Page:The Galaxy, Volume 5.djvu/772

742 rather slowly, "chivalry always consists in doing whatever is most difficult. In those days, that was to overcome some outside antagonist; now, it is to conquer yourself."

March 18th.—I have actually been to an evening party. It is full five years since I last did such a thing. It was at the house of one of my legal cronies; but as his urgent invitations have previously had no effect upon me, I scarcely think I should have accepted this one had not Miss Glenn happened to say, "I have made Nelly and John promise to go with me, Mr. Dulaney, and you must come too. All the world will be there, and it is well to look at your fellow-beings occasionally." I told her that was the very reason I never went to such places; viewed under those conditions, people failed to impress me very strongly as my fellow-creatures; I was chiefly conscious of a great want of natural connection with them. "That only proves," she answered, laughingly, "that your recognition of the claims of a common humanity is not so strong in a parallel as in a downward direction. You are willing enough to make allowances for the human frailties of those utterly beneath you, can't you spare some of the same long-suffering for those upon your own level. It is very curious to me that the more cultivated and refined a man is himself, the more he seems to regard poverty and ignorance as the essential qualities of a man and a brother. Your forbearance needs cultivation in a social straight line." I am afraid I flushed a little; first, because there was some truth in the remark, and second, because it was a side-hit at many of our former discussions. "I simply hold persons accountable in proportion to their opportunities," I replied. "However, I shall be most happy to begin the recognition of my fellow-men and brethren in dress-coats under Miss Glenn's guidance."

I had another motive for my assent. I was very anxious to see her among her usual associates; to watch her under the circumstances and in the position to which she was most accustomed. I knew that her life was a gay one; that, except when she stole away to John's home for the quiet which contrast rendered piquant, her existence was a round of excitement. I had heard Mrs. Conway say that "Esther's" rooms were almost always filled with callers, and had, consequently, never attempted to visit her. I should now have a chance to see who and what they were, and what degree of influence they were likely to exert over her.

It was quite late when we arrived, but Miss Glenn was soon so surrounded that I lost my place at her side. I knew all the men in the room, and most of the ladies who had been "out" any length of time, and managed to get through the evening by apparently talking to them, and really watching her. She was, evidently, one of the most admired women present. The effect of her physical beauty and grace upon others roused me to a vivid perception of their extent. Generally, they are to me like fresh air and sunshine, whose sweet influences I take in almost unconsciously. Her soul holds mine in such utter bondage, or, rather, in such sure keeping, that it is only at times I become keenly conscious of that wherein, for most men, lies her chief power. I know, if she were to lose her mere external charms to-morrow, she could be none the less essential to me, as I know that the long years, through which they must surely wane, could only perfect our spiritual unity and fitness.

I soon singled out the men who were most devoted to her. They were all of more than average intellect, all good talkers—some even thinkers—who knew the world and its ways thoroughly. But there were those among them from