One woman in this sorrowful, bad earth,
Whose very loss can yet bequeath to pain
New faith in worth.'"

There was no taunt, no bitterness, in his voice; but grievous
disappointment, too deep for utterance; and the girl winced under it,
though only the flush burning on cheek and brow attested her
vulnerability.

"Remember, sir, that humanity was not moulded entirely from one
stratum of pipe-clay. Only a few wear paint, enamelling, and gold as
delicate costly Sevres; and, while the majority are only coarse
pottery, it is scarcely kind--certainly not generous--in dainty,
transparent china, belonging to king's palaces, to pity or denounce
the humble Delft or Wedgewoodware doing duty in laborer's cottages."

"Very true, my poor little warped, blotched bit of perverse pottery;
but of one vital truth permit me to assure you: the purity and
elevation of our race depend upon preserving inviolate in the hearts
of men a belief that women's natures are crystalline as that
celebrated glass once made at Murano, which was so exceedingly fine
and delicate that it burst into fragments if poison was poured into
it."

"Then, obviously, I am no Venetian goblet; else long ago I should have
shattered under the bitter, black juices poured by fate. It seems I am
not worthy to touch the lips of doges and grand dukes; but let them
look to it that some day, when spent and thirsty, they stretch not
their regal hands for the common clay that holds what all their
costly, dainty fragments can never yield. _Nous verrons!_ 'The stone
which the builders rejected has become the head of the corner.'"

Dr. Grey had resumed his walk, but the half-suppressed, passionate
protest, whose underswell began to agitate her voice, arrested his
attention, and he came to the table and stood close to the orphan.

"What is the matter with my headstrong young friend?"

She made no answer; but her elfish eyes sought his, and braved their
quiet rebuke.

"This is the last opportunity I shall offer you to tell me frankly
what troubles you. Can I help you in any way? If so, command me."

"Once you could have helped me, but that time has passed."

"Perhaps not. Try me."

"It is too late. You have lost faith in me."

"No; you have lost all faith in yourself, if you ever indulged
any,--which I very much doubt. It is you who are faithless concerning
your own defective character."

"Not I, indeed! I know it rather too well, either to set it aloft for
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