nd was now her own. She could not and would
not give up her lessons. Why indeed should she?

"Because friends"--Falloden had laid a passionate emphasis on the
word--"must have some regard--surely--to each other's likes and
dislikes. If you have an enemy, tell me--he or she shall be
mine--instantly! Sorell dislikes me. You will never hear any good of me
from him. And, of course, Radowitz hates me. I have given him good
cause. Promise--at least--that you will not dance with Radowitz again.
You don't know what I suffered last night. He has the antics of
a monkey!"

Whereupon the quarrel between them had broken like thunder, Constance
denouncing the arrogance and unkindness that could ask such promises of
her; Falloden steadily, and with increasing bitterness, pressing
his demand.

And so to the last scene between them, at the gate.

Was it a breach?--or would it all be made up that very night at the
Magdalen ball?

No!--it was and should be a breach! Constance fought back her tears, and
rode proudly home.

* * * * *

"What are you going to wear to-night?" said Nora, putting her head in at
Constance's door. Constance was lying down by Annette's strict command,
in preparation for her second ball, which was being given by Magdalen,
where the college was reported to have surpassed itself in the
lavishness of all the preparations made for lighting up its beautiful
walks and quadrangles.

Constance pointed languidly to the sofa, where a creation in white silk
and tulle, just arrived from London, had been laid out by the
reverential hands of Annette.

"Why on earth does one go to balls?" said Constance, gloomily pressing
both hands upon a pair of aching temples.

Nora shut the door behind her, and came to the side of the bed.

"It's time to dress," she said firmly. "Alice says you had a _succes
fou_ last night."

"Go away, and don't talk nonsense!" Constance turned on her side, and
shut her eyes.

"Oh, Alice hadn't a bad time either!" said Nora, complacently, sitting
on the bed. "Herbert Pryce seems to have behaved quite decently. Shall I
tell you something?" The laughing girl stooped over Connie, and said in
her ear--"Now that Herbert knows it would be no good proposing to you,
he thinks it might be a useful thing to have you for a relation."

"Don't be horrid!" said Constance. "If I were Alice--"

"You'd punch my head?" Nora laughed. "All very well. But Alice doesn't
much care