t
they were a "fine-lookin' couple"--no doubt sweethearts. What else
should bring a young man and a young woman riding in Lathom Woods at
that time in the morning? "Never seed 'em doin' it before, anyways."

Connie threw the old man a gracious "Good morning!"--to which he
guardedly responded, looking full at her, as he stood leaning on
his axe.

"I wonder what the old fellow is thinking about us!" she said lightly,
when they had moved forward. Then she flushed, conscious that the remark
had been ill-advised.

Falloden, who was sitting erect and rather sombre, his reins lying
loosely on his horse's neck, said slowly--

"He is probably thinking all sorts of foolish things, which aren't true.
I wish they were."

Connie's eyes were shining with a suppressed excitement.

"He supposes at any rate we have had a good time, and in fact--we
haven't. Is that what you mean?"

"If you like to put it so."

"And we haven't had a good time, because--unfortunately--we've
quarrelled!"

"I should describe it differently. There are certain proofs and tests of
friendship that any friend may ask for. But when they are all refused--"

"Friendship itself is strained!" laughed Constance, looking round at her
companion. She was breathing quickly. "In other words, we have been
quarrelling--about Radowitz--and there seems no way of making it up."

"You have only to promise me the very little thing I asked," said
Falloden stiffly.

"That I shouldn't dance with him to-night, or again this week? You call
that a little thing?"

"I should have thought it a small thing, compared--"

He turned and faced her. His dark eyes were full of proud agitation--of
things unspoken. But she met them undaunted.

"Compared to--friendship?"

He was silent, but his eyes held her.

"Well then"--said Constance--"let me repeat that--in my opinion,
friendship which asks unreasonable things--is not friendship--but
tyranny!"

She drew herself up passionately, and gave a smart touch with her whip
to the mare's flank, who bounded forward, and had to be checked by
Falloden's hand on her bridle.

"Don't get run away with, while you are denouncing me!" he said,
smiling, as they pulled up.

"I really didn't want any help!" said Constance, panting. "I could have
stopped her quite easily."

"I doubt it. She is really not the lamb you think her!"

"Nor is her mistress: I return the remark."

"Which has no point. Because only a mad-man--"

"Could have