don't understand how you could be in love, and not tell me about it; how
you could hide your feelings from your friend! If it had been I, you
wouldn't have been spared a single sigh!" And his chest gave forth an
"Ah" which he tried to render amorous. This sigh, or perhaps the mere
idea of the professor in love, brought a smile to the judge's clouded
face.

"Why haven't you ever spoken to me about it?" continued Mr. Plateas.

"Because I did not wish to bore you," replied Mr. Liakos. Then, touched
by his friend's reproachful look, he made haste to add, "But now I will
tell you everything, since you desire it."

Still he was silent, as if he hardly knew how to begin. The professor
shivered again, and seeing that the sun had gone down behind the
mountains, said:

"Hadn't we better talk about this on the way home, or at my house? It's
time to go in."

The two men rose, and started toward the city.

What desponding lover has not yearned to pour out his heart to some
friend? Even reverence for the purity of his feeling will not restrain
him. He tries to guard the mystery of his love as in a holy sanctuary;
he would not expose it to unrevering eyes; he hesitates, he delays,--
but sooner or later his heart will overflow, and he must have a
confidant.

The judge had already chosen his confidant, and so was in no hurry to