nd good in the world, but
you must search for it. Being misunderstood is one of the trials we all
must bear. I think that even the most common-minded person in the land
has inner thoughts and feelings which no one can share with him, and the
higher one's organization the more one must suffer in that respect. I am
acquainted with a great number of young girls, some of them good and
true, but you have a character containing more than any three of them put
together. With this power, if properly managed, you can gain the almost
universal love of your fellows. But you are wild and wayward, you must
curb and strain your spirit and bring it into subjection, else you will
be worse than a person with the emptiest of characters. You will find
that plain looks will not prevent you from gaining the _friendship_ love of
your fellows--the only real love there is. As for the hot fleeting passion
of the man for the maid, which is wrongfully designated love, I will not
tell you not to think of it, knowing that it is human nature to demand it
when arriving at a certain age; but take this comfort: it as frequently
passes by on the other side of those with well-chiselled features as
those with faces of plainer mould."

She turned her face away, sighed, and forgetful of my presence lapsed
into silence. I knew she was thinking of herself.

Love, not _friendship_ love, for anyone knowing her must give her love and
respect, but the other sort of love had passed her by.

Twelve years before I went to Caddagat, when Helen Bossier had been
eighteen and one of the most beautiful and lovable girls in Australia,
there had come to Caddagat on a visit a dashing colonel of the name of
Bell, in the enjoyment of a most extended furlough for the benefit of his
health. He married aunt Helen and took her to some part of America where
his regiment was stationed. I have heard them say she worshipped Colonel
Bell, but in less than a twelvemonth he tired of his lovely bride, and
becoming enamoured of another woman, he tried to obtain a divorce. On
account of his wife's spotless character he was unable to do this; he
therefore deserted her and openly lived with the other woman as his
mistress. This forced aunt Helen to return to Caddagat, and her mother
had induced her to sue for a judicial separation, which was easily
obtained.

When a woman is separated from her husband it is the religion of the
world at large to cast the whole blame on the wife. By reason