surface, and the wisdom to plan, and the energy to execute, always get just about what they want; for intelligence and energy are invincible weapons, whether the end be worthy or not.  As soon, however, as he was in the road up to the Bluffs, deserted at that hour, his body relaxed, his arms and hands dropped from the correct angle for driving, the reins lay loose upon the horse’s back, and he gave himself to dejection.  He had thought—­at Windrift—­that, once he was free from the engagement which was no longer to his interest, he would feel buoyant, elated.  Instead, he was mentally even more downcast a figure than his relaxed attitude and gloomy face made him physically.  His mother’s and his “set’s” training had trimmed generous instincts close to the roots, and, also, such ideals as were not purely for material matters, especially for ostentation.  But, being still a young man, those roots not only were alive, but also had an under-the-soil vigor; they even occasionally sent to the surface sprouts—­that withered in the uncongenial air of his surroundings and came to nothing.  Just now these sprouts were springing in the form of self-reproaches.  Remembering with what thoughts he had gone to Adelaide, he felt wholly responsible for the broken engagement, felt that he had done a contemptible thing, had done it in a contemptible way; and he was almost despising himself, looking about the while for self-excuses.  The longer he looked the worse off he was; for the more clearly he saw that he was what he called, and thought, in love with this fresh young beauty, so swiftly and alluringly developing.  It exasperated him with the intensity of selfishness’s avarice that he could not have both Theresa Howland’s fortune and Adelaide.  It seemed to him that he had a right to both.  Not in the coldly selfish only is the fact of desire in itself the basis of right.  By the time he reached home, he was angry through and through, and bent upon finding some one to be angry with.  He threw the reins to a groom and, savagely sullen of face, went slowly up the terrace-like steps.

His mother, on the watch for his return, came to meet him.  “How is Mr. Ranger this morning?” she asked.

“Just the same,” he answered curtly.

“And—­Del?”

No answer.

They went into the library; he lit a cigarette and seated himself at the writing table.  She watched him anxiously but had far too keen insight to speak and give him the excuse to explode.  Not until she turned to leave the room did he break his surly silence to say:  “I might as well tell you.  I’m engaged to Theresa Howland.”