, of the wrecking of Radowitz's career, together with
sinister rumours as to his general health, had spread through Oxford,
magnifying as they went. Falloden met it all with a haughty silence; and
was but seldom seen in his old haunts.

And presently it had become known, to the stupefaction of those who were
aware of the earlier facts, that victim and tormentor, the injured and
the offender, were living together in the Boar's Hill cottage where
Radowitz was finishing the composition required for his second musical
examination, and Falloden--having lost his father, his money and his
prospects--was reading for a prize fellowship to be given by Merton
in December.

* * * * *

It was already moonlight when Falloden began to climb the long hill
again, which leads up from Folly Bridge to the height on which stood the
cottage. But the autumn sunset was not long over, and in the mingled
light all the rich colours of the fading woodland seemed to be suspended
in, or fused with, the evening air. Forms and distances, hedges, trees,
moving figures, and distant buildings were marvellously though dimly
glorified; and above the golds and reds and purples of the misty earth,
shone broad and large--an Achilles shield in heaven--the autumn moon,
with one bright star beside it.

Suddenly, out of the twilight, Falloden became aware of a pony-carriage
descending the hill, and two ladies in it. His blood leapt. He
recognised Constance Bledlow, and he supposed the other lady was Mrs.
Mulholland.

Constance on her side knew in a moment from the bearing of his head and
shoulders who was the tall man approaching them. She spoke hurriedly to
Mrs. Mulholland.

"Do you mind if I stop and speak to Mr. Falloden?"

Mrs. Mulholland shrugged her shoulders--

"Do as you like, my dear. Only don't expect me to be very forthcoming!"

Constance stopped the carriage, and bent forward.

"Mr. Falloden!"

He came up to her. Connie introduced him to Mrs. Mulholland, who bowed
coldly.

"We have just been to see Otto Radowitz," said Constance. "We found
him--very sadly, to-day." Her hesitating voice, with the note of wistful
appeal in it, affected him strangely.

"Yes, it has been a bad day. I haven't seen him at all."

"He gave us tea, and talked a great deal. He was rather excited; but he
looked wretched. And why has he turned against his doctor?"

"Has he turned against his doctor?" Falloden's tone was one of sur