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Conrad, Joseph, 1857-1924

"Chance"

She wouldn't have known how to begin. She was the
captive of the meanest conceivable fate. And she wasn't mean enough for
it. It is to be remarked that a good many people are born curiously
unfitted for the fate awaiting them on this earth. As I don't want you
to think that I am unduly partial to the girl we shall say that she
failed decidedly to endear herself to that simple, virtuous and, I
believe, teetotal household. It's my conviction that an angel would have
failed likewise. It's no use going into details; suffice it to state
that before the year was out she was again at the Fynes' door.
This time she was escorted by a stout youth. His large pale face wore a
smile of inane cunning soured by annoyance. His clothes were new and the
indescribable smartness of their cut, a _genre_ which had never been
obtruded on her notice before, astonished Mrs. Fyne, who came out into
the hall with her hat on; for she was about to go out to hear a new
pianist (a girl) in a friend's house. The youth addressing Mrs. Fyne
easily begged her not to let "that silly thing go back to us any more.


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