"Yes, I read that when it came out," said Lilian, and began to talk of it. Mrs. Wade kept silence, then remarked carelessly: "You had them in the Tauchnitz series, I suppose?" Had her eyes been turned that way, she must have observed the strange look which flashed across her companion's countenance. Lilian seemed to draw in her breath, though silently. "Yes--Tauchnitz," she answered. Mrs. Wade appeared quite unconscious of anything unusual in the tone. She was gazing at the fire. "It isn't often I find time for novels," she said; "for new ones, that is. A few of the old are generally all I need. Can you read George Eliot? What a miserably conventional soul that woman has!" "Conventional? But"---- "Oh, I know! But she is British conventionality to the core. I have heard people say that she hasn't the courage of her opinions; but that is precisely what she _has_, and every page of her work declares it flagrantly. She might have been a great power--she might have speeded the revolution of morals--if the true faith had been in her." Lilian was still tremulous, and she listened with an intensity which gave her a look of pain. She was about to speak, but Mrs. Wade anticipated her. "You mustn't trouble much about anything I say when it crosses your own judgment or feeling. There are so few people with whom I can indulge myself in free speech. I talk just for the pleasure of it; don't think I expect or hope that you will always go along with me. But you are not afraid of thinking--that's the great thing. Most women are such paltry creatures that they daren't look into their own minds--for fear nature should have put something 'improper' there." She broke off with laughter, and, as Lilian kept silence, fell into thought.