I met her by chance, and kept up her acquaintance.
There has been nothing wrong--bah! how conventional one is, in
spite of oneself!--I mean to say there has been nothing more than
a pleasant friendship between us; absolutely nothing. We see each
other from time to time, and have a walk, perhaps a meal, together,
and I lend her books. Now, do you think there would be any way of
getting your wife to accept her society, say of an evening now and
then? Don't do anything rash; it is of course clear that _you_ must
have no hand in this. I must manage it if it is to be done.
Naturally, I can't answer at once for the girl's readiness; but I
believe she would do what I asked her to. Do you think it is worth
entertaining, this idea?"
"I do, indeed; it would be salvation, I really believe."
"Don't be too sanguine, Casti; that's another of your faults. Still,
I know very well that this girl could cure your wife of her ill
propensities if any living creature could. She is strong in
character, admirably clear-headed, mild, gentle, womanly; in fact,
there is perhaps no one I respect so much, on the whole."
"Respect, only?" asked Julian, smiling.
"Ye-es; yes, I believe I am perfectly honest in saying so, though I
couldn't have been so sure about it some little time ago.
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