She lost sight of him for months afterwards, and only heard from
him once. A whisper passed among the elder collegians that he had
been seen at a mock auction in Moorfields, pretending to buy plated
articles for massive silver, and paying for them with the greatest
liberality in bank notes; but it never reached her ears. One
evening she was alone at work--standing up at the window, to save
the twilight lingering above the wall--when he opened the door and
walked in.

She kissed and welcomed him; but was afraid to ask him any
questions. He saw how anxious and timid she was, and appeared
sorry.

'I am afraid, Amy, you'll be vexed this time. Upon my life I am!'

'I am very sorry to hear you say so, Tip. Have you come back?'

'Why--yes.'

'Not expecting this time that what you had found would answer very
well, I am less surprised and sorry than I might have been, Tip.'

'Ah! But that's not the worst of it.'

'Not the worst of it?'

'Don't look so startled. No, Amy, not the worst of it. I have
come back, you see; but--DON'T look so startled--I have come back
in what I may call a new way. I am off the volunteer list