es at me again. That's the way with women. When a woman like
Stephen fixes her cold grey on a man she does not mean to go asleep over
it. I daresay my best plan will be to sit tight, and let her work
herself up a bit. There's nothing like a little wholesome neglect for
bringing a girl to her bearings!' . . .

For a while he walked on in satisfied self-complacency.

'Confound her! why couldn't she have let me know that she was fond of me
in some decent way, without all that formal theatrical proposing? It's a
deuced annoying thing in the long run the way the women get fond of me.
Though it's nice enough in some ways while it lasts!' he added, as if in
unwilling recognition of fact. As the path debouched on the highroad he
said to himself half aloud:

'Well, she's a mighty fine girl, anyhow! And if she is red I've had
about enough of the black! . . . That Spanish girl is beginning to kick
too! I wish I had never come across . . . '

'Shut up, you fool!' he said to himself as he walked on.

When he got home he found a letter from his father. He took it to his
room before breaking the seal. It was at least concise and to the point:

'The enclosed has been sent to me. You will have to deal with it
yourself. You know my opinion and also my intention. The items
which I have marked have been incurred since I spoke to you last about
your debts. I shall not pay another farthing for you. So take your
own course!

'JASPER EVERARD.'

The enclosed was a jeweller's bill, the length and the total of which
lengthened his face and drew from him a low whistle. He held it in his
hand for a long time, standing quite still and silent. Then drawing a
deep breath he said aloud:

'That settles it! The halter is on me! It's no use squealing. If it's
to be a red head on my pillow! . . . All right! I must only make the
best of it. Anyhow I'll have a good time to-day, even if it must be the
last!'

That day Harold was in Norcester on business. It was late when he went
to the club to dine. Whilst waiting for dinner he met Leonard Everard,
flushed and somewhat at uncertain in his speech. It was something of a
shock to Harold to see him in such a state.

Leonard was, however, an old friend, and man is as a rule faithful to
friends in this form of distress. So in his kindly feeling Harold
offered to drive him home, for he knew that he could thus keep him out of
further harm. Leonard thanked hi