In Pall Mall we got into a crowd
caused by a quarrel between two drunken men. I was separated from my
companions, and one of the crowd, also tipsy, reeled against me. I
should have been knocked down but for a gentleman who caught me; he had
just come down the steps from one of the clubs. I thanked him. He kindly
helped me to find my companions. He came on with us almost to the door
of Madame Celine's house. He talked frankly and pleasantly. Two days
after I was going to the City on madame's business. He met me. He said
he had watched for me. There! I cannot go into details. We met
repeatedly. For the first time in my life I was sought, and, as I
believed, warmly loved. I knew the unspeakable gulf that opened for me,
but I loved him. At last there was light and color in my
poverty-stricken existence." She stopped, and a glow came into her sad
eyes. "I was bewildered, distracted, between the passion of my heart and
the resistance of my reason. I ceased to be the efficient assistant I
had been. I was rebuked, and looked upon coldly. Six months after I had
met _him_ first, I gave madame warning. I said I was going into the
country. So I was, but not alone. No one asked me any questions; no one
had a right. I belonged to no one, was responsible to no one, could
wound no one.
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