I am sure also
that he felt affection for me. He became confidential, and told me all
his history and troubles. There was one peculiarity in his conversation
which was new to me: he never talked down to me, and he was not afraid
at times to discuss subjects that in the society to which I had been
accustomed were prohibited. Not a word that was improper ever escaped
his lips, but he treated me in a measure as if I were a man, and I was
flattered that he should put me on a level with himself. It is true
that sometimes I fancied he was so unreserved with me because he was
sure he was quite safe, for I was poor. and although I was not ugly I
was not handsome. However, on the whole, I was very happy in his
society, and there was more than a chance that I should become his wife.
After six months of our acquaintanceship had passed, M., an old
schoolfellow of mine, took lodgings near me for the summer. She was a
remarkable girl. If she was not beautiful, she was better-looking than
I was, and she possessed a something, I know not what, more powerful
than beauty to fascinate men.
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