is the memory of my dead mother. Moreover, Margery voices my best
self, and expresses my own judgment when it is not blinded by
passion or warped by my worship of the beautiful. Not that Margery
would disapprove of loveliness; in fact, she would approve of
nothing else for me, I know very well. But her penetration rapidly
goes beneath the surface. According to one of Paul's sublime
paradoxes, she looks at the things that are not seen. It seems queer
that I can tell you all this, Miss Champion, and really it is the
first time I have actually formulated it in my own mind. But I think
it so extremely friendly of you to have troubled to give me good
advice in the matter."

Garth Dalmain ceased speaking, and the silence which followed
suddenly assumed alarming proportions, seeming to Jane like a high
fence which she was vainly trying to scale. She found herself
mentally rushing hither and thither, seeking a gate or any possible
means of egress. And still she was confronted by the difficulty of
replying adequately to the totally unexpected. And what added to her
dumbness was the fact that she was infinitely touched by Garth's
confession; and when Jane was deeply moved speech always became
difficult. That this young man--adored by all the girls for his good
looks and delightful manners; pursued for his extreme eligibility by
mothers and chaperons; famous already in the world of art;
flattered, courted, sought after in society--should calmly admit
that the only woman really left IN his life was his old nurse, and
that her opinion and expectations held him back from a worldly, or
unwise marriage, touched Jane deeply, even while in her heart she
smiled at what their set would say could they realise the situation.
It revealed Garth in a new light; and suddenly Jane understood him,
as she had not understood him before.