And--my God! she doesn't see, and mustn't see, that I'm madly in love with her myself! She's no idea of it--and she shan't have; I must--must continue to be--only the guardian!" He laughed a little cynically as he laid his letters down on his desk and proceeded to open them--in which occupation he was presently interrupted by the opening of the side-door and the entrance of Mr.
Pemberton Bryce..