Page:The Galaxy, Volume 5.djvu/765

1868.] worked this effect; I can know nothing of the cause, but my knowledge of the result is a certainty. It was scarcely more than two or three moments of time before she finished the verses and the word-music died away into silence; but as I stepped back into the hall, another man with another soul seemed walking away from the one who had entered such a little while before.

I had just reached the front door when John opened it. "Ah, Randolph, is it you," he exclaimed, in his pleasant, cheery fashion, taking it for granted that I had just come in. "I am very glad you came, I wanted to see you particularly. Come into the parlor." And he led the way. His wife sprang up to welcome us, then there was a momentary pause as John lighted the shaded burner upon the table, and then Mrs. Conway said, "Miss Glenn, Mr. Dulaney." The figure at the window had turned and was looking quietly at me. I bowed; and, as I did so, took in her full effect.

I confess it startled me. It was a brilliant society lady who calmly returned my salute. There was not a wave of her hair, not a fold of her dress that was not thoroughly à la mode, that did not tell of a life and habits of fashion. At the first glance, anything more unlike what had I expected to see, it would be impossible to imagine. But, as I looked eagerly in her face, I recognized her again beneath this mere surface; and took shame to myself that I should have doubted even for a second. She was even more stylish than handsome; more beautiful than either, for those who had eyes to see it; with a clear gravity in the depths of the luminous brown eyes, which was like the tone of her voice in another form. She kept her place at the window, as she was still within our little circle, and only spoke when John or his wife casually addressed her. But, whenever she did so, I was conscious of a slight shock, for the voice had changed to simply the refined sweetness of any cultivated lady! There was little chance, though, for any one but John and myself to talk; for he plunged headlong into the discussion of some minor points of politics about which we differed, and upon which he was the more anxious to convert me, as he imagined I might have some influence upon their approaching decision. I was too honestly interested in the subject not to have talked earnestly upon it, had we been alone. As it was, I never in my life, before bench or bar, chose my words so carefully, tried to make my sentences and meaning so clear and telling, as I did for the hearing of one of those listeners. She gave small outward sign of its having any effect upon her; she scarcely looked up more than once. I suspect she disagreed both with my premises and my conclusions; and yet, when I stopped, it was with a sure sense that, for once, I had spoken out my mind upon a subject and been perfectly understood. Then I found my time was up; and went away, taking with me only those two slight bows, at meeting and parting, as all she had voluntarily given me.

I suppose I went through the business of the evening in an ordinarily rational way, for no one stared at me or seemed to notice any change in my manner. But I recollected very little about it until I sat down here and opened my note-book, which is the only thing in the world to which I really talk freely.

For the last year or two I have had a growing consciousness of my want of motive and aim in life, but I have never felt it so keenly as to-night. I try to do what I can for those around me, for humanity in general; but, as for myself, my days go by with no controlling influence to bind them together, with no connecting link beyond the customary routine of business. In each I try to do honest work for an honest wage, but with no higher result than the winning of my own bread