 stranger; and he
knew the stranger's feelings toward his predecessor and the lady.
    He waylaid Lætitia, to talk of himself and his plans: the project of a run
to Italy. Enviable? Yes, but in England you live the higher moral life. Italy
boasts of sensual beauty; the spiritual is yours. »I know Italy well; I have
often wished to act as cicerone to you there. As it is, I suppose I shall be
with those who know the land as well as I do, and will not be particularly
enthusiastic: ... if you are what you were?« He was guilty of this perplexing
twist from one person to another in a sentence more than once. While he talked
exclusively of himself, it seemed to her a condescension. In time he talked
principally of her, beginning with her admirable care of his mother; and he
wished to introduce a Miss Middleton to her; he wanted her opinion of Miss
Middleton; he relied on her intuition of character, had never known it err.
    »If I supposed it could err, Miss Dale, I should not be so certain of
myself. I am bound up in my good opinion of you, you see; and you must continue
the same, or where shall I be?« Thus he was led to dwell upon friendship, and
the charm of the friendship of men and women, Platonism, as it was called. »I
have laughed at it in the world, but not in the depth of my heart. The world's
platonic attachments are laughable enough. You have taught me that the ideal of
friendship is possible - when we find two who are capable of a disinterested
esteem. The rest of life is duty; duty to parents, duty to country. But
friendship is the holiday of those who can be friends. Wives are plentiful,
friends are rare. I know how rare!«
    Lætitia swallowed her thoughts as they sprang up. Why was he torturing her?
- to give himself a holiday? She could bear to lose him - she was used to it -
and bear his indifference, but not that he should disfigure himself; it made her
poor. It was as if he required an oath of her when he said: »Italy! But I shall
never see a day in Italy to compare with the day of my return to England, or
know a pleasure so exquisite as your welcome of me! Will you be true to that?
May I look forward to just another such meeting?«
    He pressed her for an answer. She gave
