His expression is half puzzled, half amused.

Is _this_ the professor's troublesome ward?
This lovely, graceful---- "Leave us!" says the professor sharply.

Hardinge, with a profound bow, quits the room, but not the house.

It would be impossible to go without hearing the termination of this exciting episode.

Everett's rooms being providentially empty, he steps into them, and, having turned up the gas, drops into a chair and gives way to mirth.
Meantime the professor is staring at Perpetua.
"What has happened ?" says he..