“Is that so? A second George Washington, it seems! I’ll not attempt to undeceive you.” “It would be quite useless.” “If I had remained in Baltimore I’d felt it necessary to give Mr. Merriwell all that was due him. A quarrel with him would have made your position here in my sister’s home far from pleasant, and so I saw fit, on your account, to leave the city. I longed to smash his face.” “You tried to smash his head on the field in the game, and you did give him a scalp wound.” “That was an accident.” “It was not!” denied the girl positively. “I was watching closely, and I saw you strike him over the head with your stick.” “Had I done it intentionally the referee would have put me out of the game.” “He warned you. You did not tell the truth when you protested that it was unintentional. Frank was angry. You know you skipped from Baltimore after the game because you did not dare remain here and face him.” He laughed, snapping his fingers. “Of course he impressed you with that idea. He is a great boaster. I left the city for the reason I have stated. I remained away as long as I could. Your eyes have haunted me, Inza. I have thought of you by day and dreamed of you by night. I could not forget you, even though I tried. I became desperate. At last I felt that I must see you again, and here I am. The real truth is that I’m in love with you, Inza—madly in love with you!” In vain she tried to check this declaration. He spoke swiftly, intensely, passionately, his own eyes fairly burning with the intensity of his emotion. His voice shook and he felt himself all aquiver. He advanced toward her, but she flung up a repulsing hand. “Keep away!” she exclaimed, falling back. “Are you out of your senses?” “Perhaps I am,” he hoarsely admitted. “I believe I am. Only one person in the world can restore me to my normal condition, and you are that one, Inza.” She would have retreated to the door by which she had entered the room, but, stepping quickly in her way, he prevented the movement. “Don’t go!” he entreated. “At first I felt it was folly to even think of you; but I could not help it, and I had to think. The more I thought the more desperate I became. I’ve known plenty of girls in my day, but never one who has thrown a spell on me as you have. I began to consider coming here and telling you everything. That seemed folly, also. I said I would not. Then I began to fancy myself a coward unless I spoke. I grew more desperate. I fought against the influence that was drawing me to you, but I could not overcome it. Finally I rushed for the train, without preparation, without further hesitation, and here I am. Don’t be afraid of me. I want to marry you, Inza! My mother has promised to set me up in business as soon as I graduate. When my father died he left a fortune in trust for me. I am not a poor student with no prospects ahead of me. I can support you. I——” She stopped him at last.