derherboandbandage;shetheashortblackpipe,andlightingitbegantosmoke.Havingindulgedawhileinthissedative,sheraisedherbentbody,tookthepipefromherlips,andwhilegazingsteadilyatthefire,saidverydeliberately—“Youarecold;youaresidyouaresilly.”

    “Proveit,”Irejoined.

    “Iwill,infewwords.Youarecold,becauseyouarealone:notactstrikesthefirefromyouthatisinyou.Youaresick;becausethebestoffeelings,thehighestandthesweetestgiventoman,keepsfarawayfromyou.Youaresilly,because,sufferasyoumay,youwillnotbeittoapproaorwillyoustiroomeetitwhereitwaitsyou.”

    Sheagainputhershortblackpipetoherlips,andrenewedhersmokingwithvigour.

    “Youmightsayallthattoalmostanyonewhoyouknewlivedasasolitarydepeihouse.”

    “Imightsayittoalmostawoulditbetrueofalmostanyone?”

    “Inmycircumstances.”

    “Yes;justso,inyourcircumstances:butfiherpreciselyplacedasyouare.”

    “Itwouldbeeasytofindyouthousands.”

    “Youcouldscarcelyfindmeone.Ifyouk,youarepeculiarlysituated:verynearhappiness;yes,withinreachofit.Thematerialsareallprepared;thereonlywantsamovementtobihem.celaidthemsomeart;letthembeonceapproachedandblissresults.”

    “Idon’tuandenigmas.Inevercouldguessariddleinmylife.”

    “Ifyouwishmetospeakmoreplainly,showmeyourpalm.”

    “AndImustcrossitwithsilver,Isuppose?”

    “Tobesure.”

    Igaveherashilling:sheputitintoanoldstog-footwhichshetookoutofherpocket,andhaviroundaur,shetoldmetoholdoutmyhand.Idid.Sheachedherfacetothepalm,andporedoveritwithouttougit.

    “Itistoofine,”s