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Gissing, George, 1857-1903

"The Unclassed"


Ida came to Beaufort Street often, and Julian was able to use the
freedom he thus obtained to spend more time in Waymark's society.
The latter noticed the change in him with surprise.
"Things go well still?" he would ask, when Julian came in of an
evening.
"Very well indeed. Harriet hasn't been out one night this week."
"And you think it will last?"
"I have good hope."
They did not speak much of Ida, however. It was only when three
weeks had gone by that Julian asked one night, with some hesitation
in putting the question, whether Waymark saw her often.
"Pretty often," was the reply. "I am her tutor, in a sort of way. We
read together, and that kind of thing."
"At her lodgings?"
"Yes. Does it seem a queer arrangement?"
"She seems very intelligent," said Julian, letting the question pass
by, and speaking with some constraint. "Isn't it a pity that she
can't find some employment better suited to her?"
"I don't see what is open. Could you suggest anything?"
Julian was silent.
"In any case, it won't last very long, I suppose?" he said, looking
up with a smile which was rather a trembling of the lip.
"Why?"
They gazed at each other for a moment.


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