"Are you acquainted with young Morris?"
"Slightly," answered the young girl, in the most indifferent tone. "I was passing the hall door when Ella met me going out with her brother and introduced him; but I was in haste and did not stop long."
"And how many times have you seen him since?"
The lady gazed searchingly in her pupil's face, but could detect nothing to induce the suspicion that the young miss was trying to deceive.
"Really," said she, with a smile, "I cannot remember, as I did not consider it a circumstance of any importance. I suppose I may have seen him four or five times."
"I do not ask the questions from curiosity," added the teacher, "but because your father placed you in my care, telling me that you were a motherless child, and needed special watching. You are well aware that the rules of my school absolutely forbid all correspondence, or special attention even, between my pupils and those connected with Dr. Bowles's seminary. Have you ever violated these rules?"
"Never to my knowledge," was the unhesitating reply.
"I heard a rumor of a communication to you through his sister," said the lady.
"I have not received any such. If Ella knows of a communication, she has not delivered it to me."
"I am relieved to know that such is the fact. Both you and the young gentleman are far too young to form any attachment at present."