"
She had lost the self-sufficiency that had made roaming about London by
herself a pleasurable adventure; and a newly-born fear of what people
were saying and thinking about her made her shy even of the few friends
she still clung to, so that his visits grew to be of the nature of
childish treats to which she found herself looking forward--counting the
days. Also, she came to be dependent upon him for the keeping alight
within her of that little kindly fire of self-conceit at which we warm
our hands in wintry days. It is not good that a young woman should
remain for long a stranger to her mirror--above her frocks, indifferent
to the angle of her hat. She had met the women superior to feminine
vanities. Handsome enough, some of them must once have been; now sunk in
slovenliness, uncleanliness, in disrespect to womanhood. It would not be
fair to him. The worshipper has his rights. The goddess must remember
always that she is a goddess--must pull herself together and behave as
such, appearing upon her pedestal becomingly attired; seeing to it that
in all things she is at her best; not allowing private grief to render
her neglectful of this duty.
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