you
left the country. If, in shaping your course, you have
thought of me, I will frankly say that, _to that extent_,
you have drawn nearer. Am I mistaken in conjecturing that
you wish to know my relation to the movement concerning
which you were recently interrogated? In this, as in other
instances which may come, I must beg you to consider me only
as a spectator. The more my own views may seem likely to
sway your action, the less I shall be inclined to declare
them. If you find this cold or unwomanly, remember that it
is not easy!"

Yes! I felt that I had certainly drawn much nearer to her. And from this
time on, her imaginary face and form became other than they were. She
was twenty-eight--three years older; a very little above the middle
height, but not tall; serene, rather than stately, in her movements;
with a calm, almost grave face, relieved by the sweetness of the
full, firm lips; and finally eyes of pure, limpid gray, such as
we fancy-belonged to the Venus of Milo. I found her thus much more
attractive than with the dark eyes and lashes--but she did not make her
appearance in the circles which I frequented.

Another year slipped away. As an official personage, my importance
increased, but I was careful not to exaggerate it to myself. Many have
wondered (perhaps you among the rest) at my success, seeing that I
possess no remarkable abilities. If I have any secret, it is simply
this--doing faithfully, with all my might, whatever I undertake.
Nine-tenths of our politicians become inflated and careless, after the
first few years, and are easily forgotten when they once lose place.

I am a little surprised now that I had so much patience with the
Unknown. I was too important, at least, to be played with; too mature
to be! subjected to a longer test; too earnest, as I had proved, to be
doubted, or thrown aside without a further explanation.

Growing tired, at last, of silent waiting, I bethought me of
advertising. A carefully written "Personal," in which _Ignotus_ informed
_Ignota_ of the necessity of his communicating with her, appeared
simultaneously in the "Tribune," "Herald," "World," and "Times." I
renewed the advertisement as the time expired without an answer, and I
think it was about the end of the third week before one came, through
the post, as before.

Ah, yes! I had forgotten. See! my advertisement is pasted on the note,
as a heading or motto for th