I was seized with panic.

She had made a success of her business, and now had an office in Chancery Lane; she did little typing herself, but spent her time correcting the work of the four girls she employed.

I had not seen her for some time, and I noticed changes in her; it was not only that she was older, thinner, and more lined; I think her character had altered.

I was tired of doing much the same thing every day.

I was growing stale in London.

It was about five years after this that I decided to live in Paris for a while.

I gave up my small apartment, sold my few belongings, and resolved to start afresh.

Life was ordered too pleasantly.

My friends pursued their course with uneventfulness; they had no longer any surprises for me, and when I met them I knew pretty well what they would say; even their love-affairs had a tedious banality.

We were like tram cars running on their lines from terminus to terminus, and it was possible to calculate within small limits the number of passengers they would carry.

I called on Mrs. Strickland before I left.

"Is she going into your business?" I asked.

She had had the idea of giving it a certain daintiness, and she made much use of blue and red inks; she bound the copy in coarse paper, that looked vaguely like watered silk, in various pale colours; and she had acquired a reputation for neatness and accuracy. She was making money.

She was a little ashamed of her courage and business capacity, but delighted that she was going to dine the next night with a K. C. who lived in South Kensington.

But she could not get over the idea that to earn her living was somewhat undignified, and she was inclined to remind you that she was a lady by birth.

She could not help bringing into her conversation the names of people she knew which would satisfy you that she had not sunk in the social scale.

"Oh no; I wouldn't let her do that," Mrs. Strickland answered. "She's so pretty. I'm sure she'll marry well."

She was pleased to be able to tell you that her son was at Cambridge, and it was with a little laugh that she spoke of the rush of dances to which her daughter, just out, was invited. I suppose I said a very stupid thing.

I was a little chilled by Mrs. Strickland's exclusiveness.

"That's very good of you," I said.

"If he's in any real want I'm prepared to help him a little. I'd send you a certain sum of money, and you could give it him gradually, as he needed it."

"Several people have suggested that she should go on the stage, but of course I couldn't consent to that, I know all the chief dramatists, and I could get her a part to-morrow, but I shouldn't like her to mix with all sorts of people."

"No; I haven't heard a word. He may be dead for all I know."

"I may run across him in Paris. Would you like me to let you know about him?"

It is not true that suffering ennobles the character; happiness does that sometimes, but suffering, for the most part, makes men petty and vindictive.

"Do you ever hear of your husband?"

"I should have thought it would be a help to you."

She hesitated a minute.

But I knew it was not kindness that prompted the offer.