 a good deal of indifferentism in both of us. Moral earnestness
always goes against the grain with him; I've noticed it frequently.«
    »I'm sorry I spoke so dogmatically. It wasn't altogether good manners.
Suppose I write him a short letter, just expressing my regret for having been
led away« -
    »Needless, needless,« laughed the journalist. »He thinks all the better of
you for your zeal. But happiness is a sore point with him; few men, I should
think, have known less of it. I can't imagine any circumstances which would make
him thoroughly at peace with himself and the world.«
    »Poor fellow! You can see something of that in his face. Why doesn't he get
married?«
    »A remarkable suggestion! - By the way, why don't you?«
    »My dear boy, there's nothing I wish more, but it's a business of such
fearful precariousness. I'm one of those men whom marriage will either make or
ruin. You know my characteristics; the slightest check upon my independence, and
all's up with me. The woman I marry must be perfectly reasonable, perfectly
good-tempered; she must have excellent education, and every delicacy of
breeding. Where am I to find this paragon?«
    »Society is open to you.«
    »True, but I am not open to society. I don't take kindly to the people of my
own class. No, I tell you what - my only chance of getting a suitable wife is to
train some very young girl for the purpose. Don't misunderstand me, for heaven's
sake! I mean that I must make a friendship with some schoolgirl in whose
education I can have a voice, whose relatives will permit me to influence her
mind and develop her character. What do you think of this idea?«
    »Not bad, but it demands patience.«
    »And who more patient than I? But let us talk of that poor Mrs. Jacox and
her girls. You feel that you know them pretty well from my letters, don't you?
Nothing more monstrous can be imagined than the treatment to which this poor
woman has been subjected! I couldn't have believed that such dishonesty and
brutality were possible in English families of decent position. Her husband
deserted her, her brother robbed her, her sister-in-law libelled her, - the
whole story is nauseating!«
    »You're quite sure that she
