l feeling been suddenly
awakened in her breast? Was I depriving this poor child of a
tender paternal care, for which she longed, but which maidenly
coyness could not immediately accept?

As a philosopher I have made woman the subject of much research,
and my library bears witness to the attention I have paid to the
written opinions of the ablest writers and thinkers of all times,
who have had anything to do with this fascinating theme. I have
seen her in all her phases, analyzed her in all her emotions, and
Bunsey has admitted to me that my theoretical knowledge has been
of great value to him in dealing subtly with his heroines. And
yet, despite my complete equipment in mental construction, I am
constantly surprised by a new development, a sudden and
unaccountable phenomenon of feminine nature, which undoubtedly
escaped the experience and reasoning of the experts and sages. It
is indeed a matter of pride in woman that while man has studied
her for thousands of years, she continues to exhibit fresh
delights in her infinite variety of moods and to put forth
unexpectedly new and astounding shoots.

I saw Phyllis no more that evening, save in my dreams, and it
was wholly creditable to the goodness of my motives and the
sincerity of my affection that she abided with me in my
slumbering fancies with no protracted intermissions. The next
day she was as sweet and gracious as ever, but I thought her
tone a little constrained, and when, as a father or brother
should, I ventured to speak of the tenderness of our family
relation, a half-imploring look came into her beautiful eyes.
And when I casually remarked on the softness of her hair, or the
slenderness of her fingers, her glance was timidly reproachful.
All this gave me great unhappiness, and I discovered, to my further
distress, that in my attempt to return to the old familiar footing
I was neglecting the committee and losing interest in the affairs of
the library. A certain peevishness took possession of me; I was
no longer myself, and I lost the gayety and sprightliness which
had been always my distinguishing virtues.

Furthermore I missed the companionship and solace of my books in
this emergency, for I had no reference library to which I could
go in Meadowvale for aid in establishing the true condition of
this strange girl. I recalled dimly that somewhere on my shelves
was a volume which contained a fairly analogous case, but while I
knew that I possessed such a book