Bressant

Bressant, who had been looking steadily and curiously at the professor

during the whole of this long speech, now passed his hand from his

forehead down over his face and beard--a common trick of his--smiled

meditatively, and said: "I'm glad you agree to take me. I don't care for your recommendation if

I have your instruction. Shall we begin to-morrow?"

There followed a discussion relative to hours, methods, and materials,

which lasted very nearly until tea-time. Then, as there was still some

rain falling, the professor extended to his pupil an invitation to

supper, on his accepting which the old gentleman shuffled out into the

entry, and called to Cornelia to come down and make the necessary

preparations.