Ships That Pass in the Night

months; and came, away wonderfully better for the mountain air. This was what Bernardine Holme hoped to do; she was broken down in every way, but it was tho

obably cared very little, and the morning after her arrival, she strolled out by herself, investigating the place where she was about to spend six months. She

cheering last night

dered to be lively," he answered, a

I did," she went on frankly. "It was

rk, and passing on his way again, wh

ts, where you will not be bothered with people. I can take you to a snow fairy-land. If you are sad and disappointed, you will find shining comfort there. It is not all sadness in Petershof. In the silent snow forests, if you dig the snow away, you will f

, half to herself, and her lips quivered. "I have ha

es to the new arrangement. A great deal of caring and grieving, phase one; still more caring and grieving, phase two; less caring and grieving, p

r grasp, when there seemed a fair chance of realizing her ambitions, she had suddenly fallen ill, broken up so entirely in every way, that those who knew her when she was well, could scarcely recognize her now that she was ill. The doctors spoke of an overstrained nervous system: the pestilence of these modern days; they spoke of rest, change of work and scene, bracing air. She might regain her vitality; she might not. Those who had played themselves out must pay the penalty. She was thinking of her whole history, pitying herself profoundly, coming to the conclusion, after true human fashion, that she was the worst-used person on earth, and that no one but herself knew what disappointed ambitions were; s

ey came near Bernardine. "I must find out who she is, and where she comes from. And, fancy, she h

trouble to speak to her

lf on to you. You kno

ne if I wish," replied Mrs.

Bernardine, and held o

Holme," she said. "You retired so early. I hope you ha

y at the beautiful woman, and envying her, just

, I suppose?" cont

lone," answer

at table," said Mrs. Reffold; "so you will not feel quite lonely h

before last night

n. He very rarely deigns to talk with any of us. He does not even appear to see us. He sits quietly and reads. It w

would," said Ber

verything, except the scenery, which she did not mention. After a time she ventured to begin once more taking soundings. But some how or

l miss you," she

t easily missed, you know." There was a twinkle in Bernardine'

asked Mrs. Reffold, in

answered Bernardine placidly. "

ificant little person was making fun of her. This would never do, and be

s melancholy. Ah, it is indeed sad to see all this suffering!" (Mrs Reffold herself had quite succeeded in steeling her heart against her own invalid husband

his little out-of-the-world place! But people come from the uttermost ends of the ea

London now," said Be

e several Kensington people here. You may meet some friends: indeed

ffold's two companions with an amused sort of indulgence, and

ish to ask? And, if so, may I ask one o

ully to a small confectionery shop on the other side

, crossed the road, an

r a lesson not to int

erself. "How be

two companions went s

e silence

aid the taller of the

the other, light

my own feelings," r

d learnt h