why Herbert Pryce marries her, so long as he does marry her."

Constance did not reply. She continued to feign a headache. But all the
time she was thinking of the scene in the wood that morning, when she
and Falloden had--to amuse themselves--plotted the rise in life, and the
matrimonial happiness, of Herbert and Alice. How little they had cared
for what they talked about! They talked only that they might laugh
together--hear each other's voices, look into each other's eyes--

"Where did you ride this morning?" said Nora suddenly.

"Somewhere out towards Godstowe," said Constance vaguely.

"I saw Mr. Falloden riding down the High this morning, when I was on
the way to the Bodleian. He just looks splendid on horseback--I must
give him that. Why doesn't he ride with you sometimes, as he chose
your horse?"

"I understand the whole of Oxford would have a fit if a girl went out
riding with an undergraduate," said Constance, her voice muffled in the
pillow. Then, after a moment she sprang up, and began to brush her hair.

"Mr. Falloden's not an undergraduate now. He can do what he likes," said
Nora.

Constance made no reply. Nora observed her with a pair of shrewd brown
eyes.

"There are two bouquets for you downstairs," she said abruptly.

Constance turned round startled, almost hidden by the thick veil of her
brown hair.

"Who's sent them?"

"One comes from Mr. Radowitz--a beauty. The other's from Lord Meyrick.
Isn't he a jolly boy?"

Constance turned back to the dressing-table, disappointed. She had half
expected another name. And yet she would have felt insulted if Falloden
had dared to send her flowers that evening, without a word of
apology--of regret for their happy hour, spoilt by his absurd demands.

"Well, I can't carry them both; and one will be offended."

"Oh, you must take Radowitz's!" cried Nora. "Just to show that you stand
by him. Mr. Sorell says everybody likes him in college--except Mr.
Falloden's horrid set, who think themselves the lords of creation. They
say that Otto Radowitz made such an amusing speech last week in the
college debating society attacking 'the bloods.' Of course they didn't
hear it, because they have their own club, and turn up their nose at the
college society. But it's going to be printed somewhere, and then it'll
make them still more furious with him. They'll certainly pay him out
some time."

"All right," said Constance, who had suddenly recovered colour and
viva