"Are such women common, then?" she demanded, passionately. "I knew evil enough of your world, but I did not know this. This woman is sweet-voiced, her face is fair, her hair is golden, her hands are white and soft, her manners caressing and gentle; but you see her soul is sordid--it was not large enough to prevent her marrying an old man for his money. Something tells me that the vengeance I have promised myself is not far off." Miss Hastings wrung her hands in silent dismay. "Oh, for something to redeem you, Pauline--something to soften your heart, which is hardening into sin!" "I do not know of any earthly influence that could, as you say, redeem me. I know that I am doing wrong. Do not think that I have transformed vice into virtue and have blinded myself. I know that some people can rise to a far grander height; they would, instead of seeking vengeance, pardon injuries. I cannot--I never will. There is no earthly influence that can redeem me, because there is none stronger than my own will." The elder lady looked almost hopelessly at the younger one. How was she to cope with this strong nature--a nature that could own a fault, yet by strength of will persevere in it? She felt that she might as well try to check the angry waves of the rising tide as try to control this willful, undisciplined disposition. How often in after years these words returned to her mind: "I know of no earthly influence stronger than my own will." Miss Hastings sat in silence for some minutes, and then she looked at the young girl. "What shape will your vengeance take, Pauline?" she asked, calmly. "I do not know. Fate will shape it for me; my opportunity will come in time." "Vengeance is a very high-sounding word," observed Miss Hastings, "but the thing itself generally assumes very prosaic forms. You would not descend to such a vulgar deed as murder, for instance; nor would you avail yourself of anything so commonplace as poison." "No," replied Pauline, with contempt; "those are mean revenges. I will hurt her where she has hurt me--where all the love of her heart is garnered; there will I wound her as she has wounded me. Where she can feel most there I mean to strike, and strike home." "Then you have no definite plan arranged?" questioned Miss Hastings. "Fate will play into my hands when the time comes," replied Pauline. Nor could the governess extract aught further from her. CHAPTER XXXI. FATE FAVORS PAULINE.