"What do _you_ know about it?" he asked, somewhat brusquely. "Nothing, nothing!" I said, confusedly. "I happened to be looking through an Explanatory Pronouncing Dictionary of Latin Quotations, and found the passage." "Beware of consulting text-books," he returned, sententiously. "A little knowledge is a dangerous thing." For the moment I was safe, but I knew that the confidence that hitherto had existed between us was shaken and lessened. When he left me that day, he referred once more to the incident. "Forgive me, SCHOLASTICA, I know I have been disagreeable. But I confess I am upset--the fact is a man doesn't care to be picked up sharp in his Latin." "Forgive me!" I pleaded, "and you will love me?" "_Ad f[)i]nem_!" he returned, making the first vowel short. I set my teeth and was silent. He looked at me with a keen glance, as if he would read my very soul, murmuring under his breath, "if she will stand _that_, she will stand anything," and we parted! Once alone, I gave vent to my feelings in a burst of passionate weeping. "_Ad fïnem_!" Oh, it was hard to bear! At length the day arrived for our marriage. Just as I was starting for the Church a letter was handed to me. I recognised in the shaky superscription (which seemed to tremble in every stroke) his handwriting. The envelope contained a printed paper! It was the Oxford Class List! Then the truth in all its hideousness dawned upon me. He knew at last that I had taken a Double First! * * * * * This occurred many years ago. Well, time has brought its compensating comforts, and I am at least able to exclaim, "_Quum multa injusta ac prava fiunt moribus!_" without being guilty of using a false quantity! * * * * * "IN THE AIR!" A PARABLE FOR THE PERIOD. "A course precipitous, of dizzy speed Suspending thought and breath; a monstrous sight! For in the air do I behold indeed An Eagle and a Serpent wreathed in fight. --SHELLEY's _Revolt of Islam_. A monstrous sight! Through SHELLEY's vision rare Of high Revolt one mighty image glows, This pregnant symbol of the struggling pair, So strangely matched, and wildly-warring foes, Filling the startled air with Titan throes. Interpret as you will that Winged Form, High-soaring, keen-eyed, of imperial pose, Or that close-clinging, coiled Colossal Worm; 'Tis an eternal type of strife amidst the storm. The symbol speaks, though variously applied, Of snaking sleight that soaring strength assails, And strives to drag it from its place of pride, And, after cruel conflict, faints and fails. Sometimes it seems the air's strong monarch vails His crest awhile, as, hampering coil on coil, Insidious knot on pinion proud prevails; Yet towering greatness crawling hate shall foil, Nor shall the Bird of Jove be long the Python's spoil.