anger of anything vulgar or ridiculous.

Of course they would have to be careful. There must be no breath of
gossip, no food for evil tongues. About that she was determined even
more for his sake than her own. It would be fatal to his career. She
was quite in agreement with the popular demand, supposed to be peculiarly
English, that a public man's life should be above reproach. Of what use
these prophets without self-control; these social reformers who could not
shake the ape out of themselves? Only the brave could give courage to
others. Only through the pure could God's light shine upon men.

It was vexing his having moved round the corner, into North Street. Why
couldn't the silly woman have been content where she was. Living under
one roof, they could have seen one another as often as was needful
without attracting attention. Now, she supposed, she would have to be
more than ever the bosom friend of Mrs. Phillips--spend hours amid that
hideous furniture, surrounded by those bilious wallpapers. Of course he
could not come to her. She hoped he would appreciate the sacrifice she
would be making for him. Fortunately Mrs. Phillips would give no
trouble. She would not even understand.

What about Hilda? No hope of hiding their secret from those sharp eyes.
But Hilda would approve. They could trust Hilda. The child might prove
helpful.

It cast a passing shadow upon her spirits, this necessary descent into
details. It brought with it the suggestion of intrigue, of deceit:
robbing the thing, to a certain extent, of its fineness. Still, what was
to be done? If women were coming into public life these sort of
relationships with men would have to be faced and worked out. Sex must
no longer be allowed to interfere with the working together of men and
women for common ends. It was that had kept the world back. They would
be the pioneers of the new order. Casting aside their earthly passions,
humbly with pure hearts they would kneel before God's altar. He should
bless their union.

A lark was singing. She stood listening. Higher and higher he rose,
pouring out his song of worship; till the tiny, fragile body disappeared
as if fallen from him, leaving his sweet soul still singing. The happy
tears came to her eyes, and she passed on. She did not hear that little
last faint sob with which he sank exhausted back to earth beside a hidden
nest among the furrows.

She had forgotten the time. It was al