Evening star., 1901-12-07

| most grateful to her for the kindness she
once showed you. There is, of course, no
credit due to her on account of that kind
ness. She was but simple instrument in
the hands of Providence, which destined
| you for great things. Still your friends
must feel obliged to her. Probably she did
not understand that she was thus led and
guided by higher power"
Madam, she shall know, / promise you,
| your sentiments which those of a
! pious heart. Meantime my friends have
| heard nothing at all about her, I assure
you. Nothing at all. She is one of those
rare women who do good in secret, so
that the left hand knows not what is done
| BY the right"
You will understand that all this talk
was mere pretense by which each of
| them desired to let the other know what
had happened both before and after the
day of first meeting. 1t is not usual for
| people as soon as they make acquaintance
with each other to exchange condolences
concerning their past history and their
families. For the most part people of
fashion know the family history of those
who belong to their own circles and to
| their own rank. When man is received
| from the outside, whether Gas sometimes
but very rarely happens) ne is rich,
merchant, or a nabob, a wealthy Wcst
| Indian planter, or a lawyer, or a poet, or
a divine, the world of fashion cares moth
| ing whatever about his origin; what does
| 1t matter where he comes from or what
may be the trade or calling of his father2
The man is admitted to society because
| he can amuse-nothing more. His wife, If
| he has one, Is not admitted. nor his daugh-
| ters. Society admits those who are out
side the circle. in order that they may be
amused. Therefore, when Isabel showed
! this desire to be informed of divers posi-
| tion and prospects 1t was on account Of
| that bond which connected them. unknown
| to the world.
| frequent He met Isabel at the plays he
i took her home after the play; he did not
| meet her in the park because the summer
passed into the autumn when ladies no
| longer walk out in the evening. In the even
| Ing when there were card tables in Isabel 8
l house, the young lawyer was not one Of
| the company. being engaged upon his work
| for the next day. On Sundays, however
he was always in attendance after morning
| service and went with Isabel to St. James
| Square, where he dined, spent the after
| noon IN conversation In reading, or In
| music. 1t is rare for sprig of quality to
| have any single accomplishment, but this
| young man, who was not a sprg of quail
| ity, had a delicate touch on the harpsi-
| chord and a musical voice; he knew be-
| sides a great number Of Irish songs, the
| words of which he had himself composed
to the melodies sung by the common peo-
| pie: they were melodies sad yet strangely
| sweet.
| There Is certainly nothing more delight
full or more useful for young man than
| the intimate friendship of a gentlewoman,
| sympathetic. affectionate, kindly, yet with
| passion And to most women there Is moth
| Ing more delightful than the confidence, the
unfolding of the hopes and ambitions. the
| barring of the soul, of young man Of prom
! ise and of great ambitions. Perhaps
| the voice of scandal found something to
| say about those Sundays. Isabel disturbed
| herself little about the voice of scandal
| She neither listened to 1t not looked for it.
One person alone ventured upon a remon-
| strance
| This was the right honorable, the Earl
| OF Stratherrick, Isabel's brother-in-law
| When the monthly stipend was exhausted
| his 1ordship honored Isabel by his company
at her table. He there met Oliver, and
| after his wont toward persons of lower rank
| or of no rank at all, treated him with
| small courtesy. The contempt of one whose
| vices have ruined him: who Is a beggar
| and dependent, ought to be received with
corresponding contempt by one who can
/ earn his livelihood by an honorable and a
| poble profession. And so. indeed, oliver
treated it. Isabel however. resented this
with your company. my lord. must have
| respect paid to my friends
Certainly, Isabel. But an adventurer-
| a mere Irish adventurer-a common law
| yer. One does not expect such company as
| common lawyer at the table Of a woman
| In your position-my sister-in-law."
Nevertheless. he is one of my friends. =