e had had your letter."

"And you think she is satisfied?"

"Satisfied? No, you can't expect her to be satisfied."

"I mean, is she satisfied that it isn't so bad after all as it
looked the other day? What does Katie think of me?"

"I think she is still very fond of you, but that she has been
puzzled and outraged by this discovery, and cannot get over it
all at once."

"Why didn't you tell her the whole story from beginning to end?"

"I tried to do so as well as I could."

"Oh, but I can see you haven't done it. She doesn't really
understand how it is."

"Perhaps not; but you must remember it is an awkward subject to
be talking about to a young woman. I would sooner stand another
fellowship examination than go through it again."

"Thank you, old fellow," said Tom, laying his hand on Hardy's
shoulder; "I feel that I'm unreasonable and impatient; but you
can excuse it; you know that I don't mean it."

"Don't say another word; I only wish I could have done more for
you."

"But what do you suppose Katie thinks of me?"

"Why, you see, it sums itself up in this; she sees that you have
been making serious love to Patty, and have turned the poor
girl's head, more or less, and that now you are in love with
somebody else. Why, put it how we will, we can't get out of that.
There are the facts, pure and simple, and she wouldn't be half a
woman if she didn't resent it."

"But it's hard lines, too, isn't it, old fellow? No, I won't say
that? I deserve it all, and much worse. But you think I may come
round all right?"

"Yes, all in good time. I hope there's no danger in any other
quarter?"

"Goodness knows. There's the rub, you see. She will go back to
town disgusted with me. I sha'n't see her again, and she won't
hear of me for I don't know how long; and she will be meeting
heaps of men. Has Katie been over to Barton?"

"Yes; she was there last week, just before they left."

"Well, what happened?"

"She wouldn't say much; but I gathered that they are very well."

"Oh yes, bother it. Of course they are very well. But didn't she
talk to Katie about what happened last week?"

"Of couse they did! What else should they talk about?"

"But you don't know what they said?"

"No. But you may depend on it that Miss Winter will be your
friend. My dear fellow, there is nothing for it but time."

"Well, I suppose not," said Tom, with a groan. "Do you think I
should call and see Katie?"

"No; I think better not."