They are both speaking in whispers, and the professor is conscious of feeling a strange sort of pleasure in the thought that he is sharing a secret with her.

"Besides," says he, "I couldn't very well come here again." "Not come again?
Why ?" "I'd be afraid," returns he simply.

Whereon Miss Wynter, after a second's pause, gives way and laughs "consumedly," as they would have said long, long years before her pretty features saw the light.
"Ah! yes," murmurs she.

"How she did frighten you.

She brought you to your knees--you actually"-- this with keen reproach--"took her part against me." "I took her part to _help_ you;" says the professor, feeling absurdly miserable.
"Yes," sighing, "I daresay.