“I don’t know. You say you would not have me watched, you would trust me. Well, I would rather be watched, then I should feel safe. But if I always did just as I felt, I should some day make you angry, I know. I am not like your English girls--the girls at the school, who always know what they are going to do. Something comes up here,”--and she put her hands over her heart--“and then it mounts up there,”--joining her fingers over her head--“and says, ‘Nouna, love; Nouna, hate; Nouna, be sweet and gentle;’ or ‘Nouna, be proud and distant.’ And I go just as the little voice guides. Well, that is not English!” “You are impulsive, darling, that’s all. If you love me truly, the little voice will always tell you to do what I wish.” “Will it? But I am afraid. I tell you I would rather kill myself than have you look at me as you looked at the little curly-haired man to-night. Why did you hate him so?” “When I came in he was trying to kiss you.” “But I would not have let him.” “No, of course not. That is because you are good and true to me, whom you love.” “Is it? I did not know it was that. I only knew that he was small and ugly, and I did not like him.” “No; you must not like any man but me.” “Ah, then you had better shut me up.” “Well, so I will, my darling. I will shut you up in my heart so close that you shall have no eyes for any one but me.” And with a great impulse of tenderness for the little dark-eyed thing who was drinking in new impressions of life and morals with so much solemn perplexity, he flung his arm round her and buried his head in the folds of her dress. “You will scratch your beautiful face,” said she solicitously, removing the beaded mantle, and ruffling up his hair with light fingers. “How can Rahas say you are not handsome? You are like Brahma himself when he rides in his sun-chariot!” she said with loyal intention if with confused lore. The name of Rahas, used thus for the second time, roused George from the intoxicating oblivion of outside things into which this unexpected interview with the girl he loved had thrown him. “Rahas!” he repeated, raising his head sharply. “You haven’t seen him again to-day?” “Now you are going to be angry,” exclaimed the girl shrinking. “No, my darling, I am not,” said George in a most gentle tone. “But if I am to watch over and protect you, I must keep you out of the way of men like Rahas. When did you see him? What did he say to you?”