She said, in a tone of faint wonder: "I do not know what you mean. My father always told me I should have nothing but the money." Still keeping his eyes fixed ahead, he said, in a dull, slow, dreamy way: "Well, there was one thing in your father's gift, for a time at all events, and the will gives it to no one. Supposing the guardianship of that thing were in your gift now, would you, considering that I am the only relative you have alive, and that you have agreed to look on me as your best friend,--would you, I ask, give me the guardianship of that thing?" "But is there any such thing? I certainly never heard of it," she said, in greater wonder. "There is such a thing." "And it is in my power to give you the guardianship?" she asked. "Absolutely, Cousin Maud." "And you really wish to take the troublesome care of this, whatever it may be?" "I do." "Then I give it to you freely." "And you will give me as absolute control over it as if it had been formally made over to my care by the will of your dead father?" He had now paused in his walk once more, and was standing looking down on her, not with the fiery eyes of a few moments ago, but with deep, careful, anxious eyes, as though matter of great moment depended on her answer. Under his steady glance she felt her head grow confused and hot. She did not know quite clearly what was passing, but she knew he had asked her to do something, and she must do it. "I promise," she said, very faintly. This time he spoke with the most elaborate clearness of articulation, slowly and with emphasis: "You promise to make over to me the guardianship of the thing to which I allude as absolutely as though it had been made over to me by your father's will." "I do." "Then it is the guardianship of my cousin, Maud Midharst." "The guardianship of me! But Mr. Grey is my guardian!" "Yes and no. He is the guardian of your fortune absolutely. But with respect to your own personal action you are left free. You are recommended by your father to apply to him for advice, but you are not bound to do any one thing he asks you, or to accept his advice beyond money matters. In all matters except money you are to consult me. You have promised, and you will do so?" "I will keep my promise, but it is strange." She dropped her eyes, and again the two moved forward. His face gradually lost its intense expression, and assumed its usual dreamy far-away look. In a few moments he spoke: