less than of a whole nation and looked upon each day dawned almost as if it had been my own creation and possession to waste as i thought fit � never considering tl t days are but so many white from god s chronicle of human life whereon we place our mark good or bad for the just and exact up of our thoughts and deeds hereafter had any one dared to say this truth to me then i should have bade him go and preach nonsense to children � but now when i recall those white leaves of days that were before me fresh and blank with every sunrise and with which i did nothing save my own in a foul across each one i tremble and inwardly pray that i may never be forced to send back my self written record yet of what use is it to pray against eternal law it is eternal law that we shall ourselves count up our own at the final reckoning � hence it is no wonder that many are found who prefer not to believe in a future after death rightly do such esteem it better to die utterly than be forced to live again and look back upon the wilful evil they have done october slowly and almost towards its end and the trees put on their gorgeous tints of burning crimson and gold the weather remained fine and warm and what the french term the summer of all saints gave us bright days and evenings the air was so mild that we were always able to take our coffee after dinner on the terrace overlooking the lawn in front of the drawing room � and it was on one of these nights that i was the interested spectator of a strange scene between and � a scene i should have thought impossible of occurrence had i not myself witnessed it had dined at she very the sorrows of satan rarely so honoured us and there were a few other guests besides we had lingered over the coffee longer than usual for had given an extra charm to the conversation by her eloquent vivacity and bright humour and all present were anxious to hear see and know as much of the brilliant as possible but when a full golden moon rose in mellow splendour over the tree tops my wife suggested a stroll in the grounds and agreeing to the proposal with delight we started � more or less together � some in couples some in groups of three or four after a little rambling however the party got separated in the rose gardens and adjacent and i found myself alone i turned back to the house to get my cigar case which i had left on a table in the library and passing out again in another direction i strolled slowly across the grass smoking as i went towards the river the silver gleam of which could clearly be discerned through the fast foliage overhanging its banks i had almost reached the path that followed the course of the winding water when i was brought to a by the sound of voices � one a man s low and � the other a woman s tender grave and somewhat tremulous neither voice could be mistaken i recognised s rich penetrating tones and the sweet accents of out of sheer surprise i paused � had fallen in love i wondered � was i about to discover that the supposed had been tamed and caught at last by too � little who was not beautiful according to accepted standards but who had something more than beauty to a proud and soul here as my thoughts ran on i was conscious of a foolish sense of jealousy � why should he choose i thought out of all women in the world could he not leave her in peace with her dreams her books and her flowers � safe under the pure wise gaze of whose cool brows were never by a touch of passion something more than curiosity now impelled me to listen and i cautiously advanced a the sorrows of satan step or two towards the shadow of a broad elm where i could see without being seen yes there was standing erect with folded arms his dark sad inscrutable eyes fixed on who stood opposite to him a few paces off looking at him in her turn with an expression of mingled fascination and fear i have asked you said slowly to let me serve you you have genius � a rare quality in a woman � and i would advance your fortunes i should not be what i am if i did not try to persuade you to let me help on your career you are not rich � i could show you how to become so you have a great fame � that i grant but you have many enemies and who are for ever trying to pull you down from the throne you have won i could bring these to your feet and make them your slaves with your intellectual power your personal grace and gifts of temperament i could if you would let me guide you give you such far reaching influence as no woman has possessed in this century i am no � i can do what i say and more and i ask nothing from you in return except that you should follow my advice my advice let me tell you is not difficult to follow most people find it easy his expression of face i thought was very singular as he spoke � it was so haggard dreary and woe that one might have imagined he was making some proposal that was particularly to him instead of offering to perform the benevolent action of helping a hard working literary woman to achieve greater wealth and distinction i waited for to reply you 