that was the immediate cause of his father's leaving him poorly
provided for?'

'It had much to do with it, I have no doubt.'

'I see. I imagined that he was cast out of all decent society.'

'If society were really decent, he would have been. It's strange how
completely his Radicalism has disappeared. I believe he never had a
genuine sympathy with the labouring classes. And what's more, I fancy
he had a great deal of his father's desire for command and social
distinction. If he had seen his way to become a great engineer, a
director of vast enterprises, he wouldn't have abandoned his work. An
incredible stubbornness has possibly spoilt his whole life. In a
congenial pursuit he might by this time have attained to something
noteworthy. It's too late now, I fear.'

Rhoda meditated.

'Does he aim at nothing whatever?'

'He won't admit any ambition. He has no society. His friends are nearly
all obscure people, like those you heard him speak of this evening.'

'After all, what ambition should he have?' said Rhoda, with a laugh.
'There's one advantage in being a woman. A woman with brains and will
may hope to distinguish herself in the greatest movement of our
time--that of emancipating her sex. But what can a man do, unless he
has genius?'

'There's the emancipation of the working classes. That is the great
sphere for men; and Everard cares no more for the working classes than
I do.'

'Isn't it enough to be free oneself?'

'You mean that he has task enough in striving to be an honourable man?'

'Perhaps. I hardly know what I meant.'

Miss Barfoot mused, and her face lighted up with a glad thought.

'You are right. It's better to be a woman, in our day. With us is all
the joy of advance, the glory of conquering. Men have only material
progress to think about. But we--we are winning souls, propagating a
new religion, purifying the earth!'

Rhoda nodded thrice.

'My cousin is a fine specimen of a man, after all, in body and mind.
But what a poor, ineffectual creature compared with _you_, Rhoda! I
don't flatter you, dear. I tell you bluntly of your faults and
extravagances. But I am proud of your magnificent independence, proud
of your pride, dear, and of your stainless heart. Thank Heaven we are
women!'

It was rare indeed for Miss Barfoot to be moved to rhapsody. Again
Rhoda nodded, and then they laughed together, with joyous confidence in
themselves and in their cause.

CHAPTER IX

THE SIMPLE F