But I must insist
that there shall be no engagement, no love-making, no understanding
of any sort or kind, before you start. I put it to your honor as a
gentleman, that you will make no effort to meet her alone, and that
you will say nothing whatever to her, to lead her to believe that
you are in love with her. Only when you say good-by to her, you may
say that I have told you that as the next two years are to be
passed in study, to make up for past deficiencies, I do not wish
her to enter at all into society, but that at the end of that time
you hope to renew the acquaintance."
Mr. Cooper endeavored in vain to alter Mr. Hardy's determination,
and was at last obliged to give the required promise.
Mr. and Mrs. Hardy were not surprised when, two or three days after
this, Mr. Cooper rode up and said that he had come to say good-by,
that he had received letters urging him to return at once, and had
therefore made up his mind to start by the next mail from Buenos
Ayres.
The young Hardys were all surprised at this sudden determination,
but there was little time to discuss it, as Mr. Cooper had to start
the same night for Rosario.
Very warm and earnest were the adieus; and the color, which had
rather left Maud's face, returned with redoubled force as he held
her hand, and said very earnestly the words Mr.
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