"On no other occasion?"
"No."
The Baron drew a deep breath of relief.
"This young man evidently pays you a degree of attention which oversteps the bounds of ordinary gallantry," he continued; "and you seem not only to suffer, but to encourage it."
Gabrielle was silent.
"I expect an answer, Gabrielle."
She looked up. There was no sign of fear in her face. It spoke rather of open rebellion.
"And if that were the case?" she asked.
"It would be high time to put an end to such childish nonsense," Raven answered sharply. "You must know very well that nothing serious could ever come of it."
The young lady tossed her fair head with an offended, yet a most resolute air. Now came the decisive moment; now was the time to show her heroism, and to inspire her guardian with respect. He had no idea as yet how grave the matter in question was. He treated it as a silly, passing fancy.