led with melancholy triumph.

"I think you are mistaken," he said, sadly.

"How?"

"She has engaged to go with me."

"Base stratagem--unfaithful friend! I challenge you on the spot."

"Good! I accept."

"Take your foil!" cried Sir Asinus, starting up.

"Pardon me, most worthy knight--hand it to me. I can easily prick you
without rising."

Sir Asinus relented.

"Well, let us defer the combat," he said; "but when were you at
Shadynook--which, by the by, should be called Sunnybower?"

"Yesterday!"

"And maligned me?"

"Very well--war to the death in future. What news there?"

"Philippa is gone."

"Ah?"

"Yes; she suddenly announced her intention some days ago, and with a
nod to me, drove off in her chariot."

"A fine girl."

"Why don't you court her, if you admire her so much?"

"My friend," said Sir Asinus, "you seem not to understand that I am
'tangled by the hair and fettered by the eye' of Belle-bouche the
fairy."

Jacques sighed.

"Then I flatter myself she likes me," said Sir Asinus, caressing his
red whiskers in embryo. "I am in fact pledged exclusively to her. I
can't espouse both."

"Vanity!" said Jacques languidly; "but you could build a feudal
castle--a very palace--in the mountains with Philippa's money."

"There you are, with your temptations--try to seduce me, a republican,
into courtly extravagance--me, a martyr to religious toleration,
republican ideas, and the rights of woman!"

"Very well, Sir Asinus, I won't tempt you further; but I think it
would be cheap for you to marry on any terms--if only to extricate
yourself from your present difficulties. Once married, you would of
course leave college."

"Yes; but I wish to remain."

"What! in this attic?"

"Even so."

"A hermit?"

"Who said I was a hermit? I am surrounded with friends! Ned Carter
comes and smokes with me until my room is one impervious fog, all the
while protesting undying friendship, and asking me to write love
verses for him. Tom Randolph is a faithful friend and companion. Stay,
look at that beautiful suit of Mecklenburg silk which Belle-bouche
admired so much--I saw she did. Tom gave me that--in return for my new
suit of embroidered cloth. Who says human nature is not
disinterested?"

"Cynic!"

"Yes, I would be, were I not a Stoic."

"You are neither--you are an Epicurean."

"Granted: I am even an Apician."

"What's that? Who was Apicius?"

"There, now, you are shockingly ignorant; you rea