“Not Elliott Roscoe; but I happen to be her guardian.  She visits by my permission the house you so vaguely designate, and the first time she entered it I accompanied her and pointed out the location, and the line of street cars that would carry her almost to the square.  At present the house is occupied by Mrs. Mason, the widow of a minister who was related to Mr. Hargrove, Regina’s former guardian; and the references furnished me by the lady give satisfactory assurance that the acquaintance is unobjectionable, although the widow is evidently in very reduced circumstances.  I consented some weeks ago that my ward should occasionally spend Sunday afternoon with her.”

“I presume you are the best judge of the grave responsibility of your position,” replied the young gentleman, stiffly.

“Certainly I think so, sir; and as you may possibly have observed, I am not particularly grateful for volunteer suggestions relative to my duty.  Has it ever occurred to you that the green goggles you wear at present may accidentally lend an unhealthy tinge to your vision?”

A wave of vivid scarlet flowed to the edge of Mr. Roscoe’s fair harvest-hued hair, as he answered angrily: 

“You are the only person who could with impunity make such an insinuation.”

“In insinuations I never indulge, and impunity I neither arrogate, nor permit in others.  Keep cool, Elliott, or else change your profession.  A man who cannot hold his temper in leash, and who flies emotional signals from every feature in his face, has slender chance of success in an avocation which demands that body and soul, heart and mind, abjure even secret signal service, and deal only in cipher.  The youthful naivete with which you permit your countenance to reflect your sentiments, renders it quite easy for me to comprehend the nature of your feeling for my ward.  For some weeks your interest has been very apparent, and while I am laying no embargo on your affections, I insist that jealousy must not jaundice your estimate of my duties, or of Regina’s conduct.  Moreover, Elliott, I suggest that you thoroughly reconnoitre the ground before beginning this campaign, for, my dear fellow, I tell you frankly, I believe Cupid has already declared himself sworn ally of a certain young minister, who entered, and enjoys pre-emption right over what amount of heart may have thus far been developed in the girl.  In addition she is too young, not yet sixteen, and I rigidly interdict all love passages; besides her parentage is to some extent a secret; she has no fortune but her face; and you are poor in all save hope and social standing. Verbum, etc., etc.”

Walking to the window, where he stood with his countenance averted, Mr. Roscoe said hesitatingly: 

“I would rather my weakness had been discovered by the whole world than that you should know it; you, who never having indulged such emotions, regard them as the height of folly.  I am aware that at this moment you think me an idiot.”