\"Iamthewidowofaprovincialdoctor，withanincomeofjusttwohundredandthirtypoundsperannum，\"sheargued。\"Thesensiblethingformetodoistomakethebestofit，andtoworrymyselfaboutthesehighandmightyrelationsofmineaslittleastheyhaveeverworriedthemselvesaboutme。\"
Thestrangerappearedunabletothinkofanythingworthsaying。
\"Ihaveotherconnections，\"rememberedSirWilliam’scousin；\"thoseofmypoorhusband，towhominsteadofbeingthe’poorrelation’Icouldbethefairygod—mama。Theyaremypeople——orwouldbe，\"addedSirWilliam’scousintartly，\"ifIwasn’tavulgarsnob。\"
Sheflushedtheinstantshehadsaidthewordsand，rising，commencedpreparationsforahurrieddeparture。
\"NowitseemsIamdrivingyouaway，\"sighedthestranger。
\"Havingbeencalleda’vulgarsnob，’\"retortedtheladywithsomeheat，\"IthinkitabouttimeIwent。\"
\"Thewordswereyourown，\"thestrangerremindedher。
\"WhateverImayhavethought，\"remarkedtheindignantdame，\"nolady——leastofallinthepresenceofatotalstranger——wouldhavecalledherself——\"Thepoordamepaused，bewildered。\"Thereissomethingverycuriousthematterwithmethisevening，thatIcannotunderstand，\"sheexplained，\"Iseemquiteunabletoavoidinsultingmyself。\"
Stillsurroundedbybewilderment，shewishedthestrangergood—night，hopingthatwhennexttheymetshewouldbemoreherself。Thestranger，hopingsoalso，openedthedoorandcloseditagainbehindher。
\"Tellme，\"laughedMissDevine，whobysheerforceoftalentwascontrivingtowringharmonyfromthereluctantpiano，\"howdidyoumanagetodoit？Ishouldliketoknow。\"
\"HowdidIdowhat？\"inquiredthestranger。
\"Contrivetogetridsoquicklyofthosetwooldfrumps？\"
\"Howwellyouplay！\"observedthestranger。\"IknewyouhadgeniusformusicthemomentIsawyou。\"
\"Howcouldyoutell？\"
\"Itiswrittensoclearlyinyourface。\"
Thegirllaughed，wellpleased。\"Youseemtohavelostnotimeinstudyingmyface。\"
\"Itisabeautifulandinterestingface，\"observedthestranger。
Sheswungroundsharplyonthestoolandtheireyesmet。
\"Youcanreadfaces？\"
\"Yes。\"
\"Tellme，whatelsedoyoureadinmine？\"
\"Frankness，courage——\"
\"Ah，yes，allthevirtues。Perhaps。Wewilltakethemforgranted。\"
Itwasoddhowseriousthegirlhadsuddenlybecome。\"Tellmethereverseside。\"
\"Iseenoreverseside，\"repliedthestranger。\"Iseebutafairgirl，burstingintonoblewomanhood。\"
\"Andnothingelse？Youreadnotraceofgreed，ofvanity，ofsordidness，of——\"Anangrylaughescapedherlips。\"Andyouareareaderoffaces！\"
\"Areaderoffaces。\"Thestrangersmiled。\"Doyouknowwhatiswrittenuponyoursatthisverymoment？Aloveoftruththatisalmostfierce，scornoflies，scornofhypocrisy，thedesireforallthingspure，contemptofallthingsthatarecontemptible——especiallyofsuchthingsasarecontemptibleinwoman。Tellme，doInotreadaright？\"
Iwonder，thoughtthegirl，isthatwhythosetwoothersbothhurriedfromtheroom？Doeseveryonefeelashamedofthelittlenessthatisinthemwhenlookedatbythoseclear，believingeyesofyours？
Theideaoccurredtoher：\"Papaseemedtohaveagooddealtosaytoyouduringdinner。Tellme，whatwereyoutalkingabout？\"
\"Themilitarylookinggentlemanuponmyleft？Wetalkedaboutyourmotherprincipally。\"
\"Iamsorry，\"returnedthegirl，wishfulnowshehadnotaskedthequestion。\"Iwashopinghemighthavechosenanothertopicforthefirstevening！\"
\"Hedidtryoneortwo，\"admittedthestranger；\"butIhavebeenabouttheworldsolittle，Iwasgladwhenhetalkedtomeabouthimself。I
feelweshallbefriends。Hespokesonicely，too，aboutMrs。
Devine。\"
\"Indeed，\"commentedthegirl。
\"Hetoldmehehadbeenmarriedfortwentyyearsandhadneverregretteditbutonce！\"
Herblackeyesflasheduponhim，butmeetinghis，thesuspiciondiedfromthem。Sheturnedasidetohidehersmile。
\"Soheregrettedit——once。\"
\"Onlyonce，\"explainedthestranger，\"inapassingirritablemood。Itwassofrankofhimtoadmitit。Hetoldme——Ithinkhehastakenalikingtome。Indeedhehintedasmuch。Hesaidhedidnotoftengetanopportnnityoftalkingtoamanlikemyself——hetoldmethatheandyourmother，whentheytraveltogether，arealwaysmistakenforahoneymooncouple。Someoftheexperiencesherelatedtomewerereallyquiteamusing。\"Thestrangerlaughedatrecollectionofthem——\"thatevenhere，inthisplace，theyaregenerallyreferredtoas’DarbyandJoan。’\"
\"Yes，\"saidthegirl，\"thatistrue。Mr。Longcordgavethemthatname，thesecondeveningafterourarrival。Itwasconsideredclever——butratherobviousIthoughtmyself。\"
\"Nothing——soitseemstome，\"saidthestranger，\"ismorebeautifulthanthelovethathasweatheredthestormsoflife。Thesweet，tenderblossomthatflowersintheheartoftheyoung——inheartssuchasyours——that，too，isbeautiful。Theloveoftheyoungfortheyoung，thatisthebeginningoflife。Buttheloveoftheoldfortheold，thatisthebeginningof——ofthingslonger。\"
\"Youseemtofindallthingsbeautiful，\"thegirlgrumbled。
\"Butarenotallthingsbeautiful？\"demandedthestranger。
TheColonelhadfinishedhispaper。\"Youtwoareengagedinaveryabsorbingconversation，\"observedtheColonel，approachingthem。
\"WewerediscussingDarbiesandJoans，\"explainedhisdaughter。\"Howbeautifulisthelovethathasweatheredthestormsoflife！\"
\"Ah！\"smiledtheColonel，\"thatishardlyfair。Myfriendhasbeenrepeatingtocynicalyouththeconfessionsofanamoroushusband’saffectionforhismiddle—agedandsomewhat——\"TheColonelinplayfulmoodlaidhishanduponthestranger’sshoulder，anactionthatnecessitatedhislookingstraightintothestranger’seyes。TheColoneldrewhimselfupstifflyandturnedscarlet。
SomebodywascallingtheColonelacad。Notonlythat，butwasexplainingquiteclearly，sothattheColonelcouldseeitforhimself，whyhewasacad。
\"Thatyouandyourwifeleadacatanddogexistenceisadisgracetobothofyou。Atleastyoumighthavethedecencytotryandhideitfromtheworld——notmakeajestofyourshametoeverypassingstranger。Youareacad，sir，acad！\"
Whowasdaringtosaythesethings？Notthestranger，hislipshadnotmoved。Besides，itwasnothisvoice。IndeeditsoundedmuchmorelikethevoiceoftheColonelhimself。TheColonellookedfromthestrangertohisdaughter，fromhisdaughterbacktothestranger。
Clearlytheyhadnotheardthevoice——amerehallucination。TheColonelbreathedagain。
Yettheimpressionremainingwasnottobeshakenoff。Undoubtedlyitwasbadtastetohavejokedtothestrangeruponsuchasubject。Nogentlemanwouldhavedoneso。
Butthennogentlemanwouldhavepermittedsuchajesttobepossible。
Nogentlemanwouldbeforeverwranglingwithhiswife——certainlyneverinpublic。Howeverirritatingthewoman，agentlemanwouldhaveexercisedself—control。
Mrs。Devinehadrisen，wascomingslowlyacrosstheroom。FearlaidholdoftheColonel。Shewasgoingtoaddresssomeaggravatingremarktohim——hecouldseeitinhereye——whichwouldirritatehimintosavageretort。
Eventhisprizeidiotofastrangerwouldunderstandwhyboarding—housewitshaddubbedthem\"DarbyandJoan，\"wouldgraspthefactthatthegallantColonelhadthoughtitamusing，inconversationwithatableacquaintance，toholdhisownwifeuptoridicule。
\"Mydear，\"criedtheColonel，hurryingtospeakfirst，\"doesnotthisroomstrikeyouascold？Letmefetchyouashawl。\"
Itwasuseless：theColonelfeltit。Ithadbeentoolongthecustomofbothofthemtoprefacewithpolitenesstheirdeadliestinsultstoeachother。Shecameon，thinkingofasuitablereply：suitablefromherpointofview，thatis。Inanothermomentthetruthwouldbeout。
Awild，fantasticpossibilityflashedthroughtheColonel’sbrain：Iftohim，whynottoher？
\"Letitia，\"criedtheColonel，andthetoneofhisvoicesurprisedherintosilence，\"Iwantyoutolookcloselyatourfriend。Doeshenotremindyouofsomeone？\"
Mrs。Devine，sourged，lookedatthestrangerlongandhard。\"Yes，\"
shemurmured，turningtoherhusband，\"hedoes，whoisit？\"
\"Icannotfixit，\"repliedtheColonel；\"Ithoughtthatmaybeyouwouldremember。\"
\"Itwillcometome，\"musedMrs。Devine。\"Itissomeone——yearsago，whenIwasagirl——inDevonshire。Thankyou，ifitisn’ttroublingyou，Harry。Ileftitinthedining—room。\"
Itwas，asMr。AugustusLongcordexplainedtohispartnerIsidore，thecolossalfoolishnessofthestrangerthatwasthecauseofallthetrouble。\"Givemeaman，whocantakecareofhimself——orthinkshecan，\"declaredAugustusLongcord，\"andIampreparedtogiveagoodaccountofmyself。Butwhenahelplessbabyrefuseseventolookatwhatyoucallyourfigures，tellsyouthatyourmerewordissufficientforhim，andhandsyouoverhischeque—booktofillupforyourself——well，itisn’tplayingthegame。\"
\"Auguthuth，\"wasthecurtcommentofhispartner，\"you’reafool。\"
\"Allright，myboy，youtry，\"suggestedAugustus。
\"JuthtwhatImeantodo，\"assertedhispartner。
\"Well，\"demandedAugustusoneeveninglater，meetingIsidoreascendingthestairsafteralongtalkwiththestrangerinthedining—roomwiththedoorshut。
\"Oh，don’tarthme，\"retortedIsidore，\"thillyath，thathwhatheith。\"
\"Whatdidhesay？\"
\"Whatdidhethay！talkedabouttheJewth：whatagrandrathetheywere——howpeoplemithjudgedthem：allthatthortofrot。
\"ThaidthomeofthemoththonorablemenhehadevermethadbeenJewth。ThoughtIwathoneof’em！\"
\"Well，didyougetanythingoutofhim？\"
\"Getanythingoutofhim。Ofcourthenot。Couldn’tverywellthellthewholerathe，athitwere，foracoupleofhundredpoundth，afterthat。Didn’ttheemworthit。\"
ThereweremanythingsForty—eightBloomsburySquarecamegraduallytotheconclusionwerenotworththedoing：——Snatchingatthegravy；
pouncingoutofone’sturnuponthevegetablesandhelpingoneselftomorethanone’sfairshare；manoeuveringfortheeasy—chair；sittingontheeveningpaperwhilepretendingnottohaveseenit——allsuch—liketiresomebitsofbusiness。Forthelittleonemadeoutofit，reallyitwasnotworththebother。Grumblingeverlastinglyatone’sfood；grumblingeverlastinglyatmostthings；abusingPennycherrybehindherback；abusing，forachange，one’sfellow—boarders；squabblingwithone’sfellow—boardersaboutnothinginparticular；sneeringatone’sfellow—boarders；talkingscandalofone’sfellow—boarders；makingsenselessjokesaboutone’sfellow—boarders；talkingbigaboutoneself，nobodybelievingone——allsuch—likevulgarities。Otherboarding—housesmightindulgeinthem：
Forty—eightBloomsburySquarehaditsdignitytoconsider。
Thetruthis，Forty—eightBloomsburySquarewascomingtoaverygoodopinionofitself：forthewhichnotBloomsburySquaresomuchasthestrangermustbeblamed。ThestrangerhadarrivedatForty—eightBloomsburySquarewiththepreconceivedidea——whereobtainedfromHeavenknows——thatitsseeminglycommonplace，mean—minded，coarse—fibredoccupantswereinrealityladiesandgentlemenofthefirstwater；andtimeandobservationhadapparentlyonlystrengthenedthisabsurdidea。Thenaturalresultwas，Forty—eightBloomsburySquarewascomingroundtothestranger’sopinionofitself。
Mrs。Pennycherry，thestrangerwouldpersistinregardingasaladybornandbred，compelledbycircumstancesoverwhichshehadnocontroltofillanarduousbuthonorablepositionofmiddle—classsociety——asortoffoster—mother，towhomwereduethethanksandgratitudeofherpromiscuousfamily；andthisviewofherselfMrs。
Pennycherrynowclungtowithobstinateconviction。Thereweredisadvantagesattaching，buttheseMrs。Pennycherryappearedpreparedtosuffercheerfully。Aladybornandbredcannotchargeotherladiesandgentlemenforcoalsandcandlestheyhaveneverburnt；afoster—mothercannotpalmoffuponherchildrenNewZealandmuttonforSouthdown。Amerelodging—house—keepercanplaythesetricks，andpockettheprofits。Butaladyfeelsshecannot：Mrs。Pennycherryfeltshenolongercould。
TothestrangerMissKitewasawittyanddelightfulconversationalistofmostattractivepersonality。MissKitehadonefailing：itwaslackofvanity。Shewasunawareofherowndelicateandrefinedbeauty。IfMissKitecouldonlyseeherselfwithhis，thestranger’seyes，themodestythatrenderedherdistrustfulofhernaturalcharmswouldfallfromher。ThestrangerwassosureofitMissKitedeterminedtoputittothetest。Oneevening，anhourbeforedinner，thereenteredthedrawing—room，whenthestrangeronlywasthereandbeforethegaswaslighted，apleasant，good—lookinglady，somewhatpale，withneatly—arrangedbrownhair，whodemandedofthestrangerifheknewher。Allherbodywastrembling，andhervoiceseemedinclinedtorunawayfromherandbecomeasob。Butwhenthestranger，lookingstraightintohereyes，toldherthatfromthelikenesshethoughtshemustbeMissKite’syoungersister，butmuchprettier，itbecamealaughinstead：andthateveningthegolden—hairedMissKitedisappearednevertoshowherhigh—colouredfaceagain；andwhatperhaps，morethanallelse，mighthaveimpressedsomeformerhabitueofForty—eightBloomsburySquarewithawe，itwasthatnooneinthehousemadeevenapassinginquiryconcerningher。
SirWilliam’scousinthestrangerthoughtanacquisitiontoanyboarding—house。Aladyofhigh—classfamily！Therewasnothingoutwardorvisibleperhapstotellyouthatshewasofhigh—classfamily。Sheherself，naturally，wouldnotmentionthefact，yetsomehowyoufeltit。Unconsciouslyshesetahigh—classtone，diffusedanatmosphereofgentlemanners。Notthatthestrangerhadsaidthisinsomanywords；SirWilliam’scousingatheredthathethoughtit，andfeltherselfinagreementwithhim。
ForMr。Longcordandhispartner，asrepresentativesofthebesttypeofbusinessmen，thestrangerhadagreatrespect。Withwhatunfortunateresultstothemselveshasbeennoted。ThecuriousthingisthattheFirmappearedcontentwiththepricetheyhadpaidforthestranger’sgoodopinion——hadeven，itwasrumoured，acquiredatasteforhonestmen’srespect——thatinthelongrunwaslikelytocostthemdear。Butweallhaveourpetextravagance。
TheColonelandMrs。Devinebothsufferedagooddealatfirstfromthenecessityimposeduponthemoflearning，somewhatlateinlife，newtricks。Intheprivacyoftheirownapartmenttheycondoledwithoneanother。
\"Tomfoolnonsense，\"grumbledtheColonel，\"youandIstartingbillingandcooingatourage！\"
\"WhatIobjectto，\"saidMrs。Devine，\"isthefeelingthatsomehowI
ambeingmadetodoit。\"
\"Theideathatamanandhiswifecannothavetheirlittlejoketogetherforfearofwhatsomeimpertinentjackanapesmaythinkofthem！it’sdamnridiculous，\"theColonelexploded。
\"Evenwhenheisn’tthere，\"saidMrs。Devine，\"Iseemtoseehimlookingatmewiththosevexingeyesofhis。Reallythemanquitehauntsme。\"
\"Ihavemethimsomewhere，\"musedtheColonel，\"I’llswearI’vemethimsomewhere。Iwishtogoodnesshewouldgo。\"
AhundredthingsadaytheColonelwantedtosaytoMrs。Devine，ahundredthingsadayMrs。DevinewouldhavelikedtoobservetotheColonel。Butbythetimetheopportunityoccurred——whennobodyelsewasbytohear——allinterestinsayingthemwasgone。
\"Womenwillbewomen，\"wasthesentimentwithwhichtheColonelconsoledhimself。\"Amanmustbearwiththem——mustneverforgetthatheisagentleman。\"
\"Oh，well，Isupposethey’reallalike，\"laughedMrs。Devinetoherself，havingarrivedatthatstageofdespairwhenoneseeksrefugeincheerfulness。\"What’stheuseofputtingoneselfout——itdoesnogood，andonlyupsetsone。\"Thereisacertainsatisfactioninfeelingyouarebearingwithheroicresignationtheirritatingfolliesofothers。ColonelandMrs。Devinecametoenjoytheluxuryofmuchself—approbation。
Butthepersonseriouslyannoyedbythestranger’sbigotedbeliefintheinnategoodnessofeveryonehecameacrosswasthelanguid，handsomeMissDevine。ThestrangerwouldhaveitthatMissDevinewasanoble—souled，high—mindedyoungwoman，somethingmidwaybetweenaFloraMacdonaldandaJoanofArc。MissDevine，onthecontrary，knewherselftobeasleek，luxury—lovinganimal，quitewillingtosellherselftothebidderwhocouldofferherthefinestclothes，therichestfoods，themostsumptuoussurroundings。Suchabidderwastohandinthepersonofaretiredbookmaker，asomewhatgreasyoldgentleman，butexceedinglyrichandundoubtedlyfondofher。
MissDevine，havingmadeuphermindthatthethinghadgottobedone，wasanxiousthatitshouldbedonequickly。Andhereitwasthatthestranger’sridiculousopinionofhernotonlyirritatedbutinconveniencedher。Undertheveryeyesofaperson——howeverfoolish——convincedthatyouarepossessedofallthehighestattributesofyoursex，itisdifficulttobehaveasthoughactuatedbyonlythebasestmotives。AdozentimeshadMissDevinedeterminedtoendthematterbyformalacceptanceofherelderlyadmirer’slargeandflabbyhand，andadozentimes——thevisioninterveningofthestranger’sgrave，believingeyes——hadMissDevinerefuseddecidedanswer。Thestrangerwouldonedaydepart。Indeed，hehadtoldherhimself，hewasbutapassingtraveller。Whenhewasgoneitwouldbeeasier。Soshethoughtatthetime。
Oneafternoonthestrangerenteredtheroomwhereshewasstandingbythewindow，lookingoutuponthebarebranchesofthetreesinBloomsburySquare。Sherememberedafterwards，itwasjustsuchanotherfoggyafternoonastheafternoonofthestranger’sarrivalthreemonthsbefore。Nooneelsewasintheroom。Thestrangerclosedthedoor，andcametowardsherwiththatcurious，quick—leapingstepofhis。Hislongcoatwastightlybuttoned，andinhishandshecarriedhisoldfelthatandthemassiveknottedstickthatwasalmostastaff。
\"Ihavecometosaygood—bye，\"explainedthestranger。\"Iamgoing。\"
\"Ishallnotseeyouagain？\"askedthegirl。
\"Icannotsay，\"repliedthestranger。\"Butyouwillthinkofme？\"
\"Yes，\"sheansweredwithasmile，\"Icanpromisethat。\"
\"AndIshallalwaysrememberyou，\"promisedthestranger，\"andIwishyoueveryjoy——thejoyoflove，thejoyofahappymarriage。\"
Thegirlwinced。\"Loveandmarriagearenotalwaysthesamething，\"
shesaid。
\"Notalways，\"agreedthestranger，\"butinyourcasetheywillbeone。\"
Shelookedathim。
\"DoyouthinkIhavenotnoticed？\"smiledthestranger，\"agallant，handsomelad，andclever。Youlovehimandhelovesyou。Icouldnothavegoneawaywithoutknowingitwaswellwithyou。\"
Hergazewanderedtowardsthefadinglight。
\"Ah，yes，Ilovehim，\"sheansweredpetulantly。\"Youreyescanseeclearlyenough，whentheywantto。Butonedoesnotliveonlove，inourworld。IwilltellyouthemanIamgoingtomarryifyoucaretoknow。\"Shewouldnotmeethiseyes。Shekepthergazestillfixeduponthedingytrees，themistbeyond，andspokerapidlyandvehemently：\"Themanwhocangivemeallmysoul’sdesire——moneyandthethingsthatmoneycanbuy。Youthinkmeawoman，I’monlyapig。
Heismoist，andbreatheslikeaporpoise；withcunninginplaceofabrain，andtherestofhimmerestomach。Butheisgoodenoughforme。\"
Shehopedthiswouldshockthestrangerandthatnow，perhaps，hewouldgo。Itirritatedhertohearhimonlylaugh。
\"No，\"hesaid，\"youwillnotmarryhim。\"
\"Whowillstopme？\"shecriedangrily。
\"YourBetterSelf。\"
Hisvoicehadastrangeringofauthority，compellinghertoturnandlookuponhisface。Yes，itwastrue，thefancythatfromtheveryfirsthadhauntedher。Shehadmethim，talkedtohim——insilentcountryroads，incrowdedcitystreets，wherewasit？Andalwaysintalkingwithhimherspirithadbeenliftedup：shehadbeen——whathehadalwaysthoughther。
\"Therearethose，\"continuedthestranger（andforthefirsttimeshesawthathewasofanoblepresence，thathisgentle，child—likeeyescouldalsocommand），\"whoseBetterSelfliesslainbytheirownhandandtroublesthemnomore。Butyours，mychild，youhaveletgrowtoostrong；itwilleverbeyourmaster。Youmustobey。Fleefromitanditwillfollowyou；youcannotescapeit。Insultitanditwillchastiseyouwithburningshame，withstingingself—reproachfromdaytoday。\"Thesternnessfadedfromthebeautifulface，thetendernesscreptback。Helaidhishandupontheyounggirl’sshoulder。\"Youwillmarryyourlover，\"hesmiled。\"Withhimyouwillwalkthewayofsunlightandofshadow。\"
Andthegirl，lookingupintothestrong，calmface，knewthatitwouldbeso，thatthepowerofresistingherBetterSelfhadpassedawayfromherforever。
\"Now，\"saidthestranger，\"cometothedoorwithme。Leave—takingsarebutwastedsadness。Letmepassoutquietly。Closethedoorsoftlybehindme。\"
Shethoughtthatperhapshewouldturnhisfaceagain，butshesawnomoreofhimthantheoddroundnessofhisbackunderthetightlybuttonedcoat，beforehefadedintothegatheringfog。
Thensoftlysheclosedthedoor。