"
"No, not obliged, I am happy to say. If my parishioners do not hear the
truth I have no excuse. It must be rather trying to the temper of a
lady like yourself to humour the caprices of the vulgar."
"No; they are my customers, and even if they are unpleasant they are so
not to me personally but to their servant, who ceases to be their
servant when she ceases to be employed upon their clothes."
"You are a philosopher, madam; that sentiment is worthy of Epictetus."
"I have read Epictetus in Mrs. Carter's translation."
"You have read Epictetus? That is remarkable! I should think no other
woman in the county has read him." He leaned forward a little and his
face was lighted up. "I have a library, madam, a large library; I
should like to show it to you, if--if it can be managed without
difficulty."
"It will give me great pleasure to see it some day. It must be a
delightful solace to you in a town like this, in which I daresay you
have but few friends. I suppose, though, you visit a good deal?"
"No; I do not visit much.
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