ce the particular concern, in my fortunes: an impiety and a
folly! This is the temptation of those who are rescued and made happy by
circumstances. The wretched think themselves spited, and are merely
childish, not egregious in egoism. Thither on leads to a chapter--already
written by the wise, doubtless. It does not become an atom of humanity to
dwell on it beyond a point where students of the human condition may see
him passing through the experiences of the flesh and the brain.

Meantime, Temple and I, at two hand-basins, soaped and towelled, and I
was more discreet toward him than I have been to you, for I reserved from
him altogether the pronunciation of the council of senators in the secret
chamber of my head. Whether, indeed, I have fairly painted the outer part
of myself waxes dubious when I think of his spluttering laugh and shout;
'Richie, you haven't changed a bit--you're just like a boy!' Certain
indications of external gravity, and a sinking of the natural springs
within characterized Temple's approach to the responsible position of a
British husband and father. We talked much of Captain Welsh, and the
sedate practical irony of his imprisoning one like Edbury to discipline
him on high seas, as well as the singular situation of the couple of
culprits under his admonishing regimen, and the tragic end. My next two
minutes alone with Janet were tempered by it. Only my eagerness for
another term of privacy persuaded her that I was her lover instead of
judge, and then, having made the discovery that a single-minded gladness
animated me in the hope that she and I would travel together one in body
and soul, she surrendered, with her last bit of pride broken; except, it
may be, a fragment of reserve traceable in the confession that came
quaintly after supreme self-blame, when she said she was bound to tell me
that possibly--probably, were the trial to come over again, she should
again act as she had done.

Happily for us both, my wits had been sharpened enough to know that there
is more in men and women than the stuff they utter. And blessed privilege
now! if the lips were guilty of nonsense, I might stop them. Besides, I
was soon to be master upon such questions. She admitted it, admitting
with an unwonted emotional shiver, that absolute freedom could be the
worst of perils. 'For women?' said I. She preferred to say, 'For girls,'
and then 'Yes, for women, as they are educated at present.' Spice of the
princess's co