There is many a true word spoken in jest, and none of the little party there assembled imagined how true, indeed, these words were to prove, as Cyn gayly answered, "It is a bargain, Jo, and I shall have no mercy on you, I can assure you." "And we must not forget that we are indebted to Quimby for the unraveling of all this mystery," said Nattie. She smiled on him where he sat, in his dismayed isolation, as she spoke, and although it was the warmest smile she had ever yet bestowed upon him, he was rendered no happier by its warmth. "Yes, how fortunate it was, Clem, that you looked him up!" said Cyn. Nattie wondered that she could pronounce the familiar name so easily. She was quite sure she herself could not. "Was it not?" exclaimed Clem, delightedly; "and what is better than all, I am coming here to room with him!" At this Jo shook him cordially by the hand, Cyn and Nattie gave exclamations of pleasure, and Quimby suddenly started into life. "I--I beg pardon," he said, hastily, "but I--I really--I though you said you had rather be farther down town, you know." "Yes, that was my first inclination, but as you urged me so much, and as I find so many old friends here, I have concluded to accept your offer, my boy, so consider the matter settled," replied Clem. And in his own entire satisfaction and unconsciousness, Clem did not observe but what Quimby looked as happy as might be expected, at this intelligence. "'Oh, won't we have a jolly time,"' sang Cyn, and Clem, Nattie and Jo--but not Quimby--took up the chorus. And obtuse as he was, Quimby could not but observe that Nattie's eyes were shining in a way he had never seen them shine before, that the ever-coming and going flush on her cheeks was very becoming, and that there was an expression in her face, when she looked at Clem, that face had never held for _him_. Nor could he fail to think, that the romantic commencement of the acquaintance of these two, even the episode of the musk-scented impostor all now enhanced the interest Nattie had once felt for the invisible "C" neither did he need a prophet to tell him that the two girls would sit up half the night, talking confidentially over this unexpected and happy _denouement_, or even that Nattie's sleep would not be quite as sound as usual. Love, it is said, is blind. So, to some things, perhaps, it is, but never to a rival. And when at last Clem tore himself away, with the remark, "What a fortunate day this has been! Quimby, my dear boy, how can I thank you? I shall take possession of my half of your apartment at once, to be sure no one shall again usurp my place; until then, _au revoir_!" and, in parting, perceptibly held Nattie's hand longer than was absolutely necessary, Quimby followed him with dejected mien, fully aware that of all the mistakes he had ever made he committed the worst, when he asked his old chum to call on some lady friends of his! CHAPTER XI. MISS KLING TELEGRAPHICALLY BAFFLED.