"Do you forbid me then to lay before you—this name—that I——?"
"I have told you," says she, "that I can find a name for myself."
"You forbid me to speak," says he slowly.
"I forbid! A ward forbid her guardian! I should be afraid!" says she, with an extremely naughty little glance at him.
"You trifle with me," says the professor slowly, a little sternly, and with uncontrolled despair. "I thought—I believed—I was _mad _enough to imagine, from your manner to me that last night we met, that I was something more than a mere guardian to you."
"More than that. That seems to be a Herculean relation. What more would you be?"
"I am no longer that, at all events."
"What!" cries she, flushing deeply. "You—you give me up——"
"It is you who give me up."
"You say you will no longer be my guardian!" She seems struck with amazement at this declaration on his part. She had not believed him when he had before spoken of his intention of resigning. "But you cannot," says she. "You have promised. Papa said you were to take care of me."