'It is a long story,' said Erskine, taking the picture away from me—rather abruptly I thought at the time—'a very long story; but if you care to hear it, I will tell it to you.'
'I love theories about the Sonnets,' I cried; 'but I don't think I am likely to be converted to any new idea. The matter has ceased to be a mystery to any one. Indeed, I wonder that it ever was a mystery.'
'As I don't believe in the theory, I am not likely to convert you to it,' said Erskine, laughing; 'but it may interest you.'