In fact, the note was just then lying on the table at her elbow.
"What were you in such a devil of a hurry for ?" he stormed--an unnecessary question, for he knew his mother was the sort of person that loses no time in settling an important matter beyond possibility of change.
"I'm sorry, Ross," she replied soothingly.

"I thought I might as well send it, as you had told me everything was settled." "Oh--all right--no matter." He could break with Theresa whenever he wished.

Perhaps he would not wish to break with her; perhaps, after a few days he would find that his feeling for Adelaide was in reality no stronger than he had thought it at Windrift, when Theresa was tempting him with her huge fortune.

There was plenty of time before it would be necessary to make final choice.
Nevertheless, he did not leave Saint X, but hung round, sour and morose, hoping for some sign from "tamed" Adelaide.
* * * * * As soon as Theresa got Mrs.Whitney's note, she wrote to Adelaide.

"I've promised not to tell," her letter began, "but I never count any promise of that kind as including _you_, dear, sweet Adelaide--" Adelaide smiled as she read this; Theresa's passion for intimate confession had been the joke of the school.