In a few moments she was roused from her reverie by a smile of recognition from Ernest Livingston, and directly behind him followed Grace Blanche, who gave her no friendly greeting, although she worked for her only the day before. Her mind was too much occupied with the figure before her, in the line of which she kept such an even balance that, turning his head on either side, he would miss a glimpse of her. Imagination had been too busy at work during those several months for conscience or reason to act calmly or wisely, and if sho had not intended to harbor any unkind feeling towards him, it would have been impossible for her to deny truthfully the existence of a little revengeful spirit that day.
It is said that woman is less forgiving than man, doubtless owing to her greater power of endurance, and to her more secluded life. Contact with the world leads to a study of human nature, which diffuses a more catholic spirit as we learn to comprehend it in its many phases, and overlook what seems at the moment inexplicable, confident that a knowledge of all the circumstances would materially change the aspect of affairs. Then Grace Blanche had met with no affliction since she was old enough to realize it, a school more powerful than any other to soften the feelings and educate them into a magnanimity that cannot afford to notice trifles. But this was not a trifle. Disappointed as she had been in the confidence placed in another, the effect of which made her a little inclined to think the whole world false, it was no light thing that this friend in whom she
