miles off from falling in love with
you. What's your opinion on the subject--as you seem to be rather
interested in Harborough?"

"My goodness, Mr. Brett, there's a cow looking at us. Oh, what _shall_
we do? It's the worst cow of all. It's putting its head down now. It
doesn't like us. Oh, what an appalling beast. I believe it must be a
bull."

"It's a very young one," said he, calmly. "Now, don't be frightened.
This is going to be nothing at all."

"Are you _sure_?"

"Can't you trust me?"

"Yes. I know you won't let me be hurt. But you----"

"Don't worry. Perhaps we shall have a little fun. Just wait."

I could cheerfully have waited a hundred years, and then put it off
again; but it didn't look as if we should have to wait long--not more
than three-quarters of a dreadful second, with my blood in my head, and
all the iced water I had drunk at Newport in my spine.

The cows were delighted. Evidently they regarded the horrid,
thick-necked brute as their champion. They didn't follow him towards
us, but lifted their heads and stared complacently, as much as to say,
"Isn't he a splendid fellow? _Now_ he's going to give them w