ndoning "straightness" for a gathering mesh of deceit. Attached to
his name was an unsavoury reputation of card-playing for high stakes, of
drinking too much, although not to the extent of actual drunkenness; and
the character had alienated from him the friendship of serious men, and
evoked a disapproving aloofness in the manner of his instructors. At
the moment when he most needed help those who were best fitted to give
it sedulously avoided his company, and in this first moment of meeting
Darsie was tempted to follow their example.

Horrid to look like that! At his age to own those lines, those reddened
eyes, that dulled white skin! Up went the little head, the slender neck
reared itself proudly, the red lips curled over small white teeth.
Darsie intended to wither Ralph by the sight of such obvious distaste,
but with the easy vanity of his nature he attributed her airs to girlish
pique at his own neglect, and was correspondingly elated thereat.

The little schoolgirl who had been his sister's friend had grown into a
"stunning girl," with whom the men were evidently greatly impressed.
Ralph decided that the hour had come to claim her as an old friend and
take her under his wing. He sat himself down by her side and
persistently monopolised her attention.

"College life evidently suits you, Darsie. You are looking rippingly
well!"

"Am I? Sorry to be unable to return the compliment!"

"Oh!" Ralph moved impatiently. "Don't _you_ begin that tune! It is
dinned into my ears from morning till night. A fellow may swot himself
into a rag, and not a word will be said, but if he oversteps an inch for
his own amusement there's the dickens to pay. I said from the start
that I intended to have a good rag. College is one of the best times in
a man's life, and he's a fool if he doesn't make the most of his
chance."

"It is also--incidentally--supposed to be a time for mental
improvement," returned Darsie in sententious tones, which brought upon
her an instant rebuke.

"Oh, for pity's sake don't come the Newnham swag over me! Can't stand
those girls as a rule. Avoid 'em like poison. Take my advice as an old
friend and avoid that style as you would the plague. You're too jolly
pretty to come the strong-minded female. Far better stick to your old
style. Men like it a heap better."

"It is a matter of perfect indifference to me _what_ men like!" declared
Darsie, not, it is to be feared, with absolute veracity.