ings you
here? Come, out with it all at once. I declare you have quite excited
me."

Well was it for poor Queeker that every one was too much occupied with
the newcomer to pay any attention to him, for he could not prevent his
visage from betraying something of the feelings which harrowed up his
soul. The moment he set eyes on Stanley Hall, mortal jealousy--keen,
rampant, virulent jealousy of the worst type--penetrated every fibre of
his being, and turned his heart to stone! We cannot afford space to
detail the various shades of agony, the degrees of despair, through
which this unfortunate young man passed during that evening. A thick
volume would not suffice to contain it all. Language is powerless to
express it. Only those who have similarly suffered can conceive it.

Of course, we need scarcely add that there was no occasion for jealousy.
Nothing was further from the mind of Stanley than the idea of falling
in love with Katie. Nevertheless, politeness required that he should
address himself to her occasionally. At such times, Queeker's soul was
stabbed in an unutterable manner. He managed to command himself,
notwithstanding. To his credit, be it said, that he refrained from
using the carving-knife. He even joined with some show of interest (of
course hypocritical) in the conversation.

Stanley Hall was not only good-looking, but good-humoured, and full of
quiet fun and anecdote, so that he quickly ingratiated himself with all
the members of the family.

"D'you know it makes me feel young again to hear these old stories about
your father's college-life," said Mr Durant. "Have some more cheese,
Stanney--you look like a man who ought to have a good appetite--fill
your glass and pass the bottle--thanks. Now, how comes it that you have
turned up in this out-of-the-way part of the world? By-the-bye, I hope
you intend to stay some time, and that you will take up your quarters
with me? You can't imagine how much pleasure it would give me to have
the son of my old companion as a guest for some time. I'm sure that
Katie joins me heartily in this hope."

Queeker's spirit sank with horror, and when Katie smilingly seconded her
father's proposal, his heart stood still with dismay. Fanny Hennings,
who had begun to suspect that there was something wrong with Queeker,
put her handkerchief to her mouth, and coughed with what appeared to be
unreasonable energy.

"I regret," said Stanley (and Queeker's breath c