' There is such a
thing--and that great necromancer found it out! I am the breathing
impersonation of that loathly thing, I believe. Listen"--and she sat up
with one raised finger and gave the poet's words with rare expression:
"'The nightmare--life in death was she,
That chilled men's blood with cold.'
"Doesn't that describe me as I am, Miriam?"
"You are, indeed, much changed, Bertie; perhaps it would be well could
you confide in me."
"No, it would not be well! I never could keep any thing wholly to
myself, neither can I tell it wholly, even to such as you--reticent!
merciful! But this believe, I have done nothing wrong, nothing to be
ashamed of, to wear sackcloth and ashes for, and I am preparing to put
my foot on it all. Ay, from the snake's head of first discovery to the
snake's tail of the last disappointment, ranging over half a dozen
years! A long serpent, truly!" laughing. "But I mean to be galvanized
and get back my life. I am determined to be famous, rich, beautiful!"
and she nodded to me with the old sweet sparkle in her eye, the glad
smile on her lip.
"You laugh at the last threat!--laugh on! 'He who laughs best, laughs
last!' says the old proverb. There is such a thing as training one's
features, isn't there, as well as one's setters? Miriam, I shall develop
slowly; I am still in my very downiest adolescence as to looks.
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