“I am not to be foiled with one rebuff.  I know her better than she knows me, for the busy world has canvassed her life, while they have never meddled with my own:  and I think there are points of contact enough between us for us to understand each other, if we once found an opportunity.  She stands in a position which I shall never occupy, and she has more power and strength than I; else she had never stood where she does, for she has shaped her fortunes by her own unaided will.  Her face was not her fortune, as most people suppose, but her mind.  She has accomplished whatever she has undertaken, and she can accomplish much more, for her resources are far from being developed.  Those around her may remember yet that she was not always on a footing with them; but they will not do so long.  She will be their leader, for she was born to rule.  Yes; and she queens it most proudly among them.  It were a pity to lose sight of her stately, graceful dignity.  I regard her very much as I would some beautiful exotic, and her opinion of me affects me about as much as if she were the flower, and not the mortal.  And yet I can never see her without wishing that the influence she exerts might be turned into a better channel.  She has much of good about her, and I think that it needs but a few hints to make life and its responsibilities appear to her as they do to me.  I have a message for her ear, but she must not know that it was intended for her.  She has too much pride of place to receive it from me, and too much self-confidence to listen knowingly to the suggestions of any other mind than her own.  Therefore, I will seek the society of Isabel Walters whenever I can, without appearing intrusive, until she thinks me worthy her notice, or drops me altogether.  My talent lies in thinking, but she has all the life and energy I lack, and would make an excellent actor to my thought, and would need no mentor when her attention was once aroused.  My usefulness must lie in an humble sphere, but hers—­she can carry it wherever she will.  It will be enough for my single life to accomplish, if, beyond the careful training of my own family, I can incite her to a development of her powers of usefulness.  People will listen to her who will pay no attention to me; and, besides, she has the time and means to spare, which I have not.”

“Everywhere, in Europe, they were talking of you, Mrs. Walters,” said a lady, who had spent many years abroad, “and adopting your plans for vagrant and industrial schools, and for the management of hospitals and asylums.  I have seen your name in the memorials laid before government in various foreign countries.  You have certainly achieved a world-wide reputation.  Do tell me how your attention came first to be turned to that sort of thing?  I supposed you were one of our fashionable women, who sought simply to know how much care and responsibility they could lawfully avoid, and how high a social station it was possible to attain.  I am sure something must have happened to turn your life into so different a channel.”