"Humph! Well, can't you go and see? That's come of those mathematical lessons. What a fool I was to allow her to be so much with him!" growled the General, with many grunts and half-audible oaths, swinging round again, and trotting through the window as hot and peppery as his own idolized curry. Keane was sitting writing in his rooms at King's some few days after. The backs looked dismal with their leafless, sepia-colored trees; the streets were full of sloppy mud and dripping under-grads' umbrellas; his own room looked sombre and dark, without any sunshine on its heavy oak bookcases, and massive library-table, and dark bronzes. His pen moved quickly, his head was bent over the paper, his mouth sternly set, and his forehead paler and more severe than ever. The gloom in his chambers had gathered round him himself, when his door was burst open, and Sydie dashed in and threw himself down in a green leather arm-chair. "Well, sir, here am I back again. Just met the V. P. in the quad, and he was so enchanted at seeing me, that he kissed me on both cheeks, flung off his gown, tossed up his cap, and performed a _pas d'extase_ on the spot. Isn't it delightful to be so beloved? Granta looks very delicious to-day, I must say--about as refreshing and lively as an acidulated spinster going district-visiting in a snow-storm. And how are you, most noble lord?" "Pretty well." "Only that? Thought you were all muscle and iron. I say. What _do_ you think the governor has been saying to me?" "How can I tell?" "Tell! No, I should not have guessed it if I'd tried for a hundred years! By George! nothing less than that I should marry Fay. What do you think of that, sir?" Keane traced Greek unconsciously on the margin of his _Times_. For the life of him, with all his self-command, he could not have answered. "Marry Fay! _I!_" shouted Sydie. "Ye gods, what an idea! I never was so astonished in all my days. Marry Little Fay!--the governor must be mad, you know." "You will not marry your cousin?" asked Keane, tranquilly, though the rapid glance and involuntary start did not escape Sydie's quick eyes. "Marry! I! By George, no! She wouldn't have me, and I'm sure I wouldn't have her. She is a dear little monkey, and I'm very fond of her, but I wouldn't put the halter round my neck for any woman going. I don't like vexing the General, but it would be really too great a sacrifice merely to oblige him." "She cares nothing for you, then?"