tic prospects of that sort," he said drily. "What I
shall do with this fortnight depends entirely--on one person."

The rest of the room seemed full of a buzz of conversation which left
them unobserved. Connie had taken up her large lace fan and was slowly
opening and closing it. The warm pallor of her face and throat, the
golden brown of her hair, the grace of her neck and shoulders, enchanted
the man beside her. For three weeks he had been holding desire in check
with a strong hand. The tide of it rushed back upon him, with the joy of
a released force. But he knew that he must walk warily.

"Will you please give me some orders?" he went on, smiling, seeing that
she did not reply. "How has the mare been behaving?"

"She is rather tame--a little too much of the sheep in her composition."

"She wants a companion. So do I--badly. There is a little village beyond
the Lathom Woods--which has a cottage--for tea--and a strawberry garden.
Shall we sample it?"

Constance shook her head laughing.

"We haven't an hour. Everybody asks us to parties, all day and all night
long. London is a joke to Oxford."

"Don't go!" said Falloden impatiently. "I have been asked to meet
you--three times--at very dull houses. But I shall go, of course, unless
I can persuade you to do something more amusing."

"Oh, dear, no! We're in for it. But I thought people came here to read
books?"

"They do read a few; but when one has done with them one feels towards
them like enemies whom one has defeated--and insults. I chucked my Greek
lexicon under the sofa, first thing, when I got back from the schools
this afternoon."

"Wasn't that childish--rather? I am appalled to think how much you
know."

He laughed impatiently.

"Now one may begin to learn something. Oxford is precious little use.
But it's not worth while being beaten--in anything. Shall we say
Thursday, then?--for our ride?"

Constance opened her eyes in pretended astonishment.

"After the ball? Shall I be awake? Let's settle it on Wednesday!"

He could get no more definite promise from her, and must needs take his
leave. Before he went, he asked her to keep the first four dances for
him at the Marmion ball, and two supper-dances. But Constance evaded a
direct assent. She would do her best. But she had promised some to Mr.
Pryce, and some to Mr. Radowitz.

Falloden's look darkened.

"You should not allow him to dance with you," he said imperiously. "He
is too eccentric. He