ted
its power to please. It was almost appalling to reflect that there
was no more for her to do than to repeat what she had already done.
Another London season, another autumn in receiving and making visits,
another winter abroad. What then? Was there nothing but material
pleasure for her in the world? She wanted something more, something
different from all this.

One morning she went out into the park, where spring was just
beginning to put forth its greenery. Leaping footsteps sounded behind
her. It was Comrade, bounding to her side and nestling up against
her. She put her arm around his neck and drew him close. He responded
with an affectionateness that was almost human.

Almost human! At this thought she began to ask herself how much human
affection there was for her in the world. As much, no doubt, she told
herself, as she had to bestow. But why was this?

The birds were going wild with song in the branches above her head.
The grass, the trees, the clouds, the sky, seemed all to have been
made to be part of a world for love to dwell in. A great hunger
possessed her--a hunger not to be loved, but to love. For the first
time she found herself longing for this boon, entirely apart from any
idea of her mother. Oh, to have some one with a human, comprehending,
ardent heart, to put her arms around as she was now clasping
Comrade--some one to whom to offer up the wealth of love which she
had once thought she could never give except to her dear mother; some
one who might make that mother's words come true, that a love far
greater than any she had known might be in store for her; some one,
handsome, charming, ardent, loving, sympathetic, kind; some one to be
friend and brother and lover all in one; above all, some one with
thoughts and feelings akin to her own--some one impulsive and
natural--some one young!

When at last she said good-bye to Comrade and returned to her rooms,
she felt in some strange way that a new era had dawned for her. But
a mood like this was new in her experience, and she fought resolutely
against its recurrence. As an aid to this end she threw herself
more eagerly into the external interests which were so great in
such a position as hers, and became more noted for her splendid
entertainments and rich dressing than she had been the season before.
As she got a deeper insight into the conditions of the life about
her, she saw opportunities for influence and power, even to a woman,
which attracted