"Immensely, they are almost my constant companions; I should like to possess the whole of this collection," said Adèle.
"All to yourself. Is it not a trifle selfish?" he said, looking at her with a pair of laughing blue eyes.
"Perhaps it is. Look at this beautiful collection of ferns." She began to name them. "This one on the left is Adiantum Capillus Veneris, or Maiden Hair, a rare European species; this one is Adiantum Pedantum, of American origin, and that one behind there, which is partly hidden, is Adiantum Cuneatum."
"I will not learn botany," he said; "you have quite frightened me with all those Latin names; when I wish to know the name of some plant, I shall come and ask you."
"I shall be delighted if I can be of any service to you," she said ingenuously. Frank thought these words were significant, but they were not.
Adèle was anxious to get home early. Frank saw "Les Marches" that evening with hopeful eyes.
Afterwards, they often met. One day, Tom Soher, who was now completely cured, came face to face with his cousin Adèle, who was accompanied by Frank. He stopped short, looked hard at his cousin, then resumed his walk.
When Tom was a little way off, Frank said to Adèle: "What a queer fellow, one would think he was insane." "He is a cousin of mine," she said.
"Ah! doubtless he was surprised at seeing you in such company."
"Why?" she questioned.