Dark Mirror

ad the secret of perceiving in her. In this, indeed, resided the true reason for her fear of meeting Mario: he was disastrous to her peace of mind, her self-complacence; when she listened to him, satisfaction departed and in its stead came inquietude, with the wish to be what he would have her be, what intuition told her she could be if she would but set herself to overcome her own resistance.

She searched his face in wonder. When he disturbed her so profoundly, why did she like him so much? What was it that gave him power to charm her wits away, discontent her with all that had otherwise seemed excellent and complete, make nothing of the steel of her set purpose? Was it his love alone?

He loved her, she was satisfied of that, but with such forbearance, such consideration, tenderness and understanding as left her incredulous. In the Street love was another thing entirely, a fiercer, cruder business, brusque and selfish without disguise-some- tiling open, direct and casual, but as essential as me