mself, nor without the management of a more practical mind. If I took
things as he does, I should be tempted to say, "You monumental idiot, to
fling a rash word at a girl as proud as Lucifer, and then to take her
hasty repartee as a final verdict from doomsday book!" Happily there is
one person around with sense enough to see that both these moon-struck
babes are forgivable, and therefore capable of such bliss as may be
found in a world of which the best to be said is that we are in very
small measure responsible for it. They were both foolish, of course; but
what proportion does their joint offence bear to their punishment--and
ours? That is the Order of Things--this blessed and beautiful Kosmos.

[Footnote 2: The unwary reader may possibly need to be reminded that R.
T. is not to be taken too seriously, especially in this his Apology for
Lying.--_Pub._]

XXI.

JANE TO THE RESCUE.

It may seem unfeeling in me to indulge in dissertations like the above
at so critical a juncture: but they serve to fill the time while I am
waiting for marching orders. I have written to Jim, and that is all I
can do at present. Jane thinks differently: she ought to have been a
man, she is so fond of action. She got me in a corner to-day.

"Well, brother?"

"Well, Jane?"

"What have you done?"

"Done? what should I do?"

"Use a man's tools, that you are so fond of; plain speech, if no more.
Have you spoken to Clarice yet?"

"No: why should I speak to her? She spoke to Mabel, not to me."

"Robert, are you ever sincere in anything? When _I_ profess affection
for people, I am ready to serve them at their need."

"So am I, and Clarice knows it. She is perfectly aware that I am ready
to do this thing, or any other thing within my power, for her at any
time. It is easy for her to say what she wants."

"Brother, you are _so_ stupid! Don't you know that it is excessively
difficult for her to allude, however remotely, to a matter like this?
Say what she wants, she would die first. Do you desire to wait for that?
She is not like the rest of us; and a woman is not like a man. _You_
could talk for a week, and turn your whole mind inside out, with no
fatigue--except to your audience; but the faintest reference to what I
need not name would cost her a painful effort. I told you it was a great
thing for her to say what she did to Mabel. That ought to have been
enough for you."

"How could it be enough? Do try to talk sense now, J