frequently into themselves, or whose occupations are of a nature to
produce such introspection. If her head ached, or had she lamed her
hand by any accident, she would think more of the injury to the
household arising from her incapacity than of her own pain. It is
so, reader, with your gardener, your groom, or your cook, if you
will think of it. Till you tell them by your pity that they are the
sufferers, they will think that it is you who are most affected by
their ailments. And the man who loses his daily wage because he is
ill complains of his loss and not of his ailment. His own identity
is half hidden from him by the practical wants of his life.

Had Marie been disappointed in her love without the appearance of
any rival suitor, no one would have ever heard of her love. Had
George Voss married, she would have gone on with her work without a
sign of outward sorrow; or had he died, she would have wept for him
with no peculiar tears. She did not expect much from the world
around her, beyond this, that the guests should not complain about
their suppers as long as the suppers provided were reasonably good.
Had no great undertaking been presented to her, the performance of
no heavy task demanded from her, she would have gone on with her
work without showing even by the altered colour of her cheek that
she was a sufferer. But this other man had come,--this Adrian
Urmand; and a great undertaking was presented to her, and the
performance of a heavy task was demanded from her. Then it was
necessary that there should be identity of self and introspection.
She had to ask herself whether the task was practicable, whether its
performance was within the scope of her powers. She told herself at
first that it was not to be done; that it was one which she would
not even attempt. Then as she looked at it more frequently, as she
came to understand how great was the urgency of her uncle; as she