laugh at me if I told you....
If it's only our ages--you seem as young as I do...." He looked up,
hopefully; but she made no response.

The boy drew a long breath.

"I love you, anyway," he said. "And that's how it is."

She neither spoke nor stirred.

"I suppose," he went on, "because I was such a beast of a boy, you can
never forget it."

"You were the sweetest, the best--" Her voice broke; she swung about,
moved away a few paces, stood still. When he halted behind her she
turned.

"Dearest," she said tremulously, "let me give you what I can--love, as
always--solicitude, companionship, deep sympathy in your pleasures, deep
interest in your amusements.... Don't ask for more; don't think that you
want more. Don't try to change the loyalty and love you have always had
for something you--neither of us understand--neither of us ought to
desire--or even think of----"

"Why?"

"Can't you understand? Even if I were not too old in years, I dare not
give up what I have of you and Geraldine for this new--for anything more
hazardous.... Suppose it were so--that I could venture to think I cared
for you that way? What might I put in peril?--Geraldine's affection for
me--perhaps her relations with you.... And the world is cynical, Scott,
and you are wealthy even among very rich men, and I was your paid
guardian--quite penniless--engaged to care for and instruct----"

"Don't say such things!" he said angrily.

"The world would say them--your friends--perhaps Geraldine might be led
to doubt--Oh, Scott, dear, I know, I know! And above all--I am afraid.
There are too many years between us--too many blessed memories of my
children to risk.... Don't try to make me care for you in any other
way."

A quick flame leaped in his eyes.

"_Could_ I?"

"No!" she exclaimed, appalled.

"Then why do you ask me not to try? I believe I could!"

"You cannot! You cannot, believe me. Won't you believe me? It must not
happen; it is all wrong--in every way----"

He stood looking at her with a new expression on his face.

"If you are so alarmed," he said slowly, "you must have already thought
about it. You'll think about it now, anyway."

"We are both going to forget it. Promise that you will!" She added
hurriedly: "Drop my hand, please; there is Geraldine--and Mr.
Grandcourt, too!... Tell me--do my eyes look queer? Are they red and
horrid?... Don't look at me that way. For goodness' sake, don't display
any personal interest in me.