n, and love and
suffer elsewhere, or was it all a cruel myth? Was she merely a creature
bred of the teeming earth, or had she an individuality beyond the earth?
What awaited her after sunset?--Sleep. She had often hoped that it was
sleep, and nothing but sleep. But now she did not hope that. Her life
had centred itself around a new interest, and one that she felt could
never die while that life lasted. She hoped for a future now; for if
there was a future for her, there would be one for _him_, and then her
day would come, and where he was there she would be also. Oh, sweet
mockery, old and unsubstantial thought, bright dream set halowise about
the dull head of life! Who has not dream it, but who can believe in
it? And yet, who shall say that it is not true? Though philosophers and
scientists smile and point in derision to the gross facts and freaks
that mark our passions, is it not possible that there may be a place
where the love shall live when the lust has died; and where Jess will
find that she has not sat in vain in the sunshine, throwing out her pure
heart towards the light of a happiness and a visioned glory whereof, for
some few minutes, the shadow seemed to lie within her?

John had finished his pipe, and, although she did not know it, was
watching her face, which, now when she was off her guard, was no longer
impassive, but seemed to mirror the tender and glorious hope that was
floating through her mind. Her lips were slightly parted, and her wide
eyes were full of a soft strange light, while on the whole countenance
was stamped a look of eager thought and spiritualised desire such as he
had known portrayed in ancient masterpieces upon the face of the
Virgin Mother. Except as regards her eyes and hair, Jess was not even a
good-looking person. But, at that moment, John thought that her face was
touched with a diviner beauty than he had yet seen on the face of
woman. It thrilled him and appealed to him, not as Bessie's beauty had
appealed, but to that other side of his nature, of which Jess alone
could turn the key. It was more like the face of a spirit than that of a
human being, and it almost frightened him to see it.

"Jess," he said at last, "what are you thinking of?"

She started, and her face resumed its normal expression. It was as
though a mask had been suddenly set upon it.

"Why do you ask?" she said.

"Because I want to know. I never saw you look like that before."

She laughed a little.

"Yo