The Lady of the Shroud

tion of Normanstand and Norwood. Such a thing had not been heard of in the experiences of any of them. Courts of Justice were places for men

icult task before her, for she was by now accustom

anstand with her mind so firmly fixed on the task before her as to be oblivious of minor considerations. She was so fond of Stephen, and admired so truly her many beauties and fine qualities, that she was secu

n the presence of others she might now and again have a qualm or a doubt; but not with her. There was an abiding calm in her love, answering love realised and respected. Her long and intimate knowledge of Laetitia made her aware of her moods. She could read the signs of them. She knew well the meaning of the bonnet which actually seemed to quiver as though it had a sentience of its own. She knew well the cause of her aunt's pert

auntie! I hope it

ous! Everything is serious

' Hypocrisy

, what is this I hear about your goin

must not let that trouble you. It

aking of low crimes. To listen to cases of the most shocking kind; cases of low immorality; cases of a kind, of a nature of a-a-class that you are not su

at I feel I should know more of the lives of

ave all been devoting ourselves to effect ever since you were born? Read your third cha

have been an orange tree.' The old l

hy

lossom!' Her tone was demure. Miss Rowly looked sharp

ent. Stephen seized the oppo

ears to know better. Accordingly I learned all sorts of things under his care, and sometimes even without his help. I have studied the estate map, and I have been over the estate books and read some of the leases and all such matters which they deal with in the estate office. This only told me the bones of the thing. I wanted to know more of our people; and so I made a point of going now and again to each house that we own. Of seeing the people and talking with them familiarly; a

t too, for she realised the intense earnestness which lay behind the girl'

to go into the Court to know these thing

hear both sides, too! If people are guilty, I want to know the cause of their guilt. If they are innocent, I want to know what the circumstances can be whi

t conversation in the churchyard when Harold had

was right. But the details were repugnant as ever to her; concentrating her mi

e are so many cases that

gs; if sordidness plays so important

not within a woman's province

act, for she had been for too many years the mistress of a great household not to know something of the s

. . . as woman . . . of motherhood, without marri

nce, 'you yourself show the want

and bristling. Stephen took her hand

or poor women! . . . And, Auntie dear, it is such poor women that I should like to help . . . Not when it is too late, but before! But how can

men. I never speak of them myself except with matrons.' St

offensive, or to hurt you in any way. I know, dear, your goodness and your ki

ean? one side

and and help in the other. Oh! Auntie, Auntie, can't you see that my heart is in this . . . These are our people; Daddy says they are to be my people; and I want to know their lives right through; to underst

ooked like a spirit. Lighted her white diaphanous dress till it seemed to take shape as an ethereal robe; lighted her red hai

her best heaved, and her bosom swelle

at rained down her furrowed cheeks, she put her arms round the girl and kissed her fondly. Still holdi

to side with pride. Remember what was the last temptation of the serpent to Ev

added as if by an afterthought, 'of course you under

wer was given

t was not so much the acquisition of kno

matters to deceive ourselves. The more we know, the better are we able to deceive others; and the better we are able to deceive oth

tively. Long after her aunt

*

n the Mission; and Stephen had had much correspondence with her regarding the work. At last she wrote that if she might, she would like to come and see for herself. The answer was a cordial invitation, armed with which she asked her father to allow her to go. He at once assented. He had been watching keenly the development of her ch

ed that her old lighter moods began to have their place, but it seemed that she never lost, and tha

y Harold when home on his next college vacation. He had been

are learning

atter over, she took from it infinite pleasure. This was indeed to share man's ideas and to think with the workings of

d a part would continue in the right direction. But she generally found that the girl had been over the ground so thoroughly that she was able to defend her position. Once, when she had ventured to remonstrate with her regarding her attitude of woman's equality with man, she

tunity of being married?' Stephen looked at

es not get the opportunity!' The

f no man asks her?' This se

she ask him?' Her aunt's lorgnon w

ent on im

free to think of a man in all ways, how is she to judge of the suitability of their union? And if she is free in theory, why not free to undertake if necessary the initiative in a ma

ory.' Stephen's habit of thought stood to her here. She saw that her aunt was distressed, and as she did not wish to pain her unduly, was willing

it is a theory which I hold very strongly!' . . .

did you have, Auntie?' The old lady smi

t is so long ago tha

matter what else she may or may not remember! Tell me, w

et it be at this, that there were more t

dling, and the elder woman loved to hear it. Whe

dear, I didn'

was there never any

edy of a woman's life.' In flooding reminiscent thought she for

nd all the world to stand still on your hopeless misery! To know that a word might open up Heaven; and yet to have to remain mute! To keep ba

and kissed her, th

uld that tone be checked? Why should one be mute when a single word might, would, avert the tragedy? Is it not possi

r youthful strength as with eyes that blazed, not flashing as in

teach them wherein their power lies. They have to learn this for themselves; and the process and the result of the self-teaching are not good. In the University Settlement

lazing eyes turned to her so that she

e wrecked for a convention? Why in the blind following of some society fetish should life lose its charm, its possibilities? Why should love eat its heart out, in vain? The time will come when women will not be afraid to speak to men, as they should speak, as free and equal. Surely if a woman is to be the equal and lifelong companion of a man, the closest to him-nay, the only one really close to him: the mother of his children-she should be free at the very outset

rms and kissed her fondly several times, holding her tight. Then,