Page:Life of Octavia Hill as told in her letters.djvu/209

 thoroughly pleased with the house. . . . Ruskin was very kind indeed about it.

We had a delicious talk afterwards about my life and life in general, and cultivated affection, its duties, practicability ; whether or not the cultivation of it deteriorated natures and how.

Ruskin spoke of his own father and mother. He quite willingly wrote what he imagined would satisfy Mr. Harlowe, and so did Mr. Maurice ; but in the meantime Miss Wodehouse had most kindly offered a guarantee. She was perfectly convinced of the success of the plan, and was anxious that Miss Jex Blake should have her rooms.

I had such a glorious talk with Ruskin, stayed till 2.20 ; had to take a cab, and to drive furiously to College, where I was ten minutes late, and recovered from shame and remorse for it, by finding everyone in a state of alarm about me ; only so thankful I was safe, my unpunctuality being unprecedented. I was a little proud, and vastly amused.