"sympathetic."

I stayed at home the whole of the day following that on which I wrote to
Mr. Spence, and was rewarded by receiving a visit from him in the
afternoon. He seemed little at his ease when he entered the room, and I
observed a number of details of dress and manner which showed that he
was not versed in the usages of fashionable life despite his early
experiences. These lapses, or rather differences, did not affect me
disagreeably,--indeed, I was well content that he should be as unlike as
possible the flippant youths of so-called society,--but they were much
more noticeable than when he was in the midst of such artistic
surroundings as he found at Miss Kingsley's.

I judged it best to enter at once on the matter I had at heart.

"You will pardon me I am sure, Mr. Spence, for taking up your valuable
time, when I tell you my reason for asking you to call upon me. I will
be frank, and say that I have been for some time anxious to find an
interest to which I could devote myself thoroughly and systematically,
and one that was wholly in sympathy with what I feel to be my tastes and
aspirations. I have a great deal of time at my disposal, and have become
weary of the amusements of society and of the merely superficial
character of my studies hitherto. The exercises to which I had the good
fortune to listen at Miss Kingsley's the other evening were almost a
revelation to me. They confirmed at least the opinion I had begun to
have, that outside of what the world calls fashionable circles there is
a class of people who like yourself find their happiness in intellectual
aims and pleasures. So much interested was I by what I heard then, that
I have decided, after some hesitation on the score of troubling you, to
offer myself as a student of your system of Moderation. It may be," I
added, speaking hurriedly in my desire to put the matter clearly before
him, and yet not to be prolix, "you do not care for the co-operation of
persons so little advanced as I; for I tell you honestly that though
tolerably proficient in what are known as accomplishments, I am ignorant
of all that appertains to serious knowledge. But believe me when I say
that I am thoroughly in earnest, and will devote myself to the cause
with all my heart, in case you think me able to be of assistance."

Mr. Spence heard me to the end without interruption. I had looked
straight before me, intent alone upon presenting my case in such a light
that while he kn