“‘If thou dost love, pronounce it faithfully; Or if thou think’st I am too quickly won, I’ll frown and be perverse, and say thee nay, So thou wilt woo; but else, not for the world. I should have been more strange, I must confess, But that thou overheard’st, ere I was ’ware, My true love’s passion; therefore pardon me; And not impute this yielding to light love. And all my fortune at thy foot I’ll lay, And follow thee, my lord, throughout the world.’” “Great ginger!” gasped Ephraim. “Did a female woman write that stuff to yeou, Frank?” “That is not all,” said Merry. “She has ended, like the others, by trying to make an appointment with me.” “It seems to be getting pretty hot, Frank,” said Bart. “Too hot,” declared Merry, plainly annoyed. “I don’t like it at all.” “Most actors would like it. They would be in their glory.” “Then I am glad I’m not like most actors.” “Yeou alwus was pop’ler with the ladies,” grinned the Vermont youth. “I don’t mind being popular with the ladies, but I do not fancy this kind of popularity.” “You’d never do for a matinée hero,” said Hodge. “I have heard that they are deluged with mash notes. It gets to be a common thing with them, and they don’t mind it at all.” “I don’t like to see such a display of weakness on the part of human beings. Now, what does this woman who has quoted _Juliet_ to me know about me?” “As much as you know about her.” “And she has taken chances of becoming a laughingstock and object of ridicule by writing me such stuff. For all she knows, I may be married.” “And, for all you know, she may be married.” “I do not believe that is possible. No married woman would write such a letter.” “Wouldn’t? Oh, I don’t know! Some of them are inclined to be rather gay.” “If this one is married, she must be crazy.” There came a knock on the door. “Come,” Merry called. The door opened, and a bell boy stood there. CHAPTER VIII. AN EMBARRASSING SITUATION. “There is a lady in the parlor who wishes to see Mr. Merriwell,” said the boy. “A lady?” exclaimed Frank, with a start. “Yes, sir.” “Did she send up a card?” “No, sir.” “Nor give you her name?” “No, sir.” “I’ll be down directly.” The boy bowed, closed the door and departed. Ephraim was chuckling. “Gol-durned ef they ain’t comin’ to see yeou, Frank!” he exclaimed. “Nonsense!” cried Merry. “This is not one of them.” “Then who is it?” “I don’t know.” “It might be one of them,” said Hodge, rather maliciously. “Nonsense!” exclaimed Merry, but it was plain he did not fancy the idea. “No one but a crazy female would think of doing such an immodest thing.” “From what you have said, it’s plain you think some females do get a little daffy over actors.” “Whut ef it is one?” asked Ephraim, still chuckling. “Whut will yeou do, Frank?”