calm
light and shadow, the ancient steadfast forms, and aloofness enough
from those inward troubles which he felt sure were agitating her. And
he judged aright: she would have been impatient of polite conversation.
The incidents of the last minute or two had receded behind former
thoughts which she had imagined herself uttering to Deronda, which now
urged themselves to her lips. In a subdued voice, she said--

"Suppose I had gambled again, and lost the necklace again, what should
you have thought of me?"

"Worse than I do now."

"Then you are mistaken about me. You wanted me not to do that--not to
make my gain out of another's loss in that way--and I have done a great
deal worse."

"I can't imagine temptations," said Deronda. "Perhaps I am able to
understand what you mean. At least I understand self-reproach." In
spite of preparation he was almost alarmed at Gwendolen's precipitancy
of confidence toward him, in contrast with her habitual resolute
concealment.

"What should you do if you were like me--feeling that you were wrong
and miserable, and dreading everything to come?" It seemed that she was
hurrying to make the utmost use of this opportunity to speak as she
would.

"That is not to be amended by doing one thing only--but many," said
Deronda, decisively.

"What?" said Gwendolen, hastily, moving her brow from the glass and
looking at him.

He looked full at her in return, with what she thought was severity. He
felt that it was not a moment in which he must let himself be tender,
and flinch from implying a hard opinion.

"I mean there are many thoughts and habits that may help us to bear
inevitable sorrow. Multitudes have to bear it."

She turned her brow to the window again, and said impatiently, "You
must tell me then what to think and what to do; else why did you not
let me go on doing as I liked and not minding? If I had gone on
gambling I might have won again, and I might have got not to care for
anything else. You would not let me do that. Why shouldn't I do as I
like, and not mind? Other people do." Poor Gwendolen's speech expressed
nothing very clearly except her irritation.

"I don't believe you would ever get not to mind," said Deronda, with
deep-toned decision. "If it were true that baseness and cruelty made an
escape from pain, what difference would that make to people who can't
be quite base or cruel? Idiots escape some pain; but you can't be an
idiot. Some may do wrong to another withou