for a failure; I was meant to pass through the world unknown and
unheeded, saving by those near to me. You require larger interests. I am
glad I have loved you, I am sorry I led you into treachery. Good-bye."

The town's folk missed Desborough for a long while after this, and then
it gradually oozed out that he had broken off his engagement. Anyone who
knows what the gossip of a provincial town is like, will understand the
wrath and indignation that followed this proceeding. Poor Desborough
fancied he had been sacrificing himself, and, if the truth must be
told, felt a little proud of his own nobility. Yet all the while many
tongues were tearing his reputation to shreds.

He had come to London, thinking the rush and hurry of crowded life would
brighten his thoughts, and he was walking dreamily down the turbulent
Strand one evening when he met a man from his own town. He stepped up to
his acquaintance and stopped. The man looked him in the face and passed
on. Desborough turned and walked alongside, saying with quick breathing,
"Why do you refuse me your hand? I have not seen a face I know for days,
weeks--I don't know how long."

The man replied, "Look here, Desborough, I don't like cutting any
fellow, but I wish you had not tried to speak to me."

"What do you mean?"

"It is very shabby of you to ask what I mean. I do not pretend to be a
saint at all, but there are things no fellow can stand. I wish you would
let me say good day."

"But I insist upon knowing."

"Knowing what? You know what you have done, and I should think that
ought to be enough to serve you. I shall tell you nothing more."

"Turn down into one of the quiet streets; and for pity's sake tell me
what you mean."

They walked into the Adelphi, and Desborough's friend said, "I thought
you had a bit of the man about you. Why do you thrust yourself on me?
You pretend to know nothing about the girl, and I call it shabby, there
now!"

Presently Desborough found himself standing alone.

The whole position flashed upon him. He could not go back. He saw that
his character was gone, and he saw that he was blamed for destroying a
character that he had held more precious than his own. He went to his
chambers and wrote to a relation for money. He intended to sell all that
he owned, and he simply asked for an advance so that he might get out of
the country quickly, and place the greatest possible distance between
himself and his home before he finally pa