Naturally, under those circumstances, old friends--and old romances--must change, too." "But, Mrs.Greggory," stammered Billy, "I'm sure Mr.Arkwright would want--" An up-lifted hand silenced her peremptorily.
"Mr.Arkwright was very kind, and a gentleman, always," interposed the lady, coldly; "but Judge Greggory's daughter would not allow herself to be placed where apologies for her father would be necessary--_ever!_ There, please, dear Miss Neilson, let us not talk of it any more," begged Mrs.Greggory, brokenly.
"No, indeed, of course not!" cried Billy; but her heart rejoiced.
She understood it all now.

Arkwright and Alice Greggory had been almost lovers when the charges against the Judge's honor had plunged the family into despairing humiliation.

Then had come the time when, according to Arkwright's own story, the two women had shut themselves indoors, refused to see their friends, and left town as soon as possible.

Thus had come the breaking of whatever tie there was between Alice Greggory and Arkwright.

Not to have broken it would have meant, for Alice, the placing of herself in a position where, sometime, apologies must be made for her father.