e to be put in the path of my duty by anybody, be it
he, or be it she, be it transient, or be it permanent."

This was a direct shot and Mrs. Mangenborn gave signs that it had gone
home; for she arose. "I am very sorry," she said with heavy-weight
dignity, "I am very sorry."

"There is nothing to be sorry for, only this, Mrs. Mangenborn! I'd
like it to be thoroughly understood that no person in this living world
can besmirch the character of Professor Von Barwig without besmirching
me," and Miss Husted folded her arms somewhat defiantly.

"Oh, Miss Husted, Miss Husted, how can you say such a thing! Did I
besmirch even a particle of his character? Just prove your words,
please; did I, did I?"

Mrs. Mangenborn now came slightly closer to Miss Husted and for a
moment it looked as though there would be a personal altercation
between the two ladies.

"You said that his hours were not respectable hours, and that he didn't
tell all he knew, and--and--oh, I can't remember all you said, Mrs.
Mangenborn, nor does it matter in the least! Pray, why should he tell
all he knows? It's no lady's business--what he knows! For that
matter, do you tell all you know? No," went on Miss Husted, now
thoroughly aroused, "but you tell a great many things that you don't
know! Not one of your fortunes has come true, lately, not one!"

The cards had toppled over, there were no more fortunes in them, and
Mrs. Mangenborn saw that her reign had come to an end.

"I do not care to discuss the question any further," she said loftily,
and giving a wide sweep to her skirts she added somewhat
grandiloquently:

"Kindly send my bill to my room, and please consider yourself at
perfect liberty to dispose of it to some one else."

"With great pleasure, Mrs. Mangenborn," replied Miss Husted, "with very
great pleasure! And I may add I was going to ask you for your room
this very evening."

Mrs. Mangenborn's only answer was a loud and prolonged laugh, which she
kept up all the way to her room and which only ceased when she had shut
her door with a loud bang.

"Good riddance!" thought Miss Husted, "a very good riddance!"

Thus the friendship of years was sundered.

[Illustration: Helene prepares her trousseau.]

At this precise moment the innocent object of their strife let himself
in at the front door.

"Ah, my dear Professor Von Barwig, I was just thinking of you," said
Miss Husted, as she followed him into his rooms. "I've got rid of