"  It  was  an  intense  desire  to  be  among  cultivated
people — if  only  for  a  few  hours.  Besides,  I  had  read
about  artists;  and  their  lives  seemed  so  young,  so  gay,
so  v.orth  living — please  don't  think  mo  foolish  and  im-
mature, Mr.  Neville — but  I  was  so  stifled,  so  cut  off  from
such  people,  so  uninspired,  so — so  starved  for  a  little  gai-
ety— and  I  needed  vouthful  companionship — surround-
ings where  people  of  my  own  age  and  intelligence  some-
times entered — and  I  had  never  had  it "

She  looked  at  Iiiin  witli  a  strained,  wistful  expression
as  though  begging  him  to  understand  her :

"  I  couldn't  remain  at  the  theatre,"  she  said.  "  I
had  little  talent — no  chance  except  chances  I  would  not
tolerate ;  no  companionship  except  what  I  was  unfitted
for  by  education  and  inclination.  .  .  .  The  men  were
— impossible.  Ihcre  may  have  been  girls  I  could  have
liked — but  I  did  not  meet  them.  So,  as  I  had  to  do
sometliing — and  my  years  of  seclusion  with  mother  had
unfitted  me  for  any  business — for  office  work  or  shop
work — I  tliought  that  ai'tists  might  care  to  employ  me
■ — miglit  gi^e  me — or  let  me  see — be  near — somethincf

M


THE    COMMON   LAW


of  tbo  gaj'cr,  brighter,  more  pleasant  and  youtliful  side
of  life '-"

She  ceased,  bent  her  head  thoughtfully.
