itates herself in an affair, complications are bound
to follow. Also Elizabeth is no ordinary woman. There are times when
I question whether she is human. Was it not her idea that I
should--but I must try to chronicle the events in their correct
sequence.

The mistake I made primarily, was in not going away directly I first
heard from Elizabeth of Miss Warrington's unfortunate and misplaced
attachment for me. Things might then have adjusted themselves quite
naturally. The idea, however, of a sensitive woman suffering on my
account was exceedingly distasteful to me. If, I decided, I could
bring about her complete disillusionment my conscience would be at
rest. Also there would then be no necessity to cut myself off from the
Warringtons, and give up my pleasant discourses with Henry. Thus, I
felt, I was taking the most advisable course under the circumstances.

As for Miss Warrington herself, her behaviour was so inexplicable I
wondered if her mind was not beginning to get unhinged. In the first
place it was, I thought, unmaidenly enough that she should, through the
medium of Elizabeth, thrust her photo on me; but that the photo should
be accompanied by some feeble selection from the ill-balanced
outpourings of Byron (who is my pet aversion) was, indeed, almost
revolting.

Further, her attitude towards me in the presence of others was one of
open hostility. So well, indeed, did she act on one occasion when I
happened to be dining at her brother's house, that a new hope sprang up
within me. I began to think that her strange uncalled-for passion for
me had passed--in short, that her love had turned to hate. So
impressed was I with this idea that when I next called at the
Warringtons' I asked Elizabeth if I could speak to her alone for a few
moments.

'About Miss Marryun, I'll bet,' she remarked. Looking at her I thought
she accompanied her words with a slight lowering of the left eyelid. I
trust I was mistaken. Free as the girl is in her speech I have never
given her any encouragement to embellish it by winking.

[Illustration: A slight lowering of the left eyelid.]

'Naturally, the subject has been preying on my mind,' I admitted. 'But
I am not so tortured with misgivings as before. Miss Warrington has
ceased to--er--interest herself in me. In fact she detests me.'

'Oo ses that tom-my-rot?' asked the girl, turning on me almost fiercely.

'Miss Warrington was so excessively rude and abrupt in her