can't tell Miss Garland
herself. She thinks me already a horrid false creature, and if I were to
express to her frankly what I think of her, I should simply disgust her.
She would be quite right; she has repose, and from that point of view I
and my doings must seem monstrous. Unfortunately, I have n't repose. I
am trembling now; if I could ask you to feel my arm, you would see!
But I want to tell you that I admire Miss Garland more than any of the
people who call themselves her friends--except of course you. Oh, I know
that! To begin with, she is extremely handsome, and she does n't know
it."

"She is not generally thought handsome," said Rowland.

"Evidently! That 's the vulgarity of the human mind. Her head has great
character, great natural style. If a woman is not to be a supreme beauty
in the regular way, she will choose, if she 's wise, to look like that.
She 'll not be thought pretty by people in general, and desecrated, as
she passes, by the stare of every vile wretch who chooses to thrust his
nose under her bonnet; but a certain number of superior people will find
it one of the delightful things of life to look at her. That lot is as
good as another! Then she has a beautiful character!"

"You found that out soon!" said Rowland, smiling.

"How long did it take you? I found it out before I ever spoke to her.
I met her the other day in Saint Peter's; I knew it then. I knew it--do
you want to know how long I have known it?"

"Really," said Rowland, "I did n't mean to cross-examine you."

"Do you remember mamma's ball in December? We had some talk and you
then mentioned her--not by name. You said but three words, but I saw
you admired her, and I knew that if you admired her she must have a
beautiful character. That 's what you require!"

"Upon my word," cried Rowland, "you make three words go very far!"

"Oh, Mr. Hudson has also spoken of her."

"Ah, that 's better!" said Rowland.

"I don't know; he does n't like her."

"Did he tell you so?" The question left Rowland's lips before he could
stay it, which he would have done on a moment's reflection.

Christina looked at him intently. "No!" she said at last. "That would
have been dishonorable, would n't it? But I know it from my knowledge of
him. He does n't like perfection; he is not bent upon being safe, in
his likings; he 's willing to risk something! Poor fellow, he risks too
much!"

Rowland was silent; he did not care for the thrust; but he was
p