"I am such a bird of flight that your mother will soon become disaccustomed to me."
"Oh, I warrant you that she will not," exclaimed Ladislaus.
After which, he added:
"I know Mother; she has fallen in love with you immensely."
"Why, hardly ten days have elapsed since we arrived. Is it possible to fall in love so soon?"
To this Ladislaus replied with deep conviction:
"It is! I give you my word, it is!"
There was something so naïve in the manner and tone of the reply that Miss Anney could not refrain from laughing. But he observed this and began to speak rapidly as if he wished to explain and justify himself:
"For do we know whence love comes? Often at the first glance of the eye upon a human face we have such an impression as if we found some one whom we were seeking. There are certain unalterable forces which mutually attract people, although before that time they may have never met and though they had lived far away from each other."
"And must such persons always meet each other?"