"Isn't it one of the stock situations?" he said at last--"this
situation of guardian and ward?--romantic situations, I mean? Of course
the note of romance must be applicable. But it certainly is applicable,
in this case."
Peter stared. Julian Horne caught the change in the boy's delicate face
and repented him--too late.
"What rubbish you talk, Julian! In the first place it would be
dishonourable!"
"Why?"
"It would, I tell you,--damned dishonourable! And in the next, why, a few
weeks ago--Helena hated him!"
"Yes--she began with 'a little aversion'! One of the stock openings,"
laughed Horne.
"Well, ta-ta. I'm not going to stay to listen to you talking bosh any
more," said Peter roughly. "There's the next dance beginning."
He flung away. Horne resumed his pacing. He was very sorry for Peter,
whose plight was plain to all the world. But it was better he should be
warned. As for himself, he too had been under the spell. But he had soon
emerged. A philosopher and economist, holding on to Helena's skirts in
her rush through the world, would cut too sorry a figure.
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