and kissed her fondly several times, holding her tight. Then, as
suddenly releasing her, she ran away before she could say a word.



CHAPTER VIII--THE T-CART



When Harold took his degree, Stephen's father took her to Cambridge.
She enjoyed the trip very much; indeed, it seemed under conditions
that were absolutely happy.

When they had returned to Normanstand, the Squire took an early
opportunity of bringing Harold alone into his study. He spoke to him
with what in a very young man would have seemed diffidence:

'I have been thinking, Harold, that the time has come when you should
be altogether your own master. I am more than pleased, my boy, with
the way you have gone through college; it is, I am sure, just as your
dear father would have wished it, and as it would have pleased him
best.' He paused, and Harold said in a low voice:

'I tried hard, sir, to do what I thought he would like; and what you
would.' The Squire went on more cheerfully:

'I know that, my boy! I know that well. And I can tell you that it
is not the least of the pleasures we have all had in your success,
how you have justified yourself. You have won many honours in the
schools, and you have kept the reputation as an athlete which your