‘And how came you to know all this, cousin mine? I’m really curious to know that.’
‘I was reared in Italy, Cousin Dick, and I have made a deep study of nature through French novels.’
Now there was a laughing devilry in her eye as she said this that terribly puzzled the young fellow, for just at the very moment her enthusiasm had begun to stir his breast, her merry mockery wafted it away as with a storm-wind.
‘I wish I knew if you were serious,’ said he gravely.
‘Just as serious as you were when you spoke of being ruined.’
‘I was so, I pledge my honour. The conversation I reported to you really took place; and when you joined me, I was gravely deliberating with myself whether I should take a header into a deep pool or enlist as a soldier.’
‘Fie, fie! how ignoble all that is. You don’t know the hundreds of thousands of things one can do in life. Do you speak French or Italian?’
‘I can read them, but not freely; but how are they to help me?’
‘You shall see: first of all, let me be your tutor. We shall take two hours, three if you like, every morning. Are you free now from all your college studies?’
‘I can be after Wednesday next. I ought to go up for my term examination.’