“A most commendable dissipation,” interrupted Locker.

“He had no dissipations,” said Miss Raleigh.  “His character was unimpeachable.  In very many ways I was attracted to him, in very many ways I endeavored to make life pleasant for him; and I am afraid that sometimes I neglected Mrs. Easterfield’s interests so that I might do little things for him, such as dusting, keeping his ink-pots full, providing fresh blotting-paper, and many other trifling services which devotion readily suggested.”

Locker heaved a sigh of commiseration which she mistook for one of sympathy.

“I will not go into particulars,” she continued, “but at last he discovered that—­well, I will be plain with you—­he discovered that I loved him.  Then, sir—­it is humiliating to me to say it, but I will not flinch—­he discarded me.  He did not use words, but his manner was sufficient.  Never again did I go near his desk, never did I tender him the slightest service.  It was a terrible blow!  It was humiliating”

“I should think so,” said Locker, “from him”

“But I will say no more,” she remarked with a sigh.  “I have told you what you have heard that you may understand how thoroughly I sympathize with you, for all is over with me in that direction, as I suppose all is over with you in your direction.  And now I must go, for this long conference may be remarked.  But before I go, I will say that if ever you—­”

“Oh, no, no, no!” interrupted Locker, “it would not do at all!  I really have begun to believe that I was cut out for a bachelor.”

“What!” said Miss Raleigh, with great severity.  “Do you suppose, sir, that I—­”

“Not at all, not at all” cried Locker.  “Not for one moment do I suppose that you—­”

“If for one moment,” said she, “I had imagined you would suppose—­”

“But I assure you, Miss Raleigh, I never did suppose that you would imagine I would think—­but if you do suppose I thought you imagined I could possibly conceive—­”

“But I really did think,” said Miss Raleigh, speaking more gently.  “But if I was wrong—­”

“Nay, think no more about it,” Locker interrupted, “and let us be friends again.”

He offered her his hand, which she shook warmly, and then departed.

It had been arranged that Lancaster was not to leave Broadstone on the next day.  He had expected to do so, but Mr. Easterfield had planned for a day’s fishing for himself, Mr. Fox, and the professor, and he would not let the latter off.  The ladies had accepted an invitation to luncheon that day; the next day some new visitors were expected; and in order not to interfere with Mr. Easterfield’s plans, evidently intended to restore to Broadstone some of the social harmony which had recently been so disturbed, Dick consented to stay, although he really wanted to go.  He could not forget that his vacation was passing.

“Very well, then,” Mrs. Easterfield remarked to him that Sunday evening, “if you must go on Tuesday, I suppose you must, although I think it would be better for you if I were to keep my eye on you for a little while longer.”