“DEAR MR. MAVERING,—I enclose the ring you gave me the other day, and I release you from the promise you gave with it. I am convinced that you wronged yourself in offering either without your whole heart, and I care too much for your happiness to let you persist in your sacrifice.
“In begging that you will not uselessly attempt to see me, but that you will consider this note final, I know you will do me the justice not to attribute an ungenerous motive to me. I shall rejoice to hear of any good that may befall you; and I shall try not to envy any one through whom it comes.—Yours sincerely,”
“ALICE PASMER.
“P.S.—I say nothing of circumstances or of persons; I feel that any comment of mine upon them would be idle.”
Mavering looked up at the sound Boardman made in refolding the letter. Boardman grinned, with sparkling eyes. “Pretty neat,” he said.
“Pretty infernally neat,” roared Mavering.
“Do you suppose she means business?”
“Of course she means business. Why shouldn't she?”
“I don't know. Why should she?”
“Well, I'll tell you, Boardman. I suppose I shall have to tell you if I'm going to get any good out of you; but it's a dose.” He came away from the window, and swept Boardman's clothes off the chair preparatory to taking it.