He was now looking forward eagerly to walking home with her.  I can’t tell you how delicious he meant to be.  When she said she must go, he skipped upstairs for his hat, and wafted the gods their kiss.  But it was always the unexpected that lay in wait for Tommy.  He and she were no sooner out of the house than Grizel said, “I did not mention the glove, as I was not sure whether Elspeth knew of it.”

He had turned stone-cold.

“Corp and Gavinia told me,” she went on quietly, “before I had time to stop them.  Of course I should have preferred not to know until I heard it from yourself.”

Oh, how cold he was!

“But as I do know, I want to tell you that it makes me very happy.”

They had stopped, for his legs would carry him no farther.  “Get us out of this,” every bit of him was crying, but not one word could Tommy say.

“I knew you would want to have it again,” Grizel said brightly, producing the little parcel from her pocket, “so I brought it to you.”

The frozen man took it and held it passively in his hand.  His gods had flown away.

No, they were actually giving him another chance.  What was this Grizel was saying?  “I have not looked at it, for to take it out of its wrapping would have been profanation.  Corp told me she was a London girl; but I know nothing more, not even her name.  You are not angry with me for speaking of her, are you?  Surely I may wish you and her great happiness.”

He was saved.  The breath came back quickly to him.  He filled like a released ball.  Had ever a heart better right to expand?  Grizel, looking so bright and pleased, had snatched him from the Slugs.  Surely you will be nice to your preserver, Tommy.  You will not be less grateful than a country boy?

Ah me! not even yet have we plumed his vanity.  But we are to do it now.  He could not have believed it of himself, but in the midst of his rejoicings he grew bitter, and for no better reason than that Grizel’s face was bright.

“I am glad,” he said quite stiffly, “that it is such pleasant news to you.”

His tone surprised her; but she was in a humble mood, and answered, without being offended:  “It is sweet news to me.  How could you think otherwise?”

So it was sweet to her to think that he was another’s!  He who had been modestly flattering himself a few moments ago that he must take care not to go too far with this admiring little girl!  O woman, woman, how difficult it is to know you, and how often, when we think we know you at last, have we to begin again at the beginning!  He had never asked an enduring love from her; but surely, after all that had passed between them, he had a right to expect a little more than this.  Was it maidenly to bring the glove and hand it to him without a tremor?  If she could do no more, she might at least have turned a little pale when Corp told her of it, and then have walked quietly away.  Next day she could have referred to it, with just the slightest break in her voice.  But to come straight to him, looking delighted—­