Mowbray smiled, but made no reply.
"Answer me," said Hoffland.
"That is easy. Do you think it wholly proper, perfectly maidenly, for a woman to assume the garb of our sex?"
"Certainly; why not, sir?"
Mowbray smiled again.
"I fear any argument would only fortify you in your convictions, as our rebel student says," he replied. "True, Rosalind was the victim of circumstances, but her example is one of an exceedingly doubtful nature, or rather it is not at all doubtful."
"Pray, how?"
"Really, Charles, you make me give a reason for every thing. Well then, I think that it is indelicate in women to leave their proper sphere and descend to the level of men, and this any woman must do in assuming the masculine garb. If I am not mistaken, the common law bears me out, and inflicts a penalty upon such deviations from established usage. None but an inexperienced youth like yourself would uphold Rosalind."
Hoffland colored, and said with bitter abruptness:
"I believe you despise me, sir!"