'You need not be vexed that I want to take care of you,' Mr. Falkirk returned.
'No, sir. There are great many things I need not be,' said Hazel.
'I will try to do it. I may not succeed. Good-night.'
She put her hands on his arm again, following his lead now towards the door. But on the way another thought struck her.
'Mr. Falkirk,' she said suddenly, 'if you try to do something which you know I would not likeor in a way I should not like,you must remember that I will never say yes to it. Not if there were fifty quicksands in the way!'
'Miss Hazel,' returned her guardian, 'I have not so long held my office without finding out that it is impossible to tell beforehand what you would like, or in what way you would like it. I must work in the dark; unless you prefer to give me illumination.'
'I should like,' said Hazel bravely, 'what Mr. Rollo would have a right to like. I suppose Mr. Falkirk will know what that is.'
'Pardon me. My only concern is with what you would have a right to like.'
'Very well,' she answered,'if you choose to put it so. But I could have no right to like anything which should seem like a reflection,anything that could cast the least possible shade of dishonour.Further than that, I do not see how it matters.'
'Does it matter to you whether you are your own mistress or not?' said Mr. Falkirk, confronting her now with the question.