“Then fight it out, and never give up. In the morning take a cold shower, and then get some exercise in the open air. Do not take a cab, but go out and walk, walk, walk. Rest, exercise, cold baths, and plenty of fresh air will bring you round to your old self, my boy.”
“If you had been with me——” murmured Jack dolefully.
“This would not have happened,” nodded Merry.
“But you could not have prevented her from throwing me down.”
“So she threw you down?” said Merry, who all along had suspected what ailed Diamond.
“Yes. She is a heartless, beautiful—angel!”
Merriwell knew he was speaking of Juliet Reynolds, the handsome English girl who had captured his heart.
“Merry,” said Diamond, his face lighting for a moment, “she is the fairest creature the sun shines upon! But she has black hair and eyes; so have I. That is fatal. I have known we could never be happy together. I told you the reasons in London, before we went out to Henley that time. I did not mean to go, and I should have remained away. I became her slave at Henley, and I can never love another woman. Oh, but those were happy days on that house-boat, Merriwell! It makes me thrill to think of them—and of her.”
“I agree with you, Jack. As a rule, opposites should marry; but you know there are exceptions to all rules.”
“There is no exception in this case. You remember that I told you of my mother’s warning. She knew, and she feared that what has happened might happen. I should have heeded that warning and kept away from Juliet Reynolds. I meant to keep away, but when she turned up in this country last summer, I fell under her spell again.”