“My dearest Michael, if two young people I were fond of fell in love, I should be the last person to try to interfere,” Mrs. Fane promised. “Well, don’t say anything to Alan about Stella having more money. I think he might be sensitive about it.” “Darling Stella!” she sighed. “So intoxicated with poverty—the notion of it, I mean.” “Mother,” said Michael suddenly and nervously, “you know, don’t you, that the day after to-morrow is the House ball—the Christ Church ball?” “Where your father was?” she said gently, pondering the past. He nodded. “I’ll show you his old rooms,” Michael promised. “Darling boy,” she murmured, putting out her hand. He held it very tightly for a moment. Next day after the Trinity ball Alan, who was very cheerful, told Michael he thought it would be good sport to invite everybody to tea at 99 St. Giles. “Oh, I particularly didn’t want that to happen,” said Michael, taken aback. Alan was puzzled to know his reason. “You’ll probably think me absurd,” said Michael. “But I rather wanted to keep Ninety-nine for a place that I could remember as more than all others the very heart of Oxford, the most intimate expression of all I have cared for up here.” “Well, so you can, still,” said Alan severely. “My asking a few people there to tea won’t stop you.” “All the same, I wish you wouldn’t,” Michael persisted. “I moved into college for Commem just to avoid taking anybody to St. Giles.” “Not even Stella?” demanded Alan. Michael shook his head. “Well, of course, if you don’t want me to, I won’t,” said Alan grudgingly. “But I think you’re rather ridiculous.” “I am, I know,” Michael agreed. “But thanks for honoring me. Do you think Stella has altered much since she was in Vienna, and during this year in town?” “Not a bit,” Alan declared enthusiastically. “And yet in one way she has,” he corrected himself. “She seems less out of one’s reach.” “Or else you know better how to stretch,” Michael laughed. “Oh, I wasn’t thinking of her attitude to me,” said Alan a little stiffly. “Most generalizations come down to a particular fact,” Michael answered. But he would not tease Alan too much because he really wished him to have confidence.