affairs, and I now regret having troubled you with them."

The two friends walked on in silence side by side, but were impatient to
part as soon as they could decorously. When they had nearly reached the
place where their homeward paths would separate, the professor repeated
his invitation.

"Won't you come and taste my muscat?"

"No, thank you; it is late, and I have an engagement."

"With your cousin, perhaps?"

"Perhaps!" and the judge tried to smile.

"I hope you're not vexed with me," said his friend, in a conciliatory
tone.

"Why should I be?"

"Perhaps what I said was uncalled for,--particularly as you never meant
to interfere with my liberty." The good man began to laugh, and then
added: "But it's much better to have such things cleared up."

"Certainly, quite so."

The judge shook the fat hand that was cordially offered him, and hurried
on, while his companion went slowly home.