Percival awoke one day to the consciousness that the world was smaller, grayer and flatter than he had supposed it. At the same moment he became aware that a burden was lifted from his shoulders and that a disturbing element was gone out of his life.
This is how the change in the universe was effected. Percival met Godfrey Hammond, and they talked of indifferent things. As they were parting Hammond looked over his shoulder and came back: "I knew there was something I wanted to ask you. Have you heard that the young lady with the latent nobility in her face is going to be married?"
"What young lady?" said Percival stiffly. He knew perfectly well, and Hammond knew that he knew.
"Miss Lisle."
"No, I hadn't heard. Who is he?"
"The happy man? Lord Scarbrook's eldest son."
"Who told you?"
"You are incredulous, but I fear I can't soften the blow. The man who told me heard Lisle talking about it."
"There's no blow to soften," said Percival, "I assure you I don't feel it."
"Ah," said Hammond, "there was once a man who didn't know that his head had been cut off till he sneezed—wasn't there? Take great care of yourself, Percival." And nodding a second farewell Godfrey left him, and Percival went on his way through that curiously shrunken world.