"I could not realize it myself, but it is a fact nevertheless," Nattie answered sorrowfully, and then related what she termed the "disgusting details." Cyn listened, vexed and sorry, for she too had become interested in the invisible "C," but Quimby found it impossible to restrain his joy at this complete overthrow of one whom he had ever considered a formidable rival. "It is no use to talk about romance in real life!" said the annoyed Cyn, yielding to the conviction that the obnoxious visitor really was "C," as Nattie concluded. "It is nice to read about and to enact on the stage, but it's altogether too unreliable for our solid, every-day world. Well, dear!" consolingly, "it's better to know the truth than to have gone on blindly talking to so undesirable an acquaintance!" "Where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise," quoted Nattie, with a shrug of her shoulders. "But--yes--I suppose I--ought to be glad I know the worst." "I--I beg pardon, but I--I think I hinted it might be as it has proved, you know!" said Quimby, trying not to look triumphant, and failing signally. Not particularly pleased at having his superior discernment thus pointed out, Nattie replied rather shortly, "It was luck and chance anyway, and it was my luck to stumble on the most disagreeable specimen in the business. That is all." "Do you suppose he is aware of the impression he produced on you?" asked Cyn. "No, indeed!" Nattie replied scornfully. "Is there anything so blind as vulgar, ignorant, self-conceit? I have no doubt he thinks I was charmed!" "Then how will you manage when he wants to talk on the wire again?" asked Cyn. "I shall have to make excuses until he takes the hint. Oh, dear!" said Nattie with a sigh, "I believe it is impossible to get any comfort out of this world!" "Oh, no, it isn't!" said Cyn in her bright cheery manner. "The way to do is not to allow ourselves to fret over what we cannot help. I am almost as disappointed as you, dear, over this total collapse of what opened so interestingly; but the curtain has fallen on the ignominious last act of our little drama, so farewell--a long farewell to our wired romance!" As Cyn spoke, the somewhat unmusical voice of Jo Norton was heard in the hall, singing an air from a popular burlesque, followed by the appearance among them of Jo himself. Of course the whole story had to be related for his benefit, and very little sympathy did Nattie receive from him. "Let this teach you a lesson, young lady!" he said, with mock solemnity, "namely, Attend to your business and let romance alone!" "As you do!" said Cyn. "As I do," he echoed, "and consequently be happy as I am! I tell you, romance and sentiment and love, and all that bosh, are at the bottom of two-thirds of all the misery in the world!"