wn, I wish you joy anyhow, and good luck to the fellow who
has got the best of me. He seems an alright sort from what I can make
out, and will be able to give you everything you want. Good-bye!" He
drew her to him, and as she did not resist, kissed her warmly on the
cheek, and let her go. He wanted to see her to her gate, but she
dismissed him, and he walked away through the spring night whistling a
cheery air. When he was safely gone I came out from hiding, and taking
Dawn's arm moved homewards.

The girl was weeping, but so softly that I was not aware of it till
her warm tears fell on my hand.

Oh, the never-ending fret and fume of being! When it is not discarded
love or jealousy that is agitating the human bosom, it is unsatisfied
ambition, the worry of parental responsibility, or loneliness and
regret that one has never tasted them. The past--what has it been? The
future--what will it be? The present--what does it matter? but a
thousand curses on its pin-pricks, wounding like sword-thrusts, and
which all must endure!

"Oh dear, I wish he hadn't been so nice," sobbed the girl. "He has
made me feel so ashamed that I don't think I'm fit to marry Ernest! I
wish he had been nasty to me, and then I wouldn't have cared. But you
don't think he cares, do you? Listen to him whistling so merrily!"

"It is not those who whine loudest who feel most."

"But men don't really have any feelings in this sort of thing, do
they?"

"Feeling is not peculiar to any section or sex of the community, but
to a percentage of all humanity. This is my belief, but I cannot
attempt to judge which feel and which do not."

"Who would have dreamt of him being so sweet-natured about it?"

"Nobility of character and unselfishness are also traits we cannot
find in any set place."

"I wish I hadn't been such a cat. I can't forgive myself."

I smiled happily as Eweword's action bespoke a character more in
keeping with his imposing physique than that betrayed when he had
vulgarly spoken of pulling a girl's leg. That had been like seeing a
beautiful house occupied by nothing but poachers, and I loved
humanity, so that it always hurt to see even the meanest individual do
less than their best.

"Well, cheer up," I said. "Take care not to similarly transgress
again. We all are constantly committing regrettable actions, but so
long as we are careful not to repeat them we may hope to make some
headway."

So the knight received a favourable reply,