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  his ground in spite of the terror that those manifestations always roused in him. "I know it surprises you. I had not intended to tell you until my financial position was better, but it's the truth. I do love her, and some day I hope to marry her."

"Well, you don't expect me to agree to any such proposition as that," said Johns, his eyes twinkling brightly at Austin under his drawn brows. "Ten years hence is time enough to think of her marrying, and then to some one—"

"I did not expect you to approve," answered George. "But you will not forbid my seeing her and writing to her sometimes?" Johns, who was beginning to get a pretty good idea of the situation, was enjoying himself immensely. "I don't think we can object to an occasional letter—eh, Bevans?" he said. He had expected Austin to be as much amused as himself, and was surprised to hear him answer, quickly: "I expressly forbid Boyd's writing to Elise—or to any pupil in my school, except his sister."

"You forbid me!" cried George. "You forbid me to write to Elise, and yet you order her to write to you—every day, too."