But I wanted her blessing on my career and I could not help asking for it.

Unless a man is unnaturally selfish he needs to work for some one else than himself, and I am sure I shall run a smoother and swifter course for knowing that that fine creature is waiting, at Northampton, for news of my greatness.

If ever I am a dull companion and over-addicted to moping, remember in justice to me that I am in love and that my sweetheart is five thousand miles away." Rowland listened to all this with a sort of feeling that fortune had played him an elaborately-devised trick.

It had lured him out into mid-ocean and smoothed the sea and stilled the winds and given him a singularly sympathetic comrade, and then it had turned and delivered him a thumping blow in mid-chest.

"Yes," he said, after an attempt at the usual formal congratulation, "you certainly ought to do better--with Miss Garland waiting for you at Northampton." Roderick, now that he had broken ground, was eloquent and rung a hundred changes on the assurance that he was a very happy man.