He watched them depart with real affection both for them and for himself. “I’m not such a bad father after all,” he thought as he settled down into his chair. * * * * * Outside the study door, in the dark corner of the little passage, Philip kissed Katherine. Her lips met his with a passion that had in it complete and utter self-surrender. They did not speak. At last, drawing herself gently away from him, she said: “_I’ll_ tell Mother—I think it would be better not for both of us....” “Yes,” he whispered back, as though they were conspirators. “I don’t think I’ll face them all now—unless you’d like me to help you. I’ll come in to-night.” With a strange, fierce, almost desperate action she caught his arm and held him for a moment with his cheek against hers. “Oh! Philip ... my _dear_!” Her voice caught and broke. They kissed once again, and then, very quietly, went back into the world. Meanwhile they had been watched; Henry had watched them. He had been crossing at the farther end of the little passage, and stopping, holding himself back against the wall, had seen, with staring eyes, the two figures. He knew instantly. They were Philip and Katherine. He saw Katherine’s hand as it pressed into Philip’s shoulder; he saw Philip’s back set with so fierce a strength that Henry’s knees trembled before the energy of it. He was disgusted—he was wildly excited. “This is real life.... I’ve seen something at last. I didn’t know people kissed like that, but they oughtn’t to do it in the passage. Anyone might see them.... Katherine!” Staggered by the contemplation of an utterly new Katherine with whom, for the rest of his life, he would be compelled to deal, he slipped into a room as he heard their steps. When they had gone he came out; he knocked on his father’s door: “I’m sorry to bother you, Father,” he began. “I wanted to know whether I might borrow—” he stopped; his heart was beating so wildly that his tongue did not belong to him. “Well, get it and cut.” His father looked at him. “You’ve heard the news, I see.” “What news?” said Henry. “Philip and Katherine. They’re engaged, they tell me. Not to marry for a year though.... I thought you’d heard it by the look of you. What a mess you’re in! Why can’t you brush your hair? Look at your tie up the back of your collar! Get your book and go! I’m busy!” But Henry went without his book. * * * * *