her friends. That she does not wish, either. But I can hire a
companion. To that she has already consented. That she will
regard as a kindness, if the lady chosen should prove to be one
of those rare beings who carry comfort in their looks without
obtruding their services or displaying the extent of their
interest. You know there are some situations in which the
presence of a stranger may be more grateful than that of a
friend. Apparently, my wife feels herself so placed now."

Here his eyes again read my face, an ordeal out of which I came
triumphant; the satisfaction he evinced rightly indicated his
mind.

"Will you accept the position?" he asked. "We have one little
child. You will have no charge of her save as you may wish to
make use of her in reaching the mother."

The hint conveyed in the last phrase gave me courage to say:

"You wish me to reach her?"

"With comfort," said he.

"And if in doing so I learn her trouble?"

"You will win my eternal gratitude by telling it to one who would
give ten years of his life to assuage it."

My head rose. I began to feel that my next step must strike
solid ground.