She
did not ask for high intellect or great attainments; but
vivacity, courage, determination to succeed, were delightful to
her senses. Her ideal would not have been a literary man at all;
certainly not a man likely to be prominent in journalism; rather
a man of action, one who had no restraints of commerce or
official routine. But in Jasper she saw the qualities that
attracted her apart from the accidents of his position. Ideal
personages do not descend to girls who have to labour at the
British Museum; it seemed a marvel to her, and of good augury,
that even such a man as Jasper should have crossed her path.
It was as though years had passed since their first meeting. Upon
her return to London had followed such long periods of
hopelessness. Yet whenever they encountered each other he had
look and speech for her with which surely he did not greet every
woman. From the first his way of regarding her had shown frank
interest. And at length had come the confession of his 'respect,'
his desire to be something more to her than a mere acquaintance.
It was scarcely possible that he should speak as he several times
had of late if he did not wish to draw her towards him.
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