some power--I sometimes think that it could have more than you
realize.

I suppose every woman has thought that the man she loved was her
very life, but I do not think it of you, I simply _know_ it. I must
go with you, whether I loved you or not.

Meanwhile my love has assumed a strength to me that I never felt
before. I don't know how my wild and incoherent letters have
affected you, but there were many times when I longed to get hold of
you, literally, and simply shake into you some recognition of my
soul. Oh, I am afraid you couldn't get away from me; the more
merciless you are to me, the wilder I get.

I am possessed by so many opposite moods and influences. I am afraid
of you a little. I never know what you are going to do to me.

I feel, I cannot help but feel, that I am part of your life, now,
you could not neglect me any more than you could your own soul. I
consider you just as responsible for mine as you are for your own. I
say this with no doubts, but know that it is true, and you must know
it.

XVI

DEAR THYRSIS:

You certainly have a wonderful task in store for me, and I pray God
to give me strength for it. I can see very plainly that you expect
to find the essence of my soul better than yours, because it seems