The Point of View

art. He did not approve of it as a place of residence for his betrothed. Another and equally well-drained hostelry might have been found for the party he thought, where such ev

ve been in time. Nancy Ruggles, the Bishop's second daughter, had given him tea and ministered to his wants in a spirit of solicitous devotion every day since the Ebleys had left Exminster, but Nancy's hair w

etrothed to get any pleasure out of the affair. It was better to marry than to burn, he had St. Paul's authority for this-but when he felt emotion toward Stella because of her loveliness, he was afterward very uncomfortable in his thoughts, and it took him at least an hour to throw dust in his own eyes in regard to the

secretly enjoying herself extremely, and allowed the drains to assume gigantic proportions in her reasons for their choice of abode. So there was nothing more to be said

y Sunday dress her fiance was accustomed to see at home-it appeared to be put on differently, and she had altered the doing of her hair. There was no doubt ab

r. Inwardly she was trying to overcome the growing revulsion she was experiencing. Tricks of speech, movements of hands-even the way Eustace's hair grew-were all irritating her. She only longed to contradict every word the poor man said, and sh

dest way of hairdressing. I hardly think the

with sparkling eyes. "How can you be so ridiculous, Eustace-it is merely because it is becoming an

hin lips grew int

f a clergyman cannot be too careful not to make herself attractive or remark

ome feeling, "and can surely enjoy a few things of my age

reason when once she should be his wife, until then he might have to waive his authority, but should show her by his manner that sh

d across the room; and at that moment the tall, odd-looking Russian came in, and retired to a seat far on the other side, exactly o

ce will agree with me that such an appearance is sacrilegious-he must know he looks like a saint-and I am quite sure, from what I have heard from Martha, he is

th some spirit, "it is surely very uncharitable to judge of p

ebuked! It was unspeakable. She could only glare behind her glasses. What had come to the girl

joined in, hopi

e have to put on our best and take our ladies to the Embassy to a rout, Eustace," he went on, genially.

cannot accompany you-it is not that I disapprove of dancing for others," he hastened to add, "but I d

rs. Ebley said, "and it will

here was an air of great distinction about him. His complete unconsciousness and calm were so remarkable. You might take him for an eccentric person, but certainly a gentleman, and with an extraordinary magnetism, she felt. When once you had talked to him, he seemed to cast a spell over you. But, beyond t

r suddenly, and, saying she was very tired and had le

ott said, when she had disappeared from view. "

ht to be written to, but the sheets remained blank-and in about ten minutes there was a gentle knock at the door, and, on opening i

ing like that! she thought, and then went back eagerly to her window to

depressed-remain calm and trust me, circumstances can always be directed in the hands of a strong man. I will ha

e writing was rather large and

ot all gray. It seemed almost delightful to be putting on a real evening dress presently, even though it was a rather homely white thi

orridor-while, as luck would have it, the lift stopped at the second floor to admit the Russian. He got in with his usual air of being unaware that he was not alone-though Stella could feel that h

's intoning voice said, as they went along to the restaurant. "He certainly is a most

ing of you!" Stella alm

ine answer

of convention always shocks me to such a deg

he satisfaction of observing that once Count Roumovski actually turned his head in their direction and met her eyes

interested eyes. When this ceremony was over people began to disperse about the large rooms, and Miss Rawson was conscious that her strange secret acquaintan

, after all-one never can tell with foreigners, as their titles mean nothing, and half of them are a

e could see this man

ered, "even without hi

come so pretty a relation to Rome, and was profuse in his apologies f

said, "especially can you tell us about the very curious-looking pe

the world and Africa and Asia in unaccessible places. He is a fabulously rich Russian-a real Muscovite from near Moscow, and he does everything

e, somewhat impressed. "His app

to his attraction, it is such superlative audacity. No En

id Mrs. Ebley severely,

mber him at Oxford," the cousin was musing to himself. "Lord Carford is an old stick-in-the-mud, or he would have

his Royalties; and straight as a dart he came over to where their group was standing, and whispered in the co

uence of his wonderful charm, while Stella stood there trembling with the wildest excitement she had yet known. The words of Eustace, h

illuminated-and, as it was such a very hot night, would mademoiselle like to take a turn that way, to have some refreshment? At the same moment, Mr.

maneuvered that in a moment or two they had completely lost sight

should rush over, throw prudence to the winds and-" then he stopped abruptly, and Stella fel

about, the night was deliciously warm. Count Roumovski seemed to know the paths, for he drew his companion to a seat just beyond the radius of the lights, and they sat down upon a bench under a

urse-you agree with me

e asked, to gain time t

love you-and I want to teach you a number of things

say this," Stell

you will listen to

an to assert itself. She felt as if the force to resist him wer

life. You are good and true-and balanced-or you will be that when I have made your love education. Stella, look at me with t

tella answered confusedly: she was so full of e

as no significance in relation to feeling. If you would only look at me instead of d

y it, her breath came rather fast; it was

ll holds you and not nature. Your acquired opinion tells you y

ought not to,

come to any conclusion if you do not

him now with t

her, who sat with clasped nervous fingers clutching her fan. His other hand lay idly on his knee, his whole attitude was very still. The soft lights were just enough

e and boundless joy! You, who will learn all of love's meaning presently, and what it makes of existence, and what God meant by giving it to us mortals. You are intended by nature to be a complete woman if you did but know it-but such a lif

and the shackles pulling at me often, but never that they were unbea

s which you would have to accept or suffer the consequences. But this preliminary bond can be broken without hurt to either side. A man of the good clergyman's type will not suffer in his emotions at the loss of you-he suffices unto himself for those; his vanity will be wounded-that is all. And surely it is better that should gall for a little than that you sho

some altruistic sentiment made her feel still some qualms and misgivings. If she should be causing Eustace great pain by breaking her engagement; if it were very wrong to go against he

is right?" she implored. "And because I want so muc

us, it gave the impression of such immense self-control, and his voice was

he loves him is the only reason why a woman should give her life to a man. Quite apart from the law, which proclaims that each individual must be the arbiter of hi

im-I mean, she wanted me to so much. I never really felt anything for him myself, and latel

of you. And I want you only to promise you will follow each step that I explain to you-" then he broke off, and the seriousness of his tone chan

ning more voice, she went on, "I did not know-I

her with f

an to marry him: he says, 'Will you marry me?'-is it not so? of course, I need not say that to you, because you know that is what I

the picture seemed one

ay and give you a new point of view, but I will never try to rule you and drag you to mine. I will ne

into a beautiful garden from the top of an ugly, barren, cold mount

g things to find out about each other,-" And then, her sweet face so very near him, the tempta

count always upon my will to make my actions obey it, still I can hardly prevent myself

he did not guess it. She looked up into his blue eyes there in the shadow, and

now that he had won his fight, he moved a lit

in firm in your simple determination to break your engagement. Argue with them not at all. I will see your uncle in the morning and demand your hand; they will be shocked, horrified, scandalized-we will make no explanations. If they refuse their consent, then you must be brave, and the day after to-morrow you must come to my sister. S

ove, were now gazing into his,

you up, but remember that marriage is an act which can mean almost life or death to a woman, and that no human beings have any right to coe

moved, and then, with almost childish irrelevance, which t

ms-and explain everything with your little head here on my breast-but I must not-must not yet. Call me Sasha-say it no

r ran through all his tall frame-and

squely placed her hand upon his arm, and led her among the people, an