It is a part of self-satisfaction, and perhaps not the least
dangerous part of it, that it has an increasing or multiplying power
of its own. The desire to do increases the power to do; and desire
and power united find new ways for the exercise of strength. Up to
now Stephen's inclination towards Leonard had been vague, nebulous;
but now that theory showed a way to its utilisation it forthwith
began to become, first definite, then concrete, then substantial.
When once the idea had become a possibility, the mere passing of time
did the rest.

Her aunt saw--and misunderstood. The lesson of her own youth had not
been applied; not even of those long hours and days and weeks at
which she hinted when she had spoken of the tragedy of life which by
inference was her own tragedy: 'to love and to be helpless. To
wait, and wait, and wait, with your heart all aflame!'

Stephen recognised her aunt's concern for her health in time to
protect herself from the curiosity of her loving-kindness. Her youth
and readiness and adaptability, and that power of play-acting which
we all have within us and of which she had her share, stood to her.
With but little effort, based on a seeming acquiescence in her aunt's
views, she succeeded in convincing the old lady that her incipient
feverish cold had already reached its crisis and was passing away.
But she had gained certain knowledge in the playing of her little
part. All this self-protective instinct was new; for good or ill she
had advanced one more step in not only the knowledge but the power of
duplicity which is so necessary in the conventional life of a woman.

Oh! did we but see! Could we but see! Here was a woman, dowered in
her youth with all the goods and graces in the power of the gods to