On the other hand, his interest in Drouet’s little shop-girl grew in an almost evenly balanced proportion.  That young lady, under the stress of her situation and the tutelage of her new friend, changed effectively.  She had the aptitude of the struggler who seeks emancipation.  The glow of a more showy life was not lost upon her.  She did not grow in knowledge so much as she awakened in the matter of desire.  Mrs. Hale’s extended harangues upon the subjects of wealth and position taught her to distinguish between degrees of wealth.  Mrs. Hale loved to drive in the afternoon in the sun when it was fine, and to satisfy her soul with a sight of those mansions and lawns which she could not afford.  On the North Side had been erected a number of elegant mansions along what is now known as the North Shore Drive.  The present lake wall of stone and granite was not then in place, but the road had been well laid out, the intermediate spaces of lawn were lovely to look upon, and the houses were thoroughly new and imposing.  When the winter season had passed and the first fine days of the early spring appeared, Mrs. Hale secured a buggy for an afternoon and invited Carrie.  They rode first through Lincoln Park and on far out towards Evanston, turning back at four and arriving at the north end of the Shore Drive at about five o’clock.  At this time of year the days are still comparatively short, and the shadows of the evening were beginning to settle down upon the great city.  Lamps were beginning to burn with that mellow radiance which seems almost watery and translucent to the eye.  There was a softness in the air which speaks with an infinite delicacy of feeling to the flesh as well as to the soul.  Carrie felt that it was a lovely day.  She was ripened by it in spirit for many suggestions.  As they drove along the smooth pavement an occasional carriage passed.  She saw one stop and the footman dismount, opening the door for a gentleman who seemed to be leisurely returning from some afternoon pleasure.  Across the broad lawns, now first freshening into green, she saw lamps faintly glowing upon rich interiors.  Now it was but a chair, now a table, now an ornate corner, which met her eye, but it appealed to her as almost nothing else could.  Such childish fancies as she had had of fairy palaces and kingly quarters now came back.  She imagined that across these richly carved entrance-ways, where the globed and crystalled lamps shone upon paneled doors set with stained and designed panes of glass, was neither care nor unsatisfied desire.  She was perfectly certain that here was happiness.  If she could but stroll up yon broad walk, cross that rich entrance-way, which to her was of the beauty of a jewel, and sweep in grace and luxury to possession and command—­oh! how quickly would sadness flee; how, in an instant, would the heartache end.  She gazed and gazed, wondering, delighting, longing, and all the while the siren voice of the unrestful was whispering in her ear.