"But, whether it is for the best or not," she said, "I don't believe he will go."
"My dear," he said, "you speak as if there was a reason."
"I think there is a reason," she answered, "and it is a strong one."
"What is it?" he asked.
"There is some one he is beginning to be fond of," she replied; "that is the reason."
He kept his eyes fixed upon her.
"Some one he is beginning to be fond of?" he repeated.
"I don't know how it will end," she said. "I am sometimes afraid it can only end sadly, but there is some one he would find it hard to leave, I am sure."
The professor gradually rose in his chair until he was sitting upright.
"I wish," he said, "that you would tell me who it is."