"Why, sir," asked the girl, "is it then a sin to love?"
"A sin, my precious!" exclaimed Oldstone; "no, I can't say that. But—but—there is always danger in it."
"What danger, sir?"
"Well, my dear, there are certain things that are very difficult to explain to one so young. When you grow older——"
"Oh! sir, why cannot you tell me now—you, who know the danger?"
"Yes, my dear, I should just think I did," observed the antiquary. "There are shoals and pitfalls that beset the young, and they would do well to listen to the voice of warning ere it is too late, and profit by the experience of others, rather than trouble themselves about the why and the wherefore of everything."
"Then you mean to say that love is wrong after all," observed Helen.
"Not as long as it remains love," replied Oldstone, "but people may make it so."
"How? I don't understand."
"Perhaps not, my dear. You have much to learn yet. I mean, people will talk, and you can't stop them. The world can only judge by appearances. It might misjudge you. It might put a false construction on your conduct, however innocent."