it infinite pleasure. This was indeed to share man's ideas and to think
with the workings of man's mind. It encouraged her to further and larger
ideas, and to a greater toleration than she had hitherto dreamed of.

Of all those who loved her, none seemed to understand so fully as
Laetitia Rowly the change in her mental attitude, or rather the
development of it. Now and again she tried to deflect or modify certain
coming forces, so that the educational process in which she had always
had a part would continue in the right direction. But she generally
found that the girl had been over the ground so thoroughly that she was
able to defend her position. Once, when she had ventured to remonstrate
with her regarding her attitude of woman's equality with man, she felt as
if Stephen's barque was indeed entering on dangerous seas. The occasion
had arisen thus: Stephen had been what her aunt had stigmatised as
'laying down the law' with regard to the position a married woman, and
Miss Rowly, seeing a good argumentative opening, remarked:

'But what if a woman does not get the opportunity of being married?'
Stephen looked at her a moment before saying with conviction:

'It is a woman's fault if she does not get the opportunity!' The old
lady smiled as she answered:

'Her fault? My dear, what if no man asks her?' This seemed to her own
mind a poser.

'Still her own fault! Why doesn't she ask him?' Her aunt's lorgnon was
dropped in horrified amazement.

Stephen went on impassively.

'Certainly! Why shouldn't she? Marriage is a union. As it is in the
eye of the law a civil contract, either party to it should be at liberty
to originate the matter. If a woman is not free to think of a man in all
ways, how is she to judge of the suitability of their union? And if she
is free in theory, why not free to undertake if necessary the initiative
in a matter so momentous to herself?' The old lady actually groaned and
wrung her hands; she was horrified at such sentiments. They were daring
enough to think; but to put them in words! . . .

'Oh, my dear, my dear!' she moaned, 'be careful what you say. Some one
might hear you who would not understand, as I do, that you are talking
theory.' Stephen's habit of thought stood to her here. She saw that her
aunt was distressed, and as she did not wish to pain her unduly, was
willing to divert the immediate channel of her fear. She took the hand
which lay in her lap and held it