gs like that."

"And making you angry--that is a source of distinct pleasure to me. You
have no idea how charming you are when you are--well, for the sake of
euphony we will say slightly ruffled, Miss Elisabeth Farringdon."

Elisabeth stamped her foot. "I wish to goodness you'd be serious
sometimes! Frivolity is positively loathsome in a man."

"Then I repent it in dust and ashes, and shall rely upon your more
sedate and serious mind to correct this tendency in me. Besides, as you
generally blame me for erring in the opposite direction, it is a relief
to find you smiting me on the other cheek as a change. It keeps up my
mental circulation better."

"You are both too frivolous and too serious."

Christopher was unwise enough to laugh. "My dear child, I seem to make
what is called 'a corner' in vices; but even I can not reconcile the
conflicting ones."

Then Elisabeth's anger settled down into the quiet stage. "If you think
it gentlemanly to disappoint a lady and then insult her, pray go on
doing so; I can only say that I don't."

"What on earth do you mean, Elisabeth? Do you really believe that I
meant to vex you?" The laughter had entirely died out of Christopher's
face, and his voice was hoarse.

"I don't know what you meant, and I am afraid I don't much mind. All I
know is that you did disappoint me and did insult me, and that is enough
for me. The purity of your motives is not my concern; I merely resent
the impertinence of your behaviour."

Christopher rose from his seat; he was serious enough now. "You are
unjust to me, Elisabeth, but I can not and will not attempt to justify
myself. Good afternoon."

For a second the misery on his face penetrated the thunder-clouds of
Elisabeth's indignation. "Won't you have some tea before you go?" she
asked. It seemed brutal--even to her outraged feelings--to send so old a
friend empty away.

Christopher's smile was very bitter as he answered. "No, thank you. I am
afraid, after the things you have said to me, I should hardly be able
graciously to accept hospitality at your hands; and rather than accept
it ungraciously, I will not accept it at all." And he turned on his
heel and left her.

As she watched his retreating figure, one spasm of remorse shot through
Elisabeth's heart; but it was speedily stifled by the recollection that,
for the first time in her life, Christopher had failed her, and had
shown her plainly that there were, in his eyes, more important matt